FDA Warning on Antidepressants

Despite the relative safety and popularity of SSRIs and other antidepressants, some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially adolescents and young adults. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough review of published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants that involved nearly 4,400 children and adolescents. The review revealed that 4% of those taking antidepressants thought about or attempted suicide (although no suicides occurred), compared to 2% of those receiving placebos.

This information prompted the FDA, in 2005, to adopt a "black box" warning label on all antidepressant medications to alert the public about the potential increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24. A "black box" warning is the most serious type of warning on prescription drug labeling.

The warning emphasizes that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be closely monitored, especially during the initial weeks of treatment. Possible side effects to look for are worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations. The warning adds that families and caregivers should also be told of the need for close monitoring and report any changes to the physician.

How do Older Adults Experience Depression?

Depression is not a normal part of aging, and studies show that most seniors feel satisfied with their lives, despite increased physical ailments. However, when older adults do have depression, it may be overlooked because seniors may show different, less obvious symptoms, and may be less inclined to experience or acknowledge feelings of sadness or grief.15

In addition, older adults may have more medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke or cancer, which may cause depressive symptoms, or they may be taking medications with side effects that contribute to depression. Some older adults may experience what some doctors call vascular depression, also called arteriosclerotic depression or subcortical ischemic depression. Vascular depression may result when blood vessels become less flexible and harden over time, becoming constricted. Such hardening of vessels prevents normal blood flow to the body's organs, including the brain. Those with vascular depression may have, or be at risk for, a co�existing cardiovascular illness or stroke.16

Although many people assume that the highest rates of suicide are among the young, older white males age 85 and older actually have the highest suicide rate. Many have a depressive illness that their doctors may not detect, despite the fact that these suicide victims often visit their doctors within one month of their deaths.

The majority of older adults with depression improve when they receive treatment with an antidepressant, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.18 Research has shown that medication alone and combination treatment are both effective in reducing the rate of depressive recurrences in older adults.19 Psychotherapy alone also can be effective in prolonging periods free of depression, especially for older adults with minor depression, and it is particularly useful for those who are unable or unwilling to take antidepressant medication.

Some Good Tricks to Cope Depression

There are a variety of natural treatments, so let's look at them.

1. Massage

Is a fantastic stress and anxiety buster, which is a major cause of depression.

Massage is deeply relaxing and can be enhanced by an aromatherapist who uses a blend of oils to help alleviate both physical and mental anxieties and stress.

2. Meditation

When the body experiences total relaxation through meditation, mental clarity starts improves and many people can see things more clearly. Yoga and Tai Chi are great for this.

3. Healing with color

It is well known that color affects our mood and can enhance both elation and depression and changing colors around you will help immensely.

It may sound odd at first but color is the first thing we register above all else.

Chromotherapy works by studying a pattern of vibrations produced by your body which can be deciphered by a trained color therapist.

If you feel depressed, your body produces an unbalanced pattern of vibrations.

The therapist aims to adjust these patterns, restoring balance.

Chromotherapy is a proven treatment for mild depression that works.

4. Chiropractic and osteopathy

Ease headaches, neck ache and back pain by manipulating the bones of the body. Pain is one of the causes leading to depression symptoms can be alleviated.

These therapies also boost energy levels, helping the depressed person have more energy and able to cope with life’s ups and downs better.

5. Reflexology

Can also reduce tension by working on specific points on the foot, which correspond to emotional and physical ailments.

Reflexology can leave you feeling better, more energetic and generally more positive.

6. Herbs and supplements

There are many supplements and foods recommended to combat depression but in a recent study was concluded all you need is a healthy and well rounded diet, but there are three supplements you could try and one of them is being hailed as natures wonder drug.

Few mental tricks to cure depression:

1. Try not to spend too much time with people who are miserable or pessimistic. Spend as much time as you can with people who are cheerful and optimistic.
2. Try to spend at least an hour every day doing something that you enjoy.
3. Take a break. Go away for a few days if you can. Don't take work with you - and don't tell anyone the telephone number.
4. Let yourself go occasionally. If you feel tense or uptight go outside and smash a tennis ball or football. Or dig the garden!
5. Learn to laugh. It really will make you feel better. Visit a local joke shop or toy shop. Buy books and magazines that you find entertaining and amusing rather than just educational. hire a funny video and invite one or two friends round to enjoy it with you.
6. Visit your local travel agent and pick up a collection of holiday brochures. Look through the illustrations and imagine that you are there - soaking up the sun.
7. Write down your problems. They'll seem less threatening when they're written down. And you'll be able to tackle them more easily too.
8. Don't be afraid to cry. Tears shed for emotional reasons contain special proteins - crying is a useful and constructive way of dealing with sadness. Crying will make you feel rested, calmer and happier.

Ways to Remove Depression from Life

Experts usually have two ways of describing depression. They consider depression to be sole agent in making a person feel low or negative mood behavior. In another situation, it is suggested to take form of more serious depressive mental illness that contains many symptoms of depression.

It is accept by doctors that depression comes from panic experienced by people due to random situation occurring in their life. Doctors have suggested there is link between panic and depression. When panic thought increased more than person could handle, it then believed person is suffering from depression.People need to know types of depression currently affecting people. People have to get knowledge about Depression because it most widely suffered disease.

Panic feelings have its share of both positive and negative effects on a person. Like if person does not dread death, he will not experience panic. In turn he will not be inclined to visit doctor to cure for any disease he may suffer. Thus, panic or dread in this case is helpful in making person worry about his safety.

Sensitive people are more likely to suffer depressant effects. Such people can show depressed mood, or loss of interest and pleasure. Due this panic feeling increase in that person making him unable to maintain and lead his life. As depressive symptoms increase it will slowly encircle the person mind enabling him to start disliking any activities he used to delight in once.

He will also lose appetite shedding his weight considerably and finding concentrating hard. There is no zest for life left in him, but merely dragging his life, as if there is no reason or meaning left in his life. Under such situation, people suffering depressive condition often remain in door and prefer to stay alone, rarely socializing with others.

Adding on, their will power will gradually diminish, eventually making him accept that he is unworthy or useless. If this dispiritedness enters in his life, it will give unforgiving pain and hurt his happiness life long.

To beat depression, you need to devise a strategy to counter attack depression. To counter such depressive symptoms people need to make it point to keep them optimistic in tough time. By controlling negative emotions, and blocking them. They never surrender them self in the face of depression, but rather face it boldly. It is these people that we need to inspire and learn.

1. Involve yourself in work that you can pursue daily. Such task will occupy your mind and not let negative thought to enter. Leaving you in more relax and healthy state of mind.
   
   Optimal way to make a successful daily routine work also includes concentrating on improving your lifestyle to improve your health. A healthy person is much better than a weak person. As former is able to involve himself actively in any aspect of life while latter is more prone to get sick or unenergetic to purse any goal in life.
    
2. Physical work out exhibit incredible benefits, this has be confirmed by many studies that suggests regular exercise can improve mood and refresh a person if feeling distress. Even moderate exercise each day is sufficient to have significant impact. Exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming or even riding a bicycle are all very effective. Just 5 or 20 minutes of regular working out can prove to change your mood and life considerable.

Exercise is excellent giver of endorphins, which is a chemical in human brain that functions to improve mood. This chemical is vital factor in alleviating depression symptoms.

Do not allow negative thoughts to run through your mind, other wise they will start to see whole world negatively. Another way to beat depression is by controlling your mind thought and understanding each emotion that you experience. When you know what your conscious is conveying you. You will be in a better position to control your feeling and thus prevent any unwanted embarrassments. Let me suggest you some way to that can help you heal your negative thoughts these are

Always be positive and reckon from practical point of view only. Never involve take any things lightly, consider all options before making any choice. Any choice taken in haste can only bring harm then any excellent.

Involve in activities that can enlighten your mood. Such as spend time with children or spouse or even friends. As laughter and joy has capacity to turn even horrible condition into a pleasurable situation within small time. Take help of our like one to share the burden of depression. This will make you feel you are not unworthy but rather you are priceless and deserve every inch of like and affection.

Depression needs to be counter by a combination of treatments with a naturalistic approach. This way patient can safeguard against any side effects caused by medications or therapy and hence achieve speedy recovery.

Know The Risk Factors of Clinical Depression

Unlike other medical illnesses, which have a specific biological or chemical cause, depression does not have any such specific medical or psychological treatment. In fact, clinical depression is known to be a result of a combination of biological, psychological as well as social factors. Thus, it is a good idea to have a basic knowledge of the risk factors involved, so that they can be reduced to some extent.

Some risk factors involved include:

Lack of support: This is one of the key risk factors for depression. Lack of support from family, friends or colleagues, loneliness and isolation, are some of the major factors leading to depression. Loneliness can make you feel frustrated at times.

Trauma or abuse in childhood: A traumatic early life experience may make you more vulnerable to depression in your later years. Emotional trauma and abuse are known to have very powerful effect on the psyche of a person.

Genetics: Besides all other reasons, a very basic and common cause of depression can be the presence of a family member having a history of depression. Though, as of now, no direct gene has been found to cause depression.

Alcohol and Drugs: These are some of the worst triggers for depression. People who try to self medicate themselves with alcohol and drugs, rather become more vulnerable to depression and to make things worse, instead even get addicted to these.

Recent Traumas: Not only do the past traumas trigger depression, but even traumatic experiences of the present like, loss of a loved one, strain in relationships, etc. can lead one towards depression.

Health and financial problems: Financial strains triggered by the loss of an important job or due to building debts, can cause a great amount of stress. Also, health problems like chronic pain, can at times be a cause for developing depression for some. Reduced mobility or strained relations can make one feel frustrated.

Breaking Out Of Depression

Depression is often like the weather. It's dark, cloudy, and gloomy, and there doesn't seem to be a thing you can do to cheer yourself up. Depression is not the same thing at all as being sad. It is a shutdown of emotions. It is often that point in which you stop caring; in which you say, "What's the use of anything?" It affects virtually everyone at times, and for some people depression is chronic. So what can you do when depression casts a shadow over your life?

Just like you probably don't feel like going out for a nice walk on a rainy day, there are undoubtedly many things you would not feeling like doing when you are depressed. You don't have to. In fact, somewhat paradoxically, it is much better when you feel depressed to just lie around the house and space out. Watching a mindless movie, taking a hot bath for an hour- these kinds of things usually make you feel relaxed when depressed. Activities involving concentration usually don't. Going to bed early and getting lots of sleep is also a good idea. Look forward to your depression lifting tomorrow.

Another thing that helps many people is talking to someone. Nearly everyone has depression in his life at times and most people seem to enjoy the chance to share with you the way they feel as well. It is said that misery loves company, but two depressed people getting together to vent their woes to each other is usually cathartic and ends being a win-win encounter, not a double minus.

Learning about depression obsessive thoughts, you'll find that they can be controlled if you find out why you are having them in the first place. If you have a depression obsessive thought ask yourself this question: "Why am I having this thought?" Take it on a single thought basis that way you can find out what is making you unhappy or unbalanced or whatever. If you realize the source of your stress or problem then you are half way to solving it! I want to make you aware that depression obsessive thoughts are not productive and are a waste of your time. If you really want to stop these thoughts you must realize that these thoughts are just a result of habit. That is all.

Simple lifestyle changes you exercise every day with a big hole in depression, avoid the temptation to separate the negative voice in your head can ignore, healthy foods instead of junk food you want, and rest and relaxation playing for time. Feeling better takes time, but you if you every day to make positive decisions for themselves and others can help. No matter what you say, Life is a big, big flat when you are dealing with a solution is wrong. A resolution on the radio a song or a song girlfriend song girlfriend resolution. Is something that you see in your hand or kiss the dog is mad with you. My friends are no help because they want you getting all this so everyone can go back just to have fun.

What are the Side Effects of Antidepressants?

Antidepressants may cause mild and often temporary side effects in some people, but they are usually not long–term. However, any unusual reactions or side effects that interfere with normal functioning should be reported to a doctor immediately.

The most common side effects associated with SSRIs and SNRIs include:

• Headache–usually temporary and will subside.
• Nausea–temporary and usually short–lived.
• Insomnia and nervousness (trouble falling asleep or waking often during the night)–may occur during the first few weeks but often subside over time or if the dose is reduced.
• Agitation (feeling jittery).
• Sexual problems–both men and women can experience sexual problems including reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, or inability to have an orgasm.

Tricyclic antidepressants also can cause side effects including:

• Dry mouth-it is helpful to drink plenty of water, chew gum, and clean teeth daily.
• Constipation-it is helpful to eat more bran cereals, prunes, fruits, and vegetables.
• Bladder problems–emptying the bladder may be difficult, and the urine stream may not be as strong as usual. Older men with enlarged prostate conditions may be more affected. The doctor should be notified if it is painful to urinate.
• Sexual problems–sexual functioning may change, and side effects are similar to those from SSRIs.
• Blurred vision–often passes soon and usually will not require a new corrective lenses prescription.
• Drowsiness during the day–usually passes soon, but driving or operating heavy machinery should be avoided while drowsiness occurs. The more sedating antidepressants are generally taken at bedtime to help sleep and minimize daytime drowsiness.

3 Ways to Beat Depression

Depression is pretty horrible. However, depressed thoughts come and go. This post is designed to give you a few small (but big) ways to beat depression every time.

1) Realize that depression is transient - Like a rainbow, a puddle, a bubble or a cloud in the sky depression does not last. It never does and it never will.

2) Be careful with the label I have depression - Why?

Because the diagnosis you have depression is very solid. It is very fixed. It seems unchangeable. But like I noted in the first point, depression is actually very transient. It is impermanent. It doesn't last. But when you are told you have depression you run the risk of labeling yourself as a depressed person. And that is very solid.

3) Learn the value of human contact

• Knowing people love you makes a difference
• Being around other people helps

The two lessons here are about helping people with depression and helping yourself when you have depression. If you are depressed you need to get out and be around people. It doesn't matter how you do it, science has shown that having human contact helps depression.

The second thing is that if you know someone who is feeling down you should go and help them. Get them out of the house, take them out for a walk and get them out with people. This will not only help their situation, it will also help your depression.

Find Male Depression Signs

Here are some Male depression signs.

1. Male depression is well observed when men are always irritable, isolated and withdrawn, who find work as fortress of solitude.
2. Men may feel that it is a sign of weakness or unmanly to show any sign of despair or self-doubt; they may dread what might occur if their employers or friends found out.
3. Men are less likely to seek treatment for their depression, but women are less likely to admit that there is a problem. If you can find the support of your family and friends, you should be able to make it through the frustrations.

As for male depression, it has always been a serious subject they just can't easily express or talk about.

What are the signs of depression in an adult male? Anything specifically different fr

Everyone will present a little differently and there are those who believe that men and women may present differently. I am a practical person so I have devised a series of 6 questions. If a person answers 'yes' to at least 4 of the 6 I am 85% certain that they feel and function better on what is typically called an 'antidepressant'.

1. Has there been a change in sleep habits and rest?
2. Has there been a change in appetitte? 
3. Has there been a change in energy level? 
4. Has there been a change in mood?
5. Has there been a change in your interest in activities?
6. Has there been a change in your ability to think clearly? 

I hope that you are asking this as a matter of interest and that you do not have 'depression'. For those who do suffer with 'depression' there are many affordable and effective medications with a low incidence of side effects. As everyone is different and unique in how they express a disorder and in their response to treatment when in doubt ask you physician.

Suicide And Self-Injury

Suicide is a scary word, especially when it comes to clinically depressed people. Though, most often people who talk of killing themselves would never actually do so, it's a different scenario when it comes to people who are under depression. It is important for you to notice and report depressed people who show suicidal tendencies. Some of these warning signals can trigger your attention:

1. Talking, reading or writing about suicide or death.
2. Talking about feeling worthless or helpless.
3. Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
4. Previous records of suicide attempts.
5. Wanting to be left alone.
6. Obsessed with harmful things and thoughts like death or violence.

Self-injury though less fatal can be just as dangerous as suicidal thoughts. Self-injury is when a person consciously and intentionally hurts himself physically while actually trying to prove some point like:

• Trying to get the attention of people around desperately.
• Trying to change the way they are feeling.
• Trying to express how helpless and worhtless they feel.
• Trying to get rid of their agonies and pains.

Overcoming Fear of Death

The Fear of Death or Thanatophobia as it is known in medical terms, is one of the most commonly observed phobias. This can represent the fear of dying or fear of anything that shows association to death.

There are several ways in which you can overcome the fear of death. Some of the common ways include:

• Think of it as a natural cycle: It is very important that you come to terms with the fact that, anyone who is born must also die and that there is nothing unnatural about it. Everyone has to die some day or the other.
• Try to share your fears with someone: A good way to lessen your fears is to share it with someone you can trust. Avoid going to the therapist unless your condition is too extreme.
• Try to have a positive attitude towards life: An optimistic outlook is very important to overcome your fears.
• Enjoy your life to the fullest: Live each day as it comes. Fill your life with happiness and live to the fullest. Meet people, play, go out with friends and try to be merry.

There are many ways in which we can overcome the fear of death. first i should be strong and self confident. Then i can be strong and able to fight against these Thanatophobia. Be optimistic outlook is very important. Have a positive attitude towards life, Then you can be happy whole the life.

Here are the very practical ways to Overcoming Fear of Death.

1. Get outside
2. Aerobic Exercise
3. Omega-3 fatty acids
4. Sleep
5. Socialize
6. Watch your thinking!
7. Also thinking positively.

Why You're Depressed?

You may feel you know exactly why you're depressed. Other times, however, the reasons for depression are not as clear. The causes of depression are quite complex. Very often it is a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Regardless of the cause, depression is almost always treatable. You do not need to determine the cause of your depression to get help.

Biological factors: You may have heard about chemical imbalances in the brain that occur in depression, suggesting that depression is a medical illness. Depression does seem to have a biological component. Research suggests that depression may be linked to changes in the functioning of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Current research focuses on the serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine systems. The usefulness of antidepressant medications suggests that brain chemistry is involved in depression. However, it is also possible that biological changes happen as a result of being depressed.

Some kinds of depression seem to run in families, suggesting a biological vulnerability. This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and, to a lesser extent, severe major depression. However, having a biological vulnerability does not mean you are destined to become depressed. Not everyone in a family develops depression, suggesting that other factors are involved. In addition, depression can occur in individuals who have no family history of depression.

Stress: Psychological and environmental stressors can contribute to a depressive episode. Common stressors among college students include:

1. Academic demands
2. Transitions-re-entry to school, being new to Berkeley
3. Balancing school, work, family, social life
4. Financial responsibilities or worries
5. Family concerns
6. Social isolation
7. Difficulties in relationships with friends and romantic partners
8. Being on one's own in a new environment
9. Exposure to new ideas, new people, and temptations
10. Awareness of sexual identity and orientation
11. Preparing for life after graduation, career decision-making

A major loss, chronic illness, relationship problems, work stress, family crisis, or unwelcome life changes can often trigger a depressive episode, even in individuals without a family history or genetic predisposition.

Psychological Tendencies: Psychological make-up can play a role in vulnerability to depression. People with low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, or are readily overwhelmed by stress, may be especially prone to depression.

Alcohol or Other Drug Use: A lot of depressed people, especially young adults and men, have problems with alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes the depression comes first and people try alcohol or other drugs as a way to escape it. Other times, the alcohol/drug use comes first, and the drug itself, or withdrawal from it, or the problems caused by substance use, may lead to depression. Sometimes you can't tell which came first. The important point is that when you have both of these problems, the sooner you get treatment, the better. If you are taking medication for depression and abusing alcohol or other drugs, your medication will not work effectively. Medication should never be discontinued without talking to your doctor.

Main Cause of Depression

Although men are less likely to suffer from depression, but the rate of suicide in men is four times that of women. There are different reasons of depression for women and men. Main causes of men depression is alcohol or drug. Some people work excessively for long hours. In depression, women feel hopelessness or helpless whereas men becomes angry, irritable and discouraged.

In depression, men need encouragement and support from family and friends. Employee assistance is also important at work place. Take depression seriously because it requires treatment.

There is not just one cause of depression. It is a complex disease that can occur as a result of a multitude of factors. For some, depression occurs due to a loss of a loved one, a change in one's life, or after being diagnosed with a serious medical disease. For others, depression just happened, possibly due to their family history.

Factors involved in causing depression, include:

• A history of depression in the family: It is believed that depression is passed genetically from generation to generation, although the exact way this occurs is not known. 
• Grief from the death or loss of a loved one. 
• Personal disputes, like conflict with a family member. 
• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. 
• Major events that occur in everyone's lives, such as moving, graduating, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, retiring, etc. 
• Serious illness: depressed feelings are a common reaction to many medical illnesses. 
• Certain medications 
• Substance abuse: close to 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major depression. 
• Other personal problems: these may come in the forms of social isolation due to other mental illnesses, or being cast out of a family or social circle.

Ways to Beat Depression

While chronic depression may require medical care to recover, the temporary variety can usually be handled with home remedies and practical applications. There are probably as many things that can cause us to feel blue as there are ways to get around the problem. Here are a few that may come in handy the next time this emotion descends on you:

Action: There is something to be said for getting your body in motion. Both creativity and exercise can be beneficial actions for you to take. As an example, I enjoy cooking. When I'm depressed, it is soothing for me to create an excellent meal. The more complicated the dish, the better the chances of dispelling the mood.

Going for a walk, a trip to the gym or a few laps in the pool may also help you. This releases endorphins, which provide the high feeling many runners talk about. Concentrating on tasks also lets your subconscious wrestle with the problems you're facing, and like as not you will have fresh insight on how to deal with them after you're done.

Herbs: A variety of herbal remedies could help in most cases. If the depression is ongoing, you may want to use St. John's Wort. It does take a few days for this herb to provide any noticeable changes, and they will be subtle. Chamomile, jasmine, lavender, passionflower and rosemary may be helpful as well.

Talk/Write: Saying your problems and feelings out loud could help you pinpoint the exact difficulty if it's still vague. When you're speaking about it to a receptive audience, it's even better. If you don't have a close friend or spouse to talk to, you might want to consider going to your spiritual leader. Pastors and other religious leaders are often trained in counseling their flock.

Some problems are too personal for this, and some of you may be too shy to speak about these things. If that is the case, I recommend you begin a journal. Like speaking, writing will help you focus on the exact difficulty, which is usually half of the battle to resolving it. As you go along, you can go back and reread the entries and notice a pattern that could help you finish resolving the issue. 

6 Days 6 Meathods to Remove Depression

1. Know what you like.
2. Eat a banana. Did you know that foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, encourage feelings of wellbeing and cheerfulness? 
3. Don't let your bum and thighs get you gown-invest in some body-changing underwear. Even Gwyneth Paltrow felt the need for some post-pregnancy body confidence and swore by her Spanx Power panties.
4. If you have a nagging voice in your head constantly putting you down, give in to it. Sit quietly for as long as it takes to listen to all that self-criticism until you're so bored you switch off.
5. Use flower power. A few drops of a flower remedy in water can help balance negative emotions. Try Larch if you are feeling inferior, Gorse if you are feeling hopeless, Crap-apple if you have a poor self-image or Cerato if you doubt your own ability to judge situations. 
6. Write down what you dislike about yourself, then burn the piece of paper and watch it disappear. It's a symbolic gesture, but very effective.