Alternative Health: Depression Help
Clinical depression is a serious condition that affects over 19 million Americans each year. Depression is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. When the neurotransmitters are not sending or receiving information properly, a person can develop symptoms of depression. Depression is often a side effect of other serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, acute anxiety, substance addiction and abuse and eating disorders. Depression can be a debilitating condition when left untreated, however, there is lots of depression help available.
There are several symptoms of depression including irritability, melancholy and extreme fatigue. Many people who suffer from depression experience suicidal thoughts. Often, depression sufferers lose their appetite or develop more of an appetite; this is usually followed by a drastic change in weight. There are several different types of depression. Many people experience depression only during particular times of the year. This is called seasonal affective disorder. Bipolar disorder or manic depression is another form of depression where the patient experiences extreme emotional highs and lows.
Finding Depression Help
Depression can often be triggered by outside influences such as substance abuse, stress or trauma. Women are at least two times more likely to suffer from depression than men. This is most likely because of the stress caused by constant hormonal changes in womens bodies. Studies show that women seek out depression help more often. However men are more likely to act on their suicidal feelings.
There are several forms of medical and alternative depression help available. Most doctors recommend that depression sufferers attend talk therapy either in a group or one on one with a psychiatrist. There are also many antidepressant drugs on the market today. In Europe, the herb St. Johns Wort is often diagnosed to treat depression. There are also many forms of nutritional depression help such as vitamin B12 supplements, magnesium and glyconutrients.
Posted on: Friday, June 20, 2008 at 12:58 pm
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