Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Healing Anxiety - Course

In my work as a consultant there is no shortage of opportunities to expand my understanding of various disorders that people have. Bipolar, depression, anxiety, paranoia, ADHD, learning issues, obsessive-compulsive, the list is long, and seems to be getting bigger.
I prefer to call them 'disordered states. Instead of determining the orientation of the inherent rights to life, many of these disordered states occur for very specific reasons, and when we are ready to consider various possible explanations, deeper understanding will often appear paving the way for change.
It is important to consider the "mess" of the word.
In fact, he describes what is missing order. The Word tells us nothing about the system or environment he describes is meant to be so for ever and remains unchanged, it simply describes the current "state".
As a rule, the disordered state and ordered state have all the same elements, yet the raw material into more or less degree, but one of them ordered and others do not have order. It is this lack of order, which allows the set of possible questions for the development.
The question we should ask:
What combination of factors that were present at the right time in the right amount to bring to an existing condition or state?
This question makes sense only if we are interested in returning unordered state to order. Many of the competing economic interests and the industry is not interested in determining or exploring these deeper issues, because their continued existence relies on people not asking deeper questions.
Because I am not from any particular school of thought, and I is not regulated encouraged a particular board or body, I have the time and freedom to study different fields of study. This allows me to frequently make connections that others, who are expected to comply with the mandate of their respective associations, can not see.
Vast majority of cases I see are consistent in one area: anxiety. I have seen clients whose problems with memory is improved when they got the skills to manage anxiety. I saw the elevator learning disorders, when people ease the stress they are under, finding a new sense of confidence in yourself and your abilities. And I have seen a serious loss of confidence and depression, shift, taking someone from such an elevated state of anxiety that they could not make a single phone call, up to 12 months later asked to join the board of a nonprofit organization.
Moreover, radical change is possible when we give what we need.
In my experience and research, stress and anxiety seem to provide fertile ground for many of the issues and the state of confusion that followed. When young children are worried and stressed that it affects their development in all fields of physical, mental, emotional and social (spiritual as well).
If it is stress and anxiety is prolonged, disease and disorders may begin to appear in seemingly unrelated ways.
When the body-mind (there is no separation between body and mind - all this is a system) to contend with the unrelenting stress, it goes into protection mode. According to biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton, we essentially have two orientations on the environment; contraction (defense) and expansion (growth). Fear, stress, and threats from our environment naturally engage our fight or flight.
The tricky part of this equation is that as kids, we are strong in adaptation - that is what our bodies and minds are designed to do - but at this tender age, we are not always versed in knowing how to communicate our needs.
Childhood trauma may be subtle. The word itself conjures up trauma severity and significance. But for sensitive and fragile young man, in that critical stage of development between the ages of 0-5, an injury inflicted by the system can often go unnoticed.
At a minimum, we assume that the physical basis of physical problems, and in the absence of a causal link can be found, we assume that the way things should be.
But different parts of us do not grow and develop in a vacuum. Emotional pain, fear, stress, anxiety, misunderstanding, eating habits, love - all this and more directly influence how we develop. Even the emotional health of the mother during pregnancy has a direct impact on the developing fetus.
If the mother has always emphasized that stress has an impact, good or bad (in this case, worse), the developing fetus.
There is a phrase used among counselors and therapists who determines the kind of road map for working with clients' followed by anxiety. Because anxiety for many people there as a generalized condition (there is that word again), anxiety, seemingly comes from nowhere and goes the same way (or remains in a long time), it may be difficult to bind and heal.
For this reason, the drug often prescribed to deal with this acute period, and the client or patient is sent on its way.
But contained in that anxiety disorders are the factors that create and re-inforcing the same anxious state. Under the "Next alarm" we (teachers, parents, anyone) can begin to create a better understanding of what someone's feelings and experiences, and from thence, that begins to appear frequently considerable collection of experiences that are emotionally and mentally put the biological client systems on overdrive. Bio-chemistry becomes unbalanced, and the electrical impulses that control our body processes are altered.
It matters not what it was before, the chicken or the egg. They are part of the same system, with respect to each other, and to provide information useful, regardless of its direction of flow.
In the behavioral-social level, confidence and self esteem have to change, which then influence those perceptions of their capabilities and what I think is that they can achieve.
To continue to consider this in terms of "it's just who they are," without seeking a deep interest in the conditions that led to their current status is shown, more people continue to believe strongly in its limitations. They cease to believe certain things (or never start to believe and accept certain ideas), which begins to close the door, which is possible, emotionally, physically, spiritually, physiologically, psychologically and buy Valium online.
While it may take some time and hard work to identify and "get to the bottom" in a state or a state of confusion, does that mean we should stop trying?
If we do not have all the pieces of the puzzle today, it should lead us to the conclusion that "it's just the way I am '?
The same capacity for healing and recovery exists in every person. Some may have to work a little (or a lot) harder at it, but it can not be light at the end of the tunnel for all.
There is not some unseen force, that there is a choice and choose who will feel better and who's not, who gets to find the answers they need, and who is not, or who gets to heal and bring closure to the past and who do not.
The reality of "healed the State" (Art. disordered state) will be for you if you start to believe that it can be for you. This is an important starting point. The reality of "liberating yourself from the pain of the past" can and will be there for you if you first begin to comprehend what you deserve, and that you, like others that have passed similar way, deserve to heal and grow.
Otherwise, the psychological barrier would continue to prevent not only your body but your environment by providing answers you are looking for. If you do not want to relax rigid beliefs, you can wear on your personal values, a combination of solutions you need to show up at your door in a neat package, but your mental constructs do not allow to recognize the truth of the buy Diazepam generic.
Either way, choosing one of his many tricks, the mind will turn you away from the answer because it will not let him (you) believe that it deserves a gift.
Regardless of what you have or have not passed, regardless of the pain you have or do not produce, regardless of what type of family you grew up in and how much money you had or did not grow, the space for healing will be created after the first few want to believe that this can.
You have to decide, you should. This is not to ignore your pain or personal situation, as they are vital pieces of the puzzle, but the answer depends on whether we are yesterday, today or tomorrow. You must make a choice. Or not.Choosing your eternity.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Can Depression Lead to Anxiety?

In this short article I want to talk about depression and the role it might play in anxiety. Maybe you are beginning to experience excessive anxiety and can't quite put your hand on what might have caused it.
What I intend to cover in this article is first a look at depression. Then I investigate if whether or not anxiety can be attributed to depression, how you can recognise depression, its symptoms and some of the best ways to prevent depression
I would recommend reading the entire article, however if there are particular bits that interest you more than others you will be able to find them easily under the various headings
A look at depression
Depression is best described as feeling sad, unhappy or just down in the dumps. Nothing major there. Almost everyone feels this way at one stage or another for short periods of time.
However, true clinically diagnosed depression is a mood disorder in which the feelings I described above are experienced, but much more intense. Interfering with everyday life for days, weeks and sometimes longer
Some of the main contributing factors to depression can be:
• Sleeping problems
• Certain medications, e.g. Steroids
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Medical conditions, e.g. Cancer
• Stressful life events, e.g. Divorce, job loss, childhood abuse or breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend
Can depression be related to anxiety?
Absolutely. Although no one knows exactly why depression and anxiety are linked, a recent study showed 85% of those with major depression were also diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder while 35% had symptoms of a panic disorders. Anxiety and depression are known as the fraternal twins of mood disorders, because they so often go hand in hand.
As you can see, while anxiety and depression are two separate disorders, they are linked incredibly closely. It's a case of cause and effect. In this case the depression is the cause and anxiety is the effect. Two separate 'things' (disorders) but one acting as a stepping stone for the next.
Think of it as a well paying job and financial freedom. These are two separate 'things' but you can't have the effect (financial freedom) without the cause (a well paying job). For those who like analogies!
How to Recognise/Symptoms
Nearly everybody has an idea as to what depression is. In a nutshell, we all know it's when someone feels down or sad. But are we aware that people who have depression will usually see everything with a more negative attitude than others and are unable to imagine that any problem or situation can be solved in a positive way? What exactly are the main symptoms of clinical depression?
Below I have listed some of the main symptoms:
• Becoming withdrawn or isolated
• Finding it very difficult to concentrate
• Thought of death or suicide
• Trouble sleeping OR excessive sleeping
• Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
• Feelings of worthlessness, self hate and guilt
• Restlessness and irritability
• Sudden loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
NOTE: Depression can often appear as anger and discouragement, rather than feelings of sadness, as you might expect
Best ways to prevent depression
Depression is one of the most highly treatable medical conditions that there are. Some forms of depression may not be preventable due to it being triggered by a chemical malfunction in the brain. However, research confirms that depression may be alleviated, or sometimes prevented, with good health habits. As the saying goes, 'prevention is better than cure'.
Yes, you have probably heard this over and over before but to best prevent a depressed mood a proper diet and frequent exercise are essential. It's also important to take time out from work and your everyday life to relax and have fun, do what you really enjoy! Now you might be saying, 'I've heard all this before'. Well, have you tried it, have you stuck with it?! The fact that your reading this indicates to me that you haven't.
What you just read, if implemented correctly, will be enough to prevent depression and buy valium online in most cases. However if you have tried what I suggested, I mean really tried, and you find it doesn't do anything for you than, don't worry, maybe you need a little extra help from a professional.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Family Reaction: Barrier To Teen Depression Treatment

Although teen depression poses a widespread problem for which proven treatments exist, few depressed teens receive any care.
Why don’t they undergo treatment? The answer depends whether you ask parents or the adolescents themselves, according to a study in the June issue of the journal Medical Care.
“With teenagers, treatment decisions greatly involve other parties, especially parents. For instance, teenagers often rely on adults for transportation. Doctors need a sense not just of what the teen thinks or what the parent thinks, but what both think,” said Lisa Meredith, Ph.D., lead author of the new study.
The ability of their physicians to address all the perceived barriers “affects the teenager’s own ability to acknowledge their depression and do something about it,” said Meredith, a reseacher at RAND.
Teens with untreated depression more often have social and academic problems, become parents prematurely, abuse drugs and alcohol and suffer adult depression and suicide.
For the study, researchers recruited 368 adolescent patients of diverse backgrounds receiving care in seven public or private primary care practices. Of these, half had a diagnosis of depression. One parent or guardian of each enrolled teenager also participated.
Teens and parents rated the effects of seven possible barriers: 1) cost of care, 2) what others might think, 3) problems finding or making appointments with a doctor or therapist, 4) time constraints and other responsibilities, 5) not wanting family to know about the depression (this was asked of teens only), 6) good care being unavailable and 7) just not wanting care.
Parents were significantly less likely to report barriers than teens.
For teens, concerns about stigma and relatives’ reactions were among the significant issues, and those who perceived barriers were less likely to undergo therapy or take medications. Depressed teens were significantly more likely to perceive barriers to care than their non-depressed peers were.
“Adolescents do tend to go undiagnosed and untreated. They don’t want to seem abnormal. They want to fit in. Yet when they deny problems, they often act out adaptively, drinking a lot and pursuing other high-risk behaviors,” said Deborah Amdur, a psychiatrist with the Advanced Psychiatric Group in Orlando, Fla.
“This study has the potential to be significant if the findings reach the primary care physicians and help them understand their task in ensuring that adolescents have access to care,” Amdur said. “It’s not a simple one step of speaking with the teenager. They also have to coordinate care with the parent.”
“Once primary care doctors understand the perceived barriers that exist on both sides, they are better able to work with a family to get care that feels right for a particular teenager,” Meredith said.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Depression treatment enhanced program appears to reduce symptoms

Depression treatment and work productivity
Employees seeking treatment for depression who participated in a program that included a telephone outreach intervention had fewer symptoms, worked more hours and had greater job retention than participants receiving usual care, according to a study in the September 26 issue of JAMA.
Depression has enormous societal burdens, with annual U.S. economic costs of tens of billions of dollars due largely to productivity losses. Comparative cost-of-illness studies show that depression is among the most costly of all health problems to employers, according to background information in the article. Despite evidence that there are effective treatments, many depressed workers are untreated or inadequately treated. Employer-purchasers (those who purchase corporate health benefits) often do not invest in enhanced depression screening-treatment programs because of the uncertainty of the return-on-investment of such programs.
Philip S. Wang, M.D., Dr.P.H., of the National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Md., and colleagues examined the impact of a depression outreach-treatment program on the outcomes of depression symptom relief, job retention, sickness absence, and increased work productivity. The randomized controlled trial included 604 employees covered by a managed behavioral health plan who were identified in a 2-stage screening process as having significant depression. The telephonic outreach and care management program encouraged workers (n = 304) to enter outpatient treatment (psychotherapy and/or antidepressant medication), monitored treatment quality continuity, and attempted to improve treatment by giving recommendations to clinicians. Participants reluctant to enter treatment were offered a structured telephone cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. Three hundred participants received usual care.
The researchers found that measurements of depression severity were significantly lower in the intervention than in the usual care group by 6 months and at 12 months, and that patients in the intervention group were more likely to experience recovery (26.2 percent vs. 17.7 percent). Scores on the hours worked measure were significantly higher in the intervention than usual care group at 6 and 12 months. The data indicated that workers in the intervention group worked an average of two more hours per week than workers in the usual care group, which is equivalent to an annualized effect of more than two weeks of work. This overall effect was due to a higher rate of job retention (92.6 percent vs. 88.0 percent) and significantly more hours worked among employed respondents.
"The results suggest that enhanced depression care of workers has benefits not only on clinical outcomes but also on workplace outcomes," the authors write. "The financial value of the latter to employers in terms of recovered hiring, training, and salary costs suggests that many employers would experience a positive return on investment from outreach and enhanced treatment of depressed workers."
In an accompanying editorial, Kenneth B. Wells, M.D., M.P.H., and Jeanne Miranda, Ph.D., of the University of California, Los Angeles, comment on the challenge of depression treatment.
"Exactly how programs to improve depression care are implemented may affect the distribution of benefits – an important issue given evidence of disparities in quality of depression care and the potential for practice-based programs to overcome disparities in depression outcomes. Developers of interventions and policies should consider implications of their design for inclusion of underserved groups who may not seek behavioral health care. Despite the extensive efforts by Wang et al to reach general employees, the majority of persons had already inquired about outpatient care. Learning how to optimize personal and societal gains by improving access to quality depression care across diverse communities through employer, practice, and community-based programs and policy changes is a next agenda for evidence-based action. As a community participant in the Witness for Wellness program recently stated: ‘Depression is everybody’s business.’"

Friday, November 26, 2010

Depression increases cancer deaths

New research shows that depression can increase risk of dying among cancer patients. The findings highlight the importance of physician screening for depression among patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Maintaining a positive mental attitude has repeatedly been shown to also have a positive impact on health. The new study published in the November 15, 2009 issue of Cancer, reviewed research related to the effects of depression and survival among cancer patients.
Graduate student Jillian Satin, MA, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and colleagues uncovered 26 studies with a total of 9417 patients to find that depression can increase risk of dying in cancer patients.
"We found an increased risk of death in patients who report more depressive symptoms than others and also in patients who have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder compared to patients who have not," said Satin. The risk of dying from cancer was twenty five and thirty nine percent for depressive symptoms, and minor or major depression respectively.
The researchers took into account other clinical characteristics that could account for cancer deaths in their analysis, still finding that depression plays a role in the risk of dying from cancer. The study emphasizes the importance of screening and treating patients with cancer for depression that can increase the chances of dying.

Monday, November 22, 2010

7 Depression Tips To Get Through Tthe Most Depressing Day of the Year

The most depressing day of the year is January 19. Here are some depression busting tips to get through the most depressing day of the year and manage depression.
Just how much can a person take these days? Worst unemployment since World War II, global economy is collapsing and now you tell me it’s “The Most Depressing Day of the Year?” You have to be kidding me!
Why This Day? January 19th is Blue Monday. Dr. Cliff Arnall, a researcher at University of Cardiff’s Center for Lifelong Learning, devises a formula that uses a variety of emotional and stress factors, to proclaim January 19 the most depressing day of the year in 2009. To make things worse, studies show that there are more heart attacks on Mondays than any other day of the week.
• Light: Low light levels and bad weather combine to create Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Bills Due: Holiday bills are hitting the mailbox and debt becomes more apparent
• Resolutions: Many New Year’s resolutions are already broken
• No Hope: People have low motivational levels and a feeling of need to take action
“People, don’t take this lying down,” said Dr. Kathleen Hall, internationally recognized lifestyle expert in stress and work-life balance, and founder and C.E.O. of The Stress Institute. “Put together a simple, Fun Plan to get through this darkest, most depressing day of the year.”
Dr. Hall suggests 7 Depression Busting tips to get through most of the Most Depressing Day of the Year and the rest of the winter blues.
1. Plan a “Mental Health” day – or better, play hooky. Spend the day with a good friend or your spouse or partner doing something fun like visiting the zoo or a museum. Science tells us that fun increases immune cells that combat depression.
2. Begin your day with a walk, walk at lunch. . . or walk with family after dinner. You’ll get the endorphin boost for both your mind and body that will improve your mood.
3. Shower yourself in Optimism. Shower using your favorite bath products like peppermint or lavender, and wake up your senses as you revitalize yourself. Slip away at lunch for a pedicure to revive your soles and soul.
4. Treat Yourself to a Healthy Breakfast. It sets your metabolism and regulates your mood for the day. Your biggest mood boost comes from combining lean protein and complex carbs.
5. Plan a Lunch Bunch. Just hanging out with a group of friends is a mood booster. Brown-bag it and meet at a park, or get friends together at your favorite hip hang out. Be sure to eat fish and B6’s, with a combination of protein and complex carbs for sustained energy.
6. Listen to music and turn off the news. During your commute or while at work, your favorite music can improve your mood instantly.
7. End your day with a fun dinner that includes family or friends. Rent a funny movie or go to a comedy club for some laughs – laughter releases the “happiness” hormones serotonin and endorphins.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

FDA Approves Generic Effexor for Depression Treatment

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic version of Effexor XR extended release capsules (venlafaxine hydrochloride). The antidepressant, used for depression treatment, will be manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, based in North Wales, PA.
Effexor XR is used for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Symptoms include feelings of sadness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, and hopelessness. It is also indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorders.
“The approval of this widely used antidepressant is another example of the FDA’s efforts to increase access to safe and effective generic drugs,” said Keith Webber, Ph.D., deputy director of the Office of Pharmaceutical Science in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
“Access to treatments for depression is important because depression can interfere with a person’s daily life and routine, which can significantly affect relationships with family and friends.”
Venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release capsules will be available as 37.5 milligram, 75 milligram, and 150 milligram capsules.
Prescribing information for the generic version of Effexor XR may differ from that of the brand name because of patents held by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the FDA said. But the same safety warnings will apply.
Generic Effexor XR's label will include a warning that antidepressants may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or tendencies among some children, teens and young adults within the first few months of treatment, the agency said. The warning will also note that depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions.
The shipments of the generic Effexor XR are expected to start on July 1st as per the terms of a 2006 agreement with Wyeth.