Many women suffer from pregnancy depression. Recent research shows that pregnancy hormones don't protect a woman from depression. in fact, a sudden rise in hormonal levels can trigger depression. this is why pregnancy depression is not as rare as you many think. many women go through the same, but they are often undiagnosed because they don't always seek professional help or they believe the mood swings, anxiety and depression they experience are a normal part of pregnancy.

Who is at Risk?

All women can develop pregnancy depression, but there are some risk factors you might want to consider:

1. History of depression: if you have a personal or family history of depression, you're more likely to become depressed in pregnancy.
2. Problems with your pregnancy or previous pregnancies. if you experience problems in your current pregnancy or if you've had problems in your previous pregnancies, it's more likely that you'll become depressed.
3. Stress. Stressful events can trigger depression. it can be anything from death in the family, financial issues or problems in your relationship.
4. other factors. some of the other risk factors include: past history of abuse, being of a young age, being single, having an unplanned pregnancy or getting pregnant after a lot of trying or after a fertility treatment.

Feeling Depressed

If you suspect you might be depressed, it's important to accept it and work towards solving this problem. you may even take a pregnancy depression test online to see where you stand, but note that these tests are made for orientation only and can't be taken as a real diagnosis or a medical opinion. It's important to talk to someone about the way you feel. it can be a doctor or someone close to you, such as your partner or a friend. It's important to get some help or a treatment to feel better. Remember: you deserve better than to feel depressed during pregnancy.

After Pregnancy Depression

After pregnancy depression is called postpartum depression and it's triggered by sudden hormonal changes. After you give birth, your hormone levels get back to normal very quickly, which can lead to depression. this condition is somewhat common and it's not surprising. It's also estimated that about half of women who suffer from pregnancy depression will experience postpartum depression.

There are also some other factors which can lead to postpartum depression, such as difficult childbirth, feeling tired after delivery, lack of sleep, stress from changes in your daily routine because of the baby and more. one of the common complaints is doubting your mothering skills or having unusually high expectations of being a good mother.

Just like depression during pregnancy, postpartum depression is treatable. you should seek medical help if these feelings stay for too long, but you should always have a support network that will help you go through this difficult time. your partner, family members and friends should be there for you. they can help you with the baby and they can support you. It's important for you to feel you have someone to trust. another important thing is to always find some time for yourself, no matter how short it may be. this is a very good way of fighting against pregnancy depression and postpartum depression.

How to Deal With Pregnancy Depression?

Biographical Overview

If ever there was a guitar player who redefined this instrument for anyone who has ever played it before or since, it would be Jimi Hendrix. Jimi's exceptionally creative, powerful, psychedelic licks helped him reach a musical standard that has never been duplicated, and in his four short years as a recording star he established himself as a musical legend without equal. His performances at the Monterrey Pop Festival which established him as a star, and later at Woodstock were some of the most awe-inspiring in the history of live music, and history will remember Jimi Hendrix as one of the most influential albeit enigmatic and mysterious musicians who ever graced the stage.

Jimi Hendrix was born John Allen Hendrix on November 29, 1942 to James (Al) Hendrix and Lucille Jeter in Seattle, Washington. Jimmy's father Al, who would be his primary parental force throughout Jimi's life, was in the Army when Jimi was born. Fearing that Al would go AWOL to go see his newborn son, the army placed Al in the stockade on general principle where he stayed for over a month until the army saw fit to release him.

Back in Seattle Jimi's mother Lucille quickly grew tired of being a single parent and virtually abandoned Jimi during his first few years of life. Jimi, then known as Johnny, first lived with Lucille's family, but was then placed with a woman named Mrs. Walls who took Johnny in and cared for him.

Al was finally released from the Army in 1945 when Jimi was three years old. Upon arriving back in the United States, Al regained custody of Johnny and promptly named him James after himself. Originally Jimi was known as Buster by his family, but at the age of 6 everyone began calling young James Jimi which would stick with him for the rest of his short life. Between the ages of 3 and 6 Al raised Jimi with the assistance of Lucille's Sister Dolores, and Jimi became very close to her children who were being raised in the same home.

When Jimi was 6, his mother briefly came back into Jimi's life when Al and Lucille attempted a reconciliation. because there was little work in Seattle at the time, Al joined the Merchant Marines, and while he was away Lucille returned to her old carefree lifestyle, and was kicked out of the housing the Hendrix's were residing in for having inappropriate male visitors. Upon his return from the Merchant Marines, Al and the family reunited, and Lucille eventually had another son Leon in 1948, who had Asian features and was clearly not Al Hendrix's son. Lucille eventually had another son Joey by still a different father, and Al eventually divorced Lucille in 1950 as a result of her lack of stability.

Over the next few years Al raised Jimi and Leon with the help of his relatives, and Jimi briefly had another maternal figure Edna enter his life, who he grew close to but who was eventually forced to leave the Hendrix home to make room for other relatives. Lucille popped in and out of Jimi's life during his formative years, and would make extravagant promises to Jimi that she would not follow through on. on February 2, 1958, following many years of hard drinking and frivolity, Lucille passed away at the age of 32 which deeply saddened Jimi.

In his teen years Al Hendrix bought Jimi his first electric guitar which Jimi became so attached to that he slept with it on a nightly basis. Jimi was eventually recruited by a man named James Thomas, and Jimi then became a member of James Thomas and the Tomcats. During this same time frame, Jimi, who had grown disinterested in school, dropped out of Garfield High, and also got in trouble for being in a stolen car. Jimi eventually joined the Army during this period, and decided he wanted to be a paratrooper in the Screaming Eagles like his father before him.

Jimi met Billy Cox while in the Army and the two of them had a great deal in common including musical tastes. while in the army they begin to play a little together, and they formed a friendship and partnership that would later be rekindled when Jimi formed the band Band Of Gypsies.

Following his stint in the Army, Jimi moved down south and began playing the Chitlin circuit where he used the stage names Maurice James and Jimmie James and had some success as a guitar player. Jimi would even play backup on a Supremes record, and in 1964 he played with the Isley Brothers who were also very popular at the time. It was during this period when Jimi met little Richard, who was a bit of a narcissist, and felt that Jimi's guitar playing upstaged him and took the focus off him which he felt was a necessary component of the act.

Jimi eventually split with little Richard and moved to New York City where he at first had little success. After spending some time in Harlem, Jimi settled into the Greenwich Village neighborhood, where he formed a new band called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. Jimi's unique improvisational style alienated a number of his fans, while others thought they were witnessing the birth of a genius. One of these people was Chas Chandler, who formerly played base for a band called the Animals who knew when he saw Jimi that he had discovered an amazing new talent. Chas convinced Jimi that he would have more success in England than in the United States, and in 1966 Jimi packed his bags and left the US to live in London.

While in London Jimi met Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, and the three of them formed the band the Jimi Hendrix Experience and begin touring around England. Jimi dazzled the English crowd, who were alternately shocked and amazed by Jimi, and he was described in the English papers as the Wild Man of Borneo which was a kind of racial slur against Jimi's heritage. the group was very successful, and their first album Are you Experienced produced the songs Hey Joe and Purple Haze which were both big hits on the English rock charts.

Jimi's breakthrough performance came upon his return to the Unites States at the Monterrey Pop Festival where his use of distortion and feedback on the guitar helped him create a sound previously unheard by American audiences. with the crowd already in a frenzy over his performance, Jimi set his guitar on fire at the end of his set, which further electrified the crowd and created a buzz about Jimi Hendrix that would propel him to the top of the music world.

One important ally Jimi made during this time was Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones, who introduced Jimi at Monterrey and was one of Jim's first important fans in the world of music. following his performance at Monterrey, Brian introduced to Jimi to a lot of important people in California, which culminated in the Jimi Hendrix Experience being signed to go on tour with the Monkees who were one of the top drawing bands in the world at this time.

Jimi's wild style and sexually explicit actions on stage were not well suited to the Monkees crowd, and soon this tour dissolved and the Jimi Hendrix Experience began touring on their own. over the next two years the band became hugely successful, and in addition to Hey Joe and Purple Haze, produced songs such as Castles made of Sand, and Bob Dylan's all Along the Watchtower, which were all big hits for the band. the band eventually produced three hit albums, Are you Experienced, Axis: Bold as love, and Electric Ladyland which all were huge successes. the band was not without its difficulties however, as Jimi and Noel Redding had difficulties agreeing on several issues related to the band, and in the summer of 1969 the band broke up despite the fact that they were at the peak of their commercial success.

Some speculated that Jimi broke up the Jimi Hendrix Experience because both of his bandmates were white, and that he was receiving pressure from the Black Panthers to make a statement about Black solidarity. Although Jimi did have an association with the Panthers in the 1960's, he used the standard creative differences approach to explain the band's breakup. But in any case it was apparent that he was hurt by all of the negative press he received following this incident.

Following the breakup of the Jimi Hendrix Experience Jimi began heavily using drugs, and a major turning point came in his life when he was arrested on May 3, 1969 at the Toronto airport for possession of Heroin and Marijuana. Jimi adamantly claimed the drugs were not his, but was rightfully disturbed at the prospect of facing seven years in prison, and thought a great deal about his legacy following his arrest. Jimi was eventually cleared of these charges, but still faced a great deal of inner turmoil as a result of this experience.

In the summer of that year, Jimi put together a group of musicians to play with him at Woodstock, and his performance there was one that helped cement his legend as one of the truly inspired live performers in the history of music. His Star-Spangled Banner on guitar was a huge hit with the fans, and would later become one of the featured scenes in the Woodstock film recordings that were produced at the festival. Later that year Jimi would also play at England's answer to Woodstock, called the Isle of White Festival, where he also dazzled and amazed his English fans, many of who had been with him from the beginning.

At the end of his life, Jimi reunited with his old army buddy Billy Cox, and they formed the Band of Gypsies, which would be Jimi's final group. This group had some success, but Jimi was beginning to become fatigued from years of working almost constantly, his continuing drug use, and the anxiety he felt arising from battles with his management, and earnings in the millions that he could not account for.

In September of that year, as the group was touring Europe, Jimi Hendrix was found dead on his hotel room floor as a result of an overdose of sleeping pills that caused him to choke on his own vomit. Jimi's death was highly controversial however, as some claim he was mishandled by paramedics which caused him to eventually suffocate on the way to the hospital. Jimi's death has been thoroughly investigated and researched, and despite all of the claims, a coroner's report confirms that Jimi had been dead for some time when he was eventually found on the morning of September 18th.

The legacy of Jimi Hendrix endures, and many still consider him to be the most unique guitar player that ever lived. His estate has made millions of dollars following his death, most of which was originally hidden from his father by unscrupulous managers of Jimi's affairs. Al Hendrix and his family eventually won back Jimi's legacy with the help of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Allen would eventually go on to build a Jimi Hendrix museum called the Experience Music project, which is a major tourist attraction in Seattle Washington.
Analysis
Gender Role Preparation perceived through Gender Guiding Lines and Role Models

Though his interactions with his father, Jimi learned the values of hard work and perseverance that would guide him throughout his life and career. Although Jimi was occasionally portrayed as a spaced-out wild man under the influence of LSD, he was in fact an extremely hard worker who produced an amazing amount of material in his short career.

Jimi's father also instilled in Jimi the value of perseverance. Through all of his struggles with his wife Lucille, job difficulties, prejudice, etc, Al Hendrix continued to soldier on and raise his boy Jimi, and this lesson was not lost on his young son. This value of perseverance was so strong in Jimi that he practiced his guitar so often and so much that he eventually became a virtuoso. with no ability to read music and no real training, Jimi still managed to teach himself to play the guitar with his right hand despite the fact that he was born left-handed. all of these obstacles must have made the guitar very difficult for Jimi to learn, but through watching his father Jimi learned a man never gives up, and he therefore continued to work tirelessly at learning to play his guitar.

Jimi's female gender guiding line was much more complex. Although Jimi loved his mother, she disappeared often in his life, and Jimi was well aware of her infidelities towards his father. Later in his life Jimi's interactions with women appeared to be unstable, and his fear of commitment with women may very well have arisen from watching his mother's irresponsible behavior.

Jimi's mistrust of women is interesting to consider with regard to one of the women he was the closest to named Devon Wilson. Devon was a former prostitute, heavy drug user, and party girl who had also been romantically linked to Mick Jagger during the late 1960's. Devon lived with Jimi at his New your apartment, handled many of Jimi's affairs, and was even the subject of one of Jimi's songs called Dolly Dagger. Like Jimi's mother Lucille, Devon would often disappear for days at a time and then come back when she was done with her extended binge. the fact that, despite Jimi's access to so many women, he trusted a clearly irresponsible woman like Devon Wilson to get closest to him, seems to suggest that he may have chosen her because her behavior was so much like his mother's growing up.
Interpersonal Style perceived through Experience of Family Atmosphere

On the subject of Jimi's mother, she and Al fought often while Jimi was growing up, and the Hendrix household was often filled with storm and strife when Lucille was around. Watching his mother and father fight so often appeared to affect Jimi's own relationships with women, as he was on several occasions verbally and even physically violent with women during periods of confrontation.

Jimi also lived in a number of different homes and places growing up, and in this capacity learned not to get too close to people as they may abandon you at any time. One poignant story Jimi himself related involved meeting his father for the first time at the age of three and taking the train from Berkeley to Seattle. Jimi recalled how much he wanted to return to the only family he had ever really known, and how odd it was to be taken on a train by some strange man he had never met. This sense of instability was reinforced often throughout Jimi's life, as a number of people would be significant in his life for a couple of years and then simply disappear, and this appears to have affected Jimi's ability to trust and get close to people.

Because Jimi was unable to achieve a sense of stability, he developed a shy and introverted personality that caused him a great deal of loneliness. Jimi dealt with painful feelings through artistic expression, and the ultimate capacity of his talent may have been a reflection of the intensity of his painful feelings.
Personal Code of Conduct Perceived through Acceptance / Rejection of Family Values

The family values in the Hendrix household involved obedience to authority and a healthy respect for one's elders, and although Jimi had respect for his father, he came to distrust authority in his own life. there are many different versions of Jimi's life with Al Hendrix, many of which paint a picture of a very unhappy home life where Al constantly reminded his children of the sacrifices he had to make for his children. In Al's own autobiography My Son Jimmy (1999) he talked about how Jimi used to escape responsibility for his actions by blaming misdeeds on an imaginary friend named Sessy who Jimmy would evoke when he felt he had disappointed Al. It certainly must have been difficult for Al to raise Jimi by himself, and given the economic climate in Seattle at that time, there's no doubt that Al must have had to make some great sacrifices for Jimi. perhaps Jimi's creation of an imaginary friend was a psychological defense against Al's disappointment, which seemed to be yet another factor in Jimi's unhappy childhood.

Another family value that Jimi seemed to reject concerned the family's views on religion. Although Jimi was raised by a church-going family who believed in worship, Jimi came to believe that his music was a form of great spiritual expression. Jimi rejected the stifling versions of Christianity he learned as a young man, and instead felt music was the way he could connect to the mystical and spiritual side of life.

Music also offered an escape for Jimi from his problems, and was certainly a positive adaptation for him to an unhappy childhood. Jimi often described how music would compose itself in his head, and his unparalleled talent in music may have been a result of this intense desire to escape his emotionally painful cognitions.
Perspective on the World perceived through Experience of Psychological Birth Order

As the first born son in the Hendrix household and the only son sired by his father Al, Jimi developed a sense that he was particularly special when he was a young man. Although Jimi's younger brother Leon spent a great deal of time with Jimi and his father growing up, he was also often shipped to another family during difficult times. the fact that Jimi was always the one that remained with his father must have made him feel like the chosen one much of the time, and he appeared to develop a sense that he was something special. This is not an uncommon reaction from a first born child, as they often receive more attention than their siblings do when they are born, as they become literally the center of their parent's universe.

For Jimi this situation did not unfold exactly like this, as his first three years were filled with a great deal of moving around that must have confused and frightened him at such a fragile age. the two women that adopted Jimi in these years both referred to his specialness however, so one can assume this was something he felt that was further reinforced when Al eventually came and got him following his release from the Army.

Jimi's biographers (Hendrix 1999) discuss how it was clear to Jimi that his younger brother Leon had a different father than him, and although Al certainly loved and cared for Leon, he must have felt some resentment from having to raise another man's child. Jimi therefore was the favorite growing up, and developed a sense of his own uniqueness that instilled in him a great deal of confidence in his abilities. This confidence was especially relevant in the early stages of Jimi's career, where audiences often disliked and were unable to understand his unique style of music. Although many artists would have become discouraged in this situation, Jimi was convinced of his own talent, and much of this resolve appears to have its roots in Jimi's early childhood experiences.
Self Assessment Perceived through Genetic Possibilities

Jimi Hendrix came from a talented family with a long history of performing in front of groups. Jimi's grandmother was an entertainer who traveled and worked as a singer and performer before her son Al was born, and even prior to this generation music was a strong part of the Hendrix tradition. Jimi's father Al and his uncle Leon both showed musical talent at a very young age, and both of them could play the piano, sing, and also dance at a young age, and often did so growing up. Jimi therefore appeared to have a predisposition to music that was inherited from the talented Hendrix family.

Jimi developed a stutter at a young age however, and was not confident as a singer and a dancer like the rest of his family. therefore when Jimi did find a musical instrument to play, it appears that he compensated for his stutter by practicing a great deal on the guitar in an attempt to belong with his otherwise musical family.

Jimi also felt a strong identification with his family's Cherokee heritage. the extent of Jimi's Indian blood has been misrepresented often in several biographies that mention the subject. Jimi's father Al (Hendrix 1999) eventually clarified that Jimi's great grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee, but Jimi did feel a strong identification with this portion of his ancestry. Al Hendrix explained that when Jimi and the other children played games like Cowboys and Indians when Jimi was a kid, Jimi always wanted to be the Indian as it helped link him with a part of his Heritage. Jimi created a great deal of art as a child that depicted the Indians conquering the cavalry, and he even discussed later as an adult how he felt a sense of power that came from his Indian blood.

In considering this idea it is fascinating to examine the lyrics from one of Jimi's big hits, Castles made of Sand-

A little Indian brave who before he was ten, played war games in the woods with his Indian friends, and he built a dream that when he Grew up, he would be a fearless warrior Indian Chief. many moons passed and more the dream grew strong, until tomorrow He would sing his first war song,
And fight his first battle, but something went wrong,
Surprise attack killed him in his sleep that night

Reading the lyrics to this song which Jimi wrote, one can't help but wonder how much it reflected both Jimi's dreams as well as his disappointments. In many ways this song demonstrated the conditions of Jimi's life, as, despite having conquered the music world, he still was very anxious about his life circumstances as a result of his arrest and also the large amounts of money he was missing. much like the little Indian in the story, Jimi had been blindsided by events in his life, and this song seems to reveal the depths of his unhappiness.
Openings for Advancement perceived through Environmental Opportunities

One important adaptation Jimi made as a young man concerned the first guitar he ever received which Al purchased for Jimi for the price of 5 dollars. Jimi, who was born left-handed but learned to do most things right-handed, changed the strings around on this right-handed guitar and instead played it left-handed which was an adaptation that would eventually have a direct impact on his future musical genius. Jimi learned that by manipulating the instrument like this he could get different sounds out of it, and later as an adult he played his guitars both upside down and backwards which helped him carve out his own unique sound that no one else was readily able to replicate. because Jimi made this adaptation at such a young age and practiced so excessively, his technique became something that was uniquely his.

Another early experience that shaped the young Jimi Hendrix was seeing an Elvis Presley concert while he was growing up in Seattle. Jimi became fascinated by Elvis's showmanship, and much of his early artwork produced flattering pictures of the King. Although Jimi was somewhat shy throughout his life, on stage he truly had no inhibitions, and at least some of this he learned from watching Elvis when he was a young man. the impact of seeing Elvis live seemed to awaken in Jimi a sense of the heights a person could reach through playing music, and this rare opportunity was for Jimi a tipping point that helped give birth to his eventual persona as a stage performer.
Range of Social interest perceived through Other Particularities

One barometer of a person's mental health can be observed by examining their relationships and interest in the welfare of other human beings. Jimi Hendrix, who appeared to have abandonment issues related to his childhood, and who had also been betrayed by several business associates, therefore seemed to have trouble developing a profound sense of social interest. Although Jimi was often approached about social causes, he seemed to be most comfortable letting his music do his talking for him, and didn't feel as comfortable as an advocate and leader to promote social change as many of his 60's counterparts.

In this capacity it is interesting to consider Jimi's relationship with the Black Panthers as well as the larger issue of racism in the life of Jimi Hendrix. Growing up Jimi watched his father experience a great deal of racism related to finding jobs, etc. and this must have affected the young Jimi a great deal, as a lot of his early artwork depicts struggles for equality and justice. Jimi also experienced racism following his release from the Army when he went to play the Chitlin circuit in the Southern United States, where there was clearly different treatment for white and black musicians.

Jimi was eventually discovered a white man Chas Chandler, and found fame and acceptance with two white musicians who were of course Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. Although Jimi found success in the UK with these two men, he was still mocked by the British papers as the wild man of Borneo and with other racial epitaphs that appeared to alternatively mock and praise Jimi. Jimi eventually became known for playing white music by some of the more extremist black national groups in the United States, and many speculate it was the Black Panthers who pushed Jimi into eventually disbanding the Jimi Hendrix experience to form an all-Black band. Although there are widely varying accounts as to Jimi's relationship with the Panthers, it seems clear that Jimi was heavily conflicted about the issue of race.

In terms of social interest, Jimi's use of escapism through music is also interesting to examine. Music appeared to be the one thing that let him escape painful thoughts and feelings, and it was only when he had to quit playing and deal with other human beings when he seemed to be unhappy. People certainly took terrible advantage of Jimi throughout his life, as he died with only 21,000 thousand dollars in his banking account as a result of people pilfering millions from him over the course of his career. Jimi's lack of social interest therefore appeared to be based on very real experiences with people in the world, as his early home life and professional career were filled with repeated abandonment, disappointments, and betrayals from those that he thought he could depend on.

Jimi also had a great deal of narcissism, much of which contributed to the development of his music, which was also a defining characteristic of his personality. many people who had experienced the kind of rejection Jimi had at the beginning of his career would have simply returned to playing mainstream music, but Jimi truly believed that his music was something special despite the negative reinforcement he had received from the New York crowds. a narcissist will often believe his or her own way is not only special and unique, but also better than the way anyone else is doing it, and this was very much demonstrated by Jimi's creation of his own music.

Although narcissism is often malignant, many exceptionally talented people demonstrate high levels of this trait in their dealings with others, which was certainly true in the case of Jimi Hendrix. When someone disagrees with or challenges someone who is malignantly narcissistic, their reaction may be extreme irritation, and Jimi's interpersonal relationships seemed to represent this idea. His habitually abusive behavior towards women showed Jimi had a very low tolerance for frustration, and when others, and particularly women disagreed with him, his response to this frustration was very often physical violence.

Jimi's violence towards women may have also arisen in part from his interactions with his mother Lucille, as Jimi never seemed to develop a healthy respect for women throughout his life. His lack of a consistent feminine presence and maternal gender guiding line growing up must have created some anger in Jimi, and hearing his father's descriptions of his mother's life may have also contributed to this dynamic.

Jimi's life was therefore empty of the kind of social interest in others that many felt was a larger part of the idealism of the 1960's. Although Jimi participated in some of the causes and issues of his times, his involvement was often at the recommendation of those around him. Jimi's lack of trust in other people, which had its roots in childhood patterns, was reinforced often throughout his life, and Jimi overcompensated for his lack of interest in others by developing a truly awe-striking ability that allowed him to escape from the world. Although this talent was extraordinary, it seemed to be in part created through the sublimation of his personal pain, and this left Jimi without a path other than music in which to actively experience joy in his life. Jimi's gift of music to the world was and is a lasting contribution that influenced thousands of musicians both before and after him, but was also in many ways a reaction to a troubled history, and this was the sadness and irony of this truly unique musician.

A Psychological Profile Of Jimi Hendrix

If you are suffering from depression, you are not alone.

Depression affects many people at some time in their life, with some of us going through periods of depression that can lift after a very short time, while for others, it can be ingoing for many years.

Whichever category you fall into, here are some simple tips to help you manage your depression.

Depression - what is it?

Depression is best identified as feeling in a low mood. It may not stop you leading a normal life, but things may seem less worthwhile.

Most of us will admit to feeling depressed from time to time and this is perfectly normal.

Depression becomes a problem when it interferes with your day to day activities.

What Causes Depression?

Depression may be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain or can be triggered by significant life events including:-

o A traumatic experience, such as rape or physical attack

o Frequent use of recreational drugs

How Do I know if I am Depressed?

Symptoms of depression may include:-

o Preoccupation with negative thoughts

o Difficulty in concentrating

o Feeling in a low mood most of the time

o Feelings of numbness, emptiness or despair

o Lack of sex drive

o Lack of confidence

o Pessimistic view of the future

This is no a definitive list and you may experience all or some of these symptoms.

You may also notice changes in your sleeping pattern, your eating habits, or there may be a rise in your alcohol or tobacco consumption.

Depression - Helping Yourself

Knowledge is power. the more you learn about depression, the better equipped you will be to deal with it.

Go to the library, do some research on the internet or join a self-help group where you can gather information about depression and the treatments available.

Being aware of the choices available to you will help you to make an informed choice about treatment if you need to seek help from your healthcare provider.

Whereas many of us may experience bouts of mild depression or low mood, clinical depression is a serious medical condition and if you have been experiencing symptoms described above for some time you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Depression - Don't Suffer in Silence

While clinical depression is a serious illness, it can be treated and you do not need to feel ashamed, embarrassed or suffer in silence.

Some people allow depression to go untreated for years but clinical depression will not disappear by itself.
Professional help may include a course of antidepressants together with some counseling.

Depression - Help Yourself

Helplessness is a feeling often experienced by people with depression.

Together with professional help try and help yourself.

o Stay focused - depression can feed on itself and you can find yourself trapped in a vicious circle of negative thoughts that it seems impossible to get out of. Focus on positive thought and the positive things in your life. If you can't think of any, think of a positive goal you would like to achieve.

o Avoid your own company - depression feeds on loneliness. try and break the hold that depression has on you. Join a club or self-help group where you can talk to people who have successfully overcome depression.

o Do something worthwhile. Keeping yourself busy will give you less time to dwell on pessimistic thoughts. Take up a hobby or why not join a gym. Regular exercise will have a mental and physical impact on your wellbeing.

o Let go of the past. Many of us make the mistake of hanging on to past hurts and this too can cause depression. If there are things in your life that have caused you upset, past grudges, guilt or anger, perhaps it is time to let go.

Depression is not an easy thing to overcome but it can be done, all you have to do is make he decision to make a change.

Depression - Simple Tips to Beat the Blues

I know most of us can't wait to retire especially if we are close to that age. But the fact is our body and mind can be quite unprepared for retirement, especially if we don't have anything planned.

A body which kept up with a grueling routine for years starts falling apart as the stress finally catches up with you. Mind becomes bored, can deteriorate or slide into depression.

The important thing to do to avoid depression disorder and all sorts of physical ailments is to keep active.

Fresh air, gardening, planting, exercise is a sure way to keep you fit. It's a proven fact that working with soil, growing things considered a sort of depression therapy, it soothes and calms you down, makes you feel peaceful. It's also a very good way to control your anxiety.

You can also travel to places where you always wanted to go, but never had time. You can pre-plan months before the event and get very cheap deals. You can always find something according to your finances, even if it's cycling or walking holidays, and new impressions, positive emotions and joy will always keep possible depression at bay.

Another sure way to stay healthy and upbeat is either to get a hobby or to turn your old hobby into a business. Nothing feels better than doing what you enjoy and get paid for it You like craft? Try selling what you create. Bake cakes? Open an online shop or spread the word around your neighbors and friends.

Don't forget that you need to keep your mind sharp, learn something new everyday, however small it is or do crosswords, train your mind to prevent it from deteriorating.

Keep socializing. If you remember I said before, that even 10 minutes a day of talking to another person face to face prevents you from getting depressed. There are plenty of clubs you can join, just find out about them in your local community centre.

At last, volunteer. Helping each other, feeling needed is a great part of our humanity which does wonders for your physical and mental well-being. It can be anything, however small - work for few hours a week in a charity shop, your local food centre, church, care home etc. even babysitting your neighbors' baby will do wonders for your positive attitude.

Whatever you do to help yourself to avoid depression, please share your experience here

Depression in Retirement

DEPRESSION

* What is Depression

* Types of Depression

* Causes of Depression

WHAT IS DEPRESSION: an illness that involves our physical body, inner mind e.g. mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person act that is the way we eat and sleep, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. a depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. it is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with a depressive disease cannot merely pull themselves together and get better. without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression.

TYPES OF DEPRESSION: Certain types of depression vary in gravity and have links to specific events and individuals. Seasonal affective disorder is due to changes in season and may result from a lack of sunlight. Also, in the area of unfulfillment that is you are not where you are suppose to be as a person. This affects one physically, emotionally etc. Other types of depression are more serious such as major depression, which can affect the body and mind in an often negative way.

Major depression causes a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of depression are not easily recognized. many people can exhibit certain symptoms of depression but are in fact, not depressed. Depression could be noticed when their is a change in your physical body i.e. weight loss. This change occurs because most people that are depress tend to lose their appetite. Other symptoms include, slowed body movement or thinking, fatigue, feelings of hopelessness and guilt. In addition loss of interest in activities that were once interesting or enjoyable, including sex, hanging out, having fun etc.

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION: In most cases causes of depression varies but most seen result is mainly from traumatic events that happens in someone's life. a passing of a loved one can often ignite feelings of despair, loss and sadness that linger and evolve into depression. a major failure in life such as work or an important competition may also cause depression. Other causes of depression may have links to social isolation, non achievement that causes mental pain which promote to major illness and finally graduate to depression.

COMPLICATIONS: Complications of depression occurs when treatment does not prove effective or does not address the underlying issue of the disorder. Depression can cause people to neglect their health and physical appearance and which may lead to malnutrition or other nutritional disorders. when people who become depressed do not eat enough, the immune system may suffer which may make it easier for them to get sick. In my findings a more serious complication of depression includes attempting to commit suicide or having thoughts of not wanting to live. People who are depressed must be monitored for behavior that suggests they may have thought or could be considering suicide mission. furthermore, Clinical depression can complicate serious health conditions such as heart disease or cancer.

TREATMENT: Treatment of depression depends on the severity of the disorder. the best way of treatment for anyone depressed is home remedies (and being unde supervision by a therapist or Doctor) such as getting enough rest, following a healthy diet, exercise and spending more time with loved ones can help treat depression. when you're depressed, it can feel like you'll never get out from under a dark shadow. But take heart. Even the most severe depression is treatable. with the right help and support, you can and will feel better. there are many effective ways to deal with depression, including exercise, talk therapy, medication, natural supplements, and lifestyle changes.

Learning all this treatment options will help you decide the best applicable one to help in any particular situation and needs. there are no quick fixes or instant cures, but if you're willing to work on yourself and stick with treatment, you'll escape from under depression's shadow sooner than you think.

For individuals that become so severely depressed they cannot function, or who feel suicidal and are unable to be safely cared for in their society/community, hospitalization may proves necessary.

Steps to Overcoming Depression

Suffering From Depression when Pregnant

There are hormonal changes taking place that are substantial and can trigger depressive illnesses and in more extreme cases even psychosis can be triggered. Did you know that the time period in a woman's life when she is most likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness is during her pregnancy or during the year following the birth of her baby?

For those With A Previous Diagnosis of Depression or Mental Illness

For those women who have experienced mental illness before pregnancy, even in mild forms, these women are much more likely to have an experience again, but this time the symptoms are likely to be more extreme.

The underlying causes of depression during pregnancy are multi-various. The physical strains of pregnancy, such as sickness, fatigue and, for some, limited mobility can cause a woman's mood to be affected. these physical triggers do not only have a psychological effect but measurable physiological ones too: sickness can lead to imbalances in electrolytes with cascading consequences on hormones which can and do alter mood.

Whether it is due to fatigue, a body changing its shape or a lack of mobility, some women don't feel able to exercise during pregnancy. however numerous studies have shown that regular exercise is a valuable tool in helping to combat mild to moderate depression

Potential Triggers

There are a lot of potential triggers which make is understandable as to why some women will suffer from some level of depression for the first time in their lives during pregnancy. for existing sufferers the symptoms can become worse unfortunately.

Psychological factors will play an important fact as to whether women will be triggered into depression during pregnancy.

Multiple Miscarriages

Some women suffer a number of miscarriages or stillbirths. in these cases as the pregnancy progresses these women's chances of suffering from an increase in the symptoms of depression increases. The reason for this is that the feeling of uncertainty continues to increase.

When you think about the fact that many first time mothers are coping with feelings of fear regarding their own capabilities, then try to imagine how women who have never had a live birth, but have been pregnant must feel. these women deal with an intense fear of another failed pregnancy, which of course can have the catch 22 effect of increasing the symptoms of depression.

Coping

To cope with a pre-existing condition or a newly diagnosed condition, it may help to find a pregnancy buddy, who can help motivate you to take some physical exercise to begin. Even light physical exercise can help and as it does you may feel able to increase the level of exercise.

Talk to someone you can trust. this can either be a close family member or companion, or a suitable organisation.

Try to find something that you enjoyed doing when you were a child and do it for nothing more than amusement and therapy. this could be anything at all, especially anything that we do with our hands, like painting, sewing etc. Once you are working with your hands you will find you should alleviate stress to some degree.

We've heard it thousands of times, but get out into nature, it does work

Depression During Pregnancy - An Examination Of The Underlying Causes

Treatments (for) Depression information are available from a wide variety of sources. Medication, Holistic, and Herbal Treatments will be the focus here. this information will hopefully lead to do more research and consult with your physician before starting any new health regimens.

Sources of Information

The Internet has a mind boggling amount of sources for Treatments, Depression info.
Magazines, medical journals, and books can be found about Depression and how it affects lives. Some celebrities have written personal testimonies of their experiences with battling Depression.

Sources other than print media may include video lessons on Depression. your local mental health organization will have a ton of information and if necessary refer you to a psychiatrist and/or a counselor (Psychotherapy). there are agencies that warehouse information and will send it to you sometimes for a fee.

Only you know how you are feeling and how Depression may be affecting your life. Armed with this information, you may be your own best educator. you can really be in control of your treatment given the right information and support.

Medications

Medications are used to change the levels of particular chemicals in the brain or to allow the brain to more efficiently make use of these chemicals, Serotonin and Norepinephrine.
These medications are very effective for many but there are serious side effects with these drugs. Some of the newer classes of drugs have fewer and less severe side effects. in children under the age of 21 who take antidepressant drugs, it is known that the drugs can cause them to have suicidal thoughts. while on antidepressants, children on these drugs should be closely monitored. only your doctor can tell which type of medication will best suit your needs.

Holistic Treatments

Holistic medicine attempts to treat the whole person-mind, body, and spirit. there are many Holistic treatments available. Acupuncture and Acupressure are holistic treatments.
Reflexology, Aroma Therapy, Meditation, and Relaxation Therapy are holistic as well. Adopting spirituality is encouraged. What happens in one affects the other two and Holistic treatments are meant to balance mind, body, and spirit, thus providing health and happiness.

Herbal Treatments

Herbal usage has been around for centuries. They can be used as spices, as part of a salad, or in healing a wide variety of health conditions. Herbal Depression treatments are most often found in supplement form. Specific herbs that are known to affect mood are blended with vitamins, minerals, and other nutritive substances to provide a more effective treatment.

Herbal supplements that have had the metabolic paths of their ingredients evaluated, that have had the interactions of the ingredients tested and that are made to pharmaceutical grade will be the most potent, safe, and effective treatments.

Herbal treatments have few to no side effects. Before beginning the use of any herbs, check with your physician first. Herbs may reduce the effectiveness of prescription medications you may be taking for other conditions.

Conclusion

There is a wide variety of treatments Depression info available. The Internet will be a major source for you. Other media such as books and videos are also plentiful. Some forms of Depression treatments include medication, Holistic treatments, and herbal treatments. your physician and your local mental health agency will have sources for you as well. you are or will be your own best educator. this information will hopefully allow you to make informed decisions and to work with your physician to determine the best treatment for you.

Treatments Depression Info - Facts About Treatments Depression Info

The Beck Depression Scale (BDI) is a scientific depression test to measure the presence and level of depression symptoms used by psychiatrists worldwide. it is meant to use the inventory to help diagnose individuals suffering of different forms of depression. Different settings make an important part of the test. the scale is meant to identify the presence and severity of symptoms and for this reason the Beck Depression Inventory can help professionals to learn more of the case.

The Beck Depression Scale can be used for both adults and adolescents of at least fifth or sixth grade reading level skills and up. it means that also teenagers are able to take the inventory. since its inception in the 1960s the inventory got further developments and updates.

The BDI, as the scale is also called, consists of 21 items to assess the intensity of depression in clinical and normal patients on a self report scale. the BDI assesses physical and physiological symptoms of depression such as mood, pessimism, sense of failure, self-dissatisfaction, guilt, punishment, self-dislike, self-accusation, suicidal ideas, crying, irritability, social withdrawal, body image, work difficulties, insomnia, fatigue, appetite, weight loss, bodily preoccupation, and loss of libido. Only about ten minutes is enough for the most people to complete the BDI and afterwords a health professional gets an indication about presence of depression with a patient and severity of the disease.

Each of the inventory items corresponds to a specific category of depressive symptom and/or attitude and scores on the BDI indicate personal state of mind to confirm the presence of depression. the BDI has been shown to be valid and reliable, but anyway the tests scores can be manipulated by a testing person if he decides not to give correct answers.

The scale does not provide overall reliability: if one goes through the inventory at a different time it often demonstrates different results all depending on changes in a patients mental state since the previous depression testing. even the testing environment can be a factor of influence for BDI results. Also social factors and expectations can be influential on the answers of a patient.

The Beck Inventory is not meant to serve as an instrument of diagnosis, it is more intended to assess the presence and severity of depression in psychiatrically diagnosed patients. after testing patients take a talk to their doctors about the test results and further treatment if necessary. that is why it is very important not to use BDI as a diagnostic tool, as depressive symptoms may be part of other primary psychiatric disorders.

Learn more about the Beck Depression Scale and take a talk to your psychologist about BDI procedure and outcomes. the early BDI testing can prevent you from deepening into depression and helps you to find the shortest way back to happy life.

Beck Depression Scale

I'm not a famous actress like Patty Duke (Anna Marie in They Call Me Anna) or Carrie Fisher (in The best Awful); or a gifted psychiatrist like Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison (in An Unquiet Mind); or a flamboyant, young journalist like Lizzie Simon (in Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D); or a notorious newswoman like Jane Pauley (in Skywriting: A Life out of the Blue). I'm simply a Web developer for the state of Texas, in my late 50s, and have been diagnosed as bipolar since 1980. however, I have known secretly of my condition since I was seven years old.

I've actually dealt with the bipolar condition all my life. I say dealt with and condition rather than suffered from and disorder because the former presents a sense of being in control; whereas, the latter conveys the image of a helpless victim. actually, the brilliant psychologist (therapist) whom I see, Dr. William J. Dubin of Austin, Texas, prefers to call it the bipolar trait. his belief is being bipolar merely means a different organization of the mind having its advantages and disadvantages. again, the emphasis is on self-control of one's thought processes and on insightful encouragement rather than on illness or disease.

With that being said, I shall refer to this condition throughout these pages interchangeably as the bipolar characteristic, bipolar disorder (BPD, not to be confused with Borderline Personality Disorder), the bipolar trait or the bipolar experience. in years past, it was referred to as manic depression because that terminology more adequately depicts the polarity of the condition. that is why Dr. Kay Redfeld Jamison, psychologist and staff member at Johns Hopkins University, and author of An Unquiet Mind, among other texts, prefers to reference the condition as manic depression. it is a disorder in the degree to which one's relationship with oneself is disruptive; when one can dispassionately experience manic depression, one knows there are tremendously positive elements few people are able to achieve.

There have been untold numbers of books written about this disorder that affects one percent of the population, or about two million people. much research has been done, yet actually very little progress has been made in determining its exact causes and in finding solutions. There is no real cure; the condition is generally life-long and chronic. Many believe it gets worse as one grows older. There is no iron-clad medical test that can be performed to determine whether one has bipolar disorder. The diagnosis generally is based on demonstrated symptoms, all of which can be revealed readily by reading the materials resulting from a Google search on the Internet.

Numerous studies have tried to identify a genetic predisposition to BPD. however, in many cases, one identical twin will have it and the other does not. Environmental factors such as one's upbringing, experiences in school and interpersonal relationships greatly influence the manifestation of this condition. Brain mapping experiments reveal bipolar persons appear to have small pools of water in their brains (An Unquiet Mind by Dr. Kay Redfeld Jamison).

It is widely accepted that a significant contributing factor revolves around three neurotransmitter activities in the brain: serotonin, acetylcholine and dopamine. Additionally, levels of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline play a key role in the anxiety component of the condition. from my own experiences, I believe the disruptive nature of the bipolar existence is based upon energy imbalance. Either the serotonin-neurotransmitter process is intensified to a biochemical excess, which creates the manic, scattered energy; or it is impeded to an abnormal level which creates the depressive, half-of-my-mind-is-dead disillusionment.

This energy imbalance manifests in what I experience as a right-and-left-brain conflict. our left brain tends to be logical, meticulous, organized and responsible. our right brain facilitates creativity, spontaneity and playfulness. I experience depression when I feel as though my creative right brain has not received enough stimulation, or when the serotonin activity has decreased so much I couldn't be creative no matter how hard I try. Conversely, I experience mania when it seems as though my right brain, under the influence of excessive serotonin release rates, takes over in wildly imaginative creativity and activity that can become delusional and psychotic.

Another significant aspect of life as a bipolar individual is hyperthymia, meaning too much emotion, or moods that are too intense. good things are experienced as intensely energizing boosts to one's morale, beyond what the situation calls for; and likewise, disappointments are registered as major letdowns leading to futility, despair and utter hopelessness.

Perhaps this memoir will provide insights for others who may be struggling to come to grips with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder - manic-depression. I unequivocally state Jimi Hendrix was correct when he sang, Manic-depression's a frustrating mess. as one who has dealt with this frustration, and who has spent thousands of dollars in therapy trying to untangle the mess, my intent is to expose bipolor emotions and experiences. I hope to provide fresh insights and rays of hope to professionals trying to get a better handle on the condition for treating their patients, as well as to those dealing with the condition, be they newcomers to the diagnosis or old hands at it.

The first several chapters of this book are about growing up bipolar. This series of chronological vignettes helps readers develop insights into the roots of the bipolar existence as I have experienced it. it is not meant to be an all-inclusive narrative, but rather a summary of pertinent events and scenarios to enlighten the reader about the bipolar roller coaster. it will illustrate key components leading up to my eventual diagnosis of 296.44 Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Manic, Severe With Psychotic Features.

In particular, I hope mothers will be able to recognize and understand their bipolar children. it also provides assistive insights for friends, family and coworkers who interact with bipolar individuals.

The remaining few chapters explore methods of dealing with the bipolar condition from a cognitive approach as gleaned from intensive psychotherapy and hypnotherapy with a gifted and compassionate psychotherapist. Medications also are discussed. I consider myself an expert on the subject because I have tried my entire life to understand it and ultimately to view the bipolar condition as a gift from which I can offer understanding to others, rather than to view it as a cross to bear.

Introduction to Soaring & Crashing - My Bipolar Adventures

Knowing how to cure bipolar disorder is essential for all the people involved. But first, discerning the signs of the illness and recognizing the presence of the abnormality is significant.

Bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose as its behavioral manifestations are often misunderstood and not immediately recognized by mental health professionals. These individuals may already be experiencing difficulty with the illness but because of underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis, they may suffer unnecessarily for years. Bipolar disorder is a serious medical condition. however, with the right treatment, many individuals with bipolar disorder can lead fulfilling lives.

Although there is yet no known method on how to cure bipolar disorder, psychiatrists and psychologists believe that it is a manageable condition. although affected individuals may not be aware of ways on how to cure bipolar disorder, effective management of the illness may help prevent the recurrence of manic and depressive or mixed episodes.

Medications that treat acute manic, depressive or mixed episodes are the basis of how to cure bipolar disorder. These prevent the recurrence of bipolar disorder episodes. The emphasis of this treatment is on the efficient management of the duration of the disorder, which usually requires nascent symptoms to be treated. Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques are two of the means on how to cure bipolar disorder. Some medications that would help an individual suffering from bipolar disorder include atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants.

Almost all people with this disorder can get significant stabilization of their mood swings. Lithium is recognized as very effective in curbing mania and preventing manic and depressive periods.

In psychological treatment, the emphasis is often on issues that arise in the affected person's life brought about by the manic episodes. The focal point in the treatment of this disorder is helping the patient distinguish the beginning signs of a manic episode and taking restorative action. Psychotherapy is an essential tool in improving the illness in people with bipolar disorder. those who suffer from this abnormality frequently have strained relationships in the event of manic and depressive periods. Psychotherapy helps in restoring these broken relationships. this method of treatment can also educate the people involved in helping to detect the onset of symptoms, dealing with the episodes, managing the stress associated with them and, in general, how to cure bipolar disorder.

Other factors that would help the patients in understanding how to cure bipolar disorder include being mindful of little changes in an individual's energy levels, mood and sleeping and eating habits. a patient and his doctor must also have a program on ways on dealing with changes indicative of the onset of mood swings. Hospital commitment, wherein a person is placed in the hospital against his will, is sometimes a necessity for someone suffering from bipolar disorder because of the effects of manic episodes.

Since bipolar disorder is a lifelong ailment, ongoing treatment is required to keep the patient's mood stable even when he shows signs of feeling better. it is also critical that the people affected with the illness and their families seek the best treatment plan. Patients and their families may also find mutual support self-help groups beneficial.

Knowing How to Cure Bipolar Disorder