The stress of the holidays triggers sadness and depression for many people. this time of year is especially difficult because there's an expectation of feeling merry and generous. People compare their emotions to what they assume others are experiencing or what they're supposed to feel and then think that they alone fall short. they judge themselves and feel like an outsider.

There are a host of things that add to stress and difficult emotions during the holidays.

• Finances. Not enough money or the fear of not having enough to buy gifts leads to sadness and guilt. the stress of financial hardship during this economic downturn is often compounded by shame. When you can't afford to celebrate is can feel devastating.
• Stress. the stress of shopping and planning family dinners when you're already overworked and tired.
• Loneliness. a whopping 43 percent of Americans are single, and 27 percent of Americans live alone. When others are with their families, it can be very painful for those who are alone. Seventeen percent of singles are over 65, when health, age, and mobility can make it more difficult to enjoy yourself.
• Grief. Missing a deceased loved one who won't be joining you. Seniors have more reasons to grieve.
• Estrangement. When you're not speaking to a relative, family get togethers can usher in feelings of sadness, guilt, resentment, or inner conflict about whether to communicate.
• Divorce. If you're newly divorced, the holidays may remind you of happier times and accentuate your grief. It's especially difficult for adult children of divorce who have to balance seeing two sets of parents. the stress is multiplied for married children who have three or even four sets of parents to visit.
• Pleasing. Trying to please all of your relatives - deciding what to get, whom to see, and what to do - can make you feel guilty and not enough, which leads to depression.
• SAD. many people experience the blues during gloomy weather due to decreased sunlight, called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Much of the planning, shopping, and cooking is done by women, so they carry the greater burden in preparing for family gatherings. Women are at greater risk for depression. than men. They're twice as likely to experience depression. After heart disease, depression is the most debilitating illness for women, while it's tenth for men. some measures you can take to cope the holiday blues include:

• Make plans in advance, so you know how and with whom your holidays will be spent. Uncertainty and putting off decision-making add enormous stress.
• Shop early and allow time to wrap and mail packages to avoid the shopping crunch.
• Ask for help from your family and children. Women tend to think they have to do everything, when a team effort can be more fun.
• Don't allow perfectionism to wear you down. Remember it's being together and goodwill that matters.
• Make time to rest and rejuvenate even amidst the pressure of getting things done. this will give you more energy.
• Shame prevents people from being open about gift-giving when they can't afford it. instead of struggling to buy a gift, let your loved ones know how much you care and would like to, but can't afford it. That intimate moment will relieve your stress and nourish you both.
• Spend time alone to reflect and grieve, if necessary. Pushing down feelings leads to depression. let yourself feel. Then do something nice for yourself and socialize.
• Don't isolate. Reach out to others who also may be lonely. If you don't have someone to be with, volunteer to help those in need. it can be very uplifting and gratifying.

The signs of depression are feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and/or guilt, crying, loss of interest in usual activities, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, social withdrawal, and changes in sleep, weight, or appetite. If these symptoms are severe or continue for a few weeks, more than the holidays may be the cause. Seek professional help.

Darlene Lancer, MFT 2011

How to Cope With Holiday Stress and Depression

Recently I took a quiz about - What mental disorder do you have?

http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_mental_diso…

The result i got was, I am suffering from Manic Depression.Is it a bad thing?? should I do something about it?? please help me...

Firstly, a quiz you took on the internet is not a diagnosis. in order to be diagnosed with manic depression you would HAVE to see a Psychiatrist - referred by a doctor.

Manic Depression, also known as Bipolar Disorder is a very severe mental illness and quite dangerous to the patient if not treated properly with drugs. you should see a doctor ASAP to speak to them about this.

You cannot diagnose yourself over the internet, only someone licenced to can diagnose you (doctor etc). Everybody has a time where they tick all the boxes for an illness sometime in their life when they don't really have it, I have not been diagnosed with manic depression but there was a period of time I thought I was manic depressed or had bipolar. you would be suprised how many normal people take that test and get that result or possibly worse. Don't worry about it, but if you really are worrying about your health then go to your doctor or have therapy, don't rely on a quiz made by someone who was probably bored.

I have found through my experience that you know yourself when something just isn't quite right. however, it is the understanding what is actually wrong which is the key to knowing what you should do. I have written an experience which i endured for your perusal, if you have experienced anything like this or some of your symptoms are the same then i suggest you act today.
I have added a link at the end which helped me the most to move on with my life and it just may do the same for you.

It all started one bright summer morning, I was driving to work as I always did at around 0700 hours. the traffic began to slow down and I was positioned in the centre of the 3 lane motorway, driving towards a high level bridge. the bridge was undergoing repair work so the 3rd lane was closed and the traffic was being directed into the centre lane. This in turn caused the traffic to stand still for what seemed like an eternity, when at this point something really strange started to happen to me. something I had never experienced before and for what seemed to be no apparent reason, I started to panic. it was like air bubbles in my blood, I was sweating profusely, my chest tight and I was gasping for air. Almost like a collision of emotions pouring from my body, I just wanted to scream, I knew I had to get out of the situation.

I vaguely remember the next 20 minutes but a policeman ran me through the stages as they developed. whilst still in my car I forced my way over between the traffic to get to the hard shoulder of the motorway, I then apparently reversed down the slip road towards the on coming traffic.

However, they do say that no body ever dies of a panic attack but my behaviour on that morning could have caused serious damage.

Once I had finally reached the bottom of the slip road a police officer was parked behind me and waited for my next move, once he had realised I wasn't going to move he stepped out of his vehicle and opened my door. He realised instantly that something wasn't quite right, we sat and I couldn't tell you to this day what he said to me. He called for an ambulance and I was taken to the hospital for them to diagnose that I had suffered an anxiety attack, although these days its called a panic attack as anxiety and panic are slightly different.

I hadn't got a clue what they were going on about all I knew that whatever happened was not right, I thought I was going to die right then and there in the car.

I went to my local Doctor who did her best to explain my experience but felt she didn't really understand, the explanation given was due to my resent split from a long term relationship I was suffering from anxiety and it had all got too much to bare.

As the years passed the panic attacks appeared where and when they felt like it and without warning, so I started avoiding the places of bad experiences but this became worse because it was now effecting most areas of my life. I could no longer have a relationship for the fear of being asked to go somewhere or do something I couldn't face, for example on a bus or a train or an aeroplane, even simple places like shopping centres and picture houses became no go areas for me.

In 2007 I became totally depressed and was prescribed anti-depressants by my Doctor which I took for six months or so but I was determined to face this and resolve it once and for all.

After several months of research having faced the counselling sessions which didn't help me at all, I stumbled upon a book which guided me to a better understanding of the panic attacks and anxieties.

This was a huge positive step and the most important thing of all was that the author believes he can make it all go away and not as my Doctor said which was, all that can be done is to be taught how to control it.

This was unacceptable and I struggled on, until I was introduced to a young lady via a friend of mine. I discovered from her that she was a sufferer, which shocked me a little as I would never have ever disclosed it. With this information I confessed to my suffering and she kindly introduced me to a system which I then looked into and purchased, its not a miracle cure its a program with lots of support and guidance. I have continued to work with this program for over six months now and feel really good about myself and achieving so much by breaking down my barriers, which have been closing in for so long.

I had been coping and living with panic attacks for so long that I had forgotten how to live, now I am living and enjoying life again.

Good Luck.

I am not saying for one minute that this program which I have been introduced too would benefit everybody, as I am not a professional in this field. My experience, is many years of suffering and can add that the relief this has given me is amazing to say the least.
The program does cover many areas of anxiety, I personally found it very useful. Visit

Everybody passes those quizzes, they are a bunch of crap. you do not have Manic Depression (now called Bipolar Disorder).

Everyone has all the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder....... because everyone has mood swings, momentary loss of judgment, likes to go shopping, likes sex, feels down sometimes, gets angry now and then and is hyper on occasion. the difference is that all of these symptoms in Bipolar are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function. Think of a pole (biPOLEr) with 0 at the center (0 being normal) and 10 at one end (manic) and -10 at the other (deep depression). most people have swings but stay within 3 to -3. I have fairly severe Bipolar 1 but since my psychosis is mild I go from -9 to 9.... Also depression that comes and goes is not bipolar but just recurring depression, you have to have mania for it to be Bipolar..... you have to go to both ends of the pole.

Rapidly changing moods or becoming angry or sad easily is not Bipolar. That is just having emotions. People with Bipolar Disorder do not change emotions quickly, they go through long periods of deep depression followed by long periods of mania or elevated mood, long periods meaning weeks or months or years. Mood effects everything about you.... your energy level, self esteem, sleep patterns, appetite, sexuality, emotional response, etc.....

This is what it is like to have Bipolar disorder:

Depression - too tired to get out of bed, shower, even to brush my teeth. cry all the time, sleep 16 hours a day. Feelings of self loathing and guilt that drive me to think of suicide but I'm to tired to even think about how to go about killing myself. it makes you feel small and worthless and completely insignificant. it makes you think about how big the world is and how meaningless you are in it..... and it refuses to let you have any good thoughts or see any good things.... when you look in the mirror all you see is pain, you don't even see yourself, you don't taste your favorite foods anymore, see that flowers are blooming, whether or not the sun is out, you become so inward that you hardly even notice your surroundings..... you don't even feel love for people anymore.... positive thoughts are just not possible...... it is a deep dark hole with no way out and no light for hope.... and most of all it makes you feel sooooo alone. And even if there were someone who cared about you they would be better off if you killed yourself....... because all you will ever be is a burden....... this can last from a couple of weeks to a couple of years.

Mania - way too happy! PARTY GIRL! love drink and drugs. Talk really fast and pressured because my thoughts are going faster than my mouth can keep up with. Hypersexual - like I sleep with strangers and guys I just met on the internet or I masturbate 10 times a day. I once became bisexual because there were twice as many people to sleep with. down load porn and spend tons of money on sex toys. Spending sprees..... I once spent my mortgage money on african violets, yep, $1500 on African violets (then I got depressed and let them all die). Quit my job because I wanted my vacation pay for lottery tickets and I was so convinced I would win that I started shopping and writing bad checks because I'd be rich as soon as the numbers were drawn. decided that I could replace the furnace in my home by myself... I mean how hard can it be..... Only sleep 2 or maybe 3 hours a night for months on end and never feel tired. in the end I was unemployed, $30,000 in debt, and had almost lost my home, which needed a new furnace because I had removed the old one.. or parts of it anyway. This can last for months.

I also have mixed states when I am depressed and manic at the same time which are truly the worst... By body and mind are depressed but there is this undercurrent of energy running all the time..... I'm highly emotional but the emotions tend to be negative (guilt and anger) I have intrusive thoughts and urges to mutilate myself (like wanting to stick my hands in the garbage disposal or cooking them on the BBQ), and I also have psychotic episodes where I hallucinate. This is when I am most suseptible to suicide because I am depressed, wanting to hurt myself, and I have the mental energy to plan and carry it out.

When I am on meds I am a normal 45 year old single mom of 3 and no one would even guess that

I am suffering from Manic Depression. Is it really bad?

We all get depressed from time to time, don't we? It's pretty normal to get nostalgic or extremely sad when we make major life changes or encounter personal problems, illness and death in the family. the factors causing depression will always be there, no matter what we do. We cannot be happy 100% of the time as it is. Even the strongest-willed individual on earth can break down and cry. Nobody can keep us from getting into a depressive state when circumstances so warrant. We will just have to cope with depression effectively every time we feel the blues in order to reduce the impact on our relationships and general well-being.

Some Means Of Coping With Depression

There are different ways we can fight the blues or even use depression to improve our lives and the lives of other people. I would like to share a few that are working well for me:

• Keep a journal. Writing allows me to channel my feelings into something that is not destructive. it makes me feel good to write my thoughts down without having to worry about grammar or sentence structure. Try the same technique. you can write a poem about your feelings, and who knows, you may even want to publish it later.
• Do something nice, whether it's to yourself or to others. Treat yourself to something nice and fancy. Consider getting a new haircut - looking different helps to boost your confidence. Buy ice cream for a little child, or a complete meal for the beggar down the street. Doing these things help to make you feel loads better.
• Relax. see a movie or read a good book. Try Sophie Kinsella's books - they never fail to make me laugh.
• Take up a new hobby. Try cooking, juggling or playing crossword puzzles or anything at all that will occupy your mind.

Clinical Depression

But I'd like to point out that there is a more serious type of depression, and that's clinical depression. Clinical depression is a major depressive disorder that requires professional treatment usually through psychotherapy or medications or both. this type of depression may be triggered by genetics, physical and emotional abuse, medications, and essentially the same factors that cause simple depression. this type of depression has the tendency to recur if not treated properly.

To Reduce Chances of Depression Recurring

• Get professional treatment. Clinical depression is very serious; self-medication will only serve to make it worse. Consult a specialist in order to be treated appropriately with psychotherapy or medications or a combination of both. And do what you are told to do. if you are given medications, don't reduce or increase the dosage without your doctor's advice.
• Take vitamin supplements. the lack of Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12, as well as Vitamins C and D, has been linked to increased incidence of depression. Making sure you have enough supply of these essential vitamins may help prevent the recurrence of mood disorders.
• Exercise. Exercising regularly releases chemicals in the brain that are responsible in improving mood and reducing anxiety. Brisk walking for 30 minutes early in the morning is always a good idea.
• Make wise food choices. I know, it happens so often that when we are depressed we tend to rely on comfort foods, but these only make us better for a little while. Eating right will help you deal with depression a lot better. Try nuts - they have Omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to brain health and development. Foods rich in B-vitamins, especially folic acid, make great choices, too.

Well, of course, you don't have to wait for the last minute to do any of these things. Except for the first advice, the rest of the tips can nonetheless help improve your general well being in many ways, even if you have not had or are not at risk for developing a major depressive disorder.

What Is The Likelihood Of Your Depression Returning?

94 year old cook and great grandmother, Clara, recounts her childhood during the Great Depression as she prepares meals from the era. Learn how to make simple yet delicious dishes while listening to stories from the Great Depression.

Overcome depression by the natural means.

Depression is a mood disorder caused and carried on by several factors, mainly environmentally, psychologically, biologically and genetically. it affects the person's thoughts and actions, usually negatively and may impact the physical condition ultimately.

However it can be treated with or without medication. The depressed should always seek help from their trusted family doctor and consult if medication is needed.

Medication however is advisable depending on the condition of the depressed patient. but what i can offer you through this article are tips on how to overcome depression through the natural ways. it is done through adjusting one's life back on track and getting rid of their bad habits, so this is what we call the therapeutic lifestyle change.

So through Therapeutic lifestyle change, we aim to overcome depression naturally by adjusting one's life. One of the most important steps is to ensure that you consume the right food.

Next, step 2,is to be connected with the world, that refers to being connected with someone or something- animal perhaps because that would allow you to open up emotionally so that you will not have any withdrawal symptoms. this is crucial in making the depressed patient feel better and having a higher self-esteem as they are involved in a relationship now.

Step 3, is to get healthy sleep it is very important for the person to get sufficient quality sleep so that he/she's daily mood will not be affected. Bad sleep may cause mood swings to a person as proven scientifically, thus ensure that you are taking care of your health by sleeping soundly with no disturbance

Step 4, you can try light therapy and that simply means being exposed to bright light as it is proven that it will lighten up your mood. As compared to one who is exposed to darkness daily, the one who is exposed to bright light or sunlight would appear to be more cheerful.

Step 5 is to stop rumination. do not let your imaginations run wild or else your mind will be in a twirl and you will get confused with your own emotions. You can prevent your rumination by transferring your thoughts to something you enjoy doing. for example, fishing, swimming or cooking this will occupy your mind and prevent unnecessary thoughts.

Lastly, step 6 is to get yourself to exercise By doing anti-depressant exercises, such as jogging, badminton or even yoga as this not only improves your ability to think, your ability to respond, it also improves your sleep at night. By exercising sufficiently, 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time, you will be able to think clearly and react rationally.

These are 6 recommended approaches to overcome depression naturally, by adjusting one's lifestyle.

Whether or not you are suffering from depression, you can also follow the steps in therapeutic lifestyle change so as to have a more healthy life

Depression Cures - Natural Cures For Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder which affects the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about oneself and the way he perceives things around him. Depression should not be considered as just a passing mood, because it is not. it is also not a personal weakness that can be wished away. it is a disease which is curable and from there you can start a new lease of life. If a depressive episode is left untreatable, it can last for months and even years. the worst thing about depression is that ignorant people don't consider it as a real disease at all and think that a person can actually snap out of it. Depression requires medical attention and treatment.

Below are 101 ways to beat Depression at home without any prescription drugs.

1)Find hope. Understand that today may be a bad day, but tomorrow will not be the same. whenever feelings of depression hit you, find something you can look forward to. Start concentrating on things which you like.

2) Eat apples everyday. They contain Phosphorus, Vitamin B and potassium which build the nerve cells and help keep depression at bay.

3) Practice positive self-talk. Speak to yourself about the goodness in your and the people around you. Make yourself say everyday that you will enjoy life no matter what.

4) Believe in God. No matter what religion you follow, try to understand the meaning of the principles and draw happiness from its teachings. get inspired by the beliefs.

5) Make new friends. Start conversations with people you like and form new friendships. Talk to them regularly and try to be a good friend.

6) be around people. Try not to be alone. Chat, share a joke and laugh with friends or family. Make the home environment a pleasant one to be in. it is true that An idle mind is a devil's workshop. So try not to give any chances for this.

7) Join a Social club, take a class, meet someone for lunch or just chat with your next-door neighbor. Simple mundane talking can take care of a lot of mental unhappiness.

find a hobby. Collecting stamps, reading and listening to music are a few of the common hobbies people enjoy. find out what you like and spend a few hours everyday doing it.

9) do what makes you laugh. Watching a funny sitcom on television, reading the daily newspaper cartoons or watching a funny movie on DVD, do things regularly that make you giggle.

10) Make new Friends. find people on the street who look like they are having a good time. get the spirit from them and pump fresh energy when ever you meet people like that.

11) Listen to Music.If you listen to music, chuck the melancholy ones and listen to music that makes you feel happy. Music can actually lift your mood. This can touch your soul and give an immediate cure to most of the problems.

12) Volunteer for helping out somewhere. you can opt for a pantry centre that feeds the poor or an abused women's shelter. you will feel a peace within yourself that you have never known.
13) Go for a walk. Walking is the best thing to do when you are depressed because it does not require a lot of motivation and is healthy as well. stop thinking about your past while walking. Try to enjoy the nature and motive yourself to be like a great leader.

14) Make exercise a part of your daily routine. Exercising releases the endorphins of the body and helps you feel positive. it will also make you feel happier. choose an exercise you are comfortable doing everybody.

15) Physical closeness is a mood-lifter. give somebody a hug when you are feeling low. it may be a friend, a colleague at work or your mom. it works wonders. This is the best medicine found for depression and most recommended by any physician. A sharing of love and care will lift your spirits. Try to get a hug from a person whom you love the most.

16) Spend time with nature everyday. Gardening, walking or just sitting and breathing in the fresh air early in the morning will make you feel thankful to god that he created you. it will definitely improve your mood.

17) Spend time with yourself. Meditate, pray or just think about the positive qualities you have and the people who love you. but do remember that too much solitude may make you more depressed.

18) A lot of people feel depressed because they feel they are guilty of something. Face your demons. Ask for forgiveness from the person concerned and then put the whole episode behind you. Don't drag out the issue everyday and brood about it.

19) Let go of grudges. If you feel someone has done you wrong, forgive him or her. This is important to make peace with yourself. for instance, divorced people often hold grudges against their ex-spouses and feel angry and depressed. it is important to let go.

20) Open yourself to love. Embrace the love of family members and friends and try to reciprocate it. Basking in the warmth of love is the best way to reduce depression. Sharing of thoughts and true love will change the face of problems. you can get so many shoulders to share the responsibility and all off a sudden, all your problems might be solved.

21) Count your blessings. instead of thinking about the negative things in your life, spend time everyday thinking about the positives. it could be anything; a great job, your best friend, your loving family or even your beautiful skin.

22) Reduce stress. find out the areas in your life that make you most stressed and think about how to improve them. Eliminating stress will give you greater control of your life.

23) do not procrastinate. when you keep off till tomorrow the work that can be done today, you are spending time thinking about ways you can avoid working instead of doing the work. Don't waste your time and energy in doing something so useless. Try to make the best use of your time.

24) Eat fats which are good for the body. Eat foods like fish, pork, beef and dairy because these contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 which help in the creation of new brain cells. Healthy food habits will keep away ugly thoughts and make you fresh.

25) Eat granola, sweet potatoes, starchy vegetables, whole fruits, stone ground bread, potatoes with their skin and popcorn. They provide the necessary carbohydrates to the body.

26) Eat a balanced diet. have little protein at night and instead have complex carbohydrates. They help in the production of serotonin.

27) Having fruit before going to bed is a very good idea. the fruit will help you sleep and keep your depression at bay. on the other hand, it will supply all the essential nutrients and keep you healthy.

28) take Vitamin B-6 supplements everyday. it will increase the levels of serotonin in the body. If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before starting.

29) Eat your meals at approximately the same time each day. This is important as your body will not be starved of energy at any point of time.

30) Don't skip meals. when you skip meals in the condition of depression, your body cannot produce energy. This will make you feel down. Skipping meals is something you just can't afford to do.

31) Chinese medical research suggests that acupuncture can help to balance the positive and negative energies of the body. you can try it as it is a well-known way of treating depression.

32) Try not to be anxious in your day to day life. Everyday you may feel that you are constantly fighting with certain situations and people. have a composed life style and try to balance all your feelings.

33) Don't while away time doing nothing. If you are a student, make notes or study or go out. If you are a housewife, you can find a job or start a small business. Being busy does not let you have time to think any depressing thoughts.

34) be Social. Go out with friends for shopping or coffee. Meeting people and talking about mundane things will release happy-hormones and make you feel good. Try to spread happiness like a forest fire. you will never be depressed.

35) get a massage done. it is a mood lifter and it help in alleviating depressive symptoms. the anticipation of a massage is almost as good as the massage itself. the massage should be got from a professional person so as to relieve all the stress.

36) Eat dark chocolate. Eating a small square of chocolate everyday will not make you fat. it has anti-oxidants which will help your mood. Anti-oxidants will help you to keep fresh the whole day and you will never have the feeling of being tired or depressed.

37) Eat less of refined sugar. Your body craves sugar when you are depressed but in the long run it actually makes you more depressed. Cut it out from your life as much as possible.

38) Even if you are eating well, you may not be getting all the essential nutrients your body requires. Consult your doctor and have a multivitamin everyday. Health supplements are important and play a vital role to eliminate stress.

39) Go swimming. it is a great exercise and gives your body a natural adrenaline rush. you will be happy and refreshed after a half-hour spent in the pool. Time spent in the pool will pump in fresh energy.

40) Don't spend the entire day in a cold grumpy office or house. get some sunlight for at least 15 minutes. it is a wonderful natural mood-lifter. Start enjoying the beauty of nature outside.

41) If you live in an area where there is little sunlight, buy yourself a light box and look into it everyday for 15-20 minutes. it a great way of relieving depression.

42) it is important that you get enough sleep. Though it varies from person to person, 8 hours sleep a night is enough for most of the people. Make sure to have a regular routine and timing to sleep. If you change it frequently, the body system will get confused and you might face sleepiness all the day.

43) Napping in the afternoon for 30 minutes does not make you lazy. it could actually energize you and make you ready to spend the rest of the day productively. However, make sure that you do not become an addict to it.

44) do not hide from the world. Make friends. the internet is a wonderful place for making new friends. find online friends with whom you can share your thoughts, dreams and passions.

45) break up your goals into smaller achievable parts. it will be easier to achieve them and make you feel confident. Pat yourself when ever you achieve a short term goal. you are the best motivator for yourself and take pride of all your actions.

46) This is important. do not blame yourself or anyone else for your depression. you have it in you to overcome it yourself.

47) Don't decide on important things of your life such as divorce, marriage and career before you get out of the depressive state.

48) Accept the love and support your friends and family offer you. be grateful for it. Reciprocate in the same way. the feeling of helping others and to see a smile in their face is a great way to root out depression.

49) Don't hide your depressive state. Let people around you know you are depressed. get the help from professionals.

50) take steps everyday to build confidence and self-esteem. A confident person can beat all odds. it will give the power to win odd situations.

51) Always remember that there is someone who is less fortunate than you. you are a lucky person. think that you are having 10 full fingers with which you can win the world.

52) find happiness in little things such as a great book, your favorite TV show or just the fact that your mother made your favorite baked roast today.

53) Eat cashew nuts everyday because the Riboflavin and Vitamin B it contains is good for you.

54) Another option is to have Vitamin B supplements.

55) whenever depression hits you, get up and get active. Don't while away time in your bed brooding. do not let depression to depress your mind state. get going with your daily routine inspite of difficulties.

56) whenever you feel one of your moods coming, try to shift you attention to someone else's problems. Try to find solutions instead of worrying.

57) Pamper yourself by having a bubble bath or buying an expensive book you have been eyeing to get the happy hormones flowing.

58) Understand what it is that depresses you. stop doing it. getting to the core of the issue is important.

59) Try to have beautiful relationship with your partner. Bickering, arguments and quarrelling are no-no's. you can have them once in a while. If this persists for a long time, try to find an immediate long term solution.

60) Smile to yourself at the mirror everyday. it will make you want to do it all day. Start developing the sense of feeling that you are the most beautiful or handsome person in this world. it will boost your confidence level.

61) Smile to people around you. on the road, at your office or in the departmental store, smile A gentle smile would pave way to beautiful relationships.

62) If you have diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or liver trouble get them treated as soon as possible. Make sure that you are under proper medication and do not feel the pinch of diseases.

63) Make a schedule of your daily life. Follow it religiously. Stick to your own rules. Act accordingly. it will give you a disciplined life and will make you fit.

64) Laugh everyday. Join a laughing club or just laugh looking at yourself in the mirror. This has become a rare commodity. However, you do not give a chance. Share a good joke with your friends and family members.

65) Don't live in denial. Accept the fact that you are depressed and take steps to treat it. the state of being denied is very painful. hence, find an immediate answer and try to analyze the causes for that.

66) Know your limitations and liabilities. it will help you look at life with a practical eye. A practical approach to all the problems would find the much awaited key. do not be extravagant while finding a solution. be calm.

67) stop worrying about things that are not in your control. do as much as you can and then let go. Accept the proceedings of fate. but do not be idle and a mute spectator.

68) Patience is a virtue you need to develop. you won't just snap out of depression one day, it will take time and effort but will surely go away. have this in your mind. There can be no problems which are permanent in life.

69) Always take one step at a time. Everyday try to do a little bit more to get rid of your depression. find out the ways and things that will cheer you up. So stick to activities of that kind.

70) Practice a healthy lifestyle. Sleep, eat a balanced diet and get proper exercise to stay happy. A life with a perfect combination of all these activities will give you more.

71) Avoid consuming alcohol. it will make you more depressed. Don't try burying your sorrows in alcohol. Consuming alcohol is not good for health. it means you are inviting problems on your own. There might be health complications too because of this problem.

72) If you are a smoker, quit. Nicotine may make you feel good as long as you have the cigarette in your hand, but it is actually bad for your mood in the long run. it will make you an addict to this habit.

73) Popping pills to treat everyday ailments without them being prescribed by a doctor will ultimately make you feel down. stop this habit. This will further lead to complications. do not encourage self medication.

74) take a carrot and some spinach and put it in the blender. Drink the juice everyday. Prefer fresh juices instead of junk food items. you will get tons of energy and it will make good for the health.

75) Bananas contain serotonin, norepinephrine and potassium. have two ripe bananas everyday. you can stay healthy for the life time.

76) Avoid having too much coffee. If you cannot do without it, limit yourself to a couple of cups everyday. the main ingredient will make you an addict which is not good.

77) Drinking ginger tea everyday improves the blood and oxygen circulation of the body and keeps you feeling good. Having a proper supply of oxygen is very important for the health. This will make you a fit personality and will keep you fresh round the clock.

78) have sage tea with honey. it will sharpen your brain power and alleviate depressive symptoms.

79) Drinking peppermint tea will relax your system and improve your mood. have it everyday. A happy mood will find a solution to any of the problems.

80) do not have sugar with your tea. you can have honey or jaggery instead.

81) have milk with apple and honey every alternate day. it may not sound very appetizing but the combination will improve your mood.

82) when shopping for groceries, load up on citrus fruits and vegetables. They help in lifting the mood. They will lift up your spirits.

83) Try yoga. A lot of people all over the world are effusive about the usefulness of yoga in treating depression. This will improve your concentration level and also will help you to remain calm at times of problems. A calm mind is very much essential to analyze the root causes of the problems.

84) If it is something in the earlier part of your life that makes you depressed, try to put it all behind you. Remember, tomorrow is a new day. Make your day as the best one as you will never get a chance to make a better yesterday.

85) Boil a cup of water and put fresh rose petals in it. Drink it after straining the petals. This is a nice way to enjoy the beauty of life.

86) A lot of people have found relief from depression by drinking 2-3 cups of liquorice tea everyday. take the help of medicinal herbs like these and get rid of depression.

87) Dry root of asparagus, if eaten daily after being crushed and mixed with honey, is known to help in depression.

88) have a good breakfast. all types of foods, that is, proteins, carbohydrates and fats should be a part of your daily breakfast.

89) have a glass of orange juice early in the morning. the Vitamin C boost will be good for you.

90) Soak 5-10 almonds in water at night and eat them first thing in the morning everyday. This will make your body light and will keep you away from all the worries. you will never think about the problems and instead will solve it easily.

91) If tiredness and lethargy is what you feel even after waking up after 8 hours of sleep, you have to make the effort to get out of the cycle. Remember, the moment you decide you are going to give in, your depression wins over you.

92) Don't indulge in self-pity. it is a cycle that you have to end the moment it starts. do not get in to this bad habit. you will never be able to come out of this problem and it might spoil your character too.

93) If you are depressed about a relationship with somebody, may be your spouse, a parent or a friend, speak to the person about it. you need to get it solved. Don't brood over it. A gentle conversation sparked will solve all the misunderstandings. Remember that communication is the shortest distance between two people.

94) keep a diary. Vent all your frustrations, anger and moments of happiness in it. keep a track of how you feel everyday. This will help you plan the next day better.

95) Research has shown that watching too much television can actually make you feel more depressed. you will be better off doing something productive. Those television programs will make you think about them and not about your problems. do not waste much of your time. on the other hand, do not miss out on the entertainment too.

96) Painting, clay modeling, stitching and knitting make you feel at peace with yourself. do take out sometime everyday for any one of these everyday. People who have interests on these kinds of activities might pursue this. This will give those good hopes and satisfaction.

97) Reading good books is a great mood enhancer. but when you are choosing books, make sure you don't choose depressive dark and sad books. Comics are something that will always help.

98) Consult your doctor and ask him to recommend a good calcium and magnesium supplement that you can take everyday.

99) Cooking is something that will make you happy whether you are a man or a woman. Cook with love, involve your partner and get creative with your cooking. it will make you a lot happier.

100) Drinking green tea is another home remedy that works to treat depression. Green tea contains natural antioxidants which will help you deal with stress better.

101) Its a good idea to look for a professional counselling. Depression is a disease which is completely treatable. A therapist or counsellor can lead you to the path of complete recovery.

A huge percentage of people around the globe are suffering from depression and the number is increasing everyday. the one thing worse about depression is not to take any steps to treat it. If you are depressed, follow the tips given here. Depression if left untreated may even lead to self-harm and suicide. Don't wait before it's too late. A lot of people will be cured by following the tips, but some may need professional help. If you deal with depression with courage and confidence, nothing can stop you from winning the battle. have a wonderful life ahead of you free of depression.

Depression Treatment - 101 Ways to Beat Depression Naturally

Depression, stress and anxiety causes are numerous, possibly more numerous than at any other time in the past. The mood disorders are sometimes described as modern illnesses. There have always been some cases of psychological disorders, but the widespread incidence of the mood disorders is a relatively new phenomena.

Understanding the causes of the disorders has been a goal of modern science. while some aspects of brain function are not completely understood, there are some things that we do know. here are the known and suspected causes.

Heart disease, thyroid disorders, cancer, stroke and Alzheimer's are among the illnesses that can lead to depression and other mood disorders. It is easy to understand why a chronic illness would cause a person to become depressed.

Medications used to treat heart disease; high blood pressure and high cholesterol are among the drugs that can contribute to either a depressed state or a state of anxiety. Prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills are depressants, as are tranquilizers and alcohol.

Although not always thought of as a drug, caffeine is one of the common stress and anxiety causes. Anyone suffering from nervousness or excessive anxiousness should limit their intake of caffeine or cut it out completely.

Recreational drugs can also cause mood disorders, because of the effects they have on brain chemicals, also known as neurotransmitters. Cigarette smoke contains nicotine and other chemicals that affect neurotransmitter function.

Finally, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs can sometimes cause increased depression and/or anxiety. New warnings are required on some packaging to call attention to those risks.

Losing a job, getting divorced, money problems and loss of a loved one can cause a person to become depressed. Sometimes, the depressive mood resolves after a while, sometimes not.

Moving, changing jobs, pressure at work and even happy things like taking a vacation, getting married or having a baby are among the stress and anxiety causes. in some cases, it is an accumulation of small irritations that lead to anxiety disorders, irrational fears and feelings of being out of control. The irritation may come from toxins in the environment.

We live in a pretty toxic environment. There is pollution in the air and water. Toxins are accidentally a purposely deposited in foodstuff. Cosmetics, personal care products, household cleansers, bug spray, weed killer, air fresheners and dozens of other items in your home contain toxins.

The safety of each of those products has been determined by assuming a person would only be exposed to one. you may be exposed to hundreds of different toxins every day.

Artificial fragrances are among the most irritating and they are known to contribute to depression and nervousness. Many of the chemicals in our environment are toxic to the central nervous system, the mood control center.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Imbalances

Nutritional deficiencies and imbalances are depression, stress and anxiety causes. in every nutritional deficiency, mood changes and disorders are among the symptoms. Fatigue is another symptom and is often a major complaint among depressed and stressed out individuals.

Nutritional deficiencies in developed countries were believed to be rare until doctors starting doing more testing. Today, vitamin D deficiencies are a common problem and that is just one example.

Soil depletion caused by factory farming has lead to nutrient depletion. It is harder to get all of the nutrients you need every day from the foods that you eat, because fruits and vegetables simply are not as nutritious as they once were.

Many of the foods you eat may be over-processed or over-cooked. Cooking reduces the nutritional value of most foods. in processing, many nutrients are removed. for example, processed grains used in white flour and similar products contain none of the wholesome bran and very little of the essential fiber.

Depending on your food tastes, you may not be getting enough of certain nutrients that are essential for normal brain function. You'll learn more about those nutrients in my next article. The depression, stress and anxiety causes can be addressed naturally and safely. you can be happy without being medicated.

What Causes Depression, Stress and Anxiety?

94 year old cook, author and great grandmother, Clara, recounts her childhood during the Great Depression as she prepares meals from the era. Learn how to make simple yet delicious dishes while listening to stories from the Great Depression. Couscous was Clara's father, Giuseppe Bonfani's, absolute favorite recipe. Clara recreates the recipe that Giuseppe's sister brought all the way back from Africa via Tunis, Tunisia. The recipe can also be found in Clara's new book "Clara's Kitchen", available everywhere.

I'm just wondering, because i may have one of the two.. and can you explain them simply?

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/de…

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/gu…

Depression is when you have periods of depression. Bipolar is when you have periods or depression AND mania.

Everyone has moods like those of Bipolar Disorder....... because everyone has mood swings, momentary loss of judgment, likes to go shopping, likes sex, feels down sometimes, gets angry now and then and is hyper on occasion. The difference is that all of these symptoms in Bipolar are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function. Think of a pole (biPOLEr) with 0 at the center (0 being normal) and 10 at one end (manic) and -10 at the other (deep depression). most people have swings but stay within 3 to -3. I have fairly severe Bipolar 1 but since my psychosis is mild I go from -9 to 9.... Also depression that comes and goes is not bipolar but just recurring depression, you have to have mania for it to be Bipolar..... you have to go to both ends of the pole.

Rapidly changing emotions or becoming angry or sad easily is not all there is to Bipolar. That is just having emotions. People with Bipolar Disorder do not just change emotions quickly, they go through periods of depression followed by periods of mania or elevated mood. Mood affects everything about you.... your energy level, self esteem, sleep patterns, appetite, sexuality, emotional response, judgment, etc..... not just your emotions. and while rapid cycling is possible, it is rare. The average person with Bipolar only cycles two or three times a year. it is considered rapid cycling if they cycle 4 or more times in a year.

While everyone with Bipolar has a different set of symptoms and a different severity of symptoms, this is what Bipolar is like for me:

Depression - too tired to get out of bed, shower, even to brush my teeth. Cry all the time, sleep 16 hours a day. Feelings of self loathing and guilt that drive me to think of suicide but I'm to tired to even think about how to go about killing myself. it makes you feel small and worthless and completely insignificant. it makes you think about how big the world is and how meaningless you are in it..... and it refuses to let you have any good thoughts or see any good things.... when you look in the mirror all you see is pain, you don't even see yourself, you don't taste your favorite foods anymore, see that flowers are blooming, whether or not the sun is out, you become so inward that you hardly even notice your surroundings..... you don't even feel love for people anymore.... positive thoughts are just not possible...... it is a deep dark hole with no way out and no light for hope.... and most of all it makes you feel sooooo alone. and even if there were someone who cared about you they would be better off if you killed yourself....... because all you will ever be is a burden....... this can last from a couple of weeks to a couple of years.

Mania - way too happy! PARTY GIRL! love drink and drugs. Talk really fast and pressured because my thoughts are going faster than my mouth can keep up with. Hypersexual - like I sleep with strangers and guys I just met on the internet or I masturbate 10 times a day. I once became bisexual because there were twice as many people to sleep with. down load porn and spend tons of money on sex toys. Spending sprees..... I once spent my mortgage money on african violets, yep, $1500 on African violets (then I got depressed and let them all die). Quit my job because I wanted my vacation pay for lottery tickets and I was so convinced I would win that I started shopping and writing bad checks because I'd be rich as soon as the numbers were drawn. Decided that I could replace the furnace in my home by myself... I mean how hard can it be..... Only sleep 2 or maybe 3 hours a night for months on end and never feel tired. In the end I was unemployed, $30,000 in debt, and had almost lost my home, which needed a new furnace because I had removed the old one.. or parts of it anyway. This can last for months.

I also have mixed states when I am depressed and manic at the same time which are truly the worst... by body and mind are depressed but there is this undercurrent of energy running all the time..... I'm highly emotional but the emotions tend to be negative (guilt and anger) I have intrusive thoughts and urges to mutilate myself (like wanting to stick my hands in the garbage disposal or cooking them on the BBQ), and I also have psychotic episodes where I hallucinate. This is when I am most suseptible to suicide because I am depressed, wanting to hurt myself, and I have the mental energy to plan and carry it out.

depression makes you feel hopeless, you feel empty inside and feel like happiness will never come to you

What are the symptoms of depression and bipolar?

Well, im 16, Male, and i found out the other month that my dad is a manic depressant and saw a few scars on his wrists from where he had tried to kill himself a few times but this isn't what i want to ask.

What im wondering is what are the chances that i will also have this, because iv'e read that it can be passed from parent to child.

Also about 3 months ago i got the urge to kill myself, not in a powerful urge way, but a what is the point way. I think what is the point in everything, you wake up, go to school, learn, do exams, go to college, learn, do exams, go to university, learn, do exams, then get older, get a job, work pretty much everyday for the rest of your life and it just doesn't seem worth it ... i wanted to just end my life for that reason, the only reason i wont is because i know it will upset the people around me and i just cant be that selfish. Somedays i wake up and think another new day, new things to learn and do, and somedays i wake up and think today is going to be exactly the same as any other day and whats the point.

Anyway i'm wondering what peoples views are on this, should i try and see a psycologist about this or something. I dont know weather its normal for a 16 year old to think about things like that.

you both need allof this
what is paramount is to choose your healing route------ carefully-- be really aware that the druggs/meds treatment for this can be horrendous and you can go on for years with no improvement and massive damaging detrimental side effects from meds . do read this very carefully and try and understand the principles behind what is being said .
Evaluate all of this info well –this info will save you years of suffering ---years if you apply it ..
All treatment recommended by the doctors should be tested and approved and quite rightly so.
That makes sense right .it costs millions to test and approve treatments because of the possible damage to people..
Drug companies Fund most research and will only and I mean only look at treatments, which show the promise of good deal of a profit, --they will actively dismiss any therapy which does not have profit potential— thus your doctor will only recommend therapies with profit potential in them.
Despite the fact that some of these other therapies mentioned do have overwhelming benefits some, which have saved needless amputations, needless pain and trauma, and much loss of life. Drugs are not the answer for depression with mind altering chemicals or any other mental illness. This is a fundamental principle and unless you grasp this fully –you could /will have years of suffering ahead of you .
This does not help you though when you are ill and suffering—not hearing about therapies which can help from a person you look up to and trust Have you heard your local doctor recommend, Massage Spiritual healing, Herbs, Light therapy,Colour therapy,the violet ray therapy, Osteopathy, Electrical Frequency devices.
These therapies will work for many complaints of a so called mental nature
we have thousands of testimonials and results showing years of successful applications
Do this and I will guarantee improvements to you inside a day its that simple, of course getting these things in place can be much harder. Each therapy can have a very beneficial influence on you.
Print this all off save it and enact it and share it --- of course someone to help you get these therapies in your life is invaluable but do not be swayed by them trying for short cuts ….
1,get someone to massage your back and legs at least 3 times a week use peanut oil or a mix of 50-50 olive and peanut oil.
2 use the violet ray machine an Edgar Cayce device google search this --- 3 times a week on the other days especially on the spine….we use it every day with very positive results
3.get a tent sleep out side 3times a week utilising earth energy - nature can help big time especially with how you feel how much energy you have
4 study and apply good nutrition-- adequate minerals all of them particularly calcium and magnesium iron essential fatty acids omega 3 6 9 protein etc
5 ensure your thyroid is working well
7 ensure you do at least I hr per day some kind of voluntary work when you are able..the reasons you are ill , or poor or have allsorts of bad things happen to you is because of karma -----usually from past lives but some from this one –voluntary work will offset your mistakes--- how much it offsets well that is down to god and how much you do. Healing us is in direct proportion to the help we give others ie your healing comes with helping others achieve theirs so if people are doing very little in helping others ---they suffer more and longer...and if they are doing a lot they get well faster....so now you know what to do ,,and like a lot of us are already doing being of service.
8 be amongst people who are giving, friendly who have time for you who love you , choose your friends well
9 be or get to a place which personally love or like
10 get and do some work which you like or love
11 ensure you do no acts which hurt or inflict on anyone –don’t want to add to your karma do we !!!
12 spiritual healing yes and reiki -.
13think good positive thoughts, laughter, look at comedy, play good uplifting music,
14 avoid at all costs exposure to violence, murders, suffering ,death ,tragedies, -feed upon good things uplifting things, things that feel like a breath of fresh air..
15 Positive affirmation- that’s right programme your self in the mirror , thoughts are things words are things actions are things , all have influence, few people realise these things can have an effect on themselves .
16 a detox ------ toxins can influence how you feel big time
17 hugs get plenty of them in your daily life you would be amazed at how people feel after a few decent hugs….
18 loads of exercise running walking climbing but something which you enjoy
19 rid yourselves of all aspartame laden foods and drink and many additives get back to a wholesome organic diet diet
a total cure however is tied up with karma so you can imagine just how important is the voluntary work.

It is normal for a 16 year old to have those thoughts ON OCCAISION, but not normal if those thoughts happen ALL THE TIME. If that is the case, it is called unipolar depression. You have a 20% chance of inheriting bipolar depression, so that is not enough to be concerned about.

You are smart to be on guard against such severe illnesses, and remember: it's not your dad's fault he has chemical imbalances, he has suffered alot.

Manic depression or bipolar disorder is hereditary and if your father is diagnosed there is a statistical risk that is greater compared with a person without a parent having this syndrome.
It`s important to understand that it is not possible to make a risk ratio pertinent to a single individual!
You are 16 and this is in so many ways a period in life when it is "normal" to have thoughts of an existentially nature.There are so many questions and so few answers,but many disorders goes undiagnosed and bipolar disorder have in some studies up to nine years delay before it is diagnosed and proper treatment gets started.
Please do not hesitate to talk to someone who can give you either proper advice how you can in contact with a a doctor who is a specialist in psychiatric disorders or if possible don't be afraid or let feelings of shame stand in your way to take a direct contact with a a doctor who has the competence and experience to evaluate your health so called affective disorders(like bipolar disorder)are very often treatable and much can be won by early detection and intervention.
Hope I have given you some guidance.I guess the most important message is"do not be ashamed and it is so much ignorants and lack of knowledge and misinformation and even disinformation around issues about so called mental health even if they are so common,so get correct and proper evaluation because you potentially have so much to win and so little to loose"
Take care!

Most of what you are feeling is very normal. You do not need to over examine every thought because you have an ill parent. This what is the point is what being a teenager is all about. You find your answer as you live your life, and one day, you will find someone and you won't have to ask anymore. If you are still worried start with your school counselor and ask for her/his advice.
BIpolar disorder can be genetic but it isn't always and if you aren't over whelmed with a sense of uselessness coupled with impulsive behavior or feeling of euphoria (like going from Eeyore to Tigger in whinny the pooh) You are most likely fine.
Good luck feel free to e-mail me if you need more information.

First of all, it is very likely for a parent to pass manic depression onto a child. Manic depression is also referred to as bipolar. and as a 16 year old, you are very susceptible to the symptoms of depression. Depression is serious business and can lead to worse things. I've attached a link to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. please read all you can about the disorder. If you are concerned you may have if, or just want to know if you do or not, please see a psychiatrist. a psychiatrist can diagnose disease and prescribe medicine. unlike a psychologist who cannot.

Edit to add: I have bipolar and several of my family members suffer from depression.

The cnahces of you inheritingBipolar is about 1 in 10..... whay you describe is mild depression which is pretty normal for some teens..... Absolutely if you have questions about it or it is hindering your life in any way you should go see a psychologist. You are too young to be feeling like you are in a rut.....

I am Bipolar 1 so most people's symptoms are not as severe as mine (except the depression is pretty universal to every Bipolar) but here they are:

Depression - too tired to get out of bed, shower, even to brush my teeth. Cry all the time, sleep 16 hours a day. Feelings of self loathing and guilt that drive me to think of suicide but I'm to tired to even think about how to go about killing myself....... this can last from a couple of weeks to a couple of years.

Mania - Way too happy! PARTY GIRL! love drink and drugs. Talk really fast and pressured because my thoughts are going faster than my mouth can keep up with. Hypersexual - like I sleep with strangers and guys I just met on the internet or I masturbate 10 times a day. I once became bisexual because there were twice as many people to sleep with. Spending sprees..... I once spent my mortgage money on african violets, yep, $1500 on African violets (then I got depressed and let them all die). Quit my job because I wanted my vacation pay for lottery tickets and I was so convinced I would win that I started shopping and writing bad checks because I'd be rich as soon as the numbers were drawn. only sleep 2 or maybe 3 hours a night for months on end and never feel tired. in the end I was unemployed, $30,000 in debt, and had almost lost my home. This can last for months.

I also have mixed states when I am depressed and manic at the same time which are truly the worst... By body and mind are depressed but there is this undercurrent of energy running all the time..... I'm highly emotional but the emotions tend to be negative (guilt and anger) I have intrusive thoughts and urges to mutilate myself (like wanting to stick my hands in the garbage disposal or cooking them on the BBQ). This is when I am most suseptible to suicide because I am depressed, wanting to hurt myself, and I have the mental energy to plan and carry it out.

A question about manic depression?