Very nice post!

Some info from NEC:

Recent publicity for Mental Health Awareness Month and Depression Screening Day encouraged people of all ages and walks of life to become more aware of mental health and to go to a depression screening if they felt the need. A common feature at a depression screening is a checklist. The one I was given was printed by a large drug company and had 20 items to respond to. If I said yes to 5 or more of the feelings and felt that way for two weeks or more, I would likely be diagnosed with "major depression." One media report stated that 70 percent of those who attend a depression screening will go on to receive treatment. What kinds of treatment will be offered? Treatment for depression today often consists of going to a professional who will give therapy and/or medication.

I agree with each of us pausing to assess our emotional well being, yet I am concerned with how quickly medication is given to individuals as the "quick fix" solution to problems. No single profession, culture, or book has all the answers. Some people feel medication helps with difficult times, and some find strength and comfort in counseling with a professional. Some people find different paths to emotional health. My view of helping would be assisting a person to see increased options in finding one's own to path to health. I don't know all the answers to the complete state of depression, but many factors contribute to what people feel. One could look at a range of contributing factors as well as a variety of solutions when looking at any difficulty in life.

Some professionals look at depression as the need of people to feel greater connection-to family, friends and the community, to the world around them. We need to have healthy relationships with others. We need to feel control over what is happening in our lives. We need to feel we have choices about what we can do each day.

Some see a link between society's messages and depression. As a growing girl I was taught to let others talk first, to be kind and polite, to expect men to hold leadership and make decisions, to be concerned with my appearance, to place others first and myself last. I received little support to pursue a career that I felt passionate about. Do we wonder why girls who receive many of those messages end up feeling hopeless and unable to make decisions? Many women try to "do it all" at work and at home. Are we then surprised when they feel overwhelmed or guilty? When senior citizens feel worthless, are they not reflecting how society too often views them? Each of these feelings are listed as symptoms of depression. Is something wrong with the minds of these people or with what our society gives them?

My view of health is that it is all right to feel sad, lonely, tired, upset, or hurt. Periods of sadness can be overwhelming and incredibly dark. Yet it is okay to spend some days lying in bed or walking on a beach thinking, relaxing, and figuring out what to do. One's physical and emotional body needs a rest and is crying out the need to do something different. Out of our periods of hopelessness, desperation and grief will come our own answers - solutions to what is causing despair and what we can do differently.

Some people find lifestyle changes helpful, such as increased sunlight, exercise, daily affirmations, visualizations, talking with friends, getting a pet, attending a workshop, reading a book, or making a career change. Writing, speaking up, and working to change what is bothering us, or working for rights of oppressed people, can make a difference. We can encourage people to ask for help, which may include letting someone else cook food, being relieved of household duties, or going for a walk with a friend. Professional counseling might promote self-awareness, positive relationships and choices. Numerous magazines and books promote ideas that people have found helpful for improving moods and relieving depression. Many people today find help from alternative approaches such as self-help books, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation.

I look forward to a time when instead of indicating something is wrong with my feelings, the checklist for depression will include questions such as these:

Do you have time for regular exercise that you enjoy?
Do you have relationships where you both give and receive support?
Do you have access to healthy foods, including carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables?
Do you have safe opportunities to try something new, seek an adventure, or accept a challenge?
Do you have things to look forward to each week?
What do you have control over in your life?
What kinds of things prevent you from doing what you want?
Do you have opportunities to pursue interests you enjoy?
Do you feel comfortable asking for help in time of need?
What would help you to achieve your dreams?
Then the treatment for depression could include helping people to overcome barriers-both internal and external-that are preventing them from living the full life that they would like. A book I read to my children tells of Florence Nightingale becoming depressed when her parents objected to her goal of becoming a nurse. She later went on to fulfill her dream.

My wish for mental health awareness month is that we would each look at ourselves, not judging our feelings or the things we are doing as wrong, not in fear of symptoms and labels, but in congratulating ourselves on how well we are doing given the stress and difficulties we live through each day. Mental health is not about finding a neighbor, relative or friend and getting them to seek professional help, but in reflecting on how we can each bring our own lives into better balance. We could evaluate for ourselves when we should ask for help so that we end more days feeling we have contributed something to those around us and yet met our own needs, too. I believe mental health success comes not when more people are depending on medications or one helping person to get through their days, but when more people are finding their own answers to what makes a day worth living.

Judene Shelley is a mother with a Master's of Public Health Degree in Health Education. She has found writing to be one of her paths to health and to overcoming the disabling label given to her by well-meaning "helping professionals." She dedicates this article to the psychiatrist in the mental ward who said "Have you stopped writing things down? That is a clinical sign of your problem" and "You should be on medication for the rest of your life."

13 Things to Remember When Life Gets Rough
THE MIND UNLEASHED on 26 July, 2014 at 19:32

We’ve all gone through hard times. And we all get through them. However, some get through them better than others. So what is their secret? Most of it has to do with attitude. Here are 13 things to remember when life gets rough:

1. What is, is. Buddha’s famous saying tells us: “It is your resistance to ‘what is’ that causes your suffering.” Think about that for a minute. It means that our suffering only occurs when we resist how things are. If you can change something, then take action! Change it! But if you can’t change it, then you have two choices: (1) either accept it and let go of the negativity, or (2) make yourself miserable by obsessing over it.

2. It’s only a problem if you think it’s a problem. Many times, we are our own worst enemy. Happiness is really dependent on perspective. If you think something is a problem, then your thoughts and emotions will be negative. But if you think it’s something you can learn from, then suddenly, it’s not a problem anymore.

3. If you want things to change, you need to start with changing yourself. Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. Don’t you know people whose lives are chaotic and stressful? And isn’t that largely because they feel chaotic inside? Yes, it is. We like to think that changing our circumstances will change us. But we have it backwards—we need to change ourselves first before our circumstances will change.

4. There is no such thing as failure—only learning opportunities. You should just wipe the word “failure” right out of your vocabulary. All great people who have ever achieved anything have “failed” over and over. In fact, I think it was Thomas Edison who said something like, “I did not fail at inventing the light bulb, I just first found 99 ways that it didn’t work.” Take your so-called “failures” and learn something from them. Learn how to do it better next time.

5. If you don’t get something you want, it just means something better is coming. That’s hard to believe sometimes, I know. But it’s true. Usually, when you look back at your life, you will be able to see why it was actually a good thing that something didn’t work out. Maybe the job you didn’t get would have made you spend more time away from your family, but the job you did get was more flexible. Just have faith that everything happens exactly the way it’s supposed to.

6. Appreciate the present moment. This moment will never come again. And there is always something precious about every moment. So don’t let it pass you by! Soon it will just be a memory. Even moments that don’t seem happy can be looked upon as something that you might miss someday. As the country song by Trace Adkins says, “You’re gonna miss this…you’re gonna want this back. You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast….you may not know this now, but you’re gonna miss this…”

7. Let go of desire. Most people live with “attached mind.” What this means is that they attach themselves to a desire, and when they don’t get it, their emotions plummet into negativity. Instead, try to practice “detached mind.” That means that when you want something, you will still be happy whether you get it or not. Your emotions remain happy or neutral.

8. Understand and be grateful for your fears. Fear can be a great teacher. And overcoming fears can also make you feel victorious. For example, when I was in college, I feared public speaking (one of the top 3 fears of all humans). So I find it humorous now that not only do I speak in front of a group every day by being a college professor, I also teach public speaking! Overcoming fears just takes practice. Fear is really just an illusion. It’s optional.

9. Allow yourself to experience joy. Believe it or not, I know way too many people who don’t allow themselves to have fun. And they don’t even know how to be happy. Some people are actually addicted to their problems and the chaos in them so much that they wouldn’t even know who they are without them. So try to allow yourself to be happy! Even if it’s just for a small moment, it’s important to focus on joy, not your hardships.

10. Don’t compare yourself to other people. But if you do compare yourself, compare yourself with people who have it worse than you. Unemployed? Be grateful that you live in a country that gives unemployment compensation, because most people in the world live on less that $750 a year. So you don’t look like Angelina Jolie? Well, I bet there are more people who don’t than do. And you are probably way better looking than than you think. Focus on that.

11. You are not a victim. You need to get out of your own way. You are only a “victim” of your own thoughts, words and actions. No one “does” something to you. You are the creator of your own experience. Take personal responsibility and realize that you can get out of your hard times. You just need to start with changing your thoughts and actions. Abandon your victim mentality and become victorious. From victim to VICTOR!

12. Things can—and do—change. “And this too shall pass” is one of my favorite sayings. When we are stuck in a bad situation, we think that there is no way out. We think nothing will ever change. But guess what? It will! Nothing is permanent except death. So get out of the habit of thinking that things will always be this way. They won’t. But you do need to take some sort of action for things to change. It won’t magically happen all on its own.

13. Anything is possible. Miracles happen every day. Really—they do. I wish I had enough space to write about all the miraculous things that have happened to people I know—from healing stage 4 cancer naturally to having their soul mate appear out of nowhere. Trust me: it happens all the time. You just need to believe it does. Once you do, you have won the battle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol Morgan has a Ph.D. in communication and is a professor at Wright State University. She is also the host of ‘A Walk on the WOO Side’ radio show, a motivational expert on the TV show ‘Living Dayton,’ video expert for eHow.com, keynote speaker, and a member of Inspiyr.com’s Expert Network. You can subscribe to her blog, get some life/relationship coaching from her, and check out her books at www.drcarolmorgan.com.

I saw where someone posted something that a clinician said. That is all well and good. All of this information we see here is no good UNLESS the person that has it desires to seek help. That is the biggest factor in getting your life in control. It is the admission that it is out of control that makes all of the difference in the world. There was a time that all of this would not have made a difference because so little was known of it. This particular issue has gone back many years and touched many families. Peace.

It's good to talk about this and I feel it will become more of an issue for more people because of the pressure of life nowadays. nowadays.

@Slave4u Thanks for sharing this as it helps dispel the taboo around depression.

@TBRich Wow, great contributions

@mrheartfelt Like yours too and Peace and blessings to you too

@no1phD It took guts and bravery to share what you did. Gees, I am feeling a tad guilty now about always breaking your ballbags as you are generally such a kidder. Please forgive me if I have crossed any lines in any way
You know I wish the very best for you and sending love, hugs and cuddles and snuggles your way <-(replace the 'girly flowers' with a gift of pistachio macaroons and Irish coffee)

Let me add to all of the above:-
I shared elsewhere about my struggle with post natal depression (Just how many types are there? )
I still miss my Mum who died 25 years ago. Loss and tragedies have an accumulative effect on our well-being. What helped me through it was my friends and family, medication when needed, some therapy, holidays, quality time, learning to love and forgive myself and others, plenty of hiding under the quilt and bawling, dancing whenever and however I wanted (very liberating) watching comedies to distract myself from the miserable thoughts, some exercise, baking and candlemaking, chocolate (it actually contains ingredients to combat depression) and last but not least, my faith because the Lord takes my burdens off me when I cast them on him.

Time does heal, and the love of a good partner is valuable beyond measure. (So those of you who are happily married, treasure your partner )

Oh and not wanting to open a further can of worms, but I read that deep rooted anger and depression are two sides of the same painful coin. In other words, people either process pain inwardly in depression or outwardly in oppression (Anger)

Any thoughts or is that a separate thread?

Love to you all, and extra love to those who really need it right now

I know of three, but there may be more. I like what you said about the love of a good partner and that is definitely true. People walk around with all of this anger and it never goes away because nothing is done to bring it out in the open. It is like walking around with a powder keg on you that could blow at any moment. My counselor has told me that one must get rid of all that " internal anger" in order to move on with life. I found plenty of things to do to keep me going. Now, just the love of a good partner is something I can use(not desperate for sure). Just my take!

What If Everything We Know About Treating Depression Is Wrong?
Scientific studies indicate that current medications target the wrong parts of the brain.
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Photo Credit: Michael Kowalski/Shutterstock

September 1, 2014 |




A new study is challenging the relationship between depression and an imbalance of serotonin levels in the brain, and brings into doubt how depression has been treated in the U.S. over the past 20 years.

Researchers at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center and Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit have bred mice that cannot produce serotonin in their brains, which should theoretically make them always depressed. But researchers instead found that the mice showed no signs of depression, but instead acted aggressively and exhibited compulsive personality traits.

This study backs recent research that indicates that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, may not be effective in lifting people out of depression. These commonly used antidepressants, such as Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, and Lexapro, are taken by some 10% of the U.S. population and nearly 25% of women between 40 and 60 years of age. More than 350 million people suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization, and it is the leading cause of disability across the globe.

The study was published the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience. Professor Donald Kuhn, the lead author of the study, set out to find what role, if any, serotonin played in depression. To do this, Kuhn and his associates bred mice that lacked the ability to produce serotonin in their brains, and ran a battery of behavioral tests on them.

In addition to being compulsive and extremely aggressive, the mice that could not produce serotonin showed no signs of depression-like symptoms. The researchers also found, to their surprise, that under stressful conditions, the serotonin-deficient mice behaved normally.

A subset of the mice that couldn’t produce serotonin were given antidepressant medications and they responded in a similar manner to them as did normal mice. Altogether, the study found that serotonin is not a major player in depression, and science should look elsewhere to identify other factors that might be involved. These results could greatly reshape depression research, say the authors, and shift the focus of the search for depression treatments.

The study joins others in directly challenging the notion that depression is related to lower levels of serotonin in the brain. One study has shown that some two-thirds of those who take SSRIs remain depressed while taking them, while another has even found them clinically insignificant.

Critics of common antidepressants claim that they’re not much better than a placebo, yet may still have unwanted side effects.

SSRIs started to become widely used in the 1980s. Their introduction was heralded by the psychiatric community as a new era where safer drugs that directly targeted the causes of depression would become the standard. SSRIs, however, aren’t more effective than the older antidepressants, such as tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, but they are less toxic.

An earlier study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that two out of three patients with depression don’t fully recover using modern antidepressants.

These results “are important because previously it was unclear just how effective (or ineffective) antidepressant medications are in patients seeking treatment in real-world settings,” said James Murrough, a research fellow at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program.

Cliff Weathers is a senior editor at AlterNet, covering environmental and consumer issues. He is a former deputy editor at Consumer Reports. His work has also appeared in Salon, Car and Driver, Playboy, and Detroit Monthly among other publications. Follow him on Twitter @cliffweathers and on Facebook.

Natural Remedies for Depression
Here are eight natural and herbal remedies that are used for depression.
1) St. John's Wort
The herb St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has long been used in folk medicine for sadness, worry, nervousness, and poor sleep.
Today, the results of over 20 clinical trials suggest that St. John's wort works better than a placebo and is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects.

Studies suggest that St. John's wort is not effective for major depression.
It's available at health food stores, drug stores, and online in the form of capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, or tea.

St. John's wort may take 4 to 6 weeks to notice the full effects. Side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth, indigestion, and fatigue. St. John's wort increases photosensitivity, so extra caution should be taken to protect skin and eyes from sunlight.
Although St. John's wort appears to be reasonably safe when taken alone, it can interfere with the effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as antidepressants, drugs to treat HIV infections and AIDs, drugs to prevent organ rejection for transplant patients, and oral contraceptives.
St. John's wort is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with bipolar disorder, liver or kidney disease. Get more info from my article on St. John's wort.
2) Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of good fat needed for normal brain function. Our bodies can't make omega-3s on their own, so we must obtain them through our diet.
Studies have linked depression with low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids. In countries with higher fish consumption, such as Japan and Taiwan, the depression rate is 10 times lower than in North American. Postpartum depression is also less common.
Studies suggest that omega-3's together with antidepressants may be more effective than antidepressants alone.
Cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, and anchovies are the richest food source of omega-3 fatty acids. But instead of eating more fish which contain mercury, PCBs, and other chemicals, fish oil capsules are considered a cleaner source of omega-3 fatty acids. Cod liver oil is another omega-3 supplement. Many companies filter their fish oil so that these chemicals are removed.
Fish oil capsules are sold in health food stores, drug stores, and online. Most brands should be stored in the fridge to prevent the oil from going rancid. When comparing brands, the key active components for depression are EPA and DHA.
Fish oil capsules may interact with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin and aspirin. Side effects may include indigestion and bleeding. Fish oil should not be taken two weeks before or after surgery. Fish oil can also cause a fishy aftertaste. To prevent this, try taking the fish oil just before meals. For more information, read my article on Fish oil and Depression and also learn more about using Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
3) SAM-e
SAM-e, pronounced "sammy", is short for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. It's a chemical that's found naturally in the human body and is believed to increase levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
Several studies have found SAM-e is more effective than placebo.
In North America, SAM-e is available as an over-the-counter supplement in health food stores, drug stores, and online. It should be enteric-coated for maximum absorption. Although it's one of the more expensive supplements, it remains popular as a remedy for depression and osteoarthritis. For more, read my article on SAM-e and Depression.
4) Folic Acid
Folic acid, also called folate, is a B vitamin that is often deficient in people who are depressed.
Folate is found in green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruit, beans, and fortified grains. It's one of the most common vitamin deficiencies because of poor diet but also because chronic conditions and various medications such as aspirin and birth control pills can also lead to deficiency.
Besides food, folic acid is also available as a supplement or as part of a B-complex vitamin.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that depressed people with low folate levels don't respond as well to antidepressents, and taking folic acid in supplement form can improve the effectiveness of antidepressants.
See Low Folate and Vitamin B12 Linked to Depression for more on the relationship between folic acid and B12.
5) 5-HTP
5-HTP is short for 5-hydroxytryptophan. It's produced naturally in the body and is used to make the neurotransmitter serotonin. Although taking 5-HTP in supplement form may theoretically boost the body's serotonin levels, many experts feel there is not enough evidence to determine the safety of 5-HTP. It should not be combined with antidepressants.
• Benefits of 5-HTP
• 5-HTP Potential Drug Interactions
6) Diet
• Reduce your intake of sweets
Sweets temporarily make you feel good as blood sugar levels soar, but may worsen mood later on when they plummet.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol both dampen mood. Alcohol temporarily relaxes us and caffeine boosts energy, but the effects of both are short-lived. Both can worsen mood swings, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
• Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is needed to produce the mood-enhancing neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Although deficiency of vitamin B6 is rare, a borderline deficiency may occur in people taking oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and drugs for tuberculosis.
• Magnesium
Most people do not get enough magnesium in their diets. Good sources of magnesium are legumes, nuts, whole grains and green vegetables. Like vitamin B6, magnesium is needed for serotonin production. Stress depletes magnesium.
7) Exercise
Regular exercise is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to improve mood and is something that can be integrated into a treatment plan. Exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, releases mood-elevating chemicals in the brain and can decrease stress hormones.
What's important is that you choose something you enjoy and will stick with, whether it's going to the gym, signing up for dance classes, playing tennis, gardening, or taking a brisk walk outside each morning for at least 30 minutes five days a week.
8) Light Therapy
Getting enough sunlight has been shown to be effective for seasonal mood changes that happen in the darker winter months.
Exposure to light in the morning helps the body's sleep/wake cycle work properly. Production of serotonin, a brain chemical that key in influencing our mood, is turned on in the morning upon exposure to light. During the winter when there is less sunlight, serotonin levels can drop, making us feel tired and prone to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
One of the simplest ways to increase your exposure to light is to walk outdoors in the morning. Just be sure to use sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet light.
Another option is to use special lights that simulate natural daylight. Studies have found they are effective.
These lights can be found online. There are different types available, from light boxes to visors that are typically used for 20-30 minutes a day. Look for lights with a minimum of 3,000 lux. many experts suggest 10,000 lux.
Although they are rather expensive ranging from $150 to $500, they may be covered by insurance.

WOW !!!!

Firstly this is the first time I have had the opportunity to re visit this particular forum since I posted it and I want to thank you all for your participation and respect :).

Thanks to all those who are offering advice as well because there is one thing that I've learnt through personal experience that it can be very hard to talk to people and share it even just admit you may have depression so just being able to sit quietly and read other peoples stories can help a lot and maybe give people a little re assurance that it's ok to talk...

And sometimes the best people to talk to are perfect strangers on the other side of the world...

I hope to see this forum continue to continue to grow :)

Take care people
Jess xxx

I just filled a questionnaire on web n i got 51 scores for bipolar disorder :'( im afraid its true n i start cryin just now T_T

Robin Williams had pain and sorrow in his eyes.

Iv suffered with depression basicly my whole life, its a very horrible thing, all iv found out is that it is spiritual battle no medication or what not can ever cure the problem, we must look after our souls, God bless everyone here who is suffering from depression, cling to God your friends and family and those who will be there for you!!!

Very good thread... Informative...