www.petesapper.com – Pete Sapper discusses the flimsy science behind SSRIs and the existing treatment model for Major depression. Visit PeteSapper.com for more.
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Question by .: My psychologist diagnosed me with “Major Depression” after our first session. He’s insisting I take medication?
He claims if i dont take medication that there is a “high risk” i will commit suicide?

Is this true of major depression? And what’s the difference between major depressio nand regular depression?

Best answer:

Answer by Andrew
I can’t speak on your mental state, but I have to say do a lot of research on the medication he prescribes for you. My mom was put through terrible withdrawals after she took a depression medication without knowing everything about it. It’s been a year since she’s been trying to come off of it and she’s still not all the way healed.

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www.Candidamd.com Dr. John Humiston, a former US Navy physician with extensive experience treating major depression, yeast infections, ADHD, chronic fatigue, insomnia and other debilitating conditions, explains the little-understood connection between chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleeping all night, asthma, anxiety, ADD, depression, migraines and Candida fungal infections. Dr. Humiston, former staff physician at the William Hitt center explains the common denominator in understandable terms and how this common infection comes about. He also describes the clinically-proven treatment program that has helped over 1750 patients regain their health and vitality.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Article by IMI Health

“A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and attend them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.” RumiDepression is a mind-body illness which takes hold not only in the brain but also in the body. And to overcome it, it has to be treated both in mind and body.Today depression is a pervasive health issue and it can be a terminal illness. It describes conditions ranging from ‘the blues’, that is minor depression caused by stress, tiredness, poor nutrition or conflict in relationships to severe clinical depression, which can endanger life. People commit suicide caused by depression on a daily basis.One in four people will suffer depression at some point in their lives. Worldwide, depression is the fourth leading cause of disability, costing billions of dollars in days off work and medical expenses. Despite huge quantities of prescription drugs being taken, people are still depressed. Statistics alone give a strong indication that what we’re doing to treat depression is not working effectively.The traditional approach to treating depression has been drugs – tricyclic antidepressants and then the newer SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Recent research shows that, of those with major depression treated this way, only 15% go into remission and have a long period of stay well rate. The other 85% end up with having continuing relapses and become chronically depressed and may suffer from a medicated /depressogenic depression. In simple terms, this means that the drugs cause the depression.Depression is a very serious condition, however it is not a “disease.” Rather, it’s a sign that your body and your life are out of balance. This is so important to remember, because as soon as you start to view depression as an “illness,” you think you need to take a drug to fix it. In reality, what you need to do is return balance to your life, address the issues, both external and internal which are causing the depression and learn skills to cope with it.Today Prozac and Xanax are household names, so widespread as their use. Yet, short-term research trials show that antidepressants do NOT provide any clinically significant benefits for mild to moderate depression. And, as we now know, all drugs have benefit-to-risk ratios, so it really doesn’t make sense to use it as a first line of defence. Yet doctors tend to prescribe antidepressants as if they were sweets!We now realise the consequences of overuse/abuse of antibiotics and know that there are alternatives, both preventive and curative. Similarly we need to stop relying on antidepressants so heavily before we face the consequences of overuse. Finding an effective treatment for depression is not something to approach lightly, and having the facts about what actually works, and what doesn’t, is imperative.For serious clinical depression and bipolar depression, medication will, most probably, be necessary, but this too can benefit from the support of additional alternative approaches.The good news is that there are excellent, safer, more effective alternatives to treat most types of depression for successful, long term outcomes. These alternative treatments involve a holistic approach to regaining wellness: counselling, diet/nutrition, supplements, energy medicine and exercise, all of which are available at IMI.IMI, Hong Kong’s leading integrated medicine clinic, is able to offer a comprehensive, holistic approach to treatment of depression and will manage the process with the different practitioners involved in treatment. It is recommended that a successful treatment plan include all of the following:Counselling: Therapy is a key factor in understanding the source of your depression Your counsellor will explore your symptoms with you and help you to uncover the underlying emotional issues which have contributed to your depression. An experienced counsellor can identify if you are suffering from a mild form of depression, as can be expected at times from simply living life, or, if it is sufficiently serious and pervasive, to require referral to a specialist.There are many counselling approaches which are able to address depression, among which are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Psychosynthesis, Primal Integration, Narrative Therapy, Positive Psychology and Therapeutic Visualisation. What is essential is to address the issues and alleviate symptoms.The following are feelings that progressively lead to depression. When you become aware of these feelings, you can monitor them and take responsibility for self care to decrease and eliminate the feelings and the depression they cause: withdrawal from interaction, sad, decreased enthusiasm, lonely, melancholy, sense of helplessness and hopelessness, feeling overwhelmed, despair, excessive crying, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty in concentrating/making decisions, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, weight loss or gain.Energy Medicine: EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) – psychological acupressure. This technique combines tapping the energy meridians and voicing positive affirmation to clear the “short-circuit” – the emotional block (of which you may not be consciously aware), from your body’s bio-energy system, thus alleviating depression and restoring your mind and body’s balance, which is essential for optimal health.Diet plays an important role in depression. Foods have an immense impact on your mood and mental health, and your ability to cope and be happy. Highly processed foods and unhealthy fats, sugar and grains can affect the onset of depression which can then take hold in those with an unhealthy diet. On the other hand, higher consumption of some foods e.g. fish oils help mood and mental functioning. Pioneering studies show that higher national fish consumption is correlated with lower risk of depression, post partum depression and seasonal affective disorder.Nutritional Supplements: These play a critical role in supporting the brain, central nervous system and mental health. Omega 3 fish oils have been shown in clinical studies to have a strong connection to improving symptoms of depression. The current depletion of omega-3 and resulting imbalance in fatty acid ratios (Omega 6 strongly outweighs Omega 3) in Western food has had an untold influence on rates of depression firstly the West and now in Asia. Those with depression have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood and the lower the level of EPA, the more severe the clinical depression. Omega 3 deficiency also lowers levels and functioning of the two important neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.Vitamin D is a crucial factor in treating depression or keeping it at bay. People with low levels of vitamin D tend to be more prone to be depressed. Deficiency in vitamin D is actually more the norm than the exception, and has previously been implicated in both psychiatric and neurological disorders.Exercise: There is a substantial body of evidence to show that physical exercise is as effective at treating depression as antidepressant medicines, plus there is the added advantage of exercise having virtually no contraindications. In a study, conducted by Duke University, they found that of the three groups they studied the exercise-only group that had the highest remission and stay-well rate.The UK NICE (National Inst of Clinical Excellence) for example, no longer routinely recommends antidepressants as the first line of therapy for mild to moderate depression. Doctors there can write out a prescription for a consultation with an EP (exercise physiologist/counsellor) instead. Since 2007, doctors prescribing exercise for depression has increased from 4-25%, and the UK Mental Health Foundation are now making exercise a front line therapy. Studies on exercise as a treatment for depression are showing there is a strong correlation between improved mood and aerobic capacity. There is now a growing acceptance that the mind-body connection is very real, and that maintaining good physical health can significantly lower your risk of developing depression in the first place.

Stress Management: depression is a sign that your body and your life are out of balance. You need to take proactive steps to return balance to your life. Stress can be internally or externally generated. Either way, it is essential to not feel ‘victim’ but to make choices that empower, support and enliven you. Making lifestyle changes are important: meditation, yoga, hiking in nature; finding purpose in your life; dealing with relationship issues; handling change and conflict; improving communication; removing negative beliefs: expressing rather than suppressing feelings of anger, resentment, frustration, fear or grief. Focusing on gratitude and appreciation are highly effective to generate feelings of happiness and enhance positive states of mind.Seeking Treatment: Depression is a common human experience and most people will, in their lifetime, experience it. The most common sign is a lack of pleasure in a normally pleasing life and feeling fatigued. You go on doing what you have to but need to push yourself. When it becomes severe and interferes with your daily activities it is a major depression. You are frustrated, withdraw from people and isolate, avoid people and situations, experience negative thinking, hopelessness, feel overwhelmed and your appetite and sleep are disturbed. You feel a prisoner of this state and believe it will never end. You may even have a death wish and wish something would happen so that you did not need to struggle any more, or actively think about taking your own life.There is a wide range in the experience of depression. Sometimes we feel sad

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Question by Jackie Brown: What is the difference between “major depression” and any other type?
My therapist says that is what I have because I attempted suicide once….What is considered major? Isn’t depression, depression?

Best answer:

Answer by Serene E
There’s depression caused by an imbalance of chemicals in your brain and there’s environmental reasons.
But you really need to get on a medical website to find out, not listen to just anybody spouting off vague and unreliable information.

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Article by Peter Hutch

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a type of mood disorder. Bipolar disorder was called manic depression in the past, and that term is still used by some people. It is a psychiatric illness that causes major disruptions in lifestyle and health. Everyone has occasional highs and lows in their moods. But people with bipolar disorder have extreme mood swings. They can go from feeling very sad, despairing, helpless, worthless, and hopeless (depression) to feeling as if they are on top of the world, hyperactive, creative, and grandiose (mania).

Bipolar disorder symptoms include depression and feelings of hopelessness during the depressive phase of the condition. Other depressive symptoms include thoughts of suicide, alterations in sleep patterns, and loss of interest in activities that once were a source of pleasure. What differentiates bipolar disorder from major depression is the occurrence of manic episodes, often described as emotional “highs,” between the episodes of depression.

Bipolar disorder results from disturbances in the areas of the brain that regulate mood. During manic periods, a person with bipolar disorder may be overly impulsive and energetic, with an exaggerated sense of self. The depressed phase brings overwhelming feelings of anxiety, low self-worth, and suicidal thoughts. There are two primary types of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder I have had at least one fully manic episode with periods of major depression. In the past, bipolar disorder I was called manic depression.

The average age at which the disorder first appears is between adolescence and the midtwenties. Sometimes a correct diagnosis of the disorder is not made for years. It is complex and difficult to identify. In one study of bipolar disorder patients, half said that they saw three or more doctors before receiving a correct diagnosis. Over one third waited more than ten years before their condition was recognized.

People with bipolar disorder need various types of treatment and support to deal with it. They have to take an active role in understanding and coping with bipolar disorder. Nobody has discovered a cure for bipolar disorder, but we use medications to treat some of the symptoms. Many people who have bipolar disorder live full and productive lives. Yet, tragically, more than one in ten people with bipolar disorder try to commit suicide at some point. It is incredibly important for people with bipolar disorder to take their medication exactly as it was prescribed.

The fact is that bipolar people usually experience manic episodes as well as depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes which present with features of both mania and depression. They can also have normal mood periods in between these episodes. The DSM-IV-TR lists four types of mood disorders which fit into the bipolar categories: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). Both men and women can have bipolar disorder. People of all ages can have it.

Symptoms of Bipolar disorder

There are many symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. Some of the symptoms are: sad mood, fatigue or loss of energy, insomnia, excessive sleeping, or shallow, inefficient sleep patterns with frequent awakenings, weight gain or loss, diminished ability to concentrate or make decisions, physical agitation or markedly sedentary behavior, feelings of guilt, pessimism, helplessness and low self-esteem, loss of interest or pleasure in life and thoughts of or attempts at suicide.

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Up The Down Hill: One Woman’s Struggle To Overcome Depression
Up The Down Hill Is The Story Of One Woman’s Journey To The Valley Of Major depression And Back. Learn How She Overcame Suicidal Thoughts. Read About Her Hospital Stay, Therapist Visits And Techniques She Used To Recover From Major Depression.
Up The Down Hill: One Woman’s Struggle To Overcome Depression

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Question by beautiful & cruel: How do you separate the “stage” and ACTUAL depression?
I see so much questions “How do i know if i am depressed” and the answers follow “You are only a teen, you can get through it, its not depression”. How do you separate feelings of depression from that stage teens go through.
I am just curious..

Best answer:

Answer by katie
I’m not sure there really is a “stage.” I personally suffered from depression from high school, into college, and now as an adult. Some kids just are more intuned with their emotions.

MANY people suffer from depression without even knowing it, or admitting it. Some think you can grow out of it, but honestly, it is a chemical imbalance that can start at any mature age and last for a lifetime. I wouldn’t take any chances, and still seek help. Usually a guidance councilor can detect any real harmful signs of depression and point you in the right direction for seeking help.

There are different types of depression:

Major Depression:
The sufferer seems to walk around with the weight of the world on his or her shoulders. He or she seems disinterested in becoming involved in regular activities and seems convinced that he or she will always be in this hopeless state. There is a lack of interest in sexual activity and in appetite and a weight loss.

Atypical Depression:
Symptoms of atypical depression include fatigue, oversleeping, overeating and weight gain. People who suffer from atypical depression believe that outside events control their mood (i.e. success, attention and praise).

Psychotic Depression:
Sufferers of psychotic depression begin to hear and see imaginary things – - sounds, voices and visuals that do not exist. The hallucinations are not “positive” like they are with a manic depressive. The sufferer of psychotic depression imagines frightening and negative sounds and images.

Dysthymia:
Many people just walk around seeming depressed – - simply sad, blue or melancholic. They have been this way all of their lives. This is dysthymia – - a condition that people are not even aware of but just live with daily. They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don’t enjoy their lives.

Manic Depression:
Manic depression can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from depression to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid. People who suffer from manic depression have an extremely high rate of suicide.

Teen Depression or “stage in life”:
Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the requisite angst with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong sense of self. Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger. With all this drama, it isn’t always easy to differentiate between depression and normal teenage moodiness. For some depressed teens, symptoms of irritability, aggression, and rage are more prominent.

Read up on it and don’t be afraid to ask a doctor on what the differences are as well.

Good Luck!

What do you think? Answer below!

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Question by : So whats some alternitive medicine for my so called “major depression” and “bipolar”?
I’m starting to believe its all a crock to push pills down my throat. I want a healthier way to feel better.

Best answer:

Answer by The First Dragon
It depends seriously on how serious your bipolar is. Indeed, it depends also on whether the diagnosis is correct. A correct diagnosis is very important, and “bipolar” has become somewhat of a wastebasket diagnosis; i.e., if they don’t know what it is, call it bipolar.
However, if you suffer from major depression and from manic or hypomanic episodes, bipolar affective disorder may be the correct diagnosis.
Even with the correct diagnosis, everybody is different. If your depression or mania are making it hard to function, I wouldn’t say no to medication.
However, there are some natural approaches that can prove extremely helpful. I know one diagnosed “bipolar” man who has learned to manage his illness with exercise and nutrition; especially exercise. I don’t know the details. But he is very successful in his career.
Depression itself often responds to exercise as well or better than to medication, depending on the individual of course. The trouble is that when you are depressed, you tend to lack the motivation to exercise; so you have to discipline yourself. Depression is also helped by exposure to bright light such as sunlight; that is why it gets worse in winter when the days are shorter. I have a “bright light unit” that gives a big dose of bright light in just a few minutes, and stimulates my metabolism significantly. [I have depression, but not Bipolar.] It is also helpful to take 3 high-potency Vitamin B tablets daily, plus 1000 units of Vitamin D. These are known to help brain functioning.
Frankly it is a hard decision, sometimes, as to whether and how much medication to take; as for myself, I prefer to keep it to the minimum I can get by with. This isn’t always wise, though, if you have a severe disorder that may take you unawares.
If you can find a good homeopath, that may be a good option too.
Good luck with it.

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Question by : Can you guys give me some tips for managing so called “major depression” and “bipolar” without medications?
I’m going to the drs office tomorrow and giving her all my meds. I do not want to take them anymore because I’ve only felt worse since I started and they have given me new psychiatric symptoms, and the side effects i was never told about are HORRIBLE.

What are some things I can do to manage deep depression on my own?

Best answer:

Answer by petrof_skinsky
Don’t give up on medications. While some will not work with you, others will. It’s a long process of hit-and-miss, but eventually you will find the combo and dosage that helps you.

What do you think? Answer below!

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