Clinical Depression
What is Clinical Depression?
Clinical Depression is different from moodiness or a bad mood. It is a medical condition that is still misunderstood by many in the general public, except to those that suffer from it. This perception and misunderstanding compounds the problem for people suffering from depression. The individual experiencing depression feels overwhelming guilt because of the people they affect around them.
Clinical Depression is very simple to understand once the facts are laid out. Of course I am writing from my own research and personal experience for suffering for many years. There are a few types of depression that people deal with.
Major Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or uni-polar depression. The symptoms or characteristics of this type is as follows.
- Sadness and Emptiness
- Lose interest in general daily activities or interests.
- Sleeplessness or insomnia
- Weight fluctuations
- Easily agitated
- Tiredness or lethargy
- Guilt or a sense of worthlessness
- Lacking in focus
- Thoughts of suicide
These are just a few I am sure there are more. I and other people I know have experienced all of the above.
Bipolar Disorder, at this level a person will alternate between depression and mania.
Symptoms:
- Increased Energy
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Rapid Speech
- Hyper-sexual Behavior
- Racing Thoughts
- Grandiose Ideas
- Greatly Increased Activity
- Impulsive Behaviors
- Poor Judgement
Again as before there are more characteristics and I am sure I could list 20 more.
Causes of Clinical Depression are sometimes vague, misunderstood to the general public and in some cases researchers change their opinion or theories. Treatments will often change because of constant research. This is a growing “epidemic”.
The general consensus of research indicates that clinical depression is inherited. The process of neurotransmitters being produced is in simple terms “broken” this imbalance in the body is passed down generational. Environmental factors will trigger depression in these individuals with this imbalance.
Treatment Clinical Depression– Medicine like antidepressants are a general treatment for the diagnosis. It is a quick fix for short term to get the patient in a calmer state of mind. Therapy is introduced in most cases using the drugs as assistance. (Paxil, Lexapro, Zoloft, Celexa and Prozac).
Psychotherapy with the medication is very successful in the majority of cases Clinical Depression. Group or Individual therapies are used to open the lanes of communicating the feelings and emotions of the patient.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a popular form of psychotherapy to root out and solve the causes of several mental disorders. The focus of this type of treatment is to change the mindset of unhelpful thinking and behavior.
In the end there is so much more discussion about this affliction. I wanted to share the highlights of what someone you might know is suffering so that you might understand a little better. If you or a loved one is suffering from this it is not the fault of the person or individual. In the majority of the cases it is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Although it is something they cannot control being supportive and understanding does help and make a difference. Loving them and expressing to them you have researched and understand what they are feeling is beneficial to people suffering from clinical depression.
My first instict to anyone I speak with that suffers is to “behappy!” I know what they are going through. I feel their pain. I hurt and suffer with them. I am happy around them. I hug the and love them letting them know I understand but I will not give into them even though I know it is a medical condition they cannot control. I will show them joy and usually more often that not they are receptive to my love. I hope this helps. I Love All of You! Please. If you have a choice. Choose to be Happy. It is worth the fight and the Work.
Depression Treatment (Alternatives)
Depression Treatment
There are so many options these days for treating depression. One of which I am strongly against. Pharmaceutical Drugs are the worst way for depression treatment. I am sure there is a level of dosage a person under depression treatment needs to take during therapy to function during therapy or counseling. I just think that when a patient is under this prescription they need to be monitored and a follow up should be scheduled accordingly to make sure there is not a mis-use of the drug or drugs.
I have written an article about depression treatment before.
I just wanted to write this follow up article to express my view on more positive options for depression treatment. I am really passionate about helping people combat depression and anxiety. It is my belief that as a community we can help bring people out of this affliction if we are aware of the triggers which are mostly caused by our own doing as a society. To get to the root cause we need to bring awareness to depression symptoms and causes. We as a community need to change the way we address the methods to depression treatment. What is acceptable and what is not. We have a lazy attitude thinking that the pill is the answer to everything. There are so many other ways to address this affliction. Here are some natural approaches. Here are some tips that can help someone feeling better right now…..
Alternative to depression treatment.
- Get in a Routine
- Set Goals
- Exercise
- Eat Healthy
- Get Enough Sleep
- Take on Responsibilities
- Challenge Negative Thoughts
- Take Natural Supplements (check with your Doctor!) Fish Oil, Folic Acid, Blue Berries……
- Do Something New
- Try to Have Fun
- Meditation
- Music Therapy
- Avoid Coffee Drink Green Tea Instead
- Expose Yourself to Sunlight
- Laugh!
There has to be a better way to beat this depression thing and drugs cannot be the only depression treatment that is out there. Do some research! Talk to someone about it! Cry, laugh! Go online and read positive quotes. See a happy comedy. Stay away from toxic relationships and environments. My hope is that you have found something in this article that could help. I am clearly not a doctor or a psychologist. I am someone who loves people and wants you or your loved one to get better.
Start with going through my blog-posts and seeing if it cheers you up. Smile, be happy and be well! I Love you whoever you are…. But you are important to me that is why I am writing this article
Self Medicate Depression
We Need Happiness instead of Self Medicate Depression.
I help people realize they are wasting time lamenting over nonsense on a daily basis, what I mean by that is they worry about the bullshit. Why? People believe the reason for our unhappiness is to blame everyone else for our fears. We have pain and suffering, we allow ourselves to go through it and we do not perceive it in a healthy way. We waste our time on the petty stuff. Most people are healthy mentally and yet they conjure up every reason to be sad and justify their self-medication. I self-medicate depression on many different levels. It was self-destructive more than it was beneficial.
Why are we so self-destructive? Is it a conditioning we go through from a very young age? I think our fears turn into anxiety and depression at some point. We then get caught up in this affliction. So many suffer from it, and we need to help one another address it at the core and cause. The cause of depression means different things to everyone. Treating depression should not always be with drugs but with love, compassion and understanding. Loneliness goes along with depression and anxiety. The standard medical treatment is the same. Depression Medication Names like -Ativan, Zoloft, Paxil etc… We can go so many different ways with this subject matter and depression medication. Prescription drugs could be used as a palliative treatment in this condition…..but the core of the problem remains. The individual searches for something harder if there is no follow up to drown out the voices they hear every day.
The question is, how do we administer the love and compassion to someone who is anti-social? That is harder than it sounds. It takes patience and hard work because the person you might be trying to reach has been sad, depressed and alone for a very long time. A person helping this type of individual has to be dedicated and passionate about what they are doing in order not to give up. Once you start helping a person like this it is a commitment and there is no turning back. The whole purpose of helping this person is to regain their confidence in humanity on an organic level. For them to be confident that they are receiving help they have to trust. The credibility will be lost if you walk away after being challenged. Love is at the forefront of this process.
A professional has to be ethical and keep his distance in order to treat. An intimate, family member and or friend will have too much to lose if they falter. So who then??…. Someone with a Love and Passion for this affliction. Someone that has experienced that pain. Someone that is Happy. Someone that is full of joy. Again….let me repeat… Someone that is happy.
It takes a special person to do this kind of work. This person has to be clear of all negativity when they are helping someone in this state of mind. This person has to be so happy to help even the most severe cases because of their devotion to help cure depression. They will take on any insult and not take it personal…and yet they should take it very personal. This type of person cannot follow old antiquated processes and depression treatments. They have to be direct and compassionate.
I want to re-iterate my opinion and make it clear….There are serious cases where medication is needed, but that is only one method for the person being helped to focus. Drugs and depression medication could be very counterproductive.
I am not a doctor, these are my opinions and should not be taken as a prescription for treatment. I am a person that loves people and has a passion for helping. All I can do is share my love through what I think is right for me. Helping. I love you. Be well always!