The Beginning, Where to start?

Hi Guys Thank you for visiting my page. Someone once said to me that knowledge is power and I never really understood what that meant until I gained the knowledge of finding out what triggers depression. I ask you now to find out what triggers your depression, weather it be childhood, current life style, a break up, a form of loss I.e. job loss. The point is it is important to find out what triggers or where your depression comes from. This is an important step to start with in reaching a cure. Your friend.

feel better despite the wrather

Start the day with meditation

If you look out of the window every morning, and let the weather set the tone of the day, you're destined for depression (living in the wet west of Britain, anyway!) Instead, lift your mood with some meditation. Keep a candle near your bed, and when you wake, sit up in bed and light the candle. Spend five minutes looking at the flame, breathing gently through your nose, and feel sensations of calmness and joy filling your body and mind. Then get on with your day, in a better mood!

There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes...

Working at a Yoga centre in Snowdonia, I never go anywhere without my waterproof jacket and trousers. That way, I definitely walk each day, no matter whether it's pouring or sunny. So often we can be put off by a little precipitation, but why not see rain as refreshing, snow as soothing and wind as wonderful? Our Australian visitors at the Snowdonia centre always marvel about how revitalizing the wet weather is and how beautiful the green valley is. It's all a matter of attitude!

Get into nature

The great outdoors has a fantastic mood -lifting effect. Green spaces have been shown to reduce incidence of depression, and even just looking at a tree can make people heal faster after surgery. So ensure that you have at least a 10 minute walk in a green space every day, preferably in daylight, for optimum mood-lifting. Why not take your lunch outside and eat it in the park or garden? Eating al fresco doesn't have to be limited to summer - just wrap up warm and out you go!

Have a strong daily yoga practice

Yoga is one of the best forms of feel-good exercise around, but it's sometimes easy to forget to practise when life gets a bit challenging. Dru Yoga is particularly effective lifting mood and reducing stress. In a recent study of Bangor university employees, researchers reported an improvement in mood after practising yoga every week for 6 weeks. They found it easier to cope under stress and felt greater confidence after the flowing yoga, compared to a control group. I recommend the flowing Sun sequence or Energy Block Release 1 for an instant mood lift.

I'm singing in the rain

You may look silly, but singing is one of the fastest ways to banish the blues. Many yogis enjoy chanting mantras along with kirtan masters like Krishna Das or Snatam Kaur. Choirs are gaining in popularity - so no matter what your style is - singing in the shower or with an orchestra - sing for at least five minutes every day.

In Europe, we can't change the weather but we can certainly change our reactions to it, and stay happy come rain or shine.

Jane Clapham is a Dru Yoga and Meditation teacher, and trains people to become meditation teachers in the glorious surroundings of Snowdonia, in North Wales, UK. She also leads meditation retreats and holidays in the celtic mountains of Wales and worldwide. Contact her at hello@druworldwide.com to be included in the newsletter from Dru worldwide, which includes yoga and stress-busting tips. For more information about Dru Yoga and meditation, visit http://www.druworldwide.com/ You'll find yoga classes, yoga holidays and yoga training courses which are taught in the UK, North America, Netherlands and Australia. Have a stress-free day!

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Things someone with depression doesnt want to hear

I've read an interest post recently talking about hurtful phrases you would hear from people who are totally ignorant of what your depression disorder is.

Ignorance maybe bliss, but not when you are constantly hurt by heartless and thoughtless remarks.

So what are the top five of the most hurtful comments you might get about your depression?

1. Just snap out of it! How many people think that your depression is a mere whim and not a serious illness? That you are being pessimistic and simply need to talk yourself out of it? This phrase is on par with pull yourself together! Just makes me want to kick something every time I hear it. You do not snap out of it, people. It's like saying to snap out of your cancer or brain tumour... You find causes of your depression and treat it like any other illness.

2. Get a life or(my favourite) get a job! Excuse me. Depression has nothing to do with boredom or idleness. More often it's caused by constant stress, anxieties and exhaustion, which means your life is so full of it, you can't cope anymore.

3. Stop feeling sorry for yourself! Another misconception which is difficult to fight with. We don't just sit and feel sorry for ourselves, chaps. We simply struggle to find energy to be happy. We feel repulsed and ashamed by this condition, we lose self-respect, and we don't want to be a burden to our friends, family and loved ones. There are many complicated reasons to be depressed: chemical or hormonal imbalance, emotional or physical trauma, it might be hereditary, etc. Whatever the reason, the treatment for depression is a delicate process built of several components. Stop feeling sorry for yourself just doesn't cover it.

4. Stop being depressed, cheer up! It doesn't really help you, when people treat your depression lightly. I've heard variation of this phrase so many times, I lost count. Although the essence of advice is true, depending on severity of your depression, there are ways for you to make yourself feel happier, the way the message is delivered just tells you that the person saying it doesn't understand or doesn't want to understand what's happening to you.

5. You have no excuse to be depressed! This is my old-time favourite. People think that if you've got it all (by all I mean something that they don't have) you automatically should be happy. Besides there are some kinds of depression and anxiety that always puzzle people like SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or postnatal depression.

They way I look at it, if you explain that your depression have chemical or hormonal basis, make it look as scientific as possible, people's attitude changes and they start treating your condition as illness.

I would like to hear the remarks you had to listen to and how you've dealt with them, so please share!

http://freeofworry.org/illness/things-you-dont-want-to-hear-in-depression/
Karina Knight used to work with mental health patients and dealt with the latest antidepressants and anti-psychotics. Now she researches the topic of depression and writes on all the connected with this illness issues.
More information about depression and how to overcome it on the blog http://freeofworry.org

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Diet causing Depression?

Is it possible that your diet is causing you to be in depression? Or is that just one more thing to be depressed about?

Did you know that recent research has revealed a strong link between depression and yeast overgrowth, especially amongst people who have had long courses of antibiotics, experience persistent, unresolved digestive problems, and often experience yeast infections such as Thrush.

How could this be? Are they related in any way, and if so, which comes first, the depression or the yeast overgrowth symptoms.

First it is important to say that current science is not in agreement that there is a direct causal link between the two conditions. But, let's follow the possible pathway to see if it feels familiar for you or someone you know.

The symptoms of yeast overgrowth, or Candidiasis, are not always obvious to begin with, and you may simply be feeling not quite well, suffering some mild form of the conditions we've come to learn indicate a yeast problem. Simple discomforts as bloating after eating, minor aches and pains that don't go away, perhaps, mild diarrhea, all of which are a good indicator of Candida overgrowth. Not recognised for what they are, they only get worse, and the resultant craving for more sugar and more carbohydrates is the worst thing for your body.

Because you don't realize what is going on your diet is most likely to get worse as you feed your cravings, and before long you are developing nutritional deficiencies leading to changes to your hormonal system. These changes further weaken your immune system, as well as producing a flood of brain chemicals, which eventually disturb the normal balance of your mood-regulating chemicals in your brain.

So, on top of not feeling your best physically, your brain is operating in an increased state of anxiety and depression. Does this mean if you have Candidiasis you will also suffer depression? Not necessarily. Latest genome research has identified a specific gene related to depression. If you have the gene, then under the right conditions, you are likely to be depressed. If you don't have the gene, you may have less of a depressed reaction. The important issue is that an overgrowth of candida yeast can very quickly create the right conditions for significant changes in the functioning of your brain.

This may not be exactly how your traditional doctor views depression and yeast. You would most likely be told that there's no scientific connection. But the evidence of individuals who suffer from both yeast overgrowth and depression is overwhelming, and in most cases the experience of these people is that there depression is relieved once they begin an anti-yeast regimen.

The best part about yeast as a possible cause, is that there are no downsides to tackling yeast overgrowth. You will feel physically and emotionally healthier within weeks. So what is there to lose?

Graham Forbes is an educator, writer, entrepreneur and innovator with a wide experience in health and education and is a passionate believer in empowering people through information and education.

To learn more about candida cure visit his site at http://endyeastintolerance.com

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The Many Faces of Depression

Estimates of depression rates vary considerably but it has been suggested that it will occur in 15 - 20 % of all people over a lifetime. In every 12 months about 10% of the population experiences an episode of significant depression. At this moment it is estimated that 121 million people are suffering from depression throughout the world. Depression is a major problem.

Depression typically has the symptoms of sadness, loss of energy, feelings of guilt and anxiety and loss of self esteem. There can be changes in appetite and sleep. The depressive illness can range from interfering with our usual activities and relationships (mild to moderate depression) to making it hard to relate or communicate with others or to do day-to-day tasks ( debilitating or severe depression). Depression symptoms can affect anyone regardless of race, culture and social class. It can affect men, women, children, adolescents and the elderly. However, how a depressed preschooler looks will probably be different from an 80 year old.

Depression and the young

Children who are depressed loose interest in the activities that they have previously enjoyed. They may not be able to connect how they feel to words like sad or down but they show the signs of a change of appetite, irritability, sleep problems and low energy. They tend not to mix with the other children at school. Children who are depressed may have themes of death and loss in their play (all children include such ideas sometimes - but they show up more often in depressed children,)

There is an increasing rate of depression among young people (from preschoolers to young adults). It is likely that the reported rates of depression are lower than the real numbers as parents and professionals often fail to recognise the problem.

Depression and the elderly

Many people view old age as depressing - there is often a decline in health and an increase in disability. There is also the loss of friends and loved ones. Some sadness and feelings of grieve associated with the losses are to be expected and indeed it is important to grieve losses. Depression however, is not an inevitable part of old age. Depression in the elderly will look similar to depression in any age group but the elderly are more likely to talk about their aches and pains than their feelings. Depression can interfere with memory - so depression needs to be considered in short term memory problems and not just Alzheimer's or dementia. If asked about depression the elderly often scoff at the idea and this can stop them from getting the support and assistance they need to overcome the problem.

Elderly men are particularly at the risk of suicide.

Depression and men

Men often tend to cover up their feelings of depression and keep the idea that they may be depressed hidden from others. They see being depressed as a sign of weakness. They have been taught from childhood that mental illness and emotional problems are unmanly and they cover up negative feelings. Rather then admit their feelings men commonly turn to alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs to cope. Some express anger, irritability and sarcasm. Some will admit to the loss of energy, altered appetite, aches and poor sleep. However the unwillingness to consider that they are depressed means that they can be reluctant to seek help and support for overcoming the problems

Depression and women

Women tend to suffer from depression more than men (at least in the number of cases that are reported). The rates of depression during pregnancy, after childbirth and prior to menopause are higher than at other times. There also social and cultural factors such as sexual and physical abuse, juggling childcare, housework and a career, stress and low income. Depression during or after childbirth is a major problem - over 400,000 cases occur every year in the United States. Eight out of ten women will experience some form of alteration to their moods during or following pregnancy.

Depression is a problem that has many faces - it affects men women and children of all races and cultures. The way these groups appear can be sightly different but they all experience the feelings of sadness, They can also have the loss of energy, change of appetite, aches, lowered self esteem and poor sleep. There are many things that can be done to overcome depression. If you are depressed, particularly of you are suffering from severe depression, you need to seek professional assistance. You can also obtain support and assistance from Growerz overcome depression program.

Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages those who are feeling depressed to seek help and join the Growerz defeat depression program. Jenny owns Health Product Site which has vitamin, minerals and herbs that can assist with depression. She also owns Safe Colon Cleansing which provides information on detoxifying the body which has been shown to be beneficial in depression.

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Seven Ways To Deal With Your Depression

It has just been announced, after a study by a team from King's College Hospital, that depression is now the biggest reason for people claiming long-term sickness benefit in the UK, having taken over from musculoskeletal problems such as back
problems. The research shows that 176 million working days were lost because of depression in 2003. Depression now affects 1 in 5 of the population, with most people using various types of medication. Most people would like other types of treatments, such as 'talking cures', but there is a huge shortage of such therapies or therapists in the NHS system.

The aim of this article is to highlight 7 things that anyone with depression can do to
help themselves. This is not meant to be instead of any treatment you may be
having, rather, these are things you can do in addition that will help you to regain
control of your life as quickly as possible.

1. Change Your language

2. Focus on a better future

3. Stop blaming yourself

4. Stop telling yourself you are a failure

5. Have a safe moment every day

6. Have a fun moment every day

7. Get reading

These may seem simple, and to some of you may seem difficult, but the more you
practice these 7 things, the more you will help yourself to get over your depression.
I want to say a little bit about each of these things, so you know exactly what I
mean.

1. Change Your Language

The language we use expresses how we understand ourselves and our world. Too
much language around depression is the language of the victim or is the language
of a war. Indeed, put them both together and you can be a depression war victim.
Stop saying things like, 'I suffer from depression'...', or 'I am going to beat this
damn illness.' Change you language to one of experience, if you have to use
language at all. If you stop telling yourself you are a suffering victim in a battle, you
will stop being one.

2. Focus On A Better Future

This can be a tough one, for depression is so often about the inability to see a great
future. But, too much depression is actually about a morbid focus on the past and
what went wrong, and this will only make you feel more depressed. Start to
daydream what you would like your great future to look like, or build up a
scrapbook of lots of photos and ideas about what it will look like. Think about or
write down how you would like to feel in this glorious future.

3. Stop Blaming Yourself

Most people with depression go through the blame thing. You will start to blame
yourself for being weak, not being able to cope, letting friends and family down and
that sort of thing. Apart from the fact that it is wrong, blaming yourself for your
depression is about as useful as blaming yourself for the weather - and I'm sure the
really depressed among you might have even done that! But seriously, there is
nothing to blame yourself for; your only job is to deal with your depression and get
your life back on track.

4. Stop Telling Yourself You Are A Failure

When depression strikes, apart from blaming ourselves, we often combine this with
the belief that we are failures. I have failed at my job, my life, my relationships and
so forth. Many of you might see depression itself as some sort of failure to cope.
Again, this is not true, and neither is it helpful. You have not failed just because
you've got depression, and the more you tell yourself that you are not a failure the
more you will begin to believe it.

5. Have A Safe Moment Every Day

Depression makes us feel unsafe. Feeling safe is essential to good health and well-
being, so it is important to practice feeling safe again. You need to find something
that you can do, that you know that you can do without thinking - something you
feel safe just doing. It could be cooking, reading, making something, writing or
whatever. Once you have found something that you feel safe doing (or several
things) you then need to make sure you do this for at least 30 minutes a day. At
first it may seem pointless or difficult, but very soon you will start to feel much safer
again, and therefore much better.

6. Have A Fun Moment Every Day

One of the most damaging things about depression is that it takes the fun out of
life. This may seem trivial until you have had the fun removed, then you know what
a serious business it is to have fun. Life feeling safe, it is important to establish a
fun moment every day in order to practice having fun again. So, as with the feeling
safe, you need to think of some things that are (or were) fun for you, and start to do
them for 30 minutes a day. It does not matter how silly your fun thing is, and it
doesn't matter if it doesn't feel like fun at first. Give it a chance, and those feelings
of fun will begin to return.

7. Get Reading

There is an old saying that knowledge is power, and in terms of depression this is
absolutely true. It is important to understand what depression is, and what it is not,
so start to read some good books about it so you know what you are dealing with.
But, even more importantly, there are millions of people that have had depression,
got over it and built wonderful new lives, and many of them write about it in
magazines and books. Start to read inspirational stories about how other people
have dealt with their own depression and see what you can learn from them.
Reading can also mean listening or watching as you will also find great stuff on the
radio, television and in some films.

These 7 things are not a miracle cure, but I do know from my own experience that
they will help you to transform your depression. The problem with depression is
that it is like a prison and it is very easy, and sometimes actually easier, to just stay
put in this bleak and depressing place. These few things will help you to unlock the
door of that prison, walk out and throw away the key.

Remember that depression is now a very common complaint, so you are not alone.
The more you practice these 7 things, and embed them into your life, the more you
will start to regain control of your life. Depression is a temporary phase, and you
have the tools to create a new and wonderful life. Good luck.

Rick is a licensed master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and the developer of the unique, From Mess to Success coaching programme. He runs workshops and works with people on a one-to-one basis, helping them to heal and transform their lives. He suffered from manic depression and agoraphobia for 7 years. He has been totally cured for over 10 years.

Rick’s unique combination of skills and experience, both professional and personal, combined with his work as a highly successful guide and coach make him supremely qualified and experienced to help you create the life you want and deserve.

Further details can be found on his website at: [http://www.inspiredways.com]

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