The Charlotte

Posts Tagged ‘depressed’

Feeling depressed?  Here’s an easy way to get rid of depression without anti-depressants.

By  Dennis Fisher

 Depression is a mental condition that is becoming increasingly common.  More and more people suffer today from depressed feelings of despondency, apathy and disinterest.   Symptoms of depression often include a mood of hopelessness. Everything seems futile.   Nothing seems worthwhile.

 It’s a mental state that affects people of all ages – from young students to the elderly – in every walk of life.

Many people, who feel constantly depressed, use anti-depressant drugs to help them get rid of depression.

One of the most popular anti-depressants prescribed by doctors is the Fluoxetine drug known as Prozac.   Prozac has proved helpful in treating symptoms of depression.  But, like all drugs, there is always the danger of side effects.

Side effects reported include nausea, digestive problems, insomnia and extreme fatigue.  In a number of cases there have been reports of undesirable sexual side effects.

If you are one of the many unfortunate individuals, who suffers from depression and you don’t want to use anti-depressants because of the danger of side-effects, you’ll be pleased to know there is another way to get rid of depression – a very easy way. 

It doesn’t require the use of any type of medication whatsoever.

 No doubt you’ve heard the following expression many times: 
“You’ve got to have a reason to get up in the morning”.

Why are some people able to wake up in the morning bright and cheerful, ready to start the day with optimism and enthusiasm while others find this so difficult to do?  

Chances are either you or someone you know has been prescribed anti-depressants. Sadly, they have become the default drug of choice. It’s so much easier for a doctor to prescribe a pill that promises to help you feel better than to take the time to figure out what the real issues are that may be causing your depression. When “feeling low’ and fatigued, there may be other underlying physical and emotional issues that need attention and in reality, few of us suffer from major depression, the one diagnosis that clearly justifies the use of anti-depressants.

The depressing truth about antidepressants is that studies have shown that they are no more effective than a placebo in treating mild to moderate depression. Furthermore, in clinical trials, it has been shown that as many as half of those who receive no such treatment improve anyway. In fact, anti-depressants are contraindicated for short-term treatment of minor depression – something the drug companies don’t want publicized. Clinical practice guidelines indicate that the most popularly prescribed type of anti-depressants called SSRI’s (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor drugs that boost the presence in the brain of serotonin, a chemical believed to help regulate mood) need to be taken for at least six months for minimal treatment of major depression, far longer than most episodes of minor or moderate depression last. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider whether anti-depressants are the best option for you.

If you’re feeling low and lacking in energy, it’s time to get a complete medical check-up to determine if there are underlying physical reasons for how you’re feeling including a complete battery of thyroid and glucose tolerance tests. Possible medical causes can include allergies, endocrine system imbalances, poor nutrition, PMS, medication interactions, and stress.

Depression is very common and affects as many as 1 in 8 people in their teen years. Depression affects people of every color, race, economic status, or age; however, it does seem to affect more girls than guys.
Sometimes friends or family members recognize that someone is depressed. They may respond with love, kindness, or support, hoping that the sadness will soon pass. They may offer to listen if the person wants to talk. If the depressed feeling doesn’t pass with a little time, friends or loved ones may encourage the person to get help from a doctor, therapist, or counselor.

But not everyone recognizes depression when it happens to someone they know.

Some people don’t really understand about depression. For example, they may react to a depressed person’s low energy with criticism, yelling at the person for acting lazy or not trying harder. Some people mistakenly believe that depression is just an attitude or a mood that a person can shake off. It’s not that easy.

Sometimes even people who are depressed don’t take their condition seriously enough. Some people feel that they are weak in some way because they are depressed. This is wrong — and it can even be harmful if it causes people to hide their depression and avoid getting help.

Occasionally, when depression causes physical symptoms (things like headaches or other stress-related problems), a person may see a doctor. Once in a while, even a well-meaning doctor may not realize a person is depressed, and just treat the physical symptoms. Lately Lindsay hasn’t felt like herself. Her friends have noticed it, too. Kia was surprised when Lindsay turned down her invitation to go to the mall last Saturday. There was really no reason not to go, but Lindsay just didn’t feel like it. Instead, she spent most of Saturday sleeping.