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Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash In a new study, researchers found the impact of loneliness is more severe than most of us think – in fact, loneliness might be just as dangerous as obesity when it comes to your overall health. The study, published …
Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash A new study, published in the journal Cognition and Emotion, found that people who experience constant depressive thoughts may be more likely to experience problems with memory as well. During the study, researchers induced depressive thoughts in the participants …
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of seasonal depression that usually occurs in individuals during the winter. Experts believe this mental health issue has to do with the lack of sunlight in the winter. It’s normal to feel a little less energetic when it’s cold and snowy, but for those who suffer from SAD, symptoms often make it difficult to get through the day.
A recent study conducted by scientists in Denmark showed that those affected by SAD had different levels of a certain protein in the brain. This protein is referred to as a “transporter protein”, and it’s responsible for maintaining serotonin levels. The new study confirms the belief that SAD is linked to less sun exposure – sunlight boosts your serotonin levels naturally, and without it, mood changes are common. Overall, most of the population is able to maintain enough serotonin through the winter, but SAD sufferers aren’t able to do that.
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As many as one in six people suffer from SAD. If depression symptoms are getting you down this winter, here are some tips to lift your mood:
Sunlight seems to play a key role in SAD. Try to step outside whenever you can, or you can buy a light box for your home or office that provides the kind of bright rays that elevate your brain’s serotonin levels.
Exercise is a very under-utilized antidepressant! Get a good cardio workout in as often as possible. Exercise has been shown to raise serotonin levels, according to a study by Princeton University.
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A good massage seems to increase serotonin levels as well, according to research from the University of Miami School of Medicine. A separate study in Taiwan showed that massage may have a significantly positive impact on depression symptoms.
It might take some effort if you’re feeling blue, but watching a funny movie or laughing with friends can have a great impact on your mood if you are depressed. Some studies have shown that laughter increases serotonin in the brain.
Make sure that you have comfortable and warm surroundings in winter. This means fluffy blankets and warm clothes. This helps to ensure that your home is nice and toasty, to hopefully combat the winter blues!
Source:http://www.today.com/health/got-sad-5-proven-ways-deal-seasonal-affective-disorder-1D80274285
Photo by Hean Prinsloo on Unsplash Happiness is probably one of the hardest things to define. Feeling happy is definitely subjective – what makes me happy may not put a smile on your face. But research shows that feeling mentally happy can have a bolster …
Photo by Carolina Heza on Unsplash Depression symptoms often include certain digestive problems. Research has shown that the makeup of bacteria in your gut can influence your emotional health. However, not all gastric issues are due to a mental health condition. Depending on your symptoms, …
Everyone feels sad from time to time; It’s a human reaction to stress, loss, relationship problems, and lots of other normal life circumstances. Depression does not fall into that category. When someone is truly depressed, it’s not the same form of sadness. Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act on a regular basis. In severe cases, it leads to suicide – 15% of people who are clinically depressed die by suicide. In light of Robin Williams’ tragic death by suicide, it’s important to know that he is far from the only one who has suffered from this disease. It’s also important to shed some light on the situation. Depression is very common, and it can end tragically, as we have seen.
Sometimes you’ll hear things like, “But how can you be depressed, you are so rich/attractive/young, etc”. That does not matter – anyone can become depressed. It’s important to avoid saying anything along those lines to someone who is depressed. It will only contribute to feelings of overwhelming guilt, which happens a lot among those who suffer from this condition. Second clinical trial on the use of BioCurcumin in people with depression It’s a chemical imbalance that co-exists with panic attacks, compulsive thoughts and habits, social phobia, and any number of other issues. It doesn’t matter if someone is male or female, 75 or 25, black, white, purple, green, or anything else – anyone can fall victim, and if you have a friend who’s battling and struggling, it’s important to know that they didn’t choose it, they are not crazy, they are sick and they can get better.
The public often dismisses therapy, counseling and anti-depressant medications as useless and ineffective. This is false. In fact, 80% of people that seek treatment for this condition are treated successfully. There are more cases of depression today because scientists have gotten better at identifying the chemical reasons and doctors have gotten better at diagnosing it. Anti-depressants won’t fix the problem, but they will help stabilize the mind so they can fix the problems themselves. Don’t be ashamed to seek help. It could save your life. Can Fish Oil Capsules Help in Major Depression?
These two conditions are very closely related, and it often becomes a “chicken or egg” situation that might be hard to figure out. Substance abuse can severely alter your brain chemistry to the point where depression, anxiety and other mental health problems become unavoidable. On the other hand, this condition can make feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness and despair so overwhelming that someone feels the only way they can escape is through drugs. Certain drugs including benzodiazipines, beta-blockers, statins, opiates, and anticonvulsants can all produce chemical changes that result in depression. In treatment, it might be hard to figure out if the depression or the substance abuse came first. If you believe you are depressed, it’s crucially important to avoid self-medicating with drugs and alcohol.
There is a lot of social stigma that surrounds the condition, and the term “depressed” is often referred to in conjunction with weakness. This is not true. True depression causes profound changes in the brain and the body. It’s important that we as a society begin to view depression as less of a mental defect and more of a true illness, because that is what it is. This condition manifests in many more places than just the brain – those who suffer are likely to feel physical pain, including stabbing pain in the chest and joint and/or muscle pain. It starts in your head, yes, but when you’re clinically depressed, it’s not just mental. New Study: Cocoa Polyphenols Improve Energy, Depression & Anxiety
This condition brings on a whole lot of unpleasant feelings, and it’s not always characterized by tears and misery. Many people who are depressed feel overwhelmingly guilty, worthless, hopeless, and commonly, numb. Sometimes depression is characterized by feeling nothing at all. Someone who is happy when they are with their friends can still be suffering from depression. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, get help now. Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK to get help for yourself or a friend. For more information about depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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