Don’t Be Sad: How To Diminish (Anxiety) Depression

Depression Is A Feeling Of Sadness Combined With The Desire To Hibernate

When you are faced with losing a loved one, losing your job, and other stressful situations, it can lead to normal reactions such as loneliness and sadness. However, when it comes to those who are (un)diagnosed with depression those normal reactions are more severe and persistent.

The differences in how depression affects people is based upon sex and age. Depression occurs more often in women than men and manifests as sadness, worthlessness, tiredness and guilt. Women who are depressed are more likely to seek help and discuss their symptoms with trusted persons or individuals they feel are alike them in some way. While men tend to acknowledge their symptoms but decide to ignore them.

Ignoring The Symptoms Is An Unhealthy Coping Mechanism

When the symptoms of depression manifests in women who refuse to deal with their depression, they may turn to:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Sugar
• Sex
• Other unhealthy coping mechanisms

In addition to depression, women may develop an eating disorder or anxiety.

Depression and anxiety are often grouped together but they are two separate disorders. Each disorder has its own causes, emotional and behavioral symptoms. The symptoms that they share are:

• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Poor concentration

Managing Your Depression Well

Much like life, you cannot control when or how depression will affect you. However, you can learn how to deal with and manage it. The most common form of treatment is for you to seek professional help. There are over 106,500 licensed psychologists in the United States that can help you sort through your issues and help you identify healthy coping mechanisms. There are also 28,000 licensed psychiatrists who can help you identify the medical cocktail that may be helpful in treating your disorder.

Alternative Methods To Traditional Treatment

If you are undiagnosed, cannot afford or refuse to seek help from a licensed professional there are alternative methods available. Such as taking over the counter supplements. Instead of taking the prescribed medicine whose side-effect is depression, I have opted for the alternative route.

Should you decide to take the alternative route, you should have your physician monitor the levels of vitamins in your blood. Too much of something is seldom a good thing and your body may react negatively to an excessive amount of either vitamin. Symptoms of high vitamin D levels are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Frequent trips to the bathroom

Alternative Method: 

Spend 15 minutes each morning under the SAD light which mimics natural outdoor light. The light affects brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, and may make you feel like the sun is out. When you begin using the light, you must allow the light to enter your eyes indirectly, do not stare into it. There is also a timer on the light, and it is recommended that you do not exceed the amount of time that you need to feel better. 

Take one 50mcg D3 vitamin, one B-100 vitamin and one 500mcg B-12 vitamin daily. B vitamins turn the carbs from your food into glucose for your cells which will provide you with more energy. Vitamin D can be used to boost your mood. 

In addition, spend more time with yourself and those who know you well. It is important to be around happy people and those who are aware of your disorder. If you ever need to discuss your symptoms/feelings/questions about your mental health you can call the national hotline 1-877-726-4727 (SAMHSA) or the local hotline (Ohioans) 513-281-2273.

Other vitamins that are recommended by those using alternative methods include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids this is for your mood
• Probiotics
• Vitamin B-12 and B-6 for mental health
• SAM- e (S-adenosylmethionine) proven to be exceptionally effective when taken with an anti-depressant
• Turmeric
• Vitamin D vitamin D deficiency can feel like depression
• Vitamin C
• Amino Acids building blocks for protein and can be transformed into neurotransmitters like GABA
• Magnesium reduces stress
• GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
• Calcium in addition to eliminating dairy from your diet
• Melatonin to help with sleepless nights

Fact: Depression Is A Disability

If you have been applying for jobs lately you may have noticed that depression is grouped on the same page as cerebral palsy, cancer, deafness, epilepsy, blindness, missing limbs and post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression is considered a disability due to its ability to disrupt a person’s daily routine.

You may be eligible to receive social security benefits for your depression if your depressive disorder is so severe that you cannot work. Eligibility is based upon different factors and you must be affected by at least four of the following symptoms.

Some Of The Qualifying Symptoms:

• A decrease in energy
• Suicidal thoughts
• Loss of interest in activities that you enjoyed previously
• Weight gain or loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Paranoia, delusions or hallucinations
• Severe difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty or inability to function without a highly supportive living arrangement