Light Therapies to Manage Depression By Victor C.

Depression is something that can destroy lives. The life of the person who is suffering from this disease is of course changed but it also affects the lives of people around him. The families and loved ones feel the effects of depression almost the same way as the person concerned. Other areas of life are also vulnerable. Work and social life can be affected.

Fortunately, we know a lot about depression. There are many types of treatments that can be used to treat depression. Sometimes several or a combination of treatments may be required before an improvement is observed. In this article we will see something about light therapy and what they have accomplished in a matter of depression.

It has been shown that light reduces levels of melatonin in the brain. This is a chemical that can cause a person feel weak and depressed. Sitting in front of a bright light for at least 4 hours per day has brought great improvements in many patients.

Light therapy can be performed by using a light box. Many people begins to become depressed when the season changes. The days are becoming shorter and the weather gloomier. This reduces the level of sunlight to which we are exposed and thus our serotonin levels begin to decrease. This situation causes everybody to start feeling a bit depressed, but a person who suffers from depression can feel much worse. The light box requires that the person sits in front of it. They can perform an activity so they are 2 or 3 feet of distance to the box. The light then helps replace serotonin levels and helps reduce the chances of depression.

Light therapy has been effective in other areas too. It has been shown to help in sleep disorder since it reset our body clocks.

Depression is a disease that can destroy people and families. When a person becomes seriously depressed, this may stop people act or perform normally. Everybody who is close to a depressed person may be affected. Couples can be forced to care for their loved one while other family members suffer with them. Fortunately there are many types of therapy that can be applied. Light therapy has proved to be effective. By using light, serotonin levels can begin to increase again and reduce the chances of an increase in depression.

If you need good information about Dual Diagnosis or where you can find help to get a Dual Diagnosis Program, there is hope. You can find lots on information online in order to help your love one who might need therapy to fight against any mental condition.

Mood Disorders and Orthomolecular Medicine By Rodger Murphree

In any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from depression.

1. Major depression is the leading cause of disability. The indirect and direct costs of mood disorder illnesses totals over 43 billion dollars a year. Depression and related mood disorders rank behind high blood pressure as the most common reason people visit their doctors.

Most individuals who consult their medical doctor for mood disorders are placed on prescription medications.

And in fact as many as 10% of the U.S. population has taken one of these medications. Prescription antidepressants sales reached a total of 37 billion in sales in 2003, which came out to $9 million more than was spent on treatments for the heart, arteries and blood pressure.

2. The largest growth spurt in antidepressant use has been among preschoolers, ages 2-4.

3. In 2003 over one million American children were taking an antidepressant medication.
4. However, several studies show that between 19-70% of those taking antidepressant medications do just as well by taking a placebo or sugar pill.

5. These studies help explain why most individuals may initially benefit from taking an antidepressant drug only to find that the positive affects soon wear off. Some may switch from one antidepressant drug to another. And while patients are attempting to correct their mood disorders with prescription dugs that may or may not be more effective than a sugar pill, all of these drugs have potential, sometimes serious, side effects.

Prozac has been associated with over 1,734 suicide deaths and over 28,000 adverse reactions.6
Prescription antidepressants can cause depression, anxiety, addiction, suicidal tendencies, tremors or involuntary muscle spasms, and senility. Yes, prescription antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs can and do cause depression and anxiety.

7. Those suffering from anxiety are commonly prescribed one of the benzodiazepine (tranquilizer) medications, Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin or others.

National surveys show that 5.6 million adults over the age of 65 are now taking tranquilizers.

8. These medications are associated with numerous unwanted side effects including poor sleep, seizures, mania, depression, suicide, ringing in the ears, amnesia, dizziness, anxiety, disorientation, low blood pressure, nausea, fluid retention, tremors, sexual dysfunction (decreased desire and performance), weakness, somnolence (prolonged drowsiness or a trance-like condition that may continue for a number of days), and headaches.

9. Over 73,000 older adults experience drug-induced tardive dyskinesia (tremors or uncontrollable shakes). For many, these tremors are permanent.

10. Orthomolecular Medicine

Fortunately for those looking for a safer, often times more effective way to beat mood disorders, a group of progressive minded physicians helped pioneer a new way of treating mental disorders, known as orthomolecular medicine.

In 1968, two time Nobel Prize-winner Linus Pauling, Ph.D., originated the term "orthomolecular" to describe an approach to medicine that uses naturally occurring substances normally present in the body. "Ortho" means correct or normal, and orthomolecular physicians recognize that in many cases of physiological and psychological disorders health can be reestablished by properly correcting, or normalizing, the balance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other similar substances within the body. And unlike drug therapy, which attempts to cover-up the symptoms associated with a mood disorder, orthomolecular medicine seeks to find and correct the cause of the illness.

Where do the neurotransmitters come from?
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that help relay electrical messages from one nerve cell to another. Neurotransmitters are produced from the amino acids in the foods we eat. Amino acids join together in different patterns to form a protein. Eating a protein rich food allows us to replenish our ongoing demand for the essential amino acids. Half of the amino acids are essential. This means our bodies can't manufacture them and we must get them from the foods we eat (protein). Certain amino acids along with certain B vitamins and minerals produce the neurotransmitters. The amino acid tryptophan turns into serotonin. The amino acid phenylalanine turns into epinephrine. Amino acids are the raw nutrients needed to manufacture the neurotransmitters, which regulate our moods.

What do neurotransmitters do?
Neurotransmitters help regulate pain, reduce anxiety, promote happiness, initiate deep sleep, boost energy, and mental clarity.
The neurotransmitters that cause excitatory reactions are known as catecholamines. Catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline) are derived from the amino acid phenylalanine.
Inhibitory or relaxing neurotransmitters include serotonin and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). The neurotransmitter serotonin is produced from the amino acid tryptophan. GABA is produced from the amino aid glutamine.

Amino Acid Replacement Therapy
The most popular antidepressant drugs are known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's). SSRI's including the drugs Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, and Zoloft are supposed to help the brain re-uptake the serotonin it produces. It is analogous to using a gasoline additive to help your car get more mileage out of the gasoline in your tank.
Unfortunately, many of the individuals who suffer from mood disorders, don't have any serotonin in their brains to re-uptake. A gasoline additive poured into an empty gasoline tank doesn't help much, if at all.
No one is born with a Prozac deficiency. However, people can develop a serotonin deficiency. Orthomolecular medicine uses amino acid replacement therapy to correct serotonin and other neurotransmitter deficiencies. I've found this approach to be just as effective (if not more so) than prescription antidepressant medications.
I've found very few problems with mixing amino acids with prescription anti-depressants. In fact, ninety percent of my patient's are initially on prescription antidepressants when I first start them on amino acid replacement therapy.
Over the years I've used various questionnaires or tests to determine which amino acids needed to be recommended. I've been using the questionnaire below and have found it provides a quick and accurate assessment tool to diagnose a person's brain chemistry.

Brain Function Questionnaire

The "S" Group
If three or more of these descriptions apply to your present feelings, you are probably part of the "S" group:
• It's hard for you to go to sleep.
• You can't stay asleep.
• You often find yourself irritable.
• Your emotions often lack rationality.
• You occasionally experience unexplained tears.
• Noise bothers you more than it used to; it seems louder than normal.
• You flare up at others more easily than you used to; you experience unprovoked anger.
• You feel depressed much of the time.
• You find you are more susceptible to pain.
• You prefer to be left alone.
Serotonin is a hypothalamus neurotransmitter necessary for sleep. A lack of serotonin causes difficulty in getting to sleep as well as staying asleep. It is often this lack of sleep that causes the symptoms mentioned above.
Serotonin levels can easily be raised by supplementing with the essential amino acid L-tryptophan, but dietary supplements of L-tryptophan are banned in the United States.
However, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP), a form of tryptophan, is available over-the-counter and works extremely well for most patients. Patients should start with 50mg. of 5HTP, 30 minutes before bed. They should take on an empty stomach along with 4 oz. of grape juice. They may need to increase this dose, up to 300 mg. per night. Individuals who don't have trouble sleeping at night but do have other symptoms of the "S" group might want to take 100 mg. of 5HTP three times daily, with food. 5HTP doesn't usually cause drowsiness when taken with food.

The "G" Group
If three or more of these descriptions apply to your present feelings, you are probably part of the "G" group:
• You often feel anxious for no reason.
• You sometimes feel "free-floating" anxiety.
• You frequently feel "edgy," and it's difficult to relax.
• You often feel a "knot" in your stomach.
• Falling asleep is sometimes difficult.
• It's hard to turn your mind off when you want to relax.
• You occasionally experience feelings of panic for no reason.
• You often use alcohol or other sedatives to calm down.
The "G" group symptoms are from the absence of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an important neurotransmitter involved in
regulating mood and mental clarity. Tranquilizers (benzodiazepines) used to treat anxiety and panic disorders work by increasing GABA.
GABA is made from the amino acid glutamine. Glutamine passes across the blood-brain barrier and helps provide the fuel needed for proper brain function.
A deficiency in L-glutamine can result in foggy thinking, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
Usually only a small dose of GABA is needed, 500-1,000 mg. twice daily. Some individuals may need to take it three-four times a day. Like most amino acids, GABA needs to be taken on an empty stomach.

The "D" Group
If three or more of these descriptions apply to your present feelings, you are probably part of the "D" group:
• You lack pleasure in life.
• You feel there are no real rewards in life.
• You have unexplained lack of concern for others, even loved ones.
• You experience decreased parental feelings.
• Life seems less "colorful" or "flavorful."
• Things that used to be fun aren't any longer enjoyable.
• You have become a less spiritual or socially concerned person.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with the enjoyment of life: food, arts, nature, your family, friends, hobbies, and other pleasures. Cocaine's (and chocolate's) popularity stems from the fact that it causes very high levels of dopamine to be released in a sudden rush.
A dopamine deficiency can lead to a condition known as anhedonia. Anhedonia is the lack of ability to feel any pleasure or remorse in life. Brain fatigue, confusion, and lethargy are all by-products of low dopamine.
The brain cells that manufacture dopamine use the amino acid L-phenylalanine as a raw material. Like most cells in the hypothalamus, they have the ability to produce four-five times their usual output if larger quantities of the raw materials are made available through nutritional supplementation.
Start your patients with 1,000 mg. of L-phenylalanine one-two times daily on an empty stomach. If they don't seem to notice any benefits, keep increasing the dose, up to 4,000 mg. twice a day. If they experience a rapid heart beat, agitation, or hyperactivity, have them reduce or stop taking L-phenylalanine.

The "N" Group
If three or more of these descriptions apply to your present feelings, you are probably part of the "N" group:
• You suffer from a lack of energy.
• You often find it difficult to "get going."
• You suffer from decreased drive.
• You often start projects and then don't finish them.
• You frequently feel a need to sleep or "hibernate."
• You feel depressed a good deal of the time.
• You occasionally feel paranoid.
• Your survival seems threatened.
• You are bored a great deal of the time.

The neurotransmitter norepinephrine, when released in the brain, causes feelings of arousal, energy, and drive. On the other hand, a short supply of it will cause feelings of a lack of ambition, drive, and/or energy. A deficiency can even cause depression, paranoia, and feelings of apathy.
Norepinephrine is also used to initiate the flow of adrenaline when you are under psychological stress. The production of norepinephrine in the hypothalamus is a 2-step process. The amino acid L-phenylalanine is first converted into tyrosine. Tyrosine is then converted into norepinephrine. Tyrosine, then, can be supplemented to increase norepinephrine (and dopamine). But too much tyrosine can cause headaches, so I usually recommend L-phenylalanine replacement first.

1. Robins LN, Regier DA (Eds). Psychiatric Disorders in America, The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study, 1990; New York: The Free Press.
2. Beth Hawkins, A Pill is not Enough, City Pages.com
Vol 25 issue 1225 Minneapolis MN.
3. JAMA February 23, 2000;283:1025-1030,1059-1060
4. Drug report barred by FDA
Scientist links antidepressants to suicide in kids
Rob Waters, Special to The Chronicle
Sunday, February 1, 2004
5. Joan-Ramone Laporte and Albert Figueras, "Placebo Effects in Psychiatry," Lancet 334 (1993):1206-8.
6. Death and near death attributed to Prozac, Citizens Commission on Human Rights.
7. Whittle TJ, Wiland Richard, The story behind Prozac the killer drug, Freedom Magazine, 6331 Hollywood BLVD., suite 1200 Los Angeles, CA 90028. 7. Monthly Prescribing Reference Haymarket Media Publication Nov 2005, New York NY.
8. Sidney Wolfe, Larry Sasich, and Rose-Ellen Hope, Worst Pills Best Pills.
Pocket Books New York, NY 1999 pg179.
9. Sidney Wolfe, Larry Sasich, and Rose-Ellen Hope, Worst Pills Best Pills.
Pocket Books New York, NY 1999 pg11.
10. Sidney Wolfe, Larry Sasich, and Rose-Ellen Hope, Worst Pills Best Pills.
Pocket Books New York, NY 1999.

About Dr. Murphree

Dr. Murphree is a board certified nutritional specialist and chiropractic physician who has been in private practice since 1990. He is the founder and past clinic director for a large integrated medical practice located on the campus of Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham Alabama. The clinic was staffed with medical doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, nutritionists, and massage therapists. The clinic combined prescription and natural medicines for acute and chronic illnesses. He is the author of 5 books for patients and doctors, including Treating and Beating Anxiety and Depression with Orthomolecular Medicine" and "Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." His website is at http://www.treatingandbeating.com

Are Positive Ions to Blame For Your Depression? By Dave Simpson

It has long been thought that negative ions provide us with many health benefits, so it should come as no surprise to learn that bad things happen when we breath air with a high density of positive ions. It has been measured that, before a storm the positive ion concentration becomes more than three times than that of negative ions. The advice is, if the barometer is falling, then brace yourself.

Adults, children, and animals all react testily to such bad weather, for ahead is the kind of day that may leave you prone to illness, accident, stupid mistakes, and the irrational blowing off steam. Old wives tales used to blame the full moon on all sorts of madness and maladies, but you may be surprised to learn that, the full moon has been scientifically proven to increase the ratio of positive ions in the atmosphere. Maybe its not so hard to scoff at the fact that strange and aggressive behavior noted by police and medical services almost always significantly increases around the time of a full moon. Its those positive ions again. Scientific studies have shown that 75% of the population is noticeably affected by positive ion ratios, while increased negative ion rations, on the other hand, have a calming influence on the same people.

Positively ionised air seems to create a range of increased physical discomforts ranging from headaches and nausea to the familiar rheumatic twinges that precede storms. It has even been noted that infection rates increase among medical patients while, at the same time the healing rate of wounds has been shown to slow down. Conversely, when the weather is quite comfortable - and hence negative ions are in greater supply - people tend to feel better, more relaxed and genrally healthier. By comparison, on hit, humid days when the positive ion index is soaring all manner of crime starts to take place, and incidences of psychopathic and psychotic behaviour rise dramatically.

So, how do you avoid the problems caused by positive ions in the atmosphere? Well, you could choose to live in a country where the climate is temperate and tends to have a higher percentage of negative ions present for more of the time, but that's not really practical. A more sensible way is to get yourself a few Himalayan Salt Lamps These stunningly beautiful pieces of natural rock salt are proven to give of increased levels of negative, that's good, ions. Not only do they make your home look beautiful, but they have a very, measurable beneficial effect on your health and wellbeing.

What is Depression, How to Change it and Can NLP Help? By Jude Harbach

Opportunities are all around us, every second of the day. I wonder why so many people don't see them. Do you ever feel that life is dull and boring, that you never get the chances that those around you seem to get? There are the same chances or opportunities around us all, but of course we see them differently because each one of us has had a unique life which colors or alters the way we see things. I wouldn't expect a teenage boy to think about planning a surprise picnic for friends in the same way that I would plan it. And the reason is obvious, let me see now.

Our perception is unique to each of us. How come some people get depressed and others don't? My experience in Social Services and Mental Health services has shown me how our state of mind dictates our level of happiness. There is no doubt our bodies respond to our thoughts as clearly seen every day.

At age 54, having been female all my life, married, work, school, education, disappointments, achievements have just got to be so very different that to think that I can think like a teenage boy, for example, or that a teenage boy can think like me is silly. Our perception is totally different.

Life is what you make of it, you can see the worst or see the best. I know that life can be very hard at times but what I also know is that the only person that can change how you feel inside is you. No one else can get inside your emotions and alter them although that is what we say all the time. And what do we say? " You made me so mad. You ruined my life. You did this to me. It's your fault I failed. You made me do it."

Now you have to stop this blaming other people because that means they are running your life. When you can say, honestly that OK I made that mistake because I did what you told me to, only then can you start to own your own life. Even better if you can say to yourself when things have gone wrong " I did that, I wish I hadn't, next time I will do it another way because everyday I learn from my mistakes and become a better, happier person because of it."

Only when we are running our own life will we be able to see and use the chances that come our way. The price we have to pay is to accept that we make mistakes, we all do. That mistake may be big or small. Can you change it? Can you travel back in time and alter it? No. So what to do about it? Be certain to ask about NLP. Here you will find simple, practical and highly effective methods of changing your perception.

Changing the way you view your circumstances is such an incredible experience. Having seen it happen and with first hand experience myself, let me urge you to try it out. Don't hesitate too long, begin living a greatly improved life style very soon.

I wish you all the luck and courage in the world.

Depression robs us of a wonderful life. I offer FREE help and advise on my website. Using new techniques including NLP with NO drugs, safe, simple and highly effective. Whether you are young or older take a step towards the life you deserve. Free report called The Three Magic Secrets is yours to keep and use. I also offer 6weeks support while you get rid of bad old habits and learn new good habits. Click on this link as soon as you can, don't waste your life in sadness, depression and isolation. Make a fresh start, slowly and carefully with my help. Jude Harbach wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and NLP practitioner (trained by Paul Mckenna, Richard bandler and Michael Neil).

http://www.change-my-life.org/index.htm for your FREE guide to a new life.

Depression Hotlines By Charlie Frankel

Everybody feels angry at one point or another. That is normal. Feeling anger is a normal emotion and it is not a problem. However, it is your response in handling your anger that becomes a problem. For example, in some situations anger motivates us to make necessary changes in our lives. However, there are times when your anger can turn into aggression. When anger is turned into yourself, you might undergo stress, self-harm, or low mood levels. When anger presents you with a situation which you cannot cope with and you feel like there is nobody you can run to, you can call depression hotlines.

Depression hotlines are companies which employ empathetic professionals. These people are trained to help you with your problems. Depression hotlines counsel you with problems such as anxiety, family, school, sexuality, loneliness, alcohol, depression, and suicidal tendencies.

If you prefer person to person contact or help, professionals on depression hotlines are provided with information on social services of mental health or health. You can easily call them and ask for information and they will be glad to help you out.

You no longer have to feel alone with your thoughts and feelings. Remember that there are people who are willing to help you and listen to you. When you call depression hotlines, it does not matter whether you call them during the night or day. These counselors are willing to talk to you for as long as you want.

Due to the trainings that the depression hotlines companies make them undergo, these counselors are skilled at guiding and helping you through your problems, and make you feel much better about your situation. After you call depression hotlines, the counselor you are talking to will usually refer you to additional help where you can go to. However, this does not mean that you can no longer call them for help. Remember that you are always welcome to call again. However, chances are you will not be able to talk to the same counselor at the depression hotline, it would be a good idea to find one locally so you can approach one regular person.

There are no main criteria as to whether or not you should dial a depression hotline. However, if you start wondering if what you are feeling warrants a call to the hotline, then you should make that call. Besides, it never hurts to call, and it does not cost anything. Nobody will judge you if you call, and you will not feel like you are just wasting somebody else's time. Most of these counselors are volunteers because they like to help people, not because it is their job. If you feel like calling, just pick up the phone and dial your nearest depression hotline. It will surely make you feel much better. Rest assured, the information you have shared will be kept classified.

Personally, I've found comfort not only from depression hotlines, but also depression and anxiety relieving websites. http://www.Stop-Anxiety-Panic-Attack.com has tons of natural techniques and tips you can start implementing right now to alleviate your depression. Check it out HERE and start feeling better immediately.

Depression and Suicide - How to Stop Suicidal Thoughts By Christina Sponias

I know everything about terror, despair... Yes, despair is a word that I use daily - part of my routine. I lead with despair, craziness, depression, suicidal tendencies: all the horrors of human existence.

Nobody likes to talk or think about terror, craziness and despair.

However, they characterize our world. We have to examine them so that we may eliminate their poisonous action.

I discovered a way to eliminate completely craziness from human life. However, nobody likes to admit that they are crazy and actually, nobody believes that this is true.

I have already given you many lessons about this matter in my previous articles. Read them, because all my articles are free lessons.

If you are thinking about committing suicide, you have to block these thoughts, because they come from the wild side of your brain, which is violent, immoral and absurd, because it is animal.

You are a violent primate with a very tiny human conscience that makes you somehow human in a few aspects.

I'm only beginning to give you lessons. Keep reading my articles and e-books and you'll learn how to overcome all the problems of your life.

Until now I've written light articles, telling you with a gentle tone that you could be crazy, most people are crazy, our world is characterized by absurdity...

Now that I made this introduction after writing 488 articles until today (I write at least an article per day or more when possible) - I can start showing you the entire truth.

The entire truth my friend is that you are an animal too absurd and ignorant, with many deficiencies. So, you have to do something about that.

I can help you. Follow me and you'll be safe!

You have the guarantee of the wise unconscious mind that produces your dreams and can cure any mental illness or disease.

Now, about your depression and your intention to commit suicide, you have to block all your suicidal thoughts and start studying everything I'm teaching you.

Start reading my free articles. I have 2 sites and 8 blogs full of articles for you! Be my student and I will show you everything I know. You will love to be my student!

I simply repeat what I learned, with my own words - all this wisdom is not mine: your real teacher is the wisest existent human conscience, which sends you protective and informative dreams everyday, so that you may stop being a primate and become a real human being.

Prevent Depression and Craziness through the scientific method of Dream Interpretation discovered by Carl Jung and simplified by Christina Sponias, a writer who continued Jung's research in the unknown region of the human psychic sphere.

Learn more at: http://www.scientificdreaminterpretation.com

Click here and download your copy of the Free ebook

Beating Depression and Craziness