Can Taking Supplements Really Improve Your Mental Health
Im not a fan of taking any supplements with the expectation that they can transform your well-being.
Nutritional supplements, such as the B vitamins, magnesium and fish oil are often recommended to improve mental health.
However, to get the benefit of one, you need another for the first one to be absorbed. And for your body to be able to use the latter, it needs yet another substance, and so on.
In addition, the average supplement you find on the shelves often contains chemical lookalikes with a good chance your body doesnt even recognise it if its able to absorb it at all.
So, it comes as no surprise then that the safest, most effective supplementation comes from eating the right foods
Depression: How Effective Are Antidepressants
Like psychotherapy, antidepressants are a key part of treating . They aim to relieve symptoms and prevent depression from coming back.
Opinions vary on how effective antidepressants are in relieving the symptoms of . Some people doubt that they work well, while others consider them to be essential. But, like with many other treatments, these medications may help in some situations and not in others. They are effective in moderate, severe and chronic depression, but probably not in mild cases. They can also have side effects. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of antidepressants with your doctor.
The main aim of treatment with antidepressants is to relieve the symptoms of severe , such as feeling very down and exhausted, and prevent them from coming back. They are meant to make you feel emotionally stable again and help you to follow a normal daily routine. They are also taken to relieve symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety and sleep problems, and to prevent suicidal thoughts.
This information is about using medication to treat the most common form of , known as unipolar depression. The treatment options for manic depression aren’t discussed here.
What Should You Consider When Deciding Whether Or Not To Take Antidepressants
Whether antidepressants are an option will depend on things like the severity of the symptoms. Other aspects can also play a role in the decision:
- Are you going to psychotherapy or are you planning to?
- Have you taken antidepressants before and did they help?
- How bad do you think the potential side effects are compared to the possible benefits?
The question of side effects can also be key when choosing which drug to take: Some people might be more keen to avoid digestion problems. Others might prefer to avoid dizziness, decreased sex drive or erection problems.
It only makes sense to use antidepressants if the is correct. Specialists believe that some people are prescribed antidepressants unnecessarily. The fact that a lot more people take antidepressants nowadays suggests that this is true. They are sometimes already prescribed for milder symptoms, even though it’s not clear whether they help in mild .
But it’s still important to make sure that severe is diagnosed and treated properly. Antidepressants can be helpful here, and for some people may be the only way that they can get back into a daily routine or start going to psychotherapy.
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How Can We Keep Our Stone Age Brain Happy
Brains can change, and we have the capacity to change them. The key is finding the most effective ways to do that. Enter neuroscience. The chemistry of our brain is very responsive to what we do for better or worse. Depending on the choices we make, we can deplete it or enrich it.
In preliminary clinical trials comparing the effect of lifestyle changes against antidepressants, researchers found that lifestyle choices brought about a reduction in depressive symptoms almost three times that experienced by the antidepressant group. There are six primary lifestyle factors that have been proven to protect the brain against depression and reduce depressive symptoms and Ilardi details them in his book, The Depression Cure. Interestingly, these lifestyle factors are remarkably close to the way we would have been doing things had we been living in the Stone Age.
Pillow time. Blissful, restful abundant pillow time.
Yes. I know you know this one, but despite knowing how important sleep is, so many of us remain chronically sleep-starved. We need at least eight hours as eight hours every single day. Sleep is like a superpower. It really is that good and that important to mood and mental health.
Disrupted sleep is one of the most potent triggers of depression, and theres evidence that most episodes of mood disorder are preceded by at least several weeks of sub-par slumber. -Dr Stephen Ilardi
How To Deal With Depression Without Medication
In this article, youll find advice and tips on how to treat depression naturally and effectively.
But, I would really like you to try and figure out if there could be any underlying cause of your depression. Unless you know whats wrong, youll have a much harder job of making it right again and healing!
So, whats is going on for you? What has happened and what is happening to you now?
Are you unhappy in your relationship, or unfulfilled at work?
Are previous unresolved difficulties in any area of your life rising to the surface again?
Do you have money worries, or are you stressed about the children?
Are you feeling anxious about something or everything?
Do you have relationship problems? Are you in need of relationship advice?
If you can identify the root cause of your worries and troubles, you can start taking practical steps to address them.
Cant seem to put your finger on whats making you feel depressed? Think most of your life is fine?
In that case, too, I can really recommend you talk to a therapist or even a trusted friend. An outside perspective can really help you to figure out whats going on for you right now.
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Take The Right Supplements
It can be overwhelming trying to figure out which supplements may be helpful, and how to distinguish between quality brands. Consumer Lab lists third-party-tested supplements which should be safe to take. Ive done a bit of research, too, and found these manufacturers to be reputable: Prothera, Klaire Labs, Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Laboratories, Nature Made, Orthomolecular Products, Metagenics, Vital Nutrients, Truehope, OmegaBrite, and Carlson Laboratories.
Want To Beat Depression For Yourself Or A Friend
W. Nate Upshaw, MD
Dr. William Nathan Upshaw is the Medical Director of NeuroSpa TMS®. Since receiving training from the inventor of TMS Therapy nearly a decade ago, Dr. Upshaw has been a pioneer, champion and outspoken advocate of TMS Therapy. Dr. Upshaws holistic experience in the field has transformed him into Floridas leading advocate for widespread accessibility to TMS Therapy.
When it comes to depression treatment, individuals have a variety of options to choose from depending on what will best suit their personal needs. Oftentimes, medication is the first treatment type that comes to mind. But can depression be treated without medication? While traditional medications are a common and beneficial form of treatment for depression for many people, there are multiple ways to treat depression without drugs.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Treating depression with traditional psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is one effective form of treatment for depression. Research shows that the learning and practicing of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques can help challenge the negative thoughts that depression is notorious for, improve motivation, and improve social skills. The creation and consistency of a relationship with an effective therapist or counselor, the coping skills learned, and the safe space to feel uncomfortable feelings are all great benefits in treating depression without drugs.
TMS therapy: remission is only a step away!
Works Cited
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How Well Can Antidepressants Prevent Relapses
Antidepressants are usually taken for one to two years, and sometimes longer, to prevent relapses. Relapse prevention may be a good idea for people who
- have already had several relapses,
- absolutely want to avoid a relapse, or
- have chronic .
Studies involving adults have shown that taking commonly used antidepressants such as TCAs, SSRIs or SNRIs can lower the risk of relapses, but can’t completely prevent them:
- Without preventive treatment: About 50 out of 100 people who took a placebo had a relapse within one to two years.
- With preventive treatment: About 23 out of 100 people who took an antidepressant had a relapse within one to two years.
In other words, taking an antidepressant over a long period of time successfully prevented a relapse in an average of 27 out of 100 people.
Snehalata Jain Blog Sikka
When I asked my husband the same question, he said be a wife, give your all stress to your husband and get relaxed he said ho gaya na destress with out medication. Jokes apart, I too face lot of anxiety issues and that is because of over social media usage .
FOMO fear or cyber bullying can be some reason. But I shoo away all these with simple tricks, close your mobile for 4 hours a day, sleep, play with your children, watch birds chirping outside, meditate and say to yourself, I dont want anything in my life .
Once you Chant this thing for 15 days, your subconscious mind will get ease out. Hyper active people are more prone to anxiety and depression. Speak to your loved ones and discuss this will definitely release oxytocin and brings smile on your face. Stop talking to people who brings negative vibes, and bad mouth about others.
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Dr Surbhi Prapanna Surbhi Prapanna
Mental health is one of the most important aspect of our overall health and well-being. Unfortunately, with busy lifestyle, most of people ignored this and did not pay enough attention to their mental health and mental health problems. Anxiety and depression are two of most common mental health problems that affects large number of populations.
Though for severe cases and chronic mental health issues, it is always advisable to take professional advice but for mild cases, there is lots of scope for self-improvement. Here are few ways to deal with anxiety and depression without medication.
Pay enough attention to your mental health- as I had said earlier, people often have a neglected attitude for their mental health. And this ignorance leads to late diagnosis and worse prognosis of various mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
For early management, it is very important to take care of your mental health . If you feel, you are suffering from any kinds of typical symptoms of depression and anxiety , then be alert and take all possible steps to manage your early symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle adopting a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to keep yourself mentally healthy. Eating right and exercise regularly helps in controlling stress hormones of body and also work great in uplifting your mood and overall spirit.
Get A Handle On Stress
Stress can drive up levels of a brain chemical called cortisol, which has been found to be higher in folks with depression. There are lots of strategies for coping with stress, such as time management, meditation, and biofeedback training.
Some stress-relieving activities that you might want to incorporate into your daily life include:
- Deep breathing: A few minutes to slow your breathing and focus your attention on your body in the moment can help you get a better handle on your worries.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity is a great way to blow off steam.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: This process involves intentionally tightening muscles throughout the body, holding that tension for several counts, and then releasing that tension until the muscles are completely relaxed. With regular practice, you may be able to learn how to intentionally relax your body fairly quickly whenever you are feeling tense.
Learning to manage your stress takes time and practice. Talk to your doctor or therapist about other strategies you might try to minimize the stress and your response to it.
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If You Need To Wallow Wallow But Do So Constructively
Suppressing your feelings and emotions may seem like a strategic way to cope with the negative symptoms of depression. But this technique is ultimately unhealthy.
If youre having a down day, have it. Let yourself feel the emotions but dont stay there.
Consider writing or journaling about what youre experiencing. Then, when the feelings lift, write about that, too.
Seeing the ebb and flow of depressive symptoms can be instructive for both self-healing and hope.
Is It Normal To Feel Sad
Yes!. Movies, TV shows, social media, and advertisements may make it seem like most people are happy all the time, but life naturally comes with ups and downs. Many of my friends who are psychiatrists and brain specialists would argue its even healthy to feel sad now and again.
In more dramatic cases when youre experiencing big life changes or the death of someone close to you, its a big problem if you dont feel sad. You must feel an emotion in order to let it go.
But, sometimes sadness and depression persist. When this happens, its ok to seek professional help.
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I Decluttered My House
My Mum and I had recently read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, which had made me considering just how much my stuff might be weighing me down, and that gave me the oopmft I needed to join the minimalism trend and .
There is strong evidence that a tidy environment and a more minimalist approach to your possessions can have a positive effect on your mental state and I really can attest to that. Because for me itâs had a fantastically positive effect on my mood!
Plus that massive overwhelm I use to get when faced with having to tidy up is pretty much non-existent now.
I know it sounds a bit weird to suggest de-cluttering as a viable way of helping your depression but it really did work for me. In fact, it worked so well that I wrote an entire blog post on the ten ways minimalism can help you overcome anxiety and depression.
Looking For A Boost Or Alternative To Antidepressant Medicines Here Are Four Therapies That May Help Relieve Your Symptoms
Many people suffer bouts of mild or moderate depression as they age. Health issues and the loss of a spouse, family member, or friend are common triggers that can lead to persistent sadness and loss of enjoyment.
While antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be helpful to relieve and control symptoms, they are not always the right choice.
“Many older adults don’t want to be dependent on antidepressants, or are sensitive to their common side effects, such as dry mouth, dizziness, sleepiness, and weight gain,” says Dr. Darshan Mehta, medical director of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
Fortunately, there are nondrug options available to help treat and manage mild depression. “These are also ideal as a preventive measure for people who have yet to experience depression, but may have a family history of the disease and are at high risk, as well as those who have had past episodes and want to avoid future ones or be better prepared if they occur,” says Dr. Mehta.
Always consult with your doctor if you experience symptoms of depression. Depending on the severity of your condition, medication may be appropriate, at least in the short term. Otherwise, you may be able to manage and even prevent episodes of depression with these four nondrug strategies.
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If Youre Up For Exercise Consider A Walk Around The Block
On days when you feel as if you cant get out of bed, exercise may seem like the last thing youd want to do. However, exercise and physical activity can be powerful depression fighters.
Research suggests that, for some people, exercise can be as effective as medication at relieving depression symptoms. It may also help prevent future depressive episodes.
If youre able to, take a walk around the block. Start with a five-minute walk and work your way up from there.
Sleep disturbances are common with depression. You may not sleep well, or you may sleep too much. Both can make depression symptoms worse.
Aim for eight hours of sleep per night. Try to get into ahealthy sleeping routine.
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can help you with your daily schedule. Getting the proper amount of sleep may also help you feel more balanced and energized throughout your day.
Managing Bipolar Ii Or Bipolar I Without Medication
In short, in almost all of the above cases, the evidence is only preliminary and only available for adjunctive to traditional, medication treatment. While it is understandable that some people may want to manage bipolar disorder without medication, its just typically not possible.
APA ReferenceTracy, N. . Can You Manage Bipolar Disorder Without Medication?, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2021, December 21 from https://www.healthyplace.com/self-help/bipolar-disorder/can-you-manage-bipolar-disorder-without-medication
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The Serotonin Model Of Depression
For decades, the answer for why people get chronically depressed was simple: an imbalance in brain chemistry. Doctors and researcher thought if they could just balance your neurotransmitters , then youd be cured. But there are a couple of problems with this theory. First of all, its impossible to accurately measure serotonin levels in a live human brain. Second, the drugs that pharmaceutical companies are making to alter serotonin levels in depressed people arent working.
In one analysis of published and unpublished data on antidepressant drugs, it turns out that most, if not all, the benefits of these drugs are thanks to the placebo effect.
Does your doctor still think these things work? Bad science is to blame. In a famous New England Journal of Medicine analysis, researchers found that a whopping 88% of clinical trials showing that antidepressants dont work werent published. That means your doc is seeing a huge bias in favor of antidepressants in the published literature.
So if serotonin levels arent to blame for depression, what is?