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Kids Anxiety
Many kids experience anxiety and one of the main types is considered to be separation anxiety. Just because a child may experience anxiety when they are young does not mean that they will experience it when they are older especially if treated correctly. Treatment for anxiety doesn’t have to be through medication as many times a supportive person near them can help through the periods of anxiety whether it is suffered from being separated from a loved one or if it is caused by another trigger instead.
There are several factors that may contribute to a child feeling anxiety especially the fear of separation. These include changing the child’s routine, the child being sick or overtired, changes in the family such as a divorce or a new baby, and a change or repeated changes in the caregiver or the school that they attend.
There are a variety of ways that a parent or guardian can help a child through this anxiety. In terms of the anxiety coming from being separated from a loved one, by not prolonging the departure and being cheerful when leaving can help. Also, reminding the child of the things that they will do while the parent or guardian is away and not just saying that they will have fun can take away some anxiety.
For other situations and including separation anxiety, talking and listening is one of the biggest helps with anxiety disorders. Listening to the child and focusing on their feelings as well as letting them know that it is normal to feel that way and even talking about the parent’s feelings in a similar situation lets the child know that they aren’t alone and this alleviates some of their anxiety. It is important to give individual attention to the child during this time and to acknowledge that there is a problem.
It is vital to deal with a child’s anxiety in the proper manner as it will help them at that time and even later on down the road. This should be done in the right manner and if that is now known, then perhaps a professional can help.
Depressive Disorder
Depressive disorder is as old as time. Job and King David, two prominent Bible figures, were said to have endured the affliction. It was referred to as melancholia by Hippocrates. Depression has also been alluded to in the arts and literature for centuries past. In the 19th century, depression was perceived as an innate flaw of character. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud associated depression to remorse and inner discord. Another author, John Cheever, who also admitted to having suffered depressive disorder, claimed that his affliction was influenced by quarrels and encounters with his parents.
In the 50s and 60s depression was categorized into two types, neurotic and endogenous depression. Neurotic or reactive depression was attributed to triggering factors such as loss of a loved one, loss of job or any major loss. While endogenous depression is considered coming from within the body, maybe of genetic origin or from other sources. In the 70s and 80s the focus on depression changed from its reason or origin to its effect on the distressed person. The arguments on depressive disorder can continue but, there are some points to which experts agree on, and these are:
• A depressive disorder is a set of symptoms that manifests a gloomy and/or ill-tempered mood surpassing ordinary misery or sorrow. The misery of depression is typified by a greater force and longer interval and by more relentless symptoms and functional immobilization than what is normal.
• The symptoms of depressive disorder are distinguished not only by pessimistic thinking, disposition and actions but also by certain changes in bodily functions such as weeping bouts, body pains, weariness or low energy as well as problems in sleeping, eating and weight. These changes are called neurovegetative signs, which means that the changes in the brain’s nervous system is causing physical symptoms resulting in a lower or raised activity level.
• Some people suffering from depressive disorder, particularly manic depression or bipolar depression could have inherited the susceptibility to the condition
• Depressive disorder has become a big public-health problem
• Young persons who suffer depressive disorder is in danger of developing obesity
• A study found out that depressive disorder could cause more problems to people suffering from hypertension, arthritis diabetes and chronic lung cancer and in some cases with coronary artery disease.
We All Know What Anxiety Feels Like
Being anxious about family problems, before a tough interview or a big sales and marketing presentation, having to speak publicly for the first time are quite normal. So is fretting about a first date or a difficult exam. Anxiety is the body’s normal reaction to risks, threats and dangers. But when anxieties and fears have become recurring and are already inhibiting you from living a normal and happy life then it may be a more serious condition than the typical or normal fretting and worrying. It could be signs of an anxiety disorder.
Signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder are not the same for everybody. Anxiety disorders are a collection of interrelated conditions and not a solitary complaint. One person may experience extreme anxiety attacks that hit without any warning, while somebody else will become unnerved at the thought of socializing at a party. Another may grapple with an immobilizing dread of driving or unmanageable, disturbing thoughts. Still someone else may live in an unremitting state of apprehension, fretting about anything and everything. Regardless of this difference in forms or types of anxiety attacks, all anxiety disorders share a foremost symptom, that of a relentless and intense fear or nervousness in circumstances where most people would not feel susceptible or endangered.
There are both emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety disorder in addition to the illogical and intense terror and worry. The emotional symptoms could be difficulty concentrating, being edgy and tense, bad temper, agitation, forever anticipating dangers or the worst and having a blank mind. Physical signs are profuse sweating, palpitations, stomach upset, diarrhea, muscle rigidity, fatigue, headaches and insomnia.
Most people suffering with anxiety disorder are prone to depression. Anxiety and depression are believed to come from the same biological susceptibility. This could be the explanation why anxiety and depression almost often go together. Because anxiety makes depression worse and vice versa, it is vital to try to find remedy for both conditions.
Anxiety Attacks or Panic Attacks
Anxiety Attacks or Panic Attacks
Most people experience anxiety attacks also know as panic attacks every now and then. Anxiety attacks are incidents of severe panic or fright. It can happen unexpectedly and without any forewarning. For some, anxiety attacks or panic attacks are set off by a palpable cause such as a strong earthquake, a traffic accident or being stuck in an elevator. Subsequent panic attacks could be cause by the thought of another such trigger. Panic attacks normally last only for a few minutes to about half an hour. But during that short period the feeling of fear is so intense that sometimes it promotes nausea, dizziness, stomach upset and even a feeling of totally being out of control. For some, the feeling is akin to having a heart attack. The physical manifestation of a panic attack is so alarming that you dread the thought of it happening again.
Even perfectly healthy and happy people may suffer an anxiety attack once or twice in their lives. It is the recurring anxiety attacks that come out of the blue and is a symptom of a more serious emotional disorder such as an anxiety disorder or even depressions that is rather threatening and require professional help.
There are effective treatments and coping mechanisms for anxiety attacks. What is important is to seek help and seek help fast. The goal of a treatment for anxiety attacks is to help the patient behave or function normally in their day – to- day life. This is achieved with medication and what is known as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Medications are vital components of the treatment for anxiety attacks. Once they are started it should not be stopped abruptly without consulting the doctor or the attending mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapies that are components of the treatment help the patients to :
• Understand and control misleading notions of the causes of stress in life
• Learn to identify and substitute anxiety – causing thoughts to decrease the sense of vulnerability
• Learn stress management and ways to relax that are needed when the signs of anxiety crop up
• Learn that minor concerns do not usually become big problems
Understanding Clinical Depression
Understanding Clinical Depression
Depression is a severe state of mind and body suffered by men and women, adults and adolescent. The pervasiveness of depression has dramatically increased in this century. Depression is now the number one disability in the US for women. It is characterized by deep sadness making the sufferer experience a loss of joy. It also brings about oppressive depressive notions that can adversely affect how they get on with their day, relate with others, and perform their tasks and responsibilities. A relentless depressed mood is most frequently attended by disagreeable physical symptoms such as headache, lower back pain, sleep disorder, fatigue and poor appetite.
Depression is a disease not a preference. People suffering from depression do not usually choose the condition for themselves. The choice is how to prevent and check depression. It is a condition that should not be taken lightly. A persistent, slight, or acute depression are signs of a serious disability. The cost to a person is deep distress and angst as well as physical pain.
There are more than a few types of and reasons for depression. Unrelenting depressive anguish usually ensues a loss of a loved one or a trauma, a pattern of worrying internal dialogues, or can happen without any reason. Depression is a condition of body and mind that affects people from all walks of life from the very rich to the very poor, from the top government officials to ordinary people in the streets.
Depression is not a simple single condition. This biological, psychological and social form of ailment is often accompanied by difficult and coexisting conditions such as fretfulness, being a perfectionist, and even substance abuse. Because of the various forms, complications, and causes of depression an all – encompassing, common formula to halt or stop the progress of depression will not work as a universal cure.
Understanding The Connection Between Serotonin And Depression
Understanding The Connection Between Serotonin And Depression
When it comes to depression, serotonin is usually a word that is not far behind. The connection between serotonin and depression is well understood, although there is probably more that still need to be figured out.
The importance of understanding this connection
Getting to know the story behind the relationship between serotonin has lead to dramatic insight into understanding the condition on a neurochemical level. It has made diagnosis and treatment that much easier, and has paved the way for an entire generation of antidepressant drugs.
Serotonin and depression
Serotonin is naturally present in the body to help cells grow healthily and is usually kept balanced. When this balance shifts it can start to affect your mood. When new brain cells cannot develop properly then depression can occur, according to neuroscientists. It was found that stress is a significant contributing factor when it comes to this.
Serotonin inspired medication
It was found that serotonin levels in depressed individuals are lower than in those who are not depressed. This meant that scientists had to come up with a way to increase the levels present in the bran where this chemical acts. Then came the antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This essentially stops serotonin from being removed from the area in the brain where it acts. This keeps levels up and helps reduce depression. It is also used for other problems like anxiety disorders.
Non-drug serotonin
There are ways of increasing serotonin levels by not using drugs. In terms of diet you can eat foods that have tryptophan in them. This is an essential amino acid that is used in the production of serotonin. Foods like this include milk, nuts, beans, fish, eggs, cheese and bananas. Exercise is also another great method that you can use in order to increase your serotonin levels.
Fish Oil For Treating Depression
So What Is All The Hype About Fish Oil For Treating Depression?
There are many different types of treatment for depression. Some work better than others while some are safer than others. The mainstay of treatment has been drugs of late, but these days more people are looking to healthier and more natural alternatives that will fit in with their lifestyles. Here is a look at the hype about fish oil for treating depression.
Fish oil for depression
Omega-3 is a very popular buzz word when it comes to vitamin and mineral supplements. It is important for the health of your brain both in terms of physical health and cognitive health. It has been found that people with depression are lacking these essential fatty acids. Studies have also shown that those lacking both omega 3 and 6 are placed at greater risk of depression.
Treating depression
Depression never has just one cause and it is important to treat them all. Fish oil will help to address one of these causes. Trials have been done where one group of depressed patients were given fish, and the other group was not. It showed that eating 2-3 portions of fish a week dramatically reduced feelings of depression. While you don’t have to eat fish every second day, you can start on the supplement, which will work just as well.
The problem
The problem with omega fatty acids is that people simply aren’t getting enough. They live off all sorts of junk food and instant microwave meals. These often have little to no nutrients in them, and are a far cry away from any hope of having omega 3. Added to that the healthier foods are often much more expensive than the unhealthy options so it is truly like being caught between a rock and a hard place. It will be a while before this changes.
How To Prevent Anxiety Dizziness
How To Prevent Anxiety Dizziness
Anxiety is a very real problem that affects millions of people all over the world for a number of different reasons. There are many various physical, psychological and emotional consequences that result from this. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms associated with anxiety. If you suffer from this the good news is that there are ways of how to prevent anxiety dizziness.
Understanding Dizziness
Dizziness means different things for different people. It may be the sensation that you are the world around you is spinning. For others it is the sense of feeling light-headed or the feeling that they are going to fall over. When you get anxious you get dizzy, and that very dizziness can result in more anxiety and consequently more dizziness. No matter what sense your dizziness is, it is not a pleasant thing to go through at all and it is important to learn how to cope with it.
Preventing Dizziness
The easiest way to deal with dizziness is to prevent it altogether. There are a number of ways in which you can
do this. The most important thing in this case is to watch what you eat. Try and cut down on sugar and any artificial sweetener. Try and get all your vitamins and minerals in through your food or take a multivitamin supplement if need be.
Coping with Dizziness
When your dizzy spells hit it is important to know how to deal with them properly. The first thing you need to do is sit down so that you don’t fall over. If hyperventilation was the cause of your dizziness then try and take deep breaths slowly. It also helps to focus on one point or object ahead of you to help stop the sensation of spinning. Remember that when you eventually get up that you should do so slowly.
The Main Reasons For Depression
The Main Reasons For Depression
There are very different beliefs as to what really causes depression. Some are understandable, while others are either far out or deny the existence of a such condition. Here is a closer look into the main reasons for depression.
Getting it straight
Before going through the various causes of depression it is important to understand just how serious this illness is. It affects millions of people around the world, including teenagers and children. If not picked up and treated early the consequences can be dire. Treatment is usually based on the cause, and since there are various causes there are also various treatment methods.
Biological
There are very real biological causes of depression. Studies have shown that there are imbalances in certain neurotransmitters. This is what the antidepressant drugs try to fix by blocking or stimulating certain neurotransmitters. Then there is the issue of family history. If you have a first degree relative with depression or mood disorder you are at increased risk of developing depression.
Psychological
People can be exposed to the same situations and not all of them will become depressed. This is where the mind comes in. There are a number of psychological aspects that increase your risk of getting depression. This includes a pessimistic personality, chronic and painful medical conditions, a personal history of depression, as well as other psychiatric disorders like anxiety disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse.
Environmental
If somebody has a genetic or biological predisposition to depression then any environmental stressor can push them over the edge and eventually result in a depressive disorder. This could happen as one big event or a culmination. The big event usually involves death of a loved one or injury, or stressful life changes like divorce or emigration. These are usually easy to pick up when compared to the combination events.
Signs of Acute Anxiety
Acute Anxiety Signs & Symptoms
Acute anxiety is a particular type of anxiety disorder that is noted for the panic attacks that people experience along with changes in their behavior. The panic attack may only last for a few minutes but they may also last for hours and when the individual is coming out of the attack, they may experience mood changes and become irritable. Many people have experienced at least one panic attack in their life but for those with a panic disorder, they experience many more than that and are usually triggered by specific things for each person. This condition generally starts in the individual sometime before their mid-twenties and is often caused by some sort of trauma such as an accident or illness. While more women suffer from acute anxiety, there are many men who also suffer from it as well. In America alone, almost two percent of the population is diagnosed with acute anxiety.
The panic attack is brought on by an intense fear or intense worry about something in particular for that individual. They may feel like they are losing control and have the urge to leave the place where they are. Someone sitting next to the person who may have a panic attack coming on may notice that the individual is short of breath or fidgeting. The individual who is suffering from the attack may have chest pain, having trouble catching their breath, feel dizzy and a number of other symptoms. This generally comes from the reaction of the sympathetic nervous system with the well-known ‘fight or flight’ response that is normal for when the body is in danger.
There are four general categories of symptoms for acute anxiety including physical, perceptual, emotional and mental. The first include those already mentioned plus sweating, stomach pains, exhaustion and a rapid pulse. The second includes tunnel vision or a dream-like reality. The third includes terror, fear and flashbacks, and the fourth includes a loss of control, extreme nervousness and hearing loud dialogue inside the mind. Anyone experiencing these attacks or that knows someone who does is urged to get professional assistance with the matter.
