| More than eleven million people in the | | | | assist in bringing focus and serenity. |
| United States suffer from depression | | | | Yoga and meditation are ideal forms of |
| each year. This medical condition that | | | | this. |
| affects the mind can have lasting | | | | Changing lifestyle to promote a better |
| effects such as a feeling of | | | | self image and naturally adjust |
| hopelessness, lack of ambition and an | | | | chemicals in the body has also proven |
| inability to focus. Depression can | | | | helpful. Eating a well balanced diet and |
| affect all age groups and genders, but | | | | adding supplements such as fish oil, |
| is more prevalent in women. Consulting a | | | | Zinc and B vitamins help regulate |
| mental help professional such as a | | | | depression. Exercising several times |
| psychiatrist is beneficial to obtain | | | | each week is also valuable. Alternate |
| proper diagnosis and treatment. This | | | | treatments such as acupuncture and |
| condition can adversely affect school, | | | | hypnosis may be beneficial to help |
| home life and employment. | | | | alleviate symptoms of depression and |
| Most treatments will involve a | | | | melds the body, mind and spirit. |
| combination of drug therapy and natural | | | | It is important to discuss all treatment |
| remedies for a fully balanced physical | | | | options with your physician or |
| and emotional state. Medications will | | | | psychiatrist to decide on the proper |
| likely involve some form of | | | | combinations. Each person has different |
| antidepressant drug. The most commonly | | | | levels of depression and a treatment |
| used types are: tricyclic, Monoamine | | | | plan should be customized to the |
| oxidase inhibitors or MAOI's, and | | | | individual. If using supplements or |
| selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors | | | | radically changing your diet; make sure |
| or SSRI's. SSRI's have become the most | | | | to inform the doctor so those can be |
| popular form for treating depression | | | | taken into consideration when developing |
| because of the lower risk of side | | | | a treatment plan. |
| effects. These drugs include names such | | | | Depression does not need to negatively |
| as Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft. | | | | affect a person's life. With proper |
| Therapy is often prescribed with drug | | | | treatment, many depressed people live |
| treatments to help a person come to | | | | full, happy, successful lives. It is |
| terms with issues, symptoms and | | | | important to take action to help |
| techniques for dealing with depression. | | | | minimize depressive tendencies in order |
| These can be group or individual therapy | | | | to allow a better sense of well being |
| sessions to talk about issues. | | | | and peace. Using a combination of drug |
| Expression therapy such as dance, art or | | | | therapies and natural remedies will |
| music can help articulate deep feelings | | | | bring a balance to mind, body and |
| and emotions. Relaxation techniques will | | | | spirit. |