How to Defeat Depression and Anxiety - Herbal Remedies for Depression
People get depressed for many reasons. The breakup of a relationship, the loss of a job, and other bumps and knocks in the road of life can make a mood shift from good to bad. For more than 18 million Americans who experience depression, the blues just don't go away.
If you and your doctor agree that your depression is mild, or even if you're being treated for chronic or severe depression, the following things may help.
Symptoms of depression
depressed mood
loss of interest
significant weight loss or gain
trouble sleeping or over-sleeping
restless feelings and inability to sit still or slow down
fatigue, loss of energy, or tired all the time
worthless or guilty feelings
impaired concentration and difficulty making decisions
recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Natural things you can do for depression
Learn more about depression and look for signs of wellness. Read books, listen to tapes, or watch videos. Education helps you realize that you're not alone and that the condition you have is really common.
The opposite of depression is expression, so express yourself. Release your feelings through art, music, or anything creative.
Get out of the house, try to walk at least 1 hour a day. Walks to your favorite places helps a lot.
Socialize - Get together with people to talk, laugh, and relax.
Laugh, Laugh, and Laugh again -- then Laugh some more. Watch a comedy show on television, see a funny movie, or catch a comedian on stage.
Take time to heal, be patient with yourself.
Stick to a schedule.
Get enough sleep, lack of sleep may cause depressive-like symptoms.
Be optimistic, even if you don't believe it at first.
Choose a balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), lean protein and some fat.
Get your B vitamins, Lack of B vitamins is sometimes associated with depressive symptoms, such as fatigue, poor concentration, or moodiness.
Foods that may help:
Oats - Oats provide the most important nutrients for neuron function.
Wheat Germ - Excellent source of nutrients for neurons.
Chickpea - Rich in B vitamins.
Almond - Invigorates the nerves and strengthens muscles.
Walnut - Rich in essential fatty acids.
Cashew - Rich in magnesium and vitamins B1 and B2, whose lack produces nervousness and irritability.
Avocado - These are rich in vitamins B6 and E, iron and fatty acids. They increase vitality in a natural and healthy manner.
Vitamins B6 - The lack of this vitamin leads to apathy and depression.
Vitamins B1 - When this is lacking the nervous system loses tone and emotional balance.
Vitamin C - Symptoms of lack of this vitamin is lethargy and lack of vitality.
Folates - Lack of this one leads to fatigue and depression.
Treatment with drug medication for depression
Lexapro is an oral drug that is used for treating depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, the chemical messengers that nerves use to communicate with one another. Neurotransmitters are made and released by nerves and then travel to other nearby nerves where they attach to receptors on the nerves. Some neurotransmitters that are released do not bind to receptors and are taken up by the nerves that produced them. This is referred to as "reuptake."
Side Effects: The most commonly-noted side effects associated with Lexapro are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), weight changes. Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction often occur as a result of depression itself, they also may be a consequence of the drugs used to treat depression. In particular, about one in 11 men given escitalopram report difficulties experiencing ejaculation.
herbs for depression and anxiety
MindSoothe is a remedy containing two natural remedies in one and is therefore excellent value for money!
1. Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort) has been scientifically shown to relieve the symptoms of depression if used regularly over a period of 3 - 5 weeks.
St John's Wort is often called 'Nature's Prozac' and is widely used as the anti-depressant of choice in many countries like Germany and in other parts of Europe.
There have been many clinical studies which show the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in the treatment of depression.
A review published in the British Medical Journal quotes up to twenty-three clinical trials which demonstrate that St. John's Wort works as well as many prescription anti-depressants, without the major side effects. Millions of people around the world have been helped by treatment with St. John's Wort.
Many clients say that it feels like 'the black cloud' has been lifted from their heads and that they have more zest for life!
2. The St. John's Wort in MindSoothe is combined with Passiflora - a calming herb that reduces anxiety and soothes frayed nerves.
According to Dr. Earl Mindell (The New Herb Bible), Passiflora is one of nature's best tranquilizers. It works quickly and effectively and is an excellent addition to any treatment for anxiety and depression.
MindSoothe has been specially formulated by a practicing clinical psychologist and has been safely and effectively prescribed to real people with real problems for years! For more information click the banner below.
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