The two sides of the depression coin in relationships need more than each other to stand. Support groups play an important part in hold the relationship in place. In plain talk, understanding has to come from both of you or it just isn’t going to work

The purpose of support groups with couples

You learn to understand your own problems through seeing them take place with other people. As you see and hear from them you learn more about yourself. The “Fresh Eyes” concept of problem solving is a staple of business management and should be in life management as well. Using the power of the support group will advance the solidarity of your own relationship.

A support group warning

Online support groups not only have a security problem but do not give you the personal connection that you need. A variable of depression is the feeling of being alone or detachment. Communicating through the Internet feeds into the loneliness or detachment. If you do use it there should be guidelines in place.

• Online support should not be your primary support

• Online support should not be used as a regular dependancy in your life

• Online support groups are best with people met offline in a support capacity

• Do not allow strangers to enter your support circle

• Never give out personal information and end contact if asked

In managing depression you have to learn to break the patterns. Alone in a room looking into a monitor while at a keyboard gives a false comfort. Reaching out to a physical person or group helps to break the pattern. Online support groups run the danger of extending the separation felt in another manner.

Technorati Tags: depression, Relationships, support

Men and Depression, we are exposed to this experience usually before we can understand it is a reality of life. Long before I would learn, teach , and setup my first depression awareness website (http://www.rncda.com) I would witness male depression due to divorce. In those days it was considered a taboo subject.

The view of one man’s divorce meltdown

My friend was always know as the most congenial care free guy. Not real the macho type but not exactly Mr. Weakknees either. Back then, the man who suffered a meltdown after divorce was considered more material for a sitcom then a real life event. “Chad” was a dead man walking. A disaster waiting to happen. Many of us didn’t understand or respect because “men don’t do those things” in the real world. The ridicule and refusal to understand that came in response didn’t help. Knowledge that he was seeking help didn’t gain him any respect either.

The view thirty years later

As I encounter all the time, it hasn’t changed much. Divorce depression is still considered the male dirty little secret. The myth of male depression is that male depression is a myth or abnormality. We are supposed to carry the torch of macho resiliency through thick and thin.

Acceptance

There are many different aspects of real life male depression out there. Acceptance can only come through exposure. Not just one on one exposure but seeing the subject in all forms of the media. While yes this site is about relationships and surviving depression. You have to accept that if depression is a result from a dissolved relationship it must be acknowledged and dealt with before the next.

An acceptance resource

I am constantly on the prowl for tools to put in my depression toolbox. This little gem of a podcast-Men and Depression after Divorce - The Divorce 101 Show #7- host by Carol B. Ellis popped up. I recommend this episode for both men and women. The male depression myth beliefs are not just gender specific. They are a part of the society fabric we seek to unravel.

<a href=”http://technorati.com/claim/xmbj3cpiai” rel=”me”>Technorati Profile</a>

Technorati Tags: depression, divorce, men and depression, Relationships

Also please visit

Rich Naran’s Depression Awareness

When depression strikes it makes it had to continue surviving and dealing with relationships. In my Myspace blog and on my podcasts I’ve been talking about possibilities. First in MySpace blog, The R Word, you and I looked into seeing beyond the box of possibilities. At The Rich Naran Podcast we saw together how to form our perspective about possibilities. Then I showed you how easy it is for you and I to change our perspectives about possibilities. Along with that at Inside The Rich Naran Creativity Studio we not only saw how possibility and creativity are linked but you and I saw how we can use creativity to change our perspective of possibilities. Now I want you to understand that depression does not limit possibilities. I want you to understand that depression offers you new possibilities.

Depression and possibilities?

At first it seems absurd. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Once you develop an awareness that depression is present you open up a whole new box of possibilities. Right now, you probably thinking. Sure, what they’re not good possibilities. Once again, nothing could be more wrong. In fact, many of the possibilities are more positive than you would ever realize. Two possibilities that come immediately to mind are actually more of an opportunity. One such possibility is to learn about our power of self. The second of such possibilities is to learn about the strength and meaning of our relationships as key to their surviving through depression.

Where it all begins.

It all begins with developing depression awareness. The awareness does not begin with the person who has depression. The awareness begins and ends with each person involved in all relationships, revolving around the person that suffers depression. Keep in mind, the most important part of depression awareness does not revolve erratically around the person suffers the illness. The process is all about a person and their most intimate relationships.

The vital step two.

As I said depression awareness is only a beginning. Awareness is essential because it means a breakthrough. You acknowledge that the depression problem is present. What is so important about the next step is that it determines the future of both your power of self and the strength and meaning of your relationships. Step two in itself is a four level process. Simply, vital step two is developing an understanding of depression.

The levels of understanding depression.

While we must be aware of each level of understanding needed, we must know that each step is is an important part of the whole. To eliminate one step is to make the other two steps unbalanced. You can think of this as like building a tripod with only two legs. It is just not going to stand up on its own. In order to understand oppression, you need to understand the role of each level of depression.

The levels of understanding depression

What is depression

How the person who suffers is affected

Those who care about the one suffering are affected

Depression is not about the me, but about you and I and the relationship

Understanding and possibilities.

Once you have learned and accepted each level of understanding, you then open up the the box of possibilities. From there you have the power of turning this from the darkness of a Pandora’s box to the colorful possibilities offered to you by a box of crayons. The knowledge that understanding is the link between depression and possibilities is to understand that only you can make that connection. That connection is the key to the relationship surviving through depression

Duration : 22 min 50 sec

Technorati Tags: depression

Panic attack…it can occur anytime. It’s like being put inside a wash dryer. Your heart starts racing; you are short of breath and worst case scenario – you feel like you are about to die. If you have experienced it before then you’ll recognise the symptoms about to be discussed in this article.

So what is the cause of panic attack? That’s a question many have tried to answer in the past and many views have been put forward. Hereditary traits are a common denominator but not conclusive. Stress factors are considered contributory and biochemical elements likewise. But as far as nailing down a single, common cause, well, researchers are still working on that.

Did You Know?

There is a strong correlation between panic attack sufferers and other mental health conditions. For example, people who experience panic attack symptoms can also be affected by bouts of depression, agoraphobia,as well as social phobia.

The Symptoms

The scariest part of panic attack is it seems to strike with the precision of stealth. As a public broadcaster, I’m well aware of the pressures of broadcasting to a live audience. It has affected me twice during my life so in relative terms I can count myself a little fortunate. The scariest moment of my life came midway during the broadcast of a live sports event in the mid 1990’s and what happened at the time is a little difficult to describe in words. Let’s just say I coped as best I could but if you could imagine standing in front of a live audience and “sailing” through a presentation with great ease one minute, then within 60 seconds feeling like someone has cut off your oxygen supply. Twelve years later, I’m happy to say it’s never happened again but I pose the question why; and what’s up with that?

If you experience symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweats, hyperventilation, chills, hot flashes and chest pain then the chances are pretty good you are experiencing an attack. Not to mention dizziness, trembling, tightness in the throat area and a real sense that you are going to die. In the US alone, the number of emergency patients who check in convinced they are having a heart attack and upon diagnosis are told everything is okay is staggering.

Cause Of Panic Attack

Again, the question has to be asked… what is the cause? Apart from some possible reasons mentioned earlier, it’s still a baffling mystery for researchers. There isn’t a magic pill prescribed that will prevent it from happening again.

The human body is an amazing piece of machinery. It’s ability to sense danger or dangerous situations is fascinating. Many researchers believe that this instinct; the body’s natural fight and reactionary response to danger can give us some of the clues in why panic attack occurs. It’s something akin to being 50 yards from shore at your favorite beach with not another soul around. Suddenly your thought process turns to the possibility of sharks. Within seconds, an intense fear begins to grip you and you head for shore. There may not have been any sharks in the area but the fear was real.

Is There Treatment Available?

While there is no treatment that will cure panic attack for extreme sufferers, there are some effective medication treatments available. Antidepressant medications are extremely effective in most cases and should be discussed with your physician.

Therapy sessions with either a psychiatrist or psychologist are also recommended, particularly for chronic sufferers and at worst, will help you understand your condition which in the end, can only help you cope with it better in the future. However it affects you in your life, don’t do nothing, which sadly, is what the majority will do.

In today’s fast paced environment, many people are under a lot
of stress. Women are even more susceptible to the strains of
everyday life. Some are single mothers that work full time jobs
and then come home and care for their baby. They are over
worked, underpaid and under extreme stress.

Many women go to their family doctors complaining about
headaches, lack of sleep and mood swings. The doctor will calmly
explain to them that they have stress problems, and to take a
few days off, and then prescribe them a drug to alleviate the
symptoms.

While the drugs may work in the short term, it doesn’t treat the
root problems. When you stop taking the drug, the stress will
still be present. And who has the time to put their feet up and
relax, especially if you have a toddler causing mayhem at home?

So what are the alternatives?

Well there are many and we will explore a few of them in this
article, but the first thing you have to do is figure out the
cause of your stress. Stress can be caused by many things. What
is stressful to one person can be joyful for the next. For
instance, speaking in public can cause some people a lot of
anxiety, but to some it is a joy.

Once you have located the reasons for your stress try to think
of ways to alleviate it. Here are some more helpful tricks and
tips for managing stress levels without the use of drugs.

Take a Deep Breath: The reason why stress causes headaches in a
lot of cases is because when a person is under significant
stress they will tend to breath shallowly, or hold their breath
without even realizing it. Your muscles then get a lack of
oxygen and you cramp up in such places like your neck and
abdomen and you get a headache. Sometimes it just makes you feel
uptight.

If you feel a headache coming on, or you feel uptight, stop and
check your breathing. Take a few minutes to rest and take deep
breaths through your nose and out through your mouth.

Talk to People: Being lonely is a terrible thing, and this can
cause stress all by itself. Try joining a club or something you
enjoy that will connect you to other people. Sometimes just
talking and having fun can do wonders for your stress problems.

Regular Exercise: It has been scientifically proven that
exercise helps relieve stress. Try joining a gym, or just going
for a walk each night. You will boost your energy level making
it easier to cope with the stress of daily life.

Managing Time: Nothing causes stress like being late for an
appointment. Avoid this unnecessary stress by planning your day.
Insure that you have enough time to get to all of your
appointments. Maybe invest in a day planner.

Body Break: Your mind and body are one. Make sure that you eat
proper nutritious meals, and sleep well at night. Avoid excess
sugar and caffeine. These foods will give you a temporary high,
but will cause you to crash later. A body that is properly
maintained will be better able to cope with stress.

Avoid The Use of Illegal Drugs: Many people turn to alcohol and
drugs to relieve their stress. While it may seem that these
things are helping with your stress they are really harming you.
Not only are they wrecking your body, but they are only a
temporary fix. When you wake up in the morning, the problem that
you were trying to escape will still be there.

Change Your Surroundings: Make sure that you are as comfortable
as possible. If your chair at work is causing your back to hurt,
change it. If your bed is causing backache and lack of sleep,
change it. Why put your mind and body under stress that can be
easily avoided.

Go to Your Happy Place: Try daydreaming for a minute if you feel
stressed out. Imagine a sunny beach, or a quiet cottage. Imagine
the tastes and sounds. A few minutes of imagined vacation can do
wonders for your mental outlook, and relieve stress.

These are just a few techniques that will help you cope with
your stress levels. Try concentrating on the positive aspects of
your life, and not the negative. Without some stress life would
be boring, but too much of anything can kill you.

Celexa is an antidepressant used to treat clinical depression in patients. It is prescribed as a “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor” used to balance serotonin in the brain, providing relief from depression.

While Celexa can be effective, this medication is under alert by the FDA when combined with Triptan medications. Be sure your doctor knows all medications you are on, and do not stop this medication without your doctor as you could have possible serious side effects.

The FDA has issued an alert as of July 7Th 2006 Celexa is potentially life threatening when taken with Triptan Medications. A life threatening condition called “Serotonin Syndrome” can occur when medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like for example Celexa and medications used to treat migrain headaches known ad 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists, in other words, (triptans) are combined with Celexa. Before taking Celexa and triptan together, speak with your Doctor.

Some of the signs and symptoms of “Serotonin Syndrome” can include the following… restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, rapid heartbeat, increase in body temperature, quick changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, coma, nausea and vomiting. The above side effects are more likely to occur while first starting or increasing medication.

Another alert issued at the same time, in regards to Celexa, pertains to persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) within infants. Studies conducted on pregnant mothers taking Celexas showed the possibility of infants being born with this condition. This condition creates a problem with the lungs and the heart in which the blood flows abnormally, creating a deficit of oxygen within the body of the newborn. Through these studies it showed that mothers five months pregnant or more, taking Celexa or any SSRI, for that matter, had six times the risk of developing PPHN than those mothers who did not take any sort of antidepressant while pregnant.

This information reflects FDA’s current analysis of data available to FDA concerning this drug. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information or analysis become available.

Patients at risk should not take Celexa or if you are taking another medication to treat depression, called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) and or if you have recently stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking Celexa in a close time frame such as 14 days of taking MAOI medications can result in serious and even fatal reactions, such as high body temperature and coma seizures (convulsions).

MAOI medications do include (phenlezine sulfate), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate), Marplan (isocarboxazid) and other brands.

As you can see above there are some serious risks involved with Celexa. This is not a complete list of possible side effects or serious conditions that can occur while taking Celexa. Check with your doctor for further information regarding it’s uses, benefit, possible risks involved in your patient care with Celexa.

Disclaimer – The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Celexa.

Imagery is a powerful stress management technique for creating deep relaxation. Through the use of imagination you mentally create a scene of calm and tranquility to break free of the noise, stress and pressure of everyday life. The more intensely you picture the situation the more relaxed you become. The idea is to involve as many as your senses as you can to make the scene as real as you can. When you consciously use your imagination in this way it has a direct impact on your physical world.

You see, stress is a symptom of the countless impressions, ideas and thoughts we willingly accept into our lives without examination or consideration. Whether it be from the home, the office or our social environment, the physical symptoms of stress are the results of this past ‘acceptance’ and can only be undone when we consciously take control. Instead of being passive recipients of the mind’s activity we learn to direct it consciously. One way of doing this is through mental imagery.

Imagery helps us learn how to consciously direct the mind. It goes much deeper than a temporary relaxation method because we are beginning to exercise our mental muscles. Just try and sit for ten minutes and create a tranquil scene. You will most likely find that it’s not an easy process. All kinds of different thoughts will come into your head and it will be difficult to hold onto the scene for more than a few seconds, never mind a full ten minutes. This is because our mental muscles have grown weak! We allow external forces to influence our lives and we lose our way. Often, we end up coping with stress in an inappropriate way to get some short term relief. In the long term this only makes things worse and is not the way to inner peace.

Imagine how life would be if we could consciously direct our minds at will? If we could block unwanted thoughts and only use the mind for necessary tasks. Would we not then become masters of our mind and in control of our own destiny?

It is difficult to maintain balance when we are not in control. This is why the symptoms of stress including amongst other things burnout, anxiety, anger and depression, eventually manifest themselves in our physical being in the form of disease. A life out of balance leads to dis-ease!

It should be clear then that to achieve a natural balance we must regain control of our mind. Imagery, as a stress management technique is one of many things we can do to help us achieve that control. The effectiveness of this technique is only limited by the degree to which we practice it. Not only will we experience the immediate calming effect of the exercise but the lasting effect of control over our environment.

When we make a conscious effort to use imagery on a regular basis we begin to take control of the mind. Over time we are able to choose the thoughts we entertain at any given moment. When we begin to master the mind we become increasingly self-aware. With self-awareness comes balance, and stress becomes a thing of the past.

“The Change” - Menopause happens to every woman and is a part of the natural aging process. Estrogen and progesterone production slows down and menstruation ends.

Menopause is not an illness or a disorder, but a natural biological transition. The signs and symptoms of menopause vary widely for each woman and can typically occur between the ages of 42 and 56. Some women experience very mild symptoms while some women suffer more. Some of the symptoms include:

* weight gain
* depression
* hot flashes
* mood swings
* night sweats
* insomnia
* fatigue
* joint pain
* short-term memory problems
* urinary tract infections
* itchy skin
* dry eyes
* vaginal dryness
* bowel upset

While you can’t stop the symptoms from actually occurring, there are a number of remedies to help ease the discomfort. Hormone therapy (HT) has been widely used in recent decades to relieve the signs and symptoms of menopause and - doctors thought - to prevent diseases associated with aging. However, new long-term evidence has demonstrated that HT may actually increase the risk of serious health conditions, such as heart disease, breast cancer and stroke.

Many women are seeking safer alternative treatments for menopause. Herbal supplements with components that are similar to the estrogen found in a woman’s body are leading the way. Herbal supplements generally have no side effects and can bring relief for the multitude of symptoms associated with menopause.

There are several excellent products on the market that are specially formulated for menopausal symptoms. Native Remedies has developed several formulas to help women ease discomfort of their specific symptoms. It is very important for women going through the menopause transition to eat healthy and exercise.

Menopause is not the end of life, but a new stage of life. Many woman worry they will not enjoy sex after menopause but many women discover a renewed or even redoubled libido after the menopause.

It is important to remember that women can and do enjoy active and fulfilling sex lives throughout their menopausal years.