Find All About Depression Cycle Break

Bringing a new baby into the world should be one of life’s most precious experiences. Unfortunately, for mothers affected by Postpartum depression, what follows may feel more like a nightmare. You brought home a “bundle of joy” but didn’t anticipate the distressing feelings you are now experiencing.

Pregnancy and childbirth are attenuated by physical and psychological stresses that can affect not only a woman’s body but also her mental health. These factors can result in either the baby blues, which, it is estimated affects up to 70% of new mothers, Postpartum depression, that occurs in one in 10 cases or, in the worst scenario, an even more troubling disorder called postpartum psychosis (where the mother is at risk of harming either herself or her infant). Thankfully, this third category is rare.

Depression has many faces and each woman’s experience will be different; however, emotional well being and physical functioning will be compromised. Trying to focus and remember or attempting to make decisions may be difficult. Lack of energy and motivation can be accompanied by irritability and restlessness, feeling agitated and anxious. A mother suffering from Postpartum depression may believe she’s facing an uphill battle, feeling ashamed and guilt-ridden, isolated by feelings she has little control over. She may feel terrible sadness and suffer from uncontrollable crying spells, then feeling overwhelmed, withdraw from friends and family. In addition, physical problems may be distressing and hard to cope with. Appetite and sleep problems may interfere with functioning and contribute to fatigue and exhaustion, accompanied by hyperventilation, heart palpitations (skipping or rapid beats), and chest pains. Imagine trying to grapple with all of the foregoing and then attempting to meet your child’s emotional needs!

Childbirth affects a woman’s body in particular ways. Chemical changes have taken place during and after pregnancy. Hormonal changes may have led to chemical imbalances in the brain. Because Postpartum depression can seriously impact on daily life, family relationships, and more importantly, on a mother’s precious relationship with her infant, it is imperative that treatment is sought.

Treatment will be focused on relieving symptoms and correcting imbalances, and different treatment options are available. Conventional methods will employ talk and group therapies, helpful in gaining an understanding about how and why you have been affected. These aid in changing thinking patterns and in developing effective coping strategies. Antidepressant medication may be administered in conjunction with cognitive and behavioral approaches to relieve symptoms of Postpartum depression. Nursing mothers may be concerned about substances they take into their bodies and possible transmission that may prove harmful to their infant. Research indicates that psychotropic medications are secreted into breast milk; however, adverse effects in infants appear to be relatively low. If you have concerns, these should be discussed with your doctor.

For those interested in exploring other treatment options for Postpartum depression, natural remedies offer safe and effective alternatives. Natural supplements include herbal extracts such as black cohosh and chaste tree berry which may relieve irritability and sleep disturbances, vertigo and headaches, heart palpitations, anxiety, and depression. Essential minerals like calcium and magnesium help alleviate physical and emotional stress. Valerian is well known for its effectiveness in helping to reduce anxiety and sleep disorders. It has been used for mood disorders, including depression. Chamomile aids digestion and reduces anxiety. Natural supplements include beneficial vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, specialty supplements and additional herbal extracts. All of these ingredients provide potent and effective relief.

With the options available today, mothers and their babies don’t have to suffer the effects of Postpartum depression. Each person is different and will choose a treatment they feel is of the most benefit.

Natural supplements provide a flexible, safe, and effective alternative when Postpartum depression impacts your functioning, your relationships, and your well being.

Natural remedies are gaining in popularity as a viable treatment option and can be turned to when seeking treatment for Postpartum depression.

If you are suffering the effects of Postpartum depression, you don't have to go it alone. With the help and hope that modern treatments provide, you'll find that your "new arrival" really is a bundle of joy!

Depression is more than a gloomy and terrifying disorder; it can be lethal. Therefore, anyone with moderate to severe depression requires vigorous treatment immediately. There are many different depression medications. These same antidepressants can also help treat panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and attention deficit disorder.

Depression has been linked to a shortage of any one of four different neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine or epinephrine. Depression medications are designed to correct neurotransmitter shortages by increasing the body’s supply of one or more of these important brain chemicals.


There are three main classes of depression medications:


-Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

increase brain norepinephrine levels. From the 1960s through the 1980s, TCAs were the first line treatment for major depression in the U.S. – Today however, TCAs are generally used as the second or third line therapies. Side effects from this depression medication include dry mouth, sleepiness, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (scarring or thickening of deep lung tissue), weight gain, blurred vision, constipation, fast or irregular heartbeat, bladder weakness, tremors, and dizziness. Brand name drugs in this class are Tofranil, Desipramine, Doxepin, and Elavil.


- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO)

Is an enzyme that breaks down three important neurotransmitters. Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. MAOIs have been largely replaced by SSRIs, although many patients with major depression who do not respond to TCAs improve with MAOIs. Depressed patients with specific symptoms like sleeping too much, over-eating for long periods of time, rejection sensitivity, and panic attacks, may get the best results with MAOIs. MAOIs are also effective treatments for panic disorder and bipolar depression. Side effects from this depression medication includes tremors, edema, dizziness, constipation, sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, increased blood pressure, and fast or irregular heartbeat. Brand name drugs in this class are, Parnate, Nardil, and Marphan.


- Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Are the newest of the three main classes of depression medications. They prevent the reabsorption of serotonin from the synapse where neighboring brain cells communicate. SSRIs are the current depression medication of choice because of their limited side effects, although they may cause insomnia, agitation, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Brand name drugs in this class are, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro.

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that taking a pill is the easy way out. While a medication may take away symptoms of a disease – it does not cure the problem, and often creates a completely new array of side effects. It is important to discover the root of the problem and treat it in a way that can bring lasting relief. In attacking depression, lifestyle measures should be your first line of defense.

Herbs or depression medications should be a last line of defense.

Don't get confused with all the terminology.Here are a few definitions and explanations that will simplify it:


ANXIETY:
A feeling of fear or worry with no reason. You cannot be anxious about something. You can be worried or fearful of something.

PHOBIA:
Is an over valued fear. It may be irrational but not completely illogical.


PANIC:
Anxiety on steroids. It is more than a feeling. It is anxiety accompanied by bodily reactions such as sweating, increased heart rate.

SADNESS:
A feeling of loss sadness is very similar to mourning. Sadness can be a loss of something that you never had. It may be realization that you will not get what you wanted.

DEPRESSION:
Is prolonged unexplained sadness. Depression exhibits itself in the way that you feel, think and think.

MILD DEPRESSION:
Depression where you can still function. Essentially we are seeing a diminution in quality of life. This condition is often called Dysthymia.

SEVERE DEPRESSION:
Depression with a diminution of functioning. We are no longer discussing just quality of life. There are objective changes in the way that you behave with friends, family or work [or its equivalent].

EMOTIONS:
A composition of the way that you think and feel. Emotions are a reaction to a specific event.

MOODS
When an emotion exist after the event has terminated you are in a mood. Your mood will effect your emotions.

WHEN DOES A MOOD BECOME DEPRESSION?
When you cannot change your mood by changing your actions or environment.

COPING
Is the way that you behave to reduce stress.

COPING SKILLS
Are the admixture of experience and coping styles.

COPING STYLES
Are the way that you think feel and act in given situations. Often you are unaware of your thoughts. You may well make assumptions that are inappropriate. Over forty five percent of the population feels that they would like to improve the way that they cope.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF BEING DEPRESSED?
Over twenty percent of the population will suffer from depression in their lifetime.

HOW LONG AND OFTEN CAN YOU BE DEPRESSED?
Depression can take months to pass. It will re-occur on average three times.

WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES?
a. Drug [Medication] Therapy: Drug therapy should always be offered if a person is severely depressed

b. Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a effective as drug therapy in treating mid depression. The most used, recommended form of psychotherapy is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy[CBT] .

c. Coaching, Online Self-Help: Is designed specifically to change coping skills and coping styles. CBT can be offered effectively as Online Self-Help. It is now enhanced by Online one on one meetings. Coaching is CBT presented in a ‘teaching format’.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE?
a. Severe depression: You should make medications your first choice. On feeling better and well enough improve your coping skills and styles to prevent a relapse.

b. Mild depression: If you believe in medications then use them. If you do not, then use psychotherapy. On feeling better and well enough improve your coping skills and styles to prevent a relapse.

c. Moods: You should be either using psychotherapy or improve your coping styles and skills.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
a. Medications: There are side effects. They are bearable. They appear at the beginning of therapy and get less. You will start feeling the effect of medication after a few days. You will feel the full effect after a few weeks. You need to take the medication for six months. You should cease medication under supervision. Otherwise there may be side effects. On ceasing medication you are prone to relapse.

b. Psychotherapy: The effects are more immediate. Sadness tends to diminish. Quality of life increases. The chances of relapse are lessened.

c. Online Self-Help, Coaching: An almost immediate increase in feeling of coping. Quality of life will quickly start to improve as moods lessen. This method is specifically designed to increase quality of life and prevent relapse.

Depression signifies a great time of deep transition. If you are depressed, it is natural to want the pain to end. However, consider the idea that perhaps your pain is necessary. You feel the heartache, the loneliness, the despair of your life. For a while, perhaps your pain needs to run its course. It may just be a natural outcome of wanting to evolve and live your life differently, but at the same time being terrified, uncertain, and grieving for what you must let go in order to move forward.

At some point during your depression you will arrive at a decision making point. You can decide to release certain beliefs, adopt new ways of believing, and move forward with the new experiences your life will bring. Alternatively, you could decide to remain in your suffering for a long time. A third choice exists and that is to end your life as a way of ending the painful conflict. There is no right choice to make. It is your life and you must choose what feels right for you, not only in your mind and emotions, but also in your heart and soul.