depression and anxiety

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Q: Why is anxiety and depression an epidemic compared to 40 years ago?
Why do you think depression, anxiety and mental health problems have grown to be an epidemic? What do you think would help slow the progression of mental health problems? Do you think mental health problems are genitic, situational, environmental, or is it due to a chemical imbalance? When a person becomes depressed; do you think it is because our brain stops producing certain chemicals or does our brain produce a chemical that aggravates depression/anxiety? Why is it when we feel anxious, our bodies react in strange ways such as pounding heart, dizzyness, can’t breath, and intestinal problems?

A: Why do you think depression, anxiety and mental health problems have grown to be an epidemic? What do you think would help slow the progression of mental health problems? I think we just talk about them more than we used to. However, there are some social changes that may lead to anxiety; family structure isn’t what it used to be, people feel more isolated, etc. Maybe having a stronger sense of family and being part of a group of people who care about you, people you can talk comfortably with about anything.

Do you think mental health problems are genitic, situational, environmental, or is it due to a chemical imbalance? It can be any of those; it’s generally considered a “chemical imbalance”, but that could be triggered by genetic, situational factors, physical disease or head injury, or any combination of these.

When a person becomes depressed; do you think it is because our brain stops producing certain chemicals or does our brain produce a chemical that aggravates depression/anxiety? At least some of the time, yes. More often the brain still produces them, but they break down too quickly before they do what they are supposed to do. No one is absolutely sure why that happens in some people and not others.

Why is it when we feel anxious, our bodies react in strange ways such as pounding heart, dizzyness, can’t breath, and intestinal problems? The autonomic nervous system controls mood, anxiety, digestion, sex, etc. I think it’s a kind of imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. It might have been there to help our prehistoric ancestors get away from an enemy or something but maybe the purpose of this isn’t as practical in modern times. Kind of left over instincts for survival that are no longer applicable. (Just an idea.)

Q: What are some natural ways to treat depression and anxiety?
I have been living with extreme depression for years. In 2007 I experienced my first bout of panic attacks and anxiety developed as well as hypochondria. I won’t take western medication unless I absolutely have to. So instead I look more towards natural methods of healing. What are some ways to help control and prevent depression, anxiety, panic attacks and especially hypochondria? Advice, personal experience and links are welcome! Thanks!

A: I lived with depression for decades, tried different kinds of anti-depressants, but nothing seemed to work until I tried St. John’s wort. I’m still upset that no doctor thought to try it in that time, it’s usually the first thing tried in Europe rather than expensive medication.

I wasn’t expecting anything at all, but the effects were immediate and dramatic. I had been living with depression for so long, I didn’t remember what not being depressed was like. I remember thinking, “So this is what anti-depressants are supposed to do.”

I also take Valerian root and melatonin for sleep and depression and fish oil which promotes brain function and has tons of positive physical effects. At the same time, I quit using vegetable oil and margarine, switched to canola or olive oil and real butter.

Q: I have gone through anxiety and depression and stress. How do i stop worrying so much?
I started all this as a nine year old. I am now 12 and still worried. Now i have insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress. I get really worried about puking how can i stop being afraid?

A: I’d recommend firmly telling (not gently asking) your parents about these problems and ask them (not demand) if you can see a therapist to help you with these problems. If you can’t tell your parents, you can tell a guidance counselor at school. They’re required by law to be discreet (upon request), as long as you aren’t self-harming or suicidal.

Q: How do I find inexpensive therapy for depression/anxiety?
I really need to lessen my feelings of depression and anxiety but I’m really tight on money and can’t afford to pay a psychologist for private sessions. Is there some other way?

I have an aunt and uncle who are both psychologists but I’m very hesitant to ask them for help because I don’t feel comfortable sharing this with family or friends for that matter. I don’t know if it is worth it to ask them or not? What other options are out there?

A: Depression – caused by chemical imbalances of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and other important neurotranmitters in the brain which balance emotions is a serious issue. Psychologists state that depression is a unhealthy state which we ‘can’ work through in order to experience greater levels of happiness. Some who daily experience deep chronic depression may require both prescribed medication along with ‘Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy {M.B.C.T.’) provided by Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapists and there are some who experience chronic-but not deeply chronic depression who work well with M.B.C.T. alone. *Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD along with Psychologists Mark Williams, John Teasdale, and Zindel Segal have authored an Excellent self-help book called: “The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness”. Mindfulness, a simple yet powerful way of paying attention to your most difficult emotions and life experiences, can help you break the cycle of chronic unhappiness once and for all, that you may experience greater levels of happiness. In ‘The Mindful Way through Depression’, it is explained why our usual attempts to “think” our way out of a bad mood or “just snap out of it” leads us deeper into the downward spiral of depression. Through very insightful lessons-drawn from both Mindfulness and Cognitive Therapy – Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD and Psychologists- Mark Williams, John Teasdale, and Zindel Segal demonstrate how to sidestep the negative habits that lead to unhappiness and despair, including self-blame and rumination so you can effectively face life’s challenges with much resilience.

Q: Anyone know of any herbs that actually work for depression, anxiety, and insomnia?
My friend takes remeron for anxiety depression and insomnia. He wants to stop taking it and go with natural remedies. Does anyone know of anything that works just as well as prescription meds? Any personal experiences? Please only answer if you are sure the herbs actually work for these 3 things

A: I think you should consult your own medical practitioner before embarking on any program that affects your health and well being.
My personal experience:
-Depression
Persistent depression is a serious disorder and you should see your doctor for treatment. In the meantime you might like to try a Licorice tea. Simply add some to any of your favorite herbal teas. Using up to approximately 3 cups of tea a day or more or ingesting larger amounts can produce headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention, loss of potassium and high blood pressure. At least eight Licorice compounds are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors which are compounds capable of potent antidepressant action.

-Insomnia
Lemon Balm is a sedative as well as a stomach soother. Try a tea made with two to four teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water

-Anxiety
Chamomile
The total list of benefit and treatments for Camomile is huge. Just a few come to mind, insomnia, anxiety, menopausal depression, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, colic, aches and pains of ‘flu, migraine, neuralgia, teething, vertigo, motion sickness, conjunctivitis, inflamed skin. This may seem too good to be true, but it reflects the wide range of actions in the body.

Q: How many Acupunture Sessions will I need before I am cured of Depression & Anxiety?
I am currently undergoing Acupuncture treatment for Depression & Anxiety. The Treatment is going ok, I seem to be really good then really bad, but have a lot of faith in Chinese Medicine so am bareing with it. I have currently had 6 sessions and have been great after some but bad after others. Can anybody advise how many treatments I will need to stabilize my moods, and to be free from Depression & Anxiety?

A: As things are getting better you should continue for at least another 6 sessions and then assess if you have improved even further; if you have then carry on, if your not it maybe that your accupunturist isnt the best and maybe you should consider seeing a different one.

Definately ask your current accupunturist about how much longer they think you may need.

From the sounds of things it seems to be helping you, if you have been depressed for a long time it may take quite a while for you moods to fully stabalise and you may continue to experiance mood swings for a while but this is just you body sorting itself out so dont worry.

The good news is that once your 100% well you probably wont relapse, especially if you have a ‘top up’ session every 6months or so after you finish your current treatment.

Please dont give up the treatment, chinese medicine is very powerful and much safer than conventional western treatments and more effective in the long run; so dont believe the sceptics who dont accept scientifically tested fact.

I wish you very success and hope you feel better soon. I had accupunture for a similar problem and it does work – just have faith

Q: What medications for depression/anxiety will not make you put on weight?
Help! I have been struggling with horrible anxiety and depression, and I know I will have to get back on meds to help myself. However, I’m afraid of putting on weight after working so hard at getting the pounds off from being on Zoloft a couple of years ago. Any suggestions of which medications can work without the weight gain?

A: Wellbutrin (buproprion hydrochloride) is very effective and is known best for not causing weight gain or sexual dysfunction. Wellbutrin is dopemigenic and does not affect your serotonin (the neurotransmitter that effects appetite and labido). Zoloft and all serotogenic antidepressants will cause weight gain and sexual dysfunction.

Wellbutrin is a derivative of diethylproprion, which is a stimulant like substance. Some people don’t react well to it and get the shakes and feel speedy from it, however, these side effects usually go away within a week.

If you decide to go with Wellbutrin, I’ve had success taking the extended release tab (Wellbutrin XL) once daily in the morning, so it won’t effect your sleep. I started on 150mg for 2 weeks and then bumped up to 300mg daily.

Ultimately, it’s your Dr’s call on whether or not you should take this drug based on your mental history. It would be a good idea for you to do some more research and discuss it with your Dr and decide together if it’s the right drug for you.

Effexor is another antidepressant that won’t make you gain weight. However, Effexor is hit or miss, it either works really well or it doesn’t and it comes with a high risk for dependancy making it difficult to stop taking. Another thing you can talk to your Dr. about.

Good luck

Q: Can anyone recommend an aromatherapy recipe for depression / anxiety via essential oils?
I just got a diffuser / a basic set of oils and would like to learn a few recipes to use for both depression and anxiety. If you have any recipes that have worked for you, I would appreciate them. Thank you.

A: For depression: any citrus, geranium, juniper
For anxiety: ylang-ylang, lavender, chamomile, bergamot

Q: Has anyone experienced depression and anxiety after taking a decongestant, specifically Bromfed PD?
My daughter who is 15 has been suffering from depression, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, confusion and lossof appetite after the doctor doubled her dose of Bromfed PD which is a decongestant and antihistamine.

A: not so much the depression (this can be just a side effet of feeling so terrible from everything else ) but decongestants definitely can cause, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, confusion in people, especially those succeptible…i myself have anxiety and stay away from decongestants or any stimulants of any kind and decongestants are stimulants, its pseudoephedrine
as for the loss of appetite, if she is feeling this way, its no wonder she doesnt want to eat

Q: What is a typical day like for those of you who deal with depression/anxiety?
I’m just curious. I have minor social anxiety and it’s really starting to get in the way of my personal life. I was just wondering how others here with depression and/or anxiety make it through their days.

A: i just got diagnosed with depression a few days ago. i also experience a lot of anxiety. my day is pretty normal. i’m a stay at home mom so i usually just take care of my kids but when things go bad or i think they will go bad i worry a lot and it makes me very sad. sometimes i think about things so much that i feel like i’m losing control and i think about dying. i just started taking antidepressants hopefully they will help. the one thing that helps me is to just stop thinking about the things that make me worry. i just sometimes need a dose of reality and realize that i can’t control everything some things are just out of my hands. the thought of my kids not having a mother and what they will go through without me is what keeps me going. they are truley the ones that make me happy. so you just have to think about that one thing that will keep you going. good luck.

Q: What is the difference between regular depression/anxiety and borderline personality disorder?
What is the difference between regular depression/anxiety and borderline personality disorder?

A: This is a great question. Some of the similarities are sadness, irritability, and mood swings but i would say that borderline personality disorder is much more severe because of the following:

frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
very unstable relationships (love-hate)
Unstable identity- they change according to the people they are around so others will like them
Suicidal behavior is very common
They are very impulsive- they will do things without thinking, often stealing or having random sex.

Hope that helps!

Dr. S.

Q: How is binging related to depression, anxiety and/or stress?
I am on the lowest dose of fulvoxamine (anti-anxiety/anti-depression/anti-OCD med) for my anxiety and depression.

But I still get moments of depression (although not as bad).

Also, I tend to binge once a week and then feel disgusting after.

Are these things linked? Although at the moment I don’t feel like binging is related to my stress, could it be even though I don’t feel it?

A: No one knows for sure what causes binge eating disorder. Researchers are looking at the following factors that may affect binge eating:

Depression. As many as half of all people with binge eating disorder are depressed or have been depressed in the past.
Dieting. Some people binge after skipping meals, not eating enough food each day, or avoiding certain kinds of food.
Coping skills. Studies suggest that people with binge eating may have trouble handling some of their emotions. Many people who are binge eaters say that being angry, sad, bored, worried, or stressed can cause them to binge eat.
Biology. Researchers are looking into how brain chemicals and metabolism (the way the body uses calories) affect binge eating disorder. Research also suggests that genes may be involved in binge eating, since the disorder often occurs in several members of the same family.
Certain behaviors and emotional problems are more common in people with binge eating disorder. These include abusing alcohol, acting quickly without thinking (impulsive behavior), and not feeling in charge of themselves.

What are the health consequences of binge eating disorder?
People with binge eating disorder are usually very upset by their binge eating and may become depressed. Research has shown that people with binge eating disorder report more health problems, stress, trouble sleeping, and suicidal thoughts than people without an eating disorder. People with binge eating disorder often feel badly about themselves and may miss work, school, or social activities to binge eat.

Q: How depression & anxiety affect sleep, eating and money matters? What solutions beside medicine are available?
I want to know how depression or anxiety affects people sleeping pattern (especially narcolepsy), eating habits (over-eating) and money matters, like impulsive shopper or addicted to shopping. What treatments are available besides medications. I want to treat the cause and not just the symptoms, but would also like any information on dealing with the symptoms.

A: Depression and anxiety can hurt you in a big way. Your more vulnerable to diseases, weight gain, loss of energy, and premature death. The best treatment with depression is exercise and exposure to positive people. Nothing else comes close. There was a test done with Zoloft and exercise. Exercise alone helped depressed subjects more than zoloft. When exercising your brain creates some kind of hormone (don’t know the details) that actually gets you a natural high. That’s why some people actually get addicted to exercise (not saying it’s a bad thing). So exercise makes you happy. And get those negative people out of your life. They’re parasites feeding off of you. Surround yourself with those positive people in your life.

Q: What are some good websites for depression/anxiety?
I have had depression/anxiety as long as I can remember. I’m now 27, just lost a job on the first day because I kept having panic attacks, and have now sunk into a deep depression. I have an appointment with a therapist in a few days and my other doctor has put me on Wellbutrin (on top of xanax and zoloft). I need some more support. Does anyone know any good websites?

A: There may be a support group in your area that has been very helpful to me. It is called DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance).

Q: What benefits do pets have for people with depression, anxiety, etc?
Do pets/animals have benefits for people with depression, anxiety, and stuff like that?

is there an actual study?
What is your personal opinion?

A: My opinion is that pets can help.
I believe that may be one of the reasons therapy dogs exist, to help with that.
Something about the presence of an animal calms people down.
That’s why dentists, doctors, etc often have fish in their offices, it helps keep people calm.

Dang, I read something about this, I read it a few years back and saw something on TV about it…
It think petting a dog was supposed to lower either your heart rate, your blood pressure, or something likewise.

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