Mental Health is a passion for me, in terms of helping people heal. I have many friends and family who are affected by Mental Illness and it is always a hard battle for both the sufferer and their loved ones watching them carry on. Most readers know that I am Shannon Chung, editor of the Alive Health Blog, but I wanted to let those who don’t know … that I wish to do what I can to help spread the awareness that there is nothing to be ashamed of if you are suffering from a Mental Illness. This blog has always had the intention of providing credible health information and I have always been available via email for any questions. I am also in the Oakridge location on Thursdays from 11:00 to 5:00pm. While this article does touch on products, it is not all about “buy this”. Our goal is not to just “sell products” but to create awareness of health and to put people first. Everyone must find the right treatment for them… we are all different, unique and that means that there sometimes is not a simple or quick solution.
Therefore I hope this article serves you well and I stand by our mission statement: “Changing the world through healthy living, by putting you first.”
Firstly I wanted to share the following article by FORBES entitled 5 Common Myths About Depression:
1. Depression is synonymous with sadness.
Many of Robin Williams’ acquaintances interviewed since his death have noted that they never saw him unhappy, yet he suffered from severe depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), many of those suffering from depression do feel overwhelming sadness, but many don’t feel any specific emotion at all. A better description would be a feeling of emptiness and apathy. And since anxiety often accompanies depression, many feel a constant state of tension that persists for no apparent reason.
2. Depression is a sign of mental weakness.
Part of the stigma surrounding depression is that others will see it as a sign of weakness. Yet we don’t accuse someone suffering from heart disease or MS of being weak; we rightly acknowledge those as illnesses that affect a wide range of people. Depression is also an illness—more specifically, it’s a complex medical disorder that has biological, psychological and social dimensions. Plenty of otherwise “strong†people suffer from severe depression, and the consequences of not treating it are just as real and tragic as those of other debilitating diseases. An illness that affects the chemistry of the brain and nervous system is no less an illness than one that affects any other part of the body.
3. Depression is always situational.
While depression often does have a situational trigger like the loss of a loved one or divorce, the underlying condition does not need any particular event to surface. Depression is typically diagnosed when someone suffers from prolonged episodes (at least two weeks) of hopelessness, emptiness and lethargy that have no apparent cause. These periods can manifest inexplicably, even when life events seem generally positive. (This is another reason why depression and sadness are not synonymous.)
4. Depression symptoms are all in your head.
While it’s true that many depression symptoms are of the nature we normally associate with the “head†(dark emotion, tension, etc.), the condition frequently manifests all over the body. Common depression symptoms include indigestion, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and general fatigue. Some patients also complain of persistent muscle aches.
5. If you are diagnosed with depression, you’ll be on antidepressants the rest of your life.
The ubiquity of antidepressant commercials and media coverage has had a backlash effect. Many people are fearful of being put on an antidepressant, even if they may benefit from one, because they think once you’re “hooked†you’ll never be able to stop. The reality is that not everyone benefits from antidepressants – by some estimates nearly 40% of those prescribed one will experience no benefits. Some people respond better to forms of psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or a combination of medication and therapy. Even someone who gets good results from an antidepressant can, with medical supervision, eventually taper off the med in many cases.
The bottom line: depression is a treatable illness. When left untreated, its effects can be devastating.
For more information, visit the NIMH, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Mental Health America, or this list of resources at WebMD.
You can find David DiSalvo on Twitter @neuronarrative and at his website The Daily Brain. His latest book is Brain Changer: How Harnessing Your Brain’s Power To Adapt Can Change Your Life.
Thank you FORBES.
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Globally more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Did you know that ANXIETY is one of the most prevalent mental health problems? Unfortunately, it is still under-reported, under-diagnosed and under-treated. Your health depends on a good night’s sleep and you simply cannot get it if you suffer from insomnia and anxiety. Don’t let anxiety hang around until tomorrow. Your natural solution is Alive GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric Acid) – referred to as the brain’s natural calming agent and helps to tem porarily promote relaxation. People who suffer from depression or anxiety are less productive at work, more irritable (even with friends and family) and cause much harm to themselves, that they cannot see. This is the most dangerous kind, that is why mental health is the silent killer. Benefits of Alive GABA 600mg:
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We hope that you will come and visit us at either Alive Health Centre, Morning Sun or Supplements Plus. Do not sit in silence; there are so many things you can do to better your health! Get excited and take charge of your health. Let’s work together, along with your doctor to ensure you are doing all you can to lead a happy and healthy life. Our team looks forward to helping you with what ever your health concerns are.