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Ways to Win Over Depression without Medications

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:14:30 +0100

One in 10 Americans take antidepressant prescriptions, federal government statistics say, quoting recent studies. Based on the data gathered by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between the year 2005 and 2008, the number of patients on antidepressants are twice as many as compared to the results they have gathered in 1996. In a recently released study conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it was reported that over 30million Americans take prescription antidepressants.

Pharmaceutical formulations meant for low moods, especially those belonging to the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), have well-known side effects. Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac have been the subject of controversy due to the many adverse events lodged before the US Food and Drug Administration. According to Dr. Gracelyn Guyol, author of the book entitled “ Healing Depression and Bipolar Disorder Without Medication,” around 50 percent of patients who use antidepressants say that they did not see improvements and half of them stopped using antidepressants due to the adverse effects they suffered. In effect, many health-conscious people are on the lookout of natural remedies for depression minus the medications.

Below are some natural ways to win over depression without medications.

Talk Therapy
Dr. Jeanne Segal, a psychologist and author of depression-related books, says that talk therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat depression. It helps the patient to see the root cause of depression in different perspectives. The therapist may also guide the patient with strategies that may keep the symptoms of depression from coming back.

Physical Activities
Exercise is one of the best natural remedies for depression. It may boost the release of hormones in the brain that could uplift the mood. It also generates oxygen in the brain which makes the brain more relaxed.

Avoid Stress
Stressful events or conditions may heighten depressive symptoms. Stay aware from things that may give you stress. Instead, find ways that would make you feel more relaxed. You can try to do yoga to relieve stress.

Light Theraphy
According to Dr. Erik Nelson, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati, “Regular exposure to sunlight helps keep your body’s internal clock functioning normally, including the release of hormones that affect mood.”

Eat Omega 3-rich Foods
Fish oil or other foods rich in omega 3 are found to be effective in alleviating mood. Barry Swanson, a food science professor at Washington State University in Pullman, says “omega-3 fatty acids help your brain produce [feel-good] neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine and they’re crucial for proper chemical signaling within and between nerve cells.”

Get Enough Sleep
Adults should at least get six to eight hours of sleep in a day. Sleep deprivation may affect brain functions, according to research studies.

St. John’s Wort
A flowering plant that is made a major ingredient in teas, tablet and extracts is one of the most studied supplements for treating depression. Studies conducted by the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States found that these supplements can be useful antidepressants to treat depression.

Depressed patients may try these less complicated ways to beat depression. It may free you from the hassle of having to go through a possible Paxil lawsuit. To read more about this, visit this site:

URL References:

livestrong.com/article/27941-overcome-depression-medication/
no1healthnews.com/depression/how-to-overcome-depression-without-medication.html
mental-health-matters.com/component/content/article/511?start=1
ivillage.com/20-surprising-things-can-trigger-depression/4-b-291159
usatoday.com/news/health/2009-08-03-antidepressants_N.htm

Shedding Light on Use of Antidepressants

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:20:26 +0100

The popularity of antidepressants has made it the number one prescribed medicine followed by antihypertensive medications, according to medical research. Doctors are puzzled of the increase use of antidepressants, and were marveling over whether it is due to the growing awareness or simply some sort of escape. Indeed, some medical practitioners even prescribe antidepressants for premenstrual syndrome even if they won’t alleviate the physical symptoms.

That more men and women are using antidepressants remains a startling statistic in relation to the increasing number of depressed people in the last 10 years. Some doctors think that it is a good sign, showing that more people acknowledge the fact that they have problems psychologically. There is indeed a change in the way people see mental illness and also a growing awareness of the signs and symptoms.

The result of recent studies has shown that 10 percent more of women today are using antidepressants than they were a decade ago. This is due to the vulnerability of women developing depression than men. While people taking antidepressants were not properly evaluated by a psychiatrist, they had asked their physician to prescribe one for them, research says. There are question about the validity of antidepressant use, whether it is just a result of the frequent ads that are seen by the patient or there is an actual need for it. Proper evaluation of a psychiatrist is often overlooked by people taking antidepressants after using it for a month.

Studies show that people taking antidepressants are at high risk for suicide during the first few weeks of usage. Antidepressants like Paxil even have a black box warning on their packaging which cautions people about the risk. Adults are not the only ones using antidepressants but also children. Because of the increased risk for suicide for ages below 24, the FDA has recommended that Paxil should only be used by ages 18 and up. The attending physician can still use it in children according to their own discretion.

New information about the effects of Paxil to the fetus when used during pregnancy has emerged from research. Although pharmaceutical companies try to market their antidepressants as safe to use even during pregnancy, studies have shown different results. Paxil birth defects are the side effects of using Paxil during the first three months of pregnancy. If it is used during the last three months, it may cause respiratory problems for the newborn baby and might even result to premature delivery.

URL References:

http://articles.cnn.com/2007-07-09/health/antidepressants_1_antidepressants-high-blood-pressure-drugs-psychotropic-drugs?_s=PM:HEALTH

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/healthcare/a/usmedicated.htm

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1978611/posts

Getting the Hang of Pregnancy

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:52:17 +0100

There can be many changes during pregnancy that the woman and the members of the family may encounter. Worries about the incoming baby may take its toll on the soon to be mother and the other members of the family. The woman may be worried before the delivery but after baby goes out the feeling of overwhelming joy can also envelop the whole family. All mothers only want the best for their baby. Having to see your baby alive and healthy after nine months of anticipating is priceless. Then again because of the stresses of pregnancy, some women may need antidepressants to get by the nine months. These antidepressants may have a pregnancy risk category that can determine the risks in taking a certain antidepressant. A recent study about the SSRI used during the first trimester by pregnant women is associated to increase risk of miscarriage especially with Paxil.

One of the leading antidepressants that are prescribed by physicians is Paxil and has a pregnancy risk category D. Medicines under this category are found to have relevant side effects on the fetus. It is tolerable to use medicines under this category when the risks are compensated by the benefits. Paxil usage presents many risks. Paxil side effects vary on the time when they are used. First trimester or using Paxil on the first three months will increase the risk of the women in losing the baby. The most common heart defect that the baby may have is Atrial or Ventricular Septal defect. This kind of defect indicates that there is a hole in the heart of the baby which might close on its own. Although some of the cases that has this defect has the tendency not to close on its own and would require surgery. The newborn may have side effects if Paxil is taken on the third trimester.

Other women who are pregnant consult a physician first to be able to know the options before settling with Paxil. Paxil birth defect lawyer are sought after by some people to have them look into their case.

URL References:

anxiety.emedtv.com/paxil/paxil-and-pregnancy.html

medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=57323

Depression During Pregnancy

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 20:02:24 +0100

For most women, pregnancy is portrayed as a time of great joy and one of the happiest moments of their lives. But according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or ACOG, between 14-23% of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Depression during pregnancy or antepartum depression, is a mood disorder that has similar symptoms and management as the clinical depression. Support groups, psychotherapy and antidepressants like Paxil are used to address antepartum depression. But the safety and long-term effects of antidepressant intake during pregnancy has been the subject of a number of debates. If antidepressants such as Paxil harm the baby and the mother, complaints against the manufacturer may be filed without having the mother disclose medical records.

Most women see the symptoms of antepartum depression as temporary moodiness that often accompanies pregnancy, leaving depression undiagnosed. Depressed woman feels sad or “blue” for 2 weeks or more. Symptoms like lack of interest, trouble sleeping, loss of energy, weight loss or gain not related to pregnancy, restlessness, thoughts or ideas about suicide may also be present.

After diagnosing depression, it is important that it is treated. When untreated, depression can have potential dangerous risks to the mother and the baby as well. It can lead to poor nutrition, drinking, smoking and suicidal behavior, which can then cause premature birth, low birth weight and developmental problems. Treatment options for depressed women include support groups, private psychotherapy, and medication. Talk therapies like the support groups and private psychotherapy, involves talking to a therapist, psychologist or social worker to learn how to divert thoughts, feelings and acts of depression.

Patient may be given antidepressants if talk therapy alone will not gain positive results. There are various antidepressants available in the market, one of which is Paxil or paroxetine. There are researches that show a possible link between antidepressants and birth defects such as pulmonary hypertension, heart problems and physical malformations. The US Food and Drug Administration recently announced that early research studies on Paxil suggest that drug intake during the 1st trimester of pregnancy may increase a woman’s risk of having a baby with birth defects, heart defects in particular. Health advisories were also released by the FDA warning pregnant women and those planning to get pregnant on the use of Paxil.

Depression is a possibility for all pregnant women and it may happen anytime within pregnancy. However, options are available to properly address the condition. It is important to talk to an obstetrician and mental health care provider in order to determine the appropriate action to take that will benefit both the mother and the baby. Discussion will also include side effects of antidepressants, like that of Paxil birth defects.

Depression Gets Effective Treatment from Paxil but May Not be Good During Pregnancy

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:35:02 +0100

Their association with a growing list of serious birth defects has brought forth the opinion that the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine) and other SSRIs are successful at treating depression, just not during pregnancy. Paxil, the brand name of Paroxetine, is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drug which works by increasing available levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin surrounding nerve cells in the brain, which helps boost mood thereby treating depression.

Pregnant women who are prone to depression or women planning to get pregnant should be cautious in taking antidepressants despite the fact that these drugs are the first line of treatment for most types of depression because of its ability to relieve symptoms and keep patients feeling their best. According to researchers, the belief that pregnancy hormones would protect women from depression is no longer true. The range of emotions that are triggered during pregnancy makes it difficult to cope with depression, however, depression is not exactly made worse by pregnancy.

Pregnant women is given a difficult choice to make in treating depression as they would have to choose between taking Paxil or other SSRIs for the sake of their mental health or at the risk of their babies’ health. Both mother and infant’s health could be jeopardized if depression during pregnancy is untreated. Premature birth, low birth weight, developmental problems and an increased risk of postpartum depression could be results of untreated pregnancy depression.

Taking the medication while pregnant could potentially harm the developing fetus, according to studies about Paxil and pregnancy. Some serious side effects dredged up by the studies are neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), septal heart defects, omphalocele, anencephaly and craniosynostosis are among the growing list. Because of its potential to cause harm to an unborn child as revealed in adverse reaction data from investigational studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified Paxil as a pregnancy category D drug.There have been reports of problems occurring during delivery such as difficulty in breathing, seizures, lack of oxygen in the blood, feeding difficulties, tremors, irritability and constant crying. Hospitalization, respiratory support and tube feeding may be needed by infants suffering the problems.

The increasing number of Paxil birth defects should warn doctors to only prescribe the medication if it outweighs the risk that it poses to the newborns. Alternative treatments beneficial to both mother and infant should be discussed by both doctor and patient.