Wednesday, August 18, 2010

What diet you should opt during depression?

Depression is a medical condition which stops a human being from leading a normal life. It affects the physical and mental health of a person. One of the important depression symptoms is weight loss and sleeplessness. So the diet during depression is a major concern which can improve the physical condition of the depressed person to some extent. It is rightly said that food and mood are related with each other. For a depressed man, proper diet plays a vital role in reducing the level of his depression.

Food to avoid: The depressed man should avoid sugar, sucrose, coffee, caffeine, milk or milk products, excess intake of junk food, processed food, cigarette, alcohol, meat, fish, and eggs

Food to eat: One of the major causes of depression is poor nutrition or mal-nutrition. So a healthy diet is very much necessary for the depressed person. He/she should take a diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, beta-carotene and proteins. Studies have revealed that during depression free radicals of the brain are damaged. So a depressed person should take food which is high in antioxidants as antioxidants reduce the destructive power of free radicals.

Vegetables and fruits, rich in carbohydrates are good for every human being. This is the same for the depressed persons. Minimum amount of Cholesterol and fat should be taken which depends on the physical condition and the behavior of the person.

Food which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids is very healthy for depressed persons. Chia, walnuts, fish oils are prescribed for this purpose.

Brown rice, wheat germ, potato, broccoli, peppers, whole grain oats, cabbage, blueberries, strawberries, margarine, tomatoes etc. should be taken regularly. All these are rich in vitamins which fight and reduce the effects of free radicals.

Soya beans and soy products, seeds, cereals, yogurt, peas, which are enriched in protein are very good diet. Protein food should be taken again and again which will help the depressed man to boost up his/ her energy level and thus refresh himself/ herself.

As depression is a medical condition, it can affect any individual- a child, a teenager, a youth or an adult. Doctors prescribe medical treatment and dietary changes that would improve the mental outlook of the depressed person. For example, antidepressants are prescribed for teen depression. But more than medicines, the depressed person needs love and care from the near and dear ones.

Treatment of depression in men

Depression is a serious disease which can be experienced by both men and women. Although women are more likely to suffer from depression, the number of men falling prey to this disease is also increasing. For example, a recent study has revealed that every year almost 6 million men in the United States of America are affected by depression or depressive disorder.

One of the main causes of depression in men is their concern about their position in the family and the society. In the modern age women have become more conscious about their self-esteem. The stepping of women outside their home is something which cannot be accepted by many men. So this is an important factor in male depression.

A depressed man can be a manager, a corporate executive, an engineer, a professor, a teenager etc. Depression can affect a man irrespective of his age and profession. Some of the prominent depression symptoms in men are:

Men feel inferior to the women regarding their social status and financial capabilities.
Men will face sleeping disorders like sleeplessness.
They will face some serious problems or illness like frustration, marital discords, sadness, anger, failures and agitation. In such circumstances, they will easily get affected. This will gradually lead him to the more serious illness called depression.
Many a time, a depressed man is aware of his disease but is not willing to visit the doctor. But this is not at all acceptable. Every depressed man should go for a medical checkup. Because depression is a mental condition and its recovery lies in medical treatment. First of all the man should change his lifestyle and his way of thinking. While in depression, men tend to look at things in a pessimistic way. So he should be given enough importance and made to think positively.

Some of the common depression treatment or treatments of depression in men are as follows:

One of the basic and essential treatments for depression is counseling. Visiting a counselor or a psychiatrist will definitely prove beneficial.
Antidepressants, a medicinal drug is very effective.
A healthy diet rich in vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, beta-carotene is essential for a depressed man.
He should learn some skills like stress management skills, relationship skills etc.
He should avoid drinking and smoking.
He should always be guided and supported by his family members and close friends.

Visit http://www.thecorrect.com/questions-about-depression.html for Treatment of depression in men

How Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects a person?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the common childhood disorder. It continues through adolescence and adulthood. Depression symptoms are difficulty in controlling behavior, hyperactivity and staying focused on given activity or paying attention. Impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity are the behaviors related to attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
It is normal for children to be hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive but for children with attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, these behaviors are severe and occur often.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is diagnosed as a psychiatric disorder in children affecting nearly about 3% to 5% children worldwide and diagnosed in 2 to 16 aged children. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can affect some certain areas of brain, which allows planning ahead; understanding other’s actions, impulse control and problem solving. ADHD affects 5% to 15% of school aged children occurring frequently in boys as compared to girls. Depression persists into adulthood in several cases. Incapability to integrate in social academic settings is a pattern, which is seen in people with the history of ADHD. A person with ADHD in childhood can have academic problems because the condition affects the ability of a person to concentrate as well as focus on tasks, because they are not able to organize their work and their studies. Children with ADHD also try to distract other children.

People with ADHD are particularly sensitive to sensory stimuli like touch, visual cues and noise. They can be over stimulated with ease leading to changes in behavior, which includes aggressiveness. Several people think that ADHD and ADD are two different conditions. However; they are in fact two names for the similar condition. During pregnancy or after birth, some factors can damage the brain as well as alter its function. After birth the development of some infectious diseases, which affect brain tissue and the way brain sends signals contributes to the symptoms connected with ADHD.

Should one take antidepressants in depression?

Antidepressants are medicines used to help people come out of depression. Antidepressant drugs are not contented pills. They are not a panacea. They are prescription drugs, which come with advantages and risks. It must be taken only under supervision of a doctor. But, they are other depression treatment options available. Taking medications for depression is not a sign of weakness.

Many antidepressants work by slowing removal of some chemicals from brain. These chemicals are known as Neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and serotonin. Neurotransmitters are required for normal brain function and are involved in the mood control and other functions and responses like sleep, pain, thinking and eating.

Antidepressants help people with depression by making natural chemicals making available to brain. By restoring chemical balance of brain, antidepressants help to relieve the depression symptoms. Antidepressants drugs specially help to reduce extreme hopelessness, lack of interest in life and sadness, which are typical in people with depression. These drugs also used for the treatment of other conditions like premenstrual syndrome, eating disorders and chronic pain. Usually, antidepressants are taken for four to six months. It few cases, patients and their doctors decide that antidepressants are needed for a long time. If you have severe depression, which is interfering with your capability to function, medication is best for you.

For adults with depression, there is strong evidence that antidepressants are effective enough as compared to other treatment options. When depression is moderate, psychotherapy is sufficient. In this case, even short-term antidepressant drug treatment also helps people in getting to the point where they are able to engage in therapy and exercise. Antidepressants also used to for obsessive compulsive disorders, chronic pain, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and severe anxiety. Learning the facts about antidepressants as well as weighing the advantages against the risks helps you make an informed and personal decision about whether medication is right for you or not.