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When it comes to the type of person that depression and/or social anxiety disorder affects, no one is ruled out. Age, sex, social class, race…there is no steadfast rule. It is, however, a fact that women are two times more likely to suffer a depression. Of course, men are succeptable to depression but, statistically speaking, it’s the opposite sex that may experience the most terrible effects of depression.

Sadly, 1 in 4 women are diagnosed with depression. When you really think about it, that is a very disturbing number. For most women, depression coincides with “that time of the month.” A hormonal imbalance is often the cause. And many women never realize that they’ve gone through a change unless someone else brings it to their attention.

Hormonal causes aside, depression in women can be the result of other body triggers. For example, a trigger can be pregancy or perhaps a miscarriage. In addition to the changes that these events demand of a women’s body, there are psychological effects that can cause depression. Losing someone (or something) that you love dearly can be extremely detrimental.

Any sort of trauma in your life has the power to lead to depression. A common occurance in situations like these is that the woman at risk will shy away from friends and family. Isolation becomes the norm. Does this describe anyone you know? Please reach out to her and offer the help that she deserves—even if that help means getting her to a doctor.

Do you know how women deal with depression? It varys across the board. Some women actually look for help from their family and friends, and are able to find the answers they need to be happy again. Others prefer to see a professional therapist. Sometimes talking about your issues with someone who deals with other sufferers daily is the only way. And then there are some who cannot find solice in either one of these options, in which case there is a third: medication. By seeing a medical professional as opposed to a therapist, many women are able to finally claim victory over their depression.

Are you depressed? Does seeking medical or professional help frighten you? Please ask a someone you love to accompany you. Taking that first step is never easy but you’ll be glad that you did in the end. Just ease yourself into the time you spend with the professional and be open to the possibility of taking medication. We all need help in life and by getting from the people you love you are saying that you have the strength to be happy.

Seasonal Depression also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Winter Blues is a common type of depression that can have a major impact on our lives. Luckily, this type of depression can be treated with Vitamin D Supplementation. Before we get into the treatment methods involved, lets take a look at who it effects, why and common symptoms of seasonal depression.

Seasonal Depression occurs mostly in the late fall and winter months when daylight savings time is implemented. People most affected by SAD live up North and on the East Coast. With long work hours and shortened daylight hours during November, December, January, February and March, many hard working individuals wake up early in the morning to darkness while returning home later in the day when dusk is setting in. That loss of daylight during the week can wreak havoc on ones mental and physical health. SAD is most common in young adult women from the ages of 26-40 years old but can be seen in men of any age as well. It is said that 6 out of 100 people may experience the winter blues. If you multiply that by the total population, you will see that this is a serious issue.

Here are a few symptoms of SAD: Depressed mood, Fatigue and Loss of Energy, Poor Concentration, Feelings of Worthlessness, Unexplained Weight Gain, Sleeping more than usual, Cravings for Sugar and Starchy Foods, Irritability and Recurrent thoughts of Death and Suicide.

Luckily, we can easily treat seasonal depression with Vitamin D Supplementation. Believe it or not, the sun supplies our bodies with Vitamin D. When our skin absorbs ultraviolet rays (UV) from the sun, it triggers a mechanism in our bodies to make its own Vitamin D. This synthesis happens automatically when our skin is exposed to the sun. Without sun exposure, we’re unable to produce vitamin D and must acquire it from other sources. To combat this loss of Vitamin D production in our bodies, you can ingest Vitamin D and Omega-3 Oil rich foods such as Cod Fish, Salmon and Tuna Fish. Milk is a great source of Vitamin D and has many other health benefits as well. Some people do not like to eat fish or have allergic reactions from it, so this is where Vitamin D and Omega-3 Oil supplementation will help. You can purchase these supplements at your local drug store, vitamin shop or supermarket..

These are the recommended daily doses of Vitamin D set by the FDA:

Ages 14-50 = 200 IU

Ages 51-70 = 400 IU

Ages 71 + = 600 IU

Although Vitamin D Supplementation can inhibit the effects of Seasonal Depression, it’s not the only method used to fight this disorder. Light Therapy, also know as Phototherapy, is a proven method in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder. Light Therapy uses full spectrum bulbs that mimic the suns natural UV rays. This artificial light source can make up for the loss of natural sunlight.

If you stick to a diet rich in Vitamin D food and use vitamin supplements to reach your recommended daily allowance, you will see a big improvement in your quest to fight Seasonal Depression.

If you’ve been suffering from recurring anxiety attacks, chances are that you may have put off seeking help for yourself. At the outset, many otherwise perfectly healthy people feel that there is something horribly wrong with them when they experience their first few panic attacks. But nothing could be further from the truth; panic or anxiety is experienced by everyone to some extent and help for chronic attacks are readily available.

Your first step should be to see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she is going to want to run a variety of medical tests to rule out any underlying medical condition causing the attacks. Your doctor will want to have a frank and honest discussion about your personal life, potentially stressful situations you may be experiencing and of course to rule out mental health issues such as depression as a cause.

There are numerous anti-anxiety medications available that your physician may prescribe to help you prevent the attacks that have proven to be very effective. Your caregiver may recommend you for counseling or therapy in cases where he or she has identified a specific phobia causing the attacks. Both methods, whether used together or separately are very effective.

There are also things you can do yourself, such as learning good breathing and meditation techniques to help you cope with an anxiety attack in progress. Eating healthy foods, getting plenty of rest, exercising regularly and avoiding stressful situations will help ward off incidents of panic as well. Reducing consumption of caffeine and alcohol is another preventative measure.

If you take over the counter medications, be sure to let your doctor know as some products containing decongestants and herbal remedies like Ma huang and ephedra are known to trigger anxiety attacks. Steroids, hormones, high blood pressure medicines and other prescribe medications also contribute to panic attacks. This is why it’s so important to obtain help from a medical professional rather than rely on home remedies or unqualified advice.

You may also want to consider discussing what you’re experiencing with your spouse, family or close friends. Having a good support system in place will help you to cope and may also help you to minimize your exposure to needlessly stressful situations. While experiencing anxiety attacks can be disheartening, you should feel better knowing that qualified help is available for whenever you choose to pursue it.

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Chronic illness, loss of family members and friends, social isolation, and financial worries all contribute to late-life depression. Though depression is one of the most common psychological disorders among those over 60 - affecting up to 15 percent of the population over 60 years of age - it is not a normal part of aging. To bolster your resilience, here are a few suggestions that can help you.

1. Brew Up Herbal Relief

One herb, hypericin has been found to cause significant reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Several of its constituents all contribute, perhaps, synergistically to the increase in compounds that relieve depression. To try it, it is recommended using tinctures, or evening primrose infusions, in which the flowering tops have been steeped. Or use just plain old teas. Suggests steeping one to two teaspoons of the dried herb in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes and drinking one or two cups of the tea daily for four to six weeks.

2. Try Dйjа Vu All Over Again

One terrific antidote for the blues is doing an activity you used to enjoy but have not participated in for many years. Bowling, camping, fly-fishing, and other long-dormant hobbies can spark fond memories that will actually uplift your spirits. But if you just sit at home, none of these positive things are going to occur.

3. Try Seafood

Eating tuna, salmon, and other fish loaded with omega-3, a type of polyunsaturated fat, may help bolster your mood. The low levels of omega-3 in your nervous system may increase your vulnerability to depression. So regular consumption of fish once or twice a week may prevent the blues. Lobster, crab, shrimp, and other shellfish also contain some omega-3.

4. Keep Yourself Busy

If you keep yourself absorbed in gardening, woodworking, traveling, and other projects, it will prevent you from dwelling on whatever is making you feel unhappy. Write down a list of goals you want to accomplish in the next week or month and dive into them. Always have something to look forward to, and you will be less susceptible to the blues.

5. Try Writing

If you are uncomfortable talking about your depression with others or have no one whom you can share your thoughts with, write down your feelings in a journal. Writing will help you organize your thoughts and provide an outlet for your feelings that can help you organize your thoughts and provide an outlet for your feelings that can help dissolve unpleasant emotions. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes daily to jot down your thoughts, feelings, and observations about life.

6. Exercise Regularly

Regular aerobic exercise like walking, swimming, and dancing increases the production of mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, that can help pull you out of a funk. Try exercising for at least 20 minutes a day three times a week.

7. Share Your Feelings

Share your feelings with one or two close friends or relatives. More than likely, you have helped them through many upheavals in the past, and if you allow it, they will let you lean on them for emotional support for a while now. This does not mean you are asking them to solve the problem for you. It simply means you are asking them to listen, allow you to get things off your chest, and be supportive.

Imagine yourself sitting in a room full of your peers at work during a meeting. Out of nowhere you feel a sudden pressure on your chest and your throat starts to tighten. You feel weak, almost faint, while your breathing becomes forced and labored.

Alarmed and confused, your mind races with the possibilities. What is happening to me? Is it a heart attack? Stroke?

While your mind wrestles with the possibilities you are overcome with a deep sense of dread and fear. You start to sweat and your heart beat accelerates. Your rapidly drying throat makes swallowing difficult. As you reach for your water bottle you notice, to your dismay, it’s already empty.

You start to scan the room around you looking for the nearest exit. You feel as if everyone is staring at you. You have to get out… fast!

Welcome to America’s burgeoning secret mental illness -

Panic Attacks.

Panic attacks are a by-product of our rising anxiety levels over issues such as money, job insecurity, and rent or mortgage payments. When our overall stress levels increase we worry and lose sleep elevating our risk for anxiety and panic attacks.

Chances are if you haven’t experienced a panic attack yourself you know somebody who has. Or do you?

Studies show approximately 6 million American adults suffer from panic disorder1 - which is defined as a reoccurring pattern of panic attacks that last at least a month. Panic disorder becomes classified as a mental illness when the condition causes enough distress to reduce ones ability to function socially, occupationally, or psychologically.

What that statistic doesn’t show however are the millions of additional people who suffer quietly; entrapped in their own anxious prison. The truth is panic attacks and panic disorder are a secret hell to many people too reluctant, embarrassed, or ashamed to admit it.

Panic sufferers commonly build defensive walls around themselves in an effort to insulate and protect their own delicate environment. They try to hide the problem from family members, co-workers, friends, and even themselves. This can lead to social withdrawal, avoidance, and agoraphobia - a condition in which the individual avoids places or circumstances for fear of panic attacks. If left untreated, these walls can close in to the point where the only perceived safe sanctuary is one’s own home.

In some cases people are afraid to admit to panic disorder for fear of losing their job. For example a cop or fireman who’s ability to remain calm under fire is a matter of life or death. Or an airline pilot who’s responsible for the lives of dozens of people every day.

For others, their panic attack secrecy is a much more personal matter such as a victim of abuse or a veteran returned home from a war. Statistically, women are twice as likely as men to develop panic disorder. A study recently published in the Archives Of General Psychiatry even suggested a link between panic attacks in postmenopausal women and heart disease. That’s scary stuff.

Panic sufferers reluctant to discuss their problem or seek treatment are much more at risk for other problems such as depression, drug abuse, or alcoholism. Most are simply looking for a private coping mechanism to get them through the day.

So why is panic disorder increasing in our country? Do you really need to ask? Look at the way we live.

Americans work more hours and take less time off every year than any other country in the world. Many of us jam as many daily activities as humanly possible into both our personal and professional lives. We arm ourselves with electronic gadgets and gizmos designed to simplify our lives but end up only exacerbating our stressful multitasking madness. Case in point: text messaging while driving.

Even when we do take time off to vacation rarely do we act like the carefree couple in the Corona commercials. The BlackBerry, laptop, and cellphone usually take the trip with us and are among the first items unpacked. I doubt many Americans emulate the Corona guy and skip their buzzing pagers into the Pacific.

But it’s not just our technologically-enhanced busy lives that are increasing anxiety and panic. Some of us are unfortunate enough to inherit the disorder. Because of the relative secrecy of panic disorder, many sufferers don’t learn of a family history until well after the fact. Let’s face it - it’s not exactly a family topic freely discussed by grampa during Thanksgiving dinner is it?

For every panic disorder victim there are many other people who develop situational panic attacks that cause anxiety in certain situations such as crowded places or fear of stepping onto an airplane or elevator.

Fact is panic disorder is one of the most treatable of all the anxiety disorders. When panic sufferers finally do admit a problem exists and seek out treatment many are amazed when several friends, family, or co-workers step forward to admit to having the exact same problem. It’s more common than you think. Shhhhhhh… spread the word.

References:

1. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27.