Familie Kontoret

Depression in men is as common as depression in women. It is a serious but treatable medical condition and as I mentioned before it is a brain disease that affects both men and women. Traditionally it is assumed that depression is a disease that affects women rather than men. But the real fact is that men suffer from depression just as often as women but they are less likely to ask for help. Contrary to the myth, depression is a treatable disease and it is better to seek help at the initial stages itself.

Depression in men: Silent sufferer

At this stage it is important for us to understand why men are less likely to ask help if they are suffering from depression. Actually the situation for men becomes bad because of the way they think about themselves as well as the way the society thinks about them. Men more often position themselves in the society as competitive, powerful and successful even if they are undergoing great personal turmoil which is affecting their psychological health. The reason for this behaviour comes from the traditional thinking in the society which does not approve of fragile or vulnerable men who talk about their feelings and emotions. In this kind of scenario men tend to feel that they should rely on themselves and therefore they are less likely to discuss their problems with their friends, loved ones or their Doctors.

Depression in men: Rejection by the partner

The irony of the situation is that this traditional view of how men should be “always tough and self-reliant” is also held by some women. It has been seen in many cases where when men own up their depression they actually get rejected by their partners. This is a great tragedy. Women need to pause and think about the scenario on what would happen if the situation gets reversed. In normal situations it has been seen that Men don’t leave their depressed partners to fend for themselves. Medical professionals also get caught in this web of hiding the facts because of the traditional views prevalent in the society. They may not diagnose depression in men when they should. This avoidance of the medical problem boomerangs in a later stage with serious consequences.

Depression in Men: Treatable disease

We need to accept the fact that depression has to be diagnosed and treated no matter if you are a woman or man and society should accept the reality that men are as prone to depression as women. Whether you’re a company executive, a construction worker, a writer, a police officer, or a student; whether you are rich or poor; surrounded by loved ones or alone; you are not immune to depression. Some factors, however, such as family history, undue stress, the loss of a loved one, or serious illnesses can make you more vulnerable to depression. The good news is that depression is treatable but if it is left untreated, it can lead to personal, family, and financial difficulties. With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, however, most people recover. The darkness disappears, hope for the future returns, and energy and interest in life becomes stronger than ever. The biggest requirement for a person who is suffering from depression is acceptance of the disease and the biggest help that the family and the society can do is to stand solidly with the patient and create necessary environment for rapid and speedy recovery.

Depression in Men: Signs and symptoms of Depression

We have to understand that signs and symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms; some people suffer many. The severity of symptoms can again vary among individuals and also over time. Still we can generalize and make an outline of the various signs and symptoms that may be seen in a person in isolation or in combination. These signs and symptoms are

1. Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or “empty” mood
2. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
3. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
4. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
5. Losing interest in familial and social relationships
6. Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
7. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
8. Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
9. Appetite and/or weight changes i.e. weight loss and loss of appetite or the opposite
10. Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
11. Restlessness, irritability
12. Persistent physical symptoms like weight loss, loss of appetite
13. loss of sex drive, lapses in personal hygiene such as not bathing or shaving as regularly

The above mentioned are the various signs and symptoms of depression which may manifest as behavioural changes noticed by other people who interact with a depressed person. Other people may feel that

1. The person is performing less well at work
2. The person is unusually quiet, unable to talk about things
3. The person is worrying about things more than usual and he is more irritable than usual
4. The person is complaining more about vague physical problems

Apart from this we need to study and analyze the following below mentioned topics to understand depression in men and initiate necessary remedial methods

1. Types of Depression
2. Treatment for Depression
3. Getting help from multiple resources
4. How do men cope with depression
5. Depression and relationships
6. Separation and Divorce and the incidence of depression in men
7. Sex and depression
8. Pregnancy and children and the incidence of depression in men
9. Unemployment and retirement and depression in men
10. Gay men and depression
11. Depression and suicide
12. Depression and violence
13. Helping men with depression
14. Tips to prevent depression in your man

So friends if you see the signs and symptoms of depression in either you or the man that you care about, then it is important to talk to your healthcare provider, or check getting help for more information.

Insomnia is unpleasant. You get out of bed the next day feeling groggy and not ready to face the day. You drive to work tired, and do your work tired. You may be irritable to your co-workers and argumentative with your spouse. Insomnia is no joke.

Insomnia can have many causes. Maybe you’re worrying about an unpaid bill, stressed with work, suffering another health complaint. Whatever the cause, everyone needs to sleep. Sleep helps the body to rejuvenate, the brain and body to rest. This article aims to show that although drug treatment works for insomnia the use of a regular bedtime ritual coupled with natural therapies should be first thing to try. After reading this article the reader should be able to make more objective decisions regarding their treatment for insomnia.

Treatment Of Insomnia By Pharmaceutical Drugs

Benzodiazepines: diazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam, nitrazepam, temazepam.
Function: is to act on the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce anxiety and induce sleep.
Side effects: dizziness, drowsiness, addiction, impairment of short-term memory.

Antihistamines: diphenhydramine, doxylamine.
Function: to cause sedation.
Side effects: grogginess, clumsiness, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances.

Zolpidem Tartrate:
Function: acts on CNC to induce sleep.
Side effects: daytime drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, clumsiness, headache, diarrhia, nausea.

Night-Time Ritual To Beat Insomnia

Here are five easy to follow steps to help you sleep better. Results should be seen within one month if the ‘ritual’ is followed everyday.

1) Cut out caffeine. Try to stop consuming caffeine altogether. If you find this impossible don’t have caffeine later than six hours before bed.

2) Cut out chocolate and sugary desserts. If you cannot manage this because of your ‘sweet tooth’ don’t eat later than six hours before bed.

3) Avoid alcohol and tobacco. If you can’t stop make sure you have neither within two hours of going to bed. Remember to never have alcohol to help you sleep, it can become a habit.

4) Do something that you enjoy to relax before bed. The obvious one is to have sex, meditate, yoga, a hot bath, or read for a while.

5) If you can’t sleep, get up. Go to another room and do something soothing to take your mind off the fact you can’t sleep. Make sure you don’t have an alcoholic or caffeine containing drink.

This list is not exhaustive yet if followed for one month great improvements in sleep patterns can be achieved.

Natural Therapies To Beat Insomnia

California Poppy: eschscholzia californica used in high doses is sedating, and used in lower doses can be used to treat anxiety.

Camomile: matricaria recutitia has been used for centuries to calm nerves and induce sleep.

Kava-Kava: is particularly effective when insomnia is a result of anxiety.

Lemon Balm: melissa officinalis has many medicinal uses. It treats insomnia and tastes good, which means it is not unpleasant to take.

Melatrol: is a proprietary blend of natural ingredients that form together to help you beat insomnia. These include:

5-HTP: is a short term for 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan. This is an important “precursor” to seratonin. A precursor is a substance that precedes, and is the source, of another substance. Seratonin is vital in many functions of the body. 5-HTP supports the production of melatonin, and assists in easing stress and anxiety. 5-HTP is a natural extract from the seeds of the Griffonia tree found in West African countries. Traditionally, the African people use all parts of the tree for various maladies. 5-HTP is generally well tolerated. However, light nausea and some mild gastric disturbances could occur at first. Usually these symptoms disappear quickly. If you experience continued disturbance, discuss this with your health care professional.
Melatonin

Just as the growth of plants is affected by the hours of daylight, so too, are animals and humans affected. Darkness triggers production of the hormone, melatonin, and causes the drowsy, sleepy feeling you get which is your body’s signal it’s time to go to sleep. Bright light halts the production of melatonin.

Melatonin: is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It can also be produced by bone marrow cells, the retina, and the gastrointestinal tract. Even plants, such as rice, produce
melatonin. When you eat rice or other foods containing melatonin, it will reach and bind to sites in the brain.

In addition to helping you sleep, melatonin is an antioxidant. It helps protect DNA, protects the brain, and may play a role in increasing longevity. Melatonin is safe for the human body even when taken over a period of time. However, like all supplements, caution is advised against taking more than directed. High doses can cause complications.
Valerian Root

Valerian: has been used to improve people’s lives since the times of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates discussed its benefits, and Galen prescribed Valerian as a remedy for insomnia.

Only the roots, rhizomes and stolons (A horizontal stem which grows along the surface of the soil) of the plants are used. The flowers of Valerian are quite sweet-smelling, and can perfume your whole garden.

On the other hand, the dried root has a pungent, unpleasant smell some people say is like “dirty socks.” Herbalists often suggest Valerian root to people who are nervous, anxious, and not sleeping well.
Gamma Amino Butyric Acid

Gamma Amino Butyric Acid: is usually called GABA. It is an amino acid necessary for the action of certain cells. In adults, it is inhibitory in action. That is, it inhibits certain substances from entering the cells. It’s found primarily in the tissues of the nervous system.

GABA functions as a neurotransmitter to prevent certain neurons from over-reacting. This makes it possible for the brain to relax, and reduces stress and anxiety.
Rhodiola Rosea Extract

Rhodiola Rosea: sometimes called “golden root” or “roseroot”, grows in the dry sandy areas of high mountains from Iceland through Siberia.

It was not named Rosea for its flower, but for the sweet, rose-like fragrance of the freshly cut root.

Until the 1960s Rhodiola rosea was not well known in this country. For many years, the people of the northern latitudes kept it a secret.

In 1725, the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus gave the herb its modern name. It was later determined that the plant extract was a powerful adaptogen.

The term adaptogen is used by herbalists to refer to a natural herb product that is proposed to increase the body’s resistance to stress and anxiety. In the past, they have been called “rejuvenating herbs.”
Passion Flower

The Passion Flower: is a frequent sight in many gardens. It is a delightful vine, which can climb to 30 feet, and is covered with purple and white flowers during the blooming season.

The unique flowers give the plant its name. In 1609 Jacomo Bosio, a monk and scholar in Rome, thought the shape of the flowers resembled the crown of thorns put upon the head of Jesus. He felt it represented the mysteries of the cross and the passion of Jesus.

Passion Flower was used for centuries for people with anxiety, sleeplessness, and “hysteria.” Herbalists today still use Passion Flower for people with occasional sleep problems, tension and nervousness.

It is said that Passion Flower will bring sweet dreams to the user, but there is no scientific evidence to support this.

There is no doubt that the pharmaceutical drugs will help you sleep. However, there are some quite serious side effects and some can be habit-forming (addictive).

Before going the pharmaceutical way it would seem that trying a night-time ritual and using natural therapies available would be worth a try for at least a month.

The reader should now have some knowledge about therapies available for insomnia and, as such, should be able to make more objective decisions regarding their own treatment for insomnia.