Cognitive Therapy of Depression

Iron is very important for sustaining good health.

Iron deficiencies can cause feeling exhausted, create Clinical Depression, make us more susceptible to viruses, cancer and a variety of degenerative conditions.

Likewise, iron excess or alteration in the iron-binding capability resulting in free, unbound iron carries the potential for causing or aggravating all diseases, infections, cancers and toxicities.

Therefore is it necessary that we do not only strive to both acquire adequate amounts of iron and rid ourselves of excess iron, and that every effort is made to bind and properly escort iron from the moment it enters the body until it exits.

In addition, binding and escorting iron is particular important during the detoxification process. Otherwise, the many benefits iron provides are easily overshadowed by its toxicity.

Discussing Body Iron is difficult and no single indicator or combination of indicators is ideal for the assessment of iron status in all clinical circumstances.

Each indicator may be affected by a variety of conditions including infection, inflammation,liver disease and malignancy, and these factors must be considered in interpreting laboratory investigations.

Iron is essential to life, because of its unique ability to serve as both an electron donor and acceptor.

But iron can also be potentially toxic.

Iron’s ability to donate and accept electrons means that if iron is free within the cell, it can catalyze the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into free radicals. And free radicals can cause damage to a wide variety of cellular structures, and ultimately kill the cell.

To prevent that kind of damage, all life forms that use iron bind the iron atoms to proteins.

That allows the cells to use the benefits of iron, but also limit its ability to do harm.

The Free Radicals can be identified in a comprehensive biochemical screening report.

Six subclinical defects have been identified that are common to every degenerative disease.

Free Radicals are extremely reactive chemical entities that arise normally from metabolism, and also from toxic exposure.

When your iron status is out of balance, then there will be free iron produced and this free iron is very toxic. Free Iron, indicates that iron is not bound to protein. It is a heavy metal.

Many proteins are enzymes that catalyze biochemical reactions, and are vital to metabolism.

One example of this is that enzymes produced by chronic inflammation, combined with damaging free radicals and alterations in the other subclinical markers assessed cause a breakdown in connective tissues.

Connective tissues make up the body’s “superstructure” and “guy wires” that literally holds the body together.

The words protein, polypeptide, and peptide are a little ambiguous and can overlap in meaning.

Protein is generally used to refer to the complete biological molecule in a stable conformation, whereas peptide is generally reserved for short amino acid oligomers often lacking a stable 3-dimensional structure.

However, the boundary between the two is ill-defined and usually lies near 20-30 residues.

Polypeptide can refer to any single linear chain of amino acids, usually regardless of length, but often implies an absence of a defined conformation

The iron withholding mechanism occurs naturally at the onset of every healthy, acute inflammatory response.

Given full recognition to the natural defence mechanism of iron withholding allows health professionals to be far more effective when building immunity, treating people for cancer, iron deficiency, inflammation, excessive tiredness, memory decline or depression.

The risk in amplified when laboratory testing is inadequate; typical of many insurance driven health plans.

Similarly, there is risk in supplementing iron where the decision to supplement is based solely on a low serum iron reading.

To give an example, when in the chemistry it shows up that a person has low serum iron, an elevated to high Transferrin Iron Binding Capacity and a low Transferrin Saturation, this is an indicator that there is free iron.

It also indicates that there is a Copper Deficiency.

Cerruloplasmin is a specialized copper-rich protein that enters the Ferritin molecule to free iron, so it can be attached to transferrin.

This is a pretty good marker, when it gets elevated, of a copper deficiency.

Remember that the Cerruloplasmin is the copper bound protein or protein bound copper is the compound that pulls the iron out of the ferritin cage, puts it out on to the transferrin leash and attaches it

to the leash.

If the Cerruloplasmin are not there then of course you can have a lot of transferrin in the serum without the iron molecules being attached to the leash.

Each one of these transferrins has two hooks on them so you can put two irons on each leash but if the copper is not there, if you are deficient and can’t make the Cerruloplasmin, what happens Transferrin Iron Binding Capacity rises because you don’t have iron actually attached to enough of the transferrins.

When there is free iron, this also indicates that the iron is not bound to the protein. One of the consequences of the depleted amino acids pool is that this has an impact on the neurotransmitters.

Therefore it could be helpful to access the iron status as discussed and the amino acid pool.

The diagnosis of Clinical Depression could be dealt with an additional different protocol, which might lead to better outcomes.

By identifying the markers for disturbed iron status and assisting you in developing a comprehensive strategy for achieving a healthy iron status your risk of all disease and toxicity and infection are lessened.

In addition to accurately measuring iron levels, strategies for restoring iron balance need to take into account many factors.

1. Maintaining a healthy intestinal mucosa

2. Sustaining adequate protein levels

3. Sustaining and aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism

4. Achieving a state of alkalinity versus acid stress

5. Maintaining a healthy cytochrome P450 system to rid the body of organic solvents and other toxins that may hinder protein-iron binding

6. Establishing a diet rich in whole eggs and cultured dairy for individuals with a tendency towards free iron, iron overload.

7. Recommending a phlebotomy program for those confirmed with iron overload.

Transferrin, lactoferrin, lactoglobin and ovotransferrin are iron-binding proteins. Transferrin, the only commonly measured iron-binding protein that is synthesized by the body, is readily taken up by receptors of both healthy cells and cancer cells. Lactoferrin and lactoglobin, derived from dairy foods, plus ovotransferrin (conalbumin) from eggs binds tightly to free iron

Suicide occurs almost twice as often as murder. Each year, about 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide. In the United States:1 * Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24. * Suicide rates are higher in the western states than in the rest of the country. * White men commit suicide more often than any other group. * A gun is used in almost 3 of every 5 suicides. * Unemployment increases the number of suicides. * Suicide rates increase with age. More people over age 65 commit suicide than any other age group.Only about 1 out of every 40 people who attempt suicide die. Women try suicide more often, but men are 4 times more likely to die from a suicide attempt.Many people have fleeting thoughts of death. Fleeting thoughts of death are less of a problem and are much different from actively planning to commit suicide. Your risk of committing suicide is increased if you think about death and killing yourself often, or if you have made a suicide plan.Most people who seriously consider suicide do not want to die. Rather, they see suicide as a solution to a problem and a way to end their pain. People who seriously consider suicide feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless. A person who feels hopeless believes that no one can help with a particular event or problem. A person who feels helpless is immobilized and unable to take steps to solve problems. A person who feels worthless is overwhelmed with a sense of personal failure.Most people who seriously consider or attempt suicide have one or more of the following risks: * A family history of suicide attempts or completed suicide * A personal or family history of suicide attempts * A personal or family history of severe anxiety, depression, or other mental health problem, such as bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or schizophrenia * An alcohol or drug problem (substance abuse problem), such as alcoholismThe warning signs of suicide change with age. * Warning signs of suicide in adults may include alcohol or substance abuse, recent job loss, or divorce. * Warning signs of suicide in children and teens may include preoccupation with death or suicide or a recent breakup of a relationship. * Warning signs of suicide in older adults may include the recent death of a partner or diagnosis of a life-limiting illness.Anytime someone talks about suicide or about wanting to die or disappear, even in a joking manner, the conversation must be taken seriously. A suicide attempt—even if the attempt did not harm the person—also must be taken seriously. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone you think may be considering suicide. There is no evidence that talking about suicide leads to suicidal thinking or suicide. Once you know the person’s thoughts on the subject, you may be able to help prevent a suicide.People who have suicidal thoughts may not seek help because they feel they cannot be helped. This usually is not the case. Many people with suicidal thoughts have medical conditions that can be successfully treated. People who have suicidal thoughts often have depression or substance abuse; both of these conditions can be treated. It is important to seek help when suicidal thoughts occur because medical treatment usually is successful in diminishing these thoughts.The possibility of suicide is most serious when a person has a plan for committing suicide that includes: * Having set a time and place to commit suicide. * Having the means, such as weapons or medications, available to commit suicide or do harm to another person. Nearly 3 out of every 5 suicides is committed with a firearm. * Thinking there is no other way to solve the problem or end the pain.People who are considering suicide often are undecided about choosing life or death. With compassionate help, they may choose to live.Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

Eating chocolate is one of the world’s most popular passions. The typical Swiss eats more than 21 pounds of this chocolate each year. Even the average Belgian or Brit downs some 16 pounds annually. In the United States, consumption weighs in at roughly 11.5 pounds per year. The earliest record of chocolate was over fifteen hundred years ago in the Central American rain forests, where the tropical mix of high rainfall combined with high year round temperatures and humidity provide the ideal climate for cultivation of the plant from which chocolate is derived, the Cacao Tree.

The Cacao Tree was worshiped by the Mayan civilization of Central America and Southern Mexico, who believed it to be of divine origin, Cacao is actually a Mayan word meaning “God Food”, hence the tree’s modern generic Latin name “Theobrama Cacao” meaning ‘Food of the Gods’. Cacao was corrupted into the more familiar “Cocoa” by the early European explorers. The Maya brewed a spicy, bitter sweet drink by roasting and pounding the seeds of the Cacao tree (cocoa beans) with maize and Capsicum (Chilli) peppers and letting the mixture ferment. This drink was reserved for use in ceremonies as well as for drinking by the wealthy and religious elite, they also ate a Cacao porridge.

Chocolate is full of mood-enhancing chemicals. To start with, it is loaded with sugar, which is a carbohydrate and triggers the release of seratonin. Chocolate also contains fat, which in itself provides a feeling of satisfaction since it answers the urge for calories. Chocolate is also said to have the same mood-enhancing chemical that is found in marijuana, although in much smaller quantities. To test the theory that chocolate enhances mood, a study was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. Students who felt the urge to eat chocolate were given either milk chocolate, white chocolate (which contains no cocoa, just cocoa butter and flavoring), and pills containing stimulants found in chocolate.

Researchers say the findings were predictable. The pill didn’t do the trick, but both the white and milk chocolates did satisfy the students. The results suggest that it is not some secret chemical ingredient in chocolate that provides the euphoria, but the sensory experience such as the taste, the smoothness and the aroma. While some may be using chocolate as an energy booster, a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry has found a link between chocolate cravings and personality. Results suggest certain personality types are not only more likely to crave chocolate, but it may also improve their mood.

Researchers from the Black Dog Institute correlated results from an online survey completed by nearly 3,000 people. Of the respondents, 54 percent reported food cravings during bouts with depression, of which 45 percent specifically wanted chocolate, and 61 percent of these said chocolate improved their mood and reduce stress. It’s believed substances in chocolate called endorphin and opioid, may be responsible for the mood enhancing effect. These compounds may make one feel more relaxed, thereby reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood.

Chocolates can also play a major role in a number of disorders, including bulimia, binge eating, and obesity. There’s some hints that chocolate may possess natural analgesic properties. Studies indicate that eating high-fat, chocolate foods can trigger the brain’s production of natural opiates. During the study, it showed that when a physician used a drug to block the brain’s opiate receptors, a binge-eater’s desire for sweet, fatty foods such as chocolate, dropped down. Still, there are questions left unanswered on the experiment, such as: Does the body simply desire anything sweet and fatty, or men naturally feel some special craving for chocolates?

The potential health benefit of chocolate is a popular area of study. Previous research has shown dark chocolate may be good for cardiovascular health and some scientists recommend them for reducing heart disease risk. The down-side is, of course, the calories. Chocolate is full of fat and sugar. While small amounts can be beneficial to your health, larger quantities are not so good. When using chocolate, even as medicine, moderation is the key.

When we think of children at risk what comes to mind is drug abuse. Children can be at risk for emotional problems, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, social problems, school drop-out, sexual acting out and high risk behaviors. How do we know? Children often lack the verbal skills to tell us how they feel. They keep their emotions hidden and seem introverted, shy or withdrawn. On the other hand, they act out, become hyperactive, impulsive and angry.

Children experiencing academic difficulties at school are at risk. Their self-esteem is affected; they are constantly challenged and cannot keep up with the demands of the school. These problems can be caused by a learning disability, a metabolic problem, ADD/ADHD, processing issues or emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. Depending on the child’s temperament they might persevere in school and keep trying to succeed or they may abandon the effort and simply quit. Either way, finding out the underlying causes through a consultation with a professional will help avoid future issues. A professional child psychologist that is able to provide therapy, diagnosis and treatment. This psychologist should specialize in children and understands how depression, anxiety and learning problems are different in children and adults.

Children are at risk when there is a sudden change in their behavior. If your child was an outspoken, self-secured and confident child who all of a sudden becomes angry, withdrawn and insecure, you should be concerned. He might be experiencing problems in school, be the victim of bullying, social ridicule, bad company, or changes in the home. Have there been any recent loses, changes, divorces or upsets in the child’s life? Talking to them about the change, their worries and providing reassurance might be enough. Sometimes they will resist parental intervention. Again, seeking professional help is recommended.

Finally, there’s the risk for sex and drug abuse. Teenagers experiment and many times they are too young to realize the consequences of their behavior. Talking to them about sex and drugs, keeping open communication with them, knowing where your children are and who they are spending time with is crucial. This is when they will request privacy and “trust.” The privacy and the trust must only go so far.

In short, our children can be at risk academically, emotionally or behaviorally. They can show red flags early on and we can deny their existence. This can increase their chances of depression or anxiety, decrease their academic performance and increase the risk of teenage pregnancy, drugs or diseases. When in doubt, contact a professional. Intervention early on may prevent the problem for snowballing out of control.

A single scoop of cherry vanilla ice cream; several sips of a frothy, strawberry shake; a few bites of a cream cheese omelet–as much as you love dairy foods, they don’t seem to love you. Eating even modest portions makes your stomach balloon up, and you feel uncomfortably stuffed. Doctors call the gassiness, bloating and discomfort that occurs after eating dairy foods lactose intolerance. It means your stomach is unable to digest the lactose–or milk sugar–in dairy foods. Patients whose gas and bloating is accompanied by recurrent, severe or prolonged abdominal pain should seek medical attention because this may indicate the presence of another underlying condition (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome) – especially if they also experience bleeding, nausea, vomiting, fever or weight loss. The physician will perform a physical examination and compile a thorough medical history. Screening tests (e.g., endoscopy) may also be conducted to help determine the cause of gas and bloating.The Relationship Between Bloating and DistensionChang and colleagues  recently conducted a questionnaire study investigating the relationship between bloating and distension and found that three quarters of patients with IBS with bloating also described physical abdominal distension, whereas only one quarter had bloating alone. Several factors were reported to influence this relationship: for example, bloating and distension were more frequently associated with constipation and female sex. Furthermore, although bloating without distension was rarely described as an intrusive symptom, bloating with distension was frequently ranked as one of the most bothersome symptoms of IBS.What causes bloating? In discussing bloating, it is important to distinguish between bloating and distention. Bloating is the subjective sensation (feeling) that the abdomen is larger than normal. Thus, bloating is a symptom akin to the symptom of discomfort. In contrast, distention is the objective determination (physical finding) that the abdomen is actually larger than normal.Differential diagnosis·    Constipation·    Gastroenteritis, giardiasis·    Malabsorption·    Inflammatory bowel disease·    Subacute obstruction·    Abdominal or pelvic malignancy·    Eating disorder or laxative abuse·    Anxiety, depression or somatisation contributing to symptoms·    Endocrine e.g. Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidismA treatment so effective for stomach gas and pains that you’ll feel lighter on your feet than your cat.Amritdhara”Stomach gas is an extremely universal problem which largely results due to improper eating habits.”Just as the problem is extremely common, so has modern medicine derived novel ways to keep the problems in check – antacids.How modern antacids work?As the name suggests, antacids work by using a base to neutralize the acid. These “neutralizers” are generally salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium or aluminum. Therefore, they use an external influence rather than helping the body to use its own power to treat stomach acidity.Bloating relates to a number of possible digestive imbalances If one of our clients says they are experiencing bloating, pain or wind then we consider this to be a sign that there may be one of several digestive factors out of balance. The underlying causes of this are numberous and include: low stomach acid, low digestive enzymes, stress, food intolerances, poor gut motility and gut dysbiosis. By asking our clients questions about there lifestyle and diet we can get a more detailed idea as to why they are experiencing digestive imbalance and start to formulate a pro-active plan to help relieve them of their symptoms.

The above mentioned symptoms i.e. impulsive behavior, impatience, disruptive and unruly mannerisms as well as short attention span are associated with the condition known as ADD, or an Attention Deficit Disorder today, which needs immediate treatment for early control.
A new discovery, ADD is most common in primary school boys who are seen as impulsive, restless and highly energertic creatures who have trouble concentrating on school work. They are typically hyperactive kids who can spend 40 + hours watching TV or playing computer games and since this does not really call on huge amounts of energy to be expended by them, they have a lot of it left over for exerting in other activities.
Besides the above symptom, ADD affected kids exhibit distracted behavior due to many reasons, some serious and others not so; at times, this may or may not be a psychological disturbance or reflective of the child’s fitness level but a result of child abuse or negligent parenting. Among the methods of treating ADD, there is medical help in the form of Ritalin, a prescription drug, which is also sometimes looked upon as child abuse if used for a long time as it has side-effects.
Among ADD symptoms, there are some forms of manifestation that are of chief concern for physicians, such as ADD that causes psychological problems including bipolar disorder, excessive worrying and depression or brain defects while other instances can be less difficult to deal with and occur in the form of an allergy, environmental sensitivity, nutritional deficiency or due to high dose of caffeine.
This is why it is very important for an ADD affected child’s caregivers to be particular about identifying, diagnosing and treating the condition as early as possible for best results to show through timely and correct medication as well as counselling.

With anxiety-related problems (including depression as such a problem), we watch ourselves in everything we do and it’s not difficult to appreciate how this self-absorption can lead us to believe that we are the only one with such a problem. This, in itself, strengthens the ‘what’s wrong with me’ beliefs, yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Millions of people worldwide experience these problems; it is estimated that in America alone over thirty million people suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. The most common one is Social Anxiety Disorder (or Social Phobia), closely followed by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Around one in thirty to fifty people suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and one in ten are reported to have a specific phobia. This doesn’t include vast numbers of people who have depression or those living anxious lives ruled by shyness or stress.

Many people feel they are working below their potential and are frustrated, more people are unhealthy and overweight than ever before, greater numbers of teenagers are depressed and problems involving anxiety and stress account for the majority of visits to doctor’s surgeries. In a world of better education, food, hygiene and healthcare, emotionally, society is crumbling

The unique pressures in modern society no doubt play a part in the tension and stress found in these problems, but anxiety problems are nothing new; they are part of the human condition and the following quotation, from over three hundred years ago, sums them up aptly: 

‘The mind is it’s own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven’  – John Milton (1608–1674)

For centuries, writers, poets and artists have tried to convey the inner turmoil and conflict that is often associated with existence.

The world we live in personally is dictated by what goes on in our mind, irrespective of what external reality seems to be. Nowhere can this be seen more profoundly than in the case of Anorexia Nervosa. How can a painfully thin girl look in the mirror and see herself as fat? Even to the extent of pointing out which areas of her body are too fat? Anxiety problems are reality to us … but how do we get like this? 

Vast resources, in the form of research, therapy and medication, have been used in an attempt to resolve these problems, with, on the whole, a spectacular lack of success. Problems are defined, named, classified, listed, ordered, placed in categories, placed in sub-categories in an attempt to understand and control them – strangely enough, exactly the same attempts to gain control are found in most forms of OCD. And while some argue that benefits of this system include a more accurate diagnosis and subsequent better treatment (which is debatable given such a lack of success) others argue that it is inaccurate, misleading and overlooks the bigger picture.

When we look at the backgrounds of large numbers of people with anxiety and depression problems, they are often strikingly similar in various ways.  Negative life experiences and subsequent feelings involving self worth and insecurity occur across the board with such regularity and are so similar that its hard to see how they cannot possibly play a major role in these problems.

Ranging from acute shyness and stress to anxiety disorders and depression, each problem is unique to the individual. Expressions of social phobia vary from person to person just as those of agoraphobia vary from panic disorder and GAD varies from OCD. However, as unique to the individual these problems are and as different to each other they are, these problems develop for similar reasons and strengthen in a similar way. They do so in a manner that reflects the way our mind and body works. Every human being on the planet (indeed, every animal) is built in such a way as to develop an anxiety disorder given the right (or wrong) set of negative life experiences.

Anxiety disorders (and severe depression) develop from our life experiences (bad ones) and how they affect us. At their heart lies neither illness nor disease and not even disorder for these problems aren’t irrational, they develop for a good reason – for our survival. They are self-destructive behaviours that we learn, behaviours that reflect our inner-self trying to protect us. Behaviours that, in trying to help us survive, actually cause us harm for they never ‘touch’ the real problem. Once we understand how we learn these behaviours and why, there is a real cure. 

In the US alone, some reports estimates that approximately 20% of the population suffer from depression. Not all of those who suffer from depression seek help. Some are experiencing mild depression, whether over a matter of a few weeks, several months or years, they consider the way they feel to be simply ‘down’ or generally unhappy with their present ‘lot’.
If you feel that I have just described how you have been feeling, please, seek help from your doctor or health physician. Mildly depression can be very hard to diagnose and it is often accounts from patients that lead to diagnosis. Once diagnosed, your doctor may consider treating your depression with anti-depressant/ anti-anxiety drugs. With so many of these kinds of drugs available (more than 20 on the market) it can be very difficult for doctors to find a drug or combination of drugs that will work effectively in relieving the symptoms of depression. “Not every antidepressant is going to work well for each individual,” says Dr. Andrew Leuchter a Psychiatrist at UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
For those that are severely depressed and have sought help a new study may be able, in the future, to help predict which drugs would best suit their needs. Figures suggest that approximately only 30% of patients will respond to the first drug they try.
Now however, there has been a breakthrough in being able to predict which medication will best suit a patient. Doctors are now able to discover which drugs a patient will respond to best right from the start. “The challenge we face is trying to get patients on the right medicine quickly and get them to stay with the medicine long enough to get well,” says Dr. Leuchter.
This newly applied technology may be the answer. It is a ten minute test that measures brain wave activity. Clinical trials involved testing a patient before and after starting new treatment. “If they show the right signal, we can say with a pretty good degree of certainty, you know, that is the right medication,” says Dr. Leuchter. The test is able to indicate with an 85% accuracy whether patients will respond to a drug within one week of taking it.
Doctor Leucher is hoping that the FDA will approve the test for use within four years. The tests one advantage is that it is very inexpensive and easy to administer. Tests on the technology are continuing at ten difference sites around the US.

Currently, there is no laboratory or medical test that would give a straightforward conclusion that a person is suffering from bipolar disorder. This makes it difficult to determine if the symptoms (associated with bipolar disorder) that are present to him or her are indeed signs of this mental illness. Meanwhile, it is very important to detect whether or not this person really has bipolar disorder to provide the right treatment.

Furthermore, the symptoms that could be clear indications of bipolar disorder can be related to other identifiable physical or psychological illness. This makes it more difficult to give treatment since the focus is to give relief to the existing physical pain; rather than identifying if the patient is suffering from any psychological problem. And to complicate these things even further, a person who shows physical signs of bipolar disorder goes to medical doctors rather than a psychiatrist.

Therefore, bipolar disorder often remains unknown until it is too late to give treatment.

But this does not end here. There are other factors that cause problems in diagnosing bipolar disorder. These are:

Doctors’ Dissimilar Opinions

There is an internationally accepted and standardized way to diagnose a patient whether he or she has bipolar disorder or not. The problem is, many therapists do not follow it. The result would be this: one patient can get several diagnoses from each therapist. The DSM-IV or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Revision, by the American Psychiatric Association is an internationally accepted standard for psychiatric diagnosis.

Self-denial on the part of the patient

Since there is a negative notion about mental illness, people are likely to deny their condition to escape from criticisms and discrimination. The result is, instead of seeking for immediate diagnosis on the onset of the illness, the patient prefers to keep it to him or herself. And if this happens, the effects could be far worse than previously imagined.

Misdiagnosis

When people are ill, they go to the doctor for treatment and obviously this is generally a good idea. However, there are physical illnesses that are not related to any disease or physical conditions. Some medical doctors are limited to treating medical and physical conditions. They are not qualified to diagnose if the medical and physical conditions are caused by psychological illness. And since the patient complains about a certain physical pain, the treatment given is that which corresponds to the complaints. In other words they’re treating the symptoms and not the source of the problem.

In addition, psychological symptoms of bipolar disorder can also be associated with other psychological illnesses. These might be psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder) substance-induced mood disorder, major depressive disorder, mood disorder due to a general medical condition.

With all these problems hindering a person – to know of his exact psychological condition, it is important to recognize his condition, accept that he needs help, and seek out a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced with this kind of case. In this way, bipolar disorder can be managed properly and the effects would be minimized.

According to the definitions of most medical, psychological and psychiatric bodies, there is a commonality in the diagnosis of depression. Most depression tests have a very similar framework. Almost without exception, clinical depression will be diagnosed if a certain number of feelings, that are signs of depression, are present over a certain period of time.

Current theory suggests those clinical depression results from complex interactions between brain chemicals and hormones that influence a person’s energy level, feelings, sleeping and eating habits. These chemical interactions are linked to many complex causes–a person’s family history of illness, biochemical and psychological make-up, prolonged stress, and traumatic life crisis such as death of a loved one, job loss, or divorce. Following are some of the common symptoms of clinical depression:

Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.

Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.

Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day

Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day.

Exhaustion on waking

Disrupted sleep, sometimes through upsetting dreams

Early morning waking and difficulty getting back to sleep

Doing less of what they used to enjoy

Difficulty concentrating during the day

Improved energy as the day goes on

Anxious worrying and intrusive upsetting thoughts

Becoming emotional or upset for no particular reason

Shortness of temper, or irritability

Restlessness or decreased activity noticed by others

Thoughts of suicide or death

Teenagers may show depression by taking more risks and/or showing less concern for their own safety.