RACHEL ROBERTS WRITES...
Depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability in the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), following a huge spike in the number of people who report living with the condition.
The condition has overtaken lower respiratory disease as the biggest global health problem with latest figures showing more than 300 million people worldwide have a diagnosis of depression, an increase of more than 18 per cent between 2006 and 2015.
The organisation said it hopes the figures will lead to improved availability of effective treatment for the condition which carries a huge human cost as well as costing the world economy billions.
WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, said: “These new figures are a wake-up call for all countries to re-think their approaches to mental health and to treat it with the urgency that it deserves.”
Dr Skekhar Saxena of the WHO said lack of understanding of the condition and prejudice towards those who suffer from it remain barriers to effective treatment.
“For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step towards treatment and recovery,” he said ahead of the launch of the WHO’s “let’s talk” campaign.
According to researchers, even in high income countries, nearly 50 per cent of people with depression do not receive treatment and drugs prescribed are often ineffective. On average, just three per cent of government health budgets is invested in mental health, varying from less than one per cent in low-income countries to around five per cent in high-income countries including the UK.
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THERE IS HOPE FOR DEPRESSION!
Depression effects the health of the whole body. It begins with disturbances in the part of the brain that regulates the mood. Everyday stresses become overwhelming and impossible to handle and depression can be triggered at this point. Unconscious negative thinking habits can turn into depression.
Foods also greatly influence the brain's activity. When your food intake consists of junk food it can cause the levels of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that are controlled by what we eat, to decrease the serotonin levels. Serotonin, chemical that the brain produces has a calming effect on the body. Decreased amounts can lead to depression, restlessness, etc. So, your brain responds to what you eat. (Dr. James F. Balch, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing).
Negative thoughts effect the nervous system, the body, thoughts, moods and the behavior. Your sleep, food intake, the way you react to other people and the way you feel about yourself. There are various types of depression manifested in varying ways. Most people suffering from depression do not care to engage in normal activity, tend to withdraw into themselves and take no interest or pleasure in the things around them.
Hiding from society compounds depression even more and feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. Some think of death and even suicide. The symptoms can be numerous, one or more of the following: chronically angry & irritable, sad, little or no emotional reactions, things appear bleak, excessive sleeping or insomnia, fatique. Even in some cases, backaches, headaches,restlessness, backaches, digestive disorders, quickness to anger and even loss of pleasure in hobbies can permeate the personality.
So reading all of this, is not new. The question is what can be done about it? If you are depressed all the time or just periodically depressed, let's look at some solutions.
Here are 5 effective ways to overcome feelings of depression:
1. Engage in Vigorous Exercise. Do some jogging or get to a gym for a good workout. Fight your desire to remain a recluse and instead get outdoors and exercise! Phyllis A. Balch, a Certified Nutrition Consultant shows in her book, that during vigorous exercise, the brain produces endorphins and enkephalins, that produce natural pain killing chemicals. That's why when people exercise regularly, they feel so good afterwards. So exercise may be the best way to end feelings of depression.
2. Music and sound theraphy: Music has been known to have a therapeutic effect on regulating movement. Learning to play an instrument involves the whole body and is an excellent therapeutic activity that has been known to increase some peoples lifespan. The enjoyment and satisfaction of playing an instrument increases the serotonin levels that the brain transmits.
Music is not the only thing that is therapeutic, but also the sounds of nature have been known to relieve stress and lift depression. A daily dosage of listening to the birds around you, the soothing sounds of water falls, oceans and even the rain can be soothing and relaxing. These sounds can lift you out of a depressed state.
3. Increase the levels of serotonin by eating plenty of raw vegetables and fruits with whole guten-free grains, seeds, nuts, brown rice and legumes. Stay away from all forms of sugar including honey, molasses and fruit juice, use stevia instead. Stay away from fried foods, foods high in saturated fats like french fries, hamburgers, which lead to sluggishness, fatique and clogs the arteries, keeping the blood from circulating freely.
4. Stop Negative Thoughts Dead in Their Tracks! Learn to recognize the onslaught of negative thoughts and then push them out of your mind! Keep your mind on positive things. Books on this subject can be helpful to read. One that comes to mind is "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale, A self-help book on how to cultivate this trait.
5. Develop a Prayer Life! The Creator in Heaven who made us, knows our every weakness and infirmity, knows our strengths, our hurts and disappointments. Get involved in a good bible teaching church where the love is flowing, and ask the Pastor or prayer group to pray for you. Sometimes there are advertisements for a prayer line and you can call the number and request prayer to get rid of depression. It is a known fact that we are spiritual beings, needing to feed our physical bodies as well as our spirit. Sickness in many cases also have a spiritual root. So if you know of a good church or minister (who believes in Jesus) you can be helped with divine intervention.
Doing all 5 of these things can and will help relieve you of depression. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Some of these steps may be challenging at first, but when you desire to be free of depression is strong enough, you will understand that there are numerous ways that you can do your part to be free of it! Don't accept depression any longer! It is a wonderful feeling to enjoy life to the fullest in physical and mental health. You deserve to have the best life has to offer!
Disclaimer: The ideas and suggestions contained in this post are not intended to take the place consulting a licensed physician. They are based on research and are for informational purposes only. The writer shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage allegedly coming from any information or suggestions written in this post.
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