A time-based depression diagnosis means that you may have a Seasonal Affective Disorder (sometimes called SAD). Or, if you’re a woman, you could be suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Both of these disorders occur within a certain time frame – either seasonally or monthly.
Seasonal Affective Disorder may begin during a certain season – usually during the dark winter months and come to an end when light from the sun is more prevalent during Spring and Summer.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder usually begins just before a woman’s monthly cycle, possibly because of hormonal changes in the body, and continues throughout the period. It might last for a week or longer.
It’s important to understand time-based depression disorders so that you can navigate the maze of recognizing the symptoms, ensuring a proper diagnosis and selecting the best treatments for the disorder.
You also need to learn how to manage time-based depression disorders and discover the best natural remedies to alleviate the symptoms. This type of depression can move on to even more serious types of depression if not diagnosed and treated, so it’s important to learn all you can about them.
Causes of Time-Based Depression
Behavioral changes of humans and animals occur during cold winter months. Many animals hibernate and humans sometimes fall into a low mood. One theory is that SAD may occur because of a lack of serotonin or melatonin and in women it may serve to regulate reproduction.
A recent study on SAD hinted that some people may be more prone to develop the disorder because of personality traits such as coping by avoiding conflict, being extremely agreeable and open with others and high levels of neuroticism.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is another time-based type of depression that affects women who may have a negative reaction to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.
During the menstrual cycle, changes in serotonin levels may also occur. Serotonin is a chemical of the brain which assists in transmitting signals from the nerves. Mood, mental acuity, pain and sleep are all connected with the brain cells which control the brain’s signals.
Hormonal changes in women may also cause a lower than normal serotonin levels and normally occurs each month during the menstrual cycle. There is light at the end of the tunnel in both SAD and PMDD when the dark days are gone and the menstrual cycle has run its course.
But, both of these disorders may affect your lifestyle to the point that you become more depressed and have a more difficult time getting yourself out of the time-based depression.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Time-Based Depression
Just as some types of animals retreat to their caves to hibernate during the cold, dark winter months, humans also feel the need to cut activities and stay warm in the confines of their homes.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a major depressive disorder that often begins during the chilly fall months and could continue into the winter months. Lack of exercise and sunlight may bring on depression, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue and social withdrawal.
SAD may also cause other severe symptoms such as loss of interest in social or other activities, thoughts of suicide, loss of sleep and appetite issues, oversleeping, lack of mental acuity, nausea, cravings – such as for carbohydrates – and agitation.
It’s not until the sun breaks out of the surrounding bleakness until we begin to feel better and want to get outdoors and experience life again. Some symptoms of SAD may be severe, but usually go away with the advent of Spring.
Although SAD most often occurs during the winter months, some experience symptoms during the summer months and the symptoms may include all of the above, plus exaggerated feelings of anxiety. Over 3 million people in the U.S. alone are diagnosed with SAD each year, but it is treatable by medical professionals.
Depression and anxiety are standard symptoms of PMDD in women. Other behavioral changes might occur, but are usually resolved when the cycle of menstruation begins. Mood changes may be so severe that work and relationships may be damaged.
Other symptoms are extreme sadness, irritability, anger, hopelessness, sleep issues and physical symptoms such as tender breasts and bloating. These symptoms can be debilitating and make it difficult to carry on with your usual activities.
Symptoms of PMDD usually begin about a week or 10 days from the onset of the menstrual cycle and may continue a few days during the period. Medications and lifestyle changes may alleviate some of the symptoms of PMDD.
Diagnosis and Treatments for Time-Based Depression
When a doctor suspects SAD, four criteria must be met:
1. The patient complains of depression during certain times of the year.
2. Has gone through at least two years of the episodes.
3. Had no major depression during other times of the year.
4. The seasonal depression should outnumber the occurrences of depressions that the patient has experienced during his lifetime.
Treatments for SAD, which occurs in winter months, include a timed supplement of melatonin (hormone), cognitive-behavioral therapy, light therapy and ionized-air. Light therapy uses a light box that emits more lumens than the traditional incandescent lamp.
Light therapy, dawn stimulation, the use of SSRI (anti-depressants), negative air ionization, Modafinil, Vitamin D supplements and physical exercise are all proven to be effective in treating SAD. Psychotherapy may also be advised if you have bipolar disorder in addition to SAD.
To diagnose PMDD, the healthcare provider often takes a look at the risk factors of the woman – such as having a family history of PMS or PMDD. A family or personal history of mood disorders such as depression and postpartum depression may also be factors considered in the diagnosis. Those women who smoke are also at a higher risk.
Breast tenderness and bloating before and during the menstrual cycle may also indicate PMDD. Food cravings, cramps, fatigue and moodiness are also symptoms of PMDD. But, unlike PMS, the same symptoms when a woman has PMDD may be debilitating and effect every area of her life – social, work, relationships or school.
Treatment for PMDD often includes antidepressants, birth control pills, nutritional supplements that include high levels of Vitamin B-6, magnesium and L-tryptophan. Diet and lifestyle changes may also help.
Tips for Managing Time-Based Depression
If you’ve been diagnosed with SAD, look into getting a light box to ease the symptoms during the affected months. Patients who have been diagnosed with SAD usually require sunlight about 24 times more than the average person.
You’ll need to use the light box for about an hour to benefit from the natural sunlight effect. Prescribed medications such as the timed-release version of the antidepressant, bupropion seem to help those with a history of time-based depression.
Your healthcare provider may want you to begin treatment with an antidepressant before your symptoms begin during the year and may also recommend that you continue taking the medication throughout the year.
Remember that it may take a few weeks for you to realize the full effects of an antidepressant – or, you may need to try several types before you settle on one which works best for you.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have bipolar disorder as light therapy or some antidepressants may potentially cause a manic episode. Antidepressants and birth control pills are often prescribed by physicians to reduce the emotional ramifications of PMDD.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine can lessen the symptoms of insomnia, fatigue and food cravings. Boosting your calcium intake by taking 1,200 mgs of the supplement, plus taking other vitamins such as B-6 and magnesium are also very effective to reduce the debilitating symptoms of PMDD.
Stress management has been found to be an effective treatment for PMDD and regular exercise is a good way to release the serotonin manufactured in the brain. Serotonin is sends “happy” signals to lift your mood – it lifts your spirits.
Anti-inflammatory medications may also work in the treatment of PMDD. There is pain associated with the menstrual cycle and these medications can help alleviate those symptoms and make it easier to function.
Diet and exercise are critical components in treating PMDD and you should decrease salt, caffeine, sugar and alcohol and increase protein and carbohydrates to be sure your body is functioning properly.
Let your doctor guide you in treatments you should choose because your other medications and health issues should be taken into consideration. Don’t be discouraged if one treatment doesn’t work.
It may take some trial and error when choosing treatments to get the exact treatment that finally works for you, so be patient and know that there can be light at the end of the tunnel.
Best Natural Remedies for Time-Based Depression
Many people turn to a non-drug regimen to help with time-based depression, and there are natural remedies that can help. Typical Western medicine uses treatments that usually require medications and many aren’t comfortable with the side effects that may occur.
Alternative treatments may range from diet and exercise and lifestyle changes to mental treatments such as biofeedback. Acupuncture, aromatherapy and chiropractic sessions may also help relieve some of the symptoms of time-based depression.
Guided imagery has been proven to help mild forms of depression and hypnosis is also a much-used method. Dietary supplements to help boost the body’s levels of serotonin and other deficiencies may also be recommended.
Massage therapy helps to relax the body and wash away the stress that comes every season and other relaxation techniques such as yoga can also be helpful. Some are sold on herbal supplements such as St. John’s wort to decrease mild symptoms of time-based depression.
SAMe and 5-HTP are supplements studied to ward off mild depression. Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) is known to reduce symptoms of PMDD such as mood swings, irritability, cramps, breast tenderness, food cravings and bloating.
Since the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal supplements, don’t take any supplement until you’ve spoken to your doctor about it as they could interact negatively with other medications you take.
Meditation and yoga are the most used methods of relieving stress which is an integral component of time-based depression. Meditation can help you achieve an altered state of consciousness which in turn helps you relax.
With the practice of yoga, you achieve meditation and relaxing breathing techniques that help you relax. There are various types of yoga – from stretches and silent meditation to more extreme versions.
Mind and body exercises, when combined can boost your sense of calmness, relax you and improve your sense of balance and flexibility and increase your overall health. Aerobic exercise helps your cardiac functioning and sends messages to the brain to release serotonin – the happy chemical in the brain.
Music is a form of natural therapy and has been used to boost feelings of well-being and calm. During World War II, music was played for wounded soldiers in hospitals and found it so helpful that the VA introduced music therapy programs as part of the treatments.
Natural treatment for time-based depression also includes making some lifestyle changes to avoid certain triggers for depression. One way to minimize symptoms is to cut back on your caffeine intake.
Getting enough sleep is also crucial to helping SAD and PMDD patients and can be helped by meditation, yoga and mindfulness. Avoiding alcohol and stopping smoking can make a huge difference in your feelings of well-being.
Avoid stressful or emotional situations such as confrontations if at all possible. Suffering from SAD or PMDD makes you particularly susceptible to arguments that can turn in to all out wars.
Be sure to have a conversation with your doctor about your symptoms and any form of alternative medicine you want to try. By conducting a thorough medical evaluation, the doctor can determine if you’re suffering from SAD, PMDD or another condition.
Most people experience situational depression at least once in their lives – and probably more. It’s a short term type of depression that may happen after a particularly traumatic event such as drastic changes in your lifestyle including divorce, loss of a job, death in the family or of a close friend and retirement.
When it becomes difficult to adjust to the changes taking place, depression may take over and the person with situational depression might show symptoms similar to other types of depression – including clinical depression.
The way these two types of depression are treated very differently because of some key differences involved. Situations which overpower our ability to cope – such as surviving a major disaster, accident or major illness – can put us in a tailspin of depression.
Inability to cope usually fosters other symptoms such as anger, irritability, insomnia or getting to much sleep and more. You need to understand the differences between situational and other types of depression and learn to recognize symptoms so you can be diagnosed and treated properly.
Causes of Situational Depression
You may have experienced or know someone who has experienced bouts of depression after a major life event or changes that make it difficult to cope. Whereas in clinical depression, people have definite chemical imbalances in the brain – in situational depression the symptoms are brought on by certain situations in their lives.
Research indicates that adults and adolescents alike will have the symptoms of situational depression at some point in their lives. And the problem is growing with the amount of stress that builds in our lives.
Problems in a relationship, loss or layoff of a job or even little setbacks can add up to bouts of situational depression. Coping skills are sometimes inadequate for getting through these times without feeling sadness, remorse, fear or hopelessness.
Unlike coping with a major depressive disorder, situational depression is only temporary and disappears after a person adapts or comes to grips with the situation. Some doctors and researchers refer to situational depression as an “adjustment disorder” instead of labeling it real depression.
Even though situational depression may go away after a few weeks or months, it shouldn’t be ignored. Situational depression can easily morph into a major depressive disorder if not addressed and treated appropriately.
If you think you may be depressed following a particularly distressing or stressful event in your life and can’t seem to cope with everyday life demands, talk to your doctor about the problem, what you’re experiencing and find a solution to get you through the dark days.
Diagnosis and Treatments for Situational Depression
When a severely depressed person visits a doctor for the problem, the doctor will attempt to discern which type of depression the person has. If the person has recently experienced a devastating or grief-filled time in his life, the doctor will seek relief for the situation by prescribing a medication for a brief period of time or by recommending counseling or some other form of treatment.
Most times, you’ll develop the symptoms of situational depression within about 90 days from the triggering event. Tell your healthcare provider about the past event and let him or her know what you’re feeling.
For example, listlessness, sleep problems, sadness, periods of prolonged crying, unfounded anxiety, excessive worrying, trouble concentrating and withdrawal from social activities and interactions with family and friends are all symptoms you should tell your doctor about so he can make the correct diagnosis.
The doctor must then determine if the depression originated from the traumatic event and is temporary in nature or has developed into a more serious, major depressive disorder.
If the doctor thinks you have severe situational depression, he may prescribe anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs to help combat the symptoms and help you function in your daily life.
Adjustment disorder is a form of situational depression which exhibits a group of symptoms – sadness, weight loss or gain, sleep problems and more. You may be having a difficult time coping with the change that has occurred in your life and need help to solve the problem.
To reach a diagnosis of situational depression the doctor will ask about past events you may have experienced that could have triggered the depression. Be sure to convey if you’ve been ill, had difficulties with school or work, experienced the death of a friend or loved one, moved to a different location or are involved with relationship problems.
You may also need to have a full psychological evaluation to be sure your symptoms aren’t caused by another mental disorder such as PTSD, chemical disorder of the brain, hormonal changes or something else that needs treatment.
If the doctor diagnoses you with situational depression he may recommend dopamine reuptake blockers such as bupropion or SSRIs (selective serotonin uptake inhibitors) such as sertraline (Zoloft) and Citalopram (Celexa).
If the depression isn’t deemed severe enough for medication, the doctor may recommend supportive psychotherapy to help you develop the coping mechanisms needed to deal with the depression.
Coping skills are vitally important to healing from situational depression because it helps you avoid or be able to cope with future types of situations that might trigger depression symptoms again.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is another form of treatment a doctor may recommend. This treatment can help you recognize your symptoms and address them with the coping skills you need.
The doctor, along with the patient, should carefully monitor a patient to make sure the medication and alternative treatments are working. If suicidal thoughts occur, the doctor should be consulted immediately.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Situational Depression
Common symptoms of situational depression include low mood most of the time, hopelessness and continuous and unstoppable crying. A child may exhibit symptoms of situational depression by going from a good student to one that skips school, gets in trouble or receives lower grades than normal.
Other symptoms may include stomachaches or headaches for no discernable reason, heart palpitations, insomnia or sleeping too much, changes in diet or eating habits, nervousness, not going to work or school and changes in social activities.
Symptoms might also manifest themselves as extreme fatigue or abuse of alcohol or drugs. These symptoms may also be symptoms of other, physical, illnesses so your doctor will likely run a series of psychological tests to be sure you’re not suffering from a more serious disorder like major depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or a physical disease.
If you’re not usually the type of person to have low moods or any of the other symptoms of depression, you may be suffering from situational depression. Think back over the past few weeks or months and remember situations or losses that may be the trigger for your feelings of depression.
Suffering the loss of a loved one, relationship issues, loss of job and other troublesome events by exhibiting symptoms of depression is normal, but these feelings shouldn’t be suppressed.
Lack of help for your situational depression may result in your normal feelings turning into a serious depressive disorder. Don’t ignore symptoms of situational depression such as loss of interest in activities you once found pleasurable or inability to concentrate or function properly on a daily basis.
Also think about other factors that may be triggering your depression such as side effects of drugs or alcohol, infections like mononucleosis, viral hepatitis or AIDS, menstrual disorder or diagnosis of cancer or rheumatoid arthritis
A nutritional deficiency such as B6 or B12 and neurological occurrences such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or recent stroke may also be symptoms of situational depression.
Tips for Managing Situational Depression
Aside from the actual symptoms of situational depression, one of the most troublesome feelings of the disorder is the sense of helplessness you feel. Feeling as if you have no control or power can be even more depressing.
That’s why learning as much as you can about the disorder will serve you well in helping to cope with the symptoms. Although professional intervention is usually required to gain full control over the disorder, there are some methods you can use to help you take control once again.
Know your medications so you can be aware of side effects and other medications you should avoid. Try to recognize what may trigger a depressive symptom. For example, if certain friends or coworkers can change your mood from great to down, avoid interaction if you can.
Learn and practice coping skills. How to rid your brain of negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones can help tremendously as well as keeping you on the right track for a complete recovery.
Read self-help books from reputable physicians and therapists and seek help from websites and blogs. This and other support lines you can connect with may help you discover unknown ways to help yourself cope with depression.
Healthy diet choices and exercise are imperative in dealing with any type of depression. When you neglect your health, your entire system will become imbalanced – so hit the gym and make changes to your diet if needed.
Avoid alcohol and drugs. Any or all of these substances won’t make your depression better as sometimes thought. In fact, they may tend to make the symptoms worse. Keep in mind that they may also interact negatively with whatever medications the doctor prescribed.
Break a bad habit. Changing your life in any way from negative to positive helps you overcome symptoms of depression. For example, if you were smoking, take steps to quit. Switch up old habits and do something new or engage in that hobby you always wanted to try.
Create a routine for yourself that works. Planning ahead takes the anxiety out of situations that might otherwise feel stressful. Hang out with positive and upbeat friends and family rather than isolating yourself. They can be a source of encouragement and support during the dark times.
Best Natural Remedies for Situational Depression
When your emotions are imbalanced, there are some natural remedies worth trying to get back on track. Research has proven that many cases of short and long-term depression is due to a lack of B vitamins.
Vitamin B6 and folic acid can help regulate the depressive symptoms and may even increase the efficiency of your prescriptions such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications.
The herbal remedy St. John’s Wort has long been the choice of many for treating mood and depressive disorders. Don’t take St. John’s Wort if you’re already taking birth control pills, antidepressant medications or retroviral medications because of possible dangerous interactions.
Fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids is a supplement also known to maintain mind efficiency. Fish oil contains the essential fatty acid, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which is present in the nerve and brain tissues.
SAMe is believed to relieve symptoms of depression faster than St. John’s Wort. Be sure to only take the enteric-coated capsules or tablets in the form of butanedisulfonate and take it on an empty stomach.
Just like alcohol and drugs, caffeine can interfere with depressive symptoms. Cut down or completely avoid all forms of caffeine. Acupuncture may also be considered a natural remedy for mood and depressive disorders.
If you experience situational depression for more than six months, consult a mental health professional or grief counselor who can help you get to the root of your situational depression and lead you to a full recovery.
Remember that there are numerous ways to lessen feelings of depression. Try some natural methods along with your doctor’s recommendation until you find one that works well for you.
There is a method that will work for you. The worst thing you can do is to ignore the symptoms and let them morph into an even worse depressive disorder that could change your life drastically – and forever.
Finally, you are able to choose another response to what life has dealt you. Try not to let depression get the best of the joy you can experience today. Break free of those downward-spiraling emotions by choosing a different and more uplifting response.
A diagnosis of psychotic depression is vastly different from major and clinical types of depression which are nonpsychotic. The psychotic person lives in a non-realistic world and may hear voices, think others know their thoughts or could be attempting to inflict harm.
They might also think they’re demon-possessed or being watched by others. Paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations may be part of this very complex form of depression and those with the disorder are usually consumed with negative thoughts and self-criticism.
People suffering from depression or bipolar disorder may have psychotic episodes, but they are more inclined to happen to those with extreme depression. Psychotic depression is a type of major depression that occurs in one of four people admitted to the hospital for severe depression.
Psychotic depression may be difficult to diagnose because of the person’s shame and humiliation about their thoughts. They typically attempt to hide the thoughts – making the correct diagnosis extremely difficult.
It’s helpful when you understand the differences between psychotic depression and other forms of depression so that you are aware of the differences in symptoms and can better recognize them in yourself or others.
Causes of Psychotic Depression
As with most other types of major depression, the causes of psychotic depression are not fully understood but may include changes in the brain structure or chemical imbalances and less gray matter than a normal person’s brain.
Genetics are also thought to be a possible cause of certain types of depression including psychotic, bipolar and schizophrenia. Postpartum changes in hormonal balance may also cause psychotic depression as well as a disruption in sleep patterns.
Other psychiatric conditions may also trigger the onslaught of psychotic depression, but it can also occur without any other condition. Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors or cysts and neurological disorders such as Huntington’s or Parkinson’s diseases may be triggered by psychotic depression.
Research of psychotic depression is ongoing, but researchers have not yet come to a final decision on its causes. There is always conflicting information being presented, so you need to be informed about everything.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Psychotic Depression
Many symptoms of psychotic depression are the same as other types of major depression. Negative thoughts and feelings of sadness, guilt, irritability, and hopelessness may be among the symptoms as well as changes in sleeping patterns, dietary changes and energy fluctuations.
Other common psychotic depressive symptoms may include agitation, anxiety, constipation, severe lack of mental acuity, physical immobility and hypochondria. All of these symptoms may become extremely magnified and worsen as time goes by.
Psychotic depression also adds the serious symptoms of hallucinations, paranoia and delusions. The person may neglect himself by not taking baths or changing clothes. When speaking, the person may be irrational or make no sense.
Delusions that occur with psychotic depression include having false opinions or beliefs of what is going on around him and no clue about who he really is. False beliefs might include thoughts of having cancer or a terminal disease.
Before the physician can diagnose psychotic depression, you must be completely honest with him or her about your symptoms. One criterion for diagnosis is that you must have had an episode of depression lasting two weeks or longer.
Five or more specific symptoms are also required for a complete diagnosis, such as inability to function, inability to concentrate, guilty feelings, agitation, weight gain or loss, fatigue and low energy, sleeping too much or too little, social withdrawal and persistent thoughts of suicide or death.
After a diagnosis of major depression, the doctor will further diagnose the depression as psychotic if symptoms of delusions, hallucinations or false beliefs persist. They may or may not be present constantly.
Diagnosis and Treatments for Psychotic Depression
All types of information about your life and your thoughts and feelings come into play before a diagnosis for psychotic depression can be determined. You’ll want to know if one or more close family members such as a mom, dad or siblings have suffered from psychotic depression and pass that information on to the doctor.
If you’re a woman, your risk for psychotic depression disorder is ranked higher than for men. Older adults are also at a greater risk for this type of depression. Unfortunately, psychotic depression isn’t as easy to diagnose as physical pain or other types of illnesses.
Usually, a battery of tests can be run to determine what is causing pain. Diagnosing psychotic depression disorder takes a much different path and can easily be misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
At the moment, there are no specific treatments especially designed for psychotic depression – mainly because no two people react the same to the same medications. A licensed mental healthcare professional is the best choice to determine which medications are best for you.
Antidepressants and antipsychotic meds may be prescribed in combination to better balance the neurotransmitters in the brain exacerbating the condition. For example, an Atypical, antipsychotic drug such as olanzapine, risperidone or quetiapine may be paired with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine.
ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) may also be a treatment option. This treatment involves a general anesthesia so it must be performed in a hospital. Short term memory loss is a side effect of this treatment, but it is effective for those who have psychotic symptoms such as feelings of suicide.
Talking therapy (one-on-one) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is known to be helpful to some people suffering from psychotic depression. And, it’s absolutely imperative for the patient to have as much support as possible from family and friends.
Tips for Managing Psychotic Depression
The first and most important tip for managing psychotic depression is to strive to identify and understand the symptoms of the disorder. Note changes in your lifestyle such as decreased appetite, too much sleep or insomnia, thoughts of suicide, irritability, extreme anger or agitation, downturn in social activities and delusions and hallucinations.
Another important tip is to immediately seek medical help and then do everything the doctor says. You’ll probably be prescribed certain medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.
It’s important that you strictly adhere to the treatment guidelines and follow the instructions given by your doctor. Never stop taking medications without first consulting with your healthcare provider. It could trigger a dangerous relapse.
Find out if ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) may be right for you. It’s currently one of a very few treatments that can help psychotic depression. ECT is usually safe, but be sure to discuss side effects with your doctor.
Cognitive behavior therapy can be helpful in recognizing negative and triggering behaviors and thoughts and help you learn how to use positive ones to help you function.
Often, psychotic depression is characterized by irrational behaviors and thoughts. One type of therapy – rational emotive behavior – may help you recognize irrational demands on yourself and others so you can understand and challenge them with rational thinking.
Talk therapies along with medications can put you on the right track to dealing with psychotic depression. You can engage on an individual basis or participate in group therapy or support groups.
Daily routines can help you deal with psychotic depression by changing your focus on a daily basis and add structure and dependability to your days. Include time for work and appointments as well as grooming, sleeping and eating.
You’ll also want to schedule activities such as hobbies, exercise and other things you enjoy. Be sure to involve your most trusted friends and family members to support and help you with counseling and understanding your disorder. You’ll be able to talk more comfortably if you know they understand what you’re going through.
Improve your ability to recognize negative thoughts by keeping in mind that words such as “never,” “won’t,” and “can’t” are usually negative in context. Avoid them and other negative “self-talk” in your private thoughts.
Join an advocacy group for depression. You’ll learn a lot from others who have been through the same things you’re going through and the social networking can help you find valuable resources.
Stress in your life can wreak havoc on anyone dealing with psychotic or any other type of depression. You can help yourself to manage stress by developing healthy coping strategies such as deep breathing and relaxing exercises (yoga), aerobic exercise to release valuable dopamine into your system and by maintaining strong relationships with family and friends.
Above all, don’t lose hope. Other people have gone and are going through the same experience you are. Psychotic depression can now be treated successfully and recovery is definitely in your future.
Best Natural Remedies for Psychotic Depression
Any type of major depressive episode is much more than feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Depression – especially psychotic depression – can affect your physical and mental health so much that you may not be able to function normally.
Psychotic depression remedies and treatments require treating the entire body and not just the brain – although anti-depressants and anti-psychotic medications are essential to the recovery process.
Some other theories on how to help psychotic depression naturally include supporting your digestive system. Since your intestinal tract encases the enteric nervous system (or “second brain”) and produces many of the chemicals your brain uses to process information, it’s vital that you optimize its health.
You may not know that almost 100% of serotonin linked to depression is produced in your intestinal tract. Serotonin helps you keep stress at bay, boosts feelings of happiness and calms your moods.
Proper nutrition is another natural way to ease the symptoms of psychotic depression. B and D vitamins and amino acids boost necessary brain chemicals to better regulate your moods.
Know that certain foods may affect your nutrient status and cause problems in your immune system as well as fatigue, mental acuity problems and sadness. You may want to submit to food sensitivity testing to make sure the foods you’re ingesting aren’t affecting you negatively and you can better plan a diet that’s best for you.
Sometimes those with severe depression may have high levels of toxins within their bodies that can negatively affect mental status. Some toxins even cause damage to the brain. Ask your doctor about a detoxification to cleanse your body and improve your brain’s acuity.
Massage therapy is beneficial to most people suffering from depression and can be an integral part of the treatment plan. A good massage can help you feel empowered, boost relaxation and ease tension.
See a chiropractor to correct structural misalignment of your spine and to better help your brain communicate with your nervous system. Chiropractic care can help with poor posture, grinding of teeth when sleeping and much more that can increase blood circulation and regulate moods.
Test your hormone levels to see if they’re out of balance and could be causing negative emotions, depression and sadness. Low levels of some hormones may make you feel fatigued and sad and unable to cope. Hormonal imbalance is especially prevalent in women and they should be tested if stress or other problems are causing depression.
Keep yourself busy. Take on some responsibilities that will make you feel productive, but be sure you don’t take on too much. Large responsibilities can become overwhelming to those with a severe depressive disorder such as psychotic depression.
It may be difficult to accomplish – but try to have fun. Try not to avoid social interaction because you’re depressed or experiencing negative emotions. It’s important to stick to experiences you once enjoyed and develop a sense of normalcy in your life.
Above all, don’t give up hope. Research is revealing many underlying causes of psychotic depression. Such strategies as Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are now being researched as an effective alternative to ECT to treat major types of depression.
Potential causes are also being researched and underlying biological factors are continually studied for answers to help treat this difficult disorder. Although the long-term prognosis for this disorder is poorer than other types of depression, hope is high among scientific researchers.