Mental Fitness

Patients are not getting the promised results after taking prescribed medication from the range of drugs now commonly known as antidepressants.  Not only are the benefits in question, but also the growing categories of ‘side effects’ that follow a course of these drugs. ‘Antidepressants’ is a misnomer – these drugs can actually cause depression and intensify than the original symptoms for which the medication was prescribed. One clinical trial of the drug Halcion, for instance, resulted in 70% of people trialed, experienced memory loss, depression and paranoia.

However, in spite of the emerging proof of the dangers of these psychiatric drugs and their potential to effect mind changing behavior negatively, even to a point of suicide, most doctors continue to claim that by far the most prescriptions they make out in their practice are for antidepressants for adults, and increasingly Ritalin for ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. 

Where once our social concern focused upon the dangers of hallucinatory drugs, mind drugs have now become big business, regardless of the damage they cause the brain.

Doctors who once trustingly followed the claims of the pharmaceutical industry are now disenchanted with toxic chemical drugs.  There is a move by some professors in psychiatry to ban their use in the U.S. as has already been done in some other countries where dedicated psychiatrists are inclined to explore the older methods or seek safer, more natural, alternative methods of treatment.

The increasing threat of litigation from patients seeking compensation may serve to motivate this.

This is a serious issue indicated by more than 12 million entries in Google on the Dangers of Psychiaric Drugs.

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When we quietly sit down to meditate and keep our bodies upright but relaxed, close our eyes gently and feel conscious of the only movement being our breathing it has a wonderful and sometimes magical effect. After some minutes of stillness of body, our minds begin to become quieter as the agitation and passing thought activity becomes subdued.  Any clouded state of depression will begin to lift as we focus upon the highest life source we can and even with eyes closed it is possible to ‘see’ a degree of light is we turn our eyes upward.

Stillness becomes a time of interesting experience. We become first aware of our physical comfort or otherwise, then of the constant rhythm of the breath, and of our senses that maintain our increasing awareness of ourselves as we shut out the external world by closing our eyes.

It is worth persevering with the simplest practice of stillness. When we cease external muscular activity, we allow ourselves opportunity to discover more of the natural processes of Nature as it refuels our energies with the natural vital processes and patterns that in their mysterious way, maintain the health requirement for our body and nervous system. We begin to allow a lightness and peace to prevail in our mood as we realize the faith that we can choose to place in the great natural processes of life.

Feel that the sensation of elevation and lightness grows to the extent we surrender to stillness and become conscious of the comforting, positive energies of nature.

Keep practicing this simple meditation.  It will help in many ways and is a direct tonic for depression.

Technorati Tags: Depression, evaporate negative moods, help yourself get well, meditate, no drugs, trust Nature

There is nothing so disturbing about our modern lifestyle as the shocking realization that our children are casually playing with the idea of suicide.  Not only this, they are also playing out the drama of attempted suicide and seriously drafting suicide notes in preparation for such an action.

But worst of all, we have the statistics of the numbers of young people who go through with it. The critical age group would seem to be from 15 – 25 years. In one year in Australia, in 2003 there were 270 deaths by suicide in this age bracket.

It is difficult to evaluate how and why this situation plagues our society and threatens its future and what can be done to reduce the problem on a scale grand enough to produce positive results. It could be that we have to deal with each individual case through continuing counseling as well as alerting teachers and parents to the need to teach teenagers ways of coping with negative moods and to remain aware of any indications of severe depression developing in their charges.

In the climate of the present economic downturn, males in particular are in trouble, both in rural and city areas. Both workplaces are threatened. Greater job losses will inevitably increase outbreaks of depression and actions of suicide amongst all age groups.

It is understandably the most demeaning situation for men with lifetime experience in a trades or professions has no hope for anything by rejection of their job applications, regardless of their skills.  Increasingly, vacancies will be filled by young applicants.

Some older men and women accept the challenge and re-channel their energies into areas of creative endeavour of their own to establish successful enterprises. Others get more and more depressed and so we have not only our youth but middle aged and elderly people becoming vulnerable to the idea of suicide to escape their difficult circumstances.

Although there is little we can do to help the mental and emotional suffering of others whose choices remain their own responsibility, it does not debar us from being willing to help anyone we meet and who is open to receiving our moral support or even practical help if that is appropriate.

Suicide is instilled in our life teachings as against secular and spiritual law. Although we must keep flexible enough to debate these issues, most of us inwardly tend to believe that it is best to face our difficulties rather than to run away.

Many problems are common to us all and in addition, each of us has unique factors to deal with either in our personality or soul, or in our circumstances. When we overcome, we feel successful. To encourage everyone to persevere is something to remember,  as it is important for our own future welfare.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: The Complete Self-Help Guide”, offers timely solutions. Read more…

Technorati Tags: Depression, fearing the future, financial problems, job losses, psychological well being, social despair, youth suicide

It is a sad testament to our culture that instead of the word ‘happiness’ we hear all too often its opposite – that is ‘depression.’ Although it was once used as a common term to describe a negative mood of passing fear, frustration or concern it now is used with more serious medical implications. 

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: The Complete Self-Help Guide”, offers timely solutions. Read more…

Technorati Tags: anxiety, Depression, fears, Mental Fitness, personality, Stress, unhappiness

When dark clouds of depression seem to come from nowhere and change the climate of your normal moods and mind states it is a serious interruption to your good health and a symptom of mental illness that causes great disability that is crippling to both mind and body.

Depression is at an all time high in the communities in western nations where lifestyle is advertised generally as being the best. However, the facts do not support this when as high as one in five in the community is unhappy or under treatment for mental illness.  Instead of joy in living, people in our society are not happy with their lot or they are suffering from chemical pollution of one kind or another having a detrimental affect upon their body chemistry.

Serious clinical depression requiring medication is a serious problem. The psychological causes may be serious also, but just as important is the chemical imbalance or pollution issue. If you are in the habit of introducing powerful and unnatural substances into your body through ingestion, injection or inhalation such as illegal drugs, chemical fumes, or smoking this has been your choice and you can overcome it.  You also will know that these chemicals are often the cause of your chronic or serious depression in the times in between. It becomes a vicious circle.

We have to have courage to make any changes in our lifestyle, feelings or thoughts. If we do not choose to attempt self help natural methods we will become dependent upon external factors that offer a temporary lift but a long term enslavement that can only get worse. We are bound to try to help spark a change of mood and find a way to lift our spirits.
 
There are many avenues people use to overcome temporary grey moods such as melodic, cheerful music, song, dance or exercise, deep breathing, and creative hobbies. Then we can use positive self-talk techniques and affirmations to assert our inner strength and help us tune in to the happier mood we desire. We have to explore for ourselves a natural way of helping ourselves. Only the strongest of us will turn around to face our psychological fears and problems and in doing so will gain great benefit.

If you are having prescribed medication for clinical depression you must make changes in conjunction with your doctor. Otherwise, along with passing and occasional dark moods you may be trying to cope with, you must consider eliminating the proven factors that are instrumental in causing health problems, brain damage and mental depression. Amongst these are ‘recreational’ and illegal drugs, oral contraceptives, alcohol, toxic chemicals and traffic fumes.

But as important are the changes you make to reduce your intake of ugliness, violent movies, rock concert and amplified sound. Catch up with all the scientific evidence that is available and you will feel motivated to make the changes toward alternative experiences that offer natural happiness and well being.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: The complete Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions. Read more…

Technorati Tags: anger, Depression, Meditation, mental illness, Stress, Symptoms, unhappiness

Depression is as a term commonly used to indicate stress, fear, frustration or unhappiness to imply a negative and possibly serious state of psychic hopelessness. 

It is our own personal adventure to find out what we can do to help ourselves when we are feeling out of sorts and wish to restore the well-being which envelops us when we feel in tune with ourselves and life in general. 

Unless this is remedied, other mental symptoms and problems will occur. So, as we ask ourselves, and can answer honestly the question ‘Why am I unhappy’? we begin to unravel any problem within the psyche. Although it may not be apparent, we really do know the answer, even if it at present resides in our unconscious mind.

We ourselves hold the key to the remedy once we face the real cause.
So what is it that makes you unhappy? What is it that makes you feel happy?
Medical cases of what is termed ‘clinical depression’ are those which doctors have determined a patient’s symptoms to derive directly from chemical constituents or conditions in the brain itself . In these cases chemical medicines or drugs are employed as a treatment method. Many serious cases are under threat of self damage and suicide and require surveillance.
Other than these serious cases of depression, which certainly require medical attention, we all must find our way through despondency or times when we are dispirited. One way is to become happily creative in some enjoyable enterprise and activity, particularly if it involves helping other people.
We can help ourselves by taking a different attitude to our problems.
We can take stock of all our positive good fortune and our good points.
We can cease wanting and practise contentment.
If we are depressed because of the pressures and hurts inflicted physically or mentally by others, it needs only our courage to be free of them.
If we suffer from feelings of hopelessness, we can take time to counsel ourselves and to simply write down your thoughts about what it is that you want to achieve. Try making this simple list before you seek professional counselling.
Sometimes, when we are really honest with ourselves, we get depressed because we can’t have our own way – about anything at all, even about our life itself when it doesn’t seem to be working out. But when we hold our vision and our private hopes, things always improve.
A simple technique is to smile – to smile at yourself in the mirror – to smile at others in the street – to smile when you see something beautiful – to smile when you go for a walk in the sunlight. It is the best tonic of all!

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions. Read more…
 

Technorati Tags: healing, Meditation, moods, psychological well being, relaxation

Depression is becoming so prevalent a psychological condition in the community suffered by thousands who are finding that their lives are becoming clouded instead of joyful. They begin to worry over everything and suffer anxiety that produces great discomfort and often some embarrassment. If they seek medical help the doctor will most likely prescribe ‘anti-depressants’. This would seem a reasonable title and to promise an appropriate remedy but in fact it may be that these drugs actually exacerbate the inherent problem and symptoms.

Those suffering minor depression may seek for the right avenue of self help and determine to control their moods through positive thinking, or through the soothing influence of music, or taking up a new hobby, or by positive self talk and affirmations that will swing their mood. Women find various ways such as massage therapy and beauty treatment or buying a new frock seeking to relieve passing depression.  We all have our own manner of lifting our spirits.

However, clinical depression is created by some chemical imbalances in the brain as well as the lack of some physical needs such as nutrition, rest and harmonious relationships. It may well be that you can persevere and overcome your depression with determined and sincere efforts. This is preferable and commendable alternative to drugs, although herbal medicine can offer a safer and time tested remedy. But it matters little that all your thought is directed towards easing the conditions that you are aware cause you unhappiness; that you nourish your body with the right amount of vitamins and minerals, if you are taking The Pill or other drugs that can have equally devastating side effects.

Surveys show that it is mainly women who suffer depression. The figures have a remarkable correspondence with the number of women on The Pill. Now there is plenty of medical evidence confirming that hormonal contraceptives have the capacity to severely influence a woman’s moods and state of mind adversely.

Results of tests by Professor Jayashri Kulkarni from the Australian Monash University, as well as many American researchers have convincing evidence of the direct relationship between the Pill and depression.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions. Read more…

Technorati Tags: anger character, anxiety, Meditation, Mental Fitness, mental health, personality, relaxation, Stress

Depression

You may be wondering why, in spite of various natural remedies you have taken, or in spite of the many drugs you have tried to help you overcome conditions of depression, nothing has worked for you.

Perhaps you have overlooked some important factors that must be addressed and eliminated before persisting in seeking a remedy. These are found to be causative factors, although of unknown or varying degree as each of us reacts somewhat differently. However, without eliminating these negative impediments to your mental health and well being, no remedy can be anticipated to be successful.

One of these is the recreational use of cannabis or Marihuana. Medical research is continuing to demonstrate that cannabis is linked to depression and psychosis with symptoms tending to increase with volume of the drug taken.

The Pill

The other is of direct interest to both sexes but is of major concern to women. That is the birth control measure, in use by the majority of women as a popular contraceptive. We call it The Pill.

There have been many complaints regarding the side effects of The Pill since first it was released to the public. Allowing that there have been many improvements to the original formula, we are still faced with medical evidence that includes high risk reactions that endanger our health. This is not physical health alone but most importantly manifests as depression and mental instability of various kinds.

This is such a common reaction in women on The Pill and statistics seem to indicate a strong correspondence between women on The Pill and those who are being treated for depression.  This is worth serious investigation.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-help Guide, offers simple and timely solutions.  Read more…

Technorati Tags: anger, health, Meditation, Mental Fitness, personality, psychology, relaxation, Stress, The Brain

Depression can be a transitory state or can become a chronic psychological condition that is treated medically as clinical depression. Then psychiatrists will generally prescribe drugs as a remedy, although many are considering the potential value of less potent chemicals.

Those who wish to avoid taking drugs and want alternatives must clearly state their preference at the outset of treatment. We need to be well informed of options before undergoing such important treatment of mind and brain in our desire for mental fitness.

Mental depression is, however, a serious social issue. There are millions suffering the condition to some degree with a considerable number taking medical drugs or requiring psychiatric treatment and care. Not only limited methods of treatment and facilities cause concern but the potential danger of the many side effects of the drugs used in current treatment. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: anxiety, Meditation, Mental Fitness, mental health, relaxation, Stress