Depression is one of the most debilitating mental disorders of our modern era. It affects nearly 10 million Americans every year. Although it is primarily thought of as a mental condition depression can also inflict varying amounts of pain and discomfort that manifest as physical symptoms of depression.
One of the problems associated with the physical symptoms of depression is the misdiagnosis of the depression itself. Doctors, when presented with these physical symptoms, will test for and diagnose a physical illness and prescribe treatments to treat these symptoms not knowing or understanding that the symptoms are hiding a more insidious disease.
When you look at a list of the physical symptoms of depression you can see why these misdiagnosis and mistreatments can occur.
1. Headaches – These are one of the first symptoms that can occur with depression. In fact headaches can be intensified to migraine like intensity in someone who is suffering from depression.
2. Chest Pains – Depression can cause chest pains, which for most people is a sign of an impending heart attack. While any chest pain should be checked by a doctor it can also be a symptom of depression.
3. Sleep Disorders – People who suffer from depression can have either problems going to sleep (insomnia) or they sleep for excessively long periods of time. Thy may have trouble getting out of bed as well.
4. Digestive System Issues – Diarrhea, constipation, and nausea are all physical symptoms of depression.
5. Extreme Fatigue – The majority of people who suffer from depression also suffer from perpetual exhaustion. This can relate back to the sleep disorders and it doesn’t seem to matter how much sleep they get they still are fatigued.
6. Back Pain and Muscle Aches – Depression can intensify the pain and discomfort of people who are already suffering from these conditions.
7. Appetite and Weight Issues - People with depression can experience either a lack of appetite or intense cravings for certain foods. This can be accompanied by either weight gain or weight loss.
Another issue for people who suffer from more severe forms of depression may be even harder to diagnose because with severe depression can come delusions and hallucinations. It can become increasingly difficult to know whether a depression sufferer actually has some of the physical symptoms of depression or if they are inventing them.
It is also easier for many people to accept the physical symptoms of depression then any mental symptoms. There are many people and cultures that place a social stigma on anyone with a mental illness. It is therefore easier to accept and treat a more benign physical ailment then it is to deal with issues of the mind.
What many people do not understand is that with the successful treatment of the underlying depression with either therapy or medication or both the physical symptoms of depression will often be resolved. Unfortunately treating the physical symptoms will do nothing for actual the depression and without proper treatment the depression will normally continue to get worse. It is therefore of the utmost importance to treat the depression itself if a sufferer is to see any relief from the physical symptoms of depression.
Andrew Bicknell is a writer and the owner of Depression and You. Visit his website for more information about recognizing the physical symptoms of depression and other depression disorders. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bicknell |
Learning and implementing the techniques on how to manage stress in acne will go a long way not only in clearing your acne, but also improving your overall quality of life. A well chosen and effective stress management program will complement the conventional therapies of moderate to very severe acne. This article will briefly outline the most effective steps to be taken to manage stress in acne.
The Importance of Learning How to Manage Stress in Acne
If your acne attacks are moderately severe and persistent, it is high time you sat up and listened to your skin and body. Something is amiss! It is but natural that the pangs of adolescence are multiplied with an outbreak of acne. Stress thus is an important factor in the initiation, maintenance and aggravation of acne. It is essential that we include a regular stress management program along with conventional acne therapies.
There have been many studies which answered the question "Does Stress Affect Acne?" in the affirmative and many theories have been put forward regarding how stress affects acne.
The inference: stress affects acne in more ways than was ever thought of previously.
The message is plain and clear- if acne has to be tackled properly and effectively, one has to learn how to manage stress in acne. No shortcuts there.
Learning how to manage the stress in our day to day life requires some disciplined training on our part. By inherent nature or because of some irrational beliefs or social commitments, we tend to forget to relax on a regular basis. Our mind and body remain in a state of perpetual stress mode, eventually leading to exhaustion, ill-health and breakdown.
The following is a compilation of Stress Management Tips for the acne sufferers.
10 Tips on How to Manage Stress in Acne
Acne Stress Tip 1: Analyze Your Responses to Life Events.
Whether you are an adolescent student, a middle aged housewife or a young salesman, if you are getting recurrent acne and the acne is not responding to conventional treatment in a satisfactory manner , it is time to have an introspective session with your life! Start a diary of daily events in your life and record your physical and emotional responses to each.
Acne Stress Tip 2: Recognize Your Stress Problems.
The first step in managing your stress is to recognize the stressors or the events that induce stress in you. These may be at the personal, social, professional or family levels. Keeping a diary as suggested in tip 1 is the first step in recognizing your stress problems.
Acne Stress Tip 3: Accept You Have a Stress Problem, if You Have One.
Once you have recognized that you have a stress problem, the next step is accepting it as such. This not only gives you a firm base to start creating your own positive plan of action, but also provides with the much needed boost of self confidence and sense of responsibility.
Acne Stress Tip 4: Take Specific Steps for Correction: Reframing Situations.
This is the positive outcome of the previous 3 steps: analyze, recognize, accept; then- ACT!
Go back to each stressful event of the day as outlined in step 1. Realize that there are many ways to approach a problem. Reframe the situation so as to look at it in the least stressful manner, and, if possible, even feel better about it! Reframing situations in this manner is considered to be one of the most powerful and creative stress reducers.
Acne Stress Tip 5: Learn to View Your Acne as a Common Disease
You are one among millions of acne sufferers! Acne is so common that almost 85% of adults would have experienced acne outbreak at least once during their life time. Take comfort in the knowledge that you are suffering from a common disease. This attitude will go a long way in reducing the stress induced by the disease itself.
Acne Stress Tip 6: Learn a Complete Step by Step Stress Management Program
If you feel too much stressed out, it is advisable to get expert help in the form of a stress management program, specially devised for you. There are lots of stress management programs on the net. One created by this author, the 10 Days to Stress Free Life contains an e-Book, MP3 relaxation audios and a Powerpoint presentation of the program for easy reference. It is available for downloading from lesstress.net.
Acne Stress Tip 7: Learn and Apply Regular Relaxation Techniques
Once you have equipped yourself with a complete stress management program, learn a few relaxation techniques and practice it daily from the comfort of your home.
Acne Stress Tip 8: Take Professional Help to Manage Your Acne
If there are signs of inflammation or pus filled acne bumps, consult a dermatologist at the earliest to control your acne. Timely treatment will go a long way in preventing acne scar and blemish formation and also reduce further stress from the disease itself.
Acne Stress Tip 9: Stick to a Well Balanced Diet, Regular Exercise and Restful Sleep
Needless to say, a healthy body is essential for a healthy mind. A nutritionally well balanced diet, regular, moderate exercise and restful sleep are essential requirements for both. Avoiding junk food is equally important in the management of stress in acne.
Acne Stress Tip 10: Be Happy and Make Others Happy!
Happiness is infective. Try to be pleasant always. Present a smiling face to the world. You will find even strangers smiling back and the number of friendly acquaintances growing steadily. Make it your life's mission to put the smile back into the hearts and minds of those with whom you come into contact, whether at home or at work place. The advantage? You will find your own stress relieved by helping others relieve theirs! This is my best stress relieving tip.
Dr.Hanish Babu, MD Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr.Hanish_Babu,_MD |
