Category: Blog Posts

About 17 million Americans are estimated to develop depression each year. In one large survey, 8.6% of adults over the age of 18 reported having a mental health problem for at least two weeks. However, the incidence may be even higher since many people fail to seek help for depression. One reason may be because they are not alert of the signs of depression. Many feel think that depression is exhibited only by emotional problems, but that is not the only sign. Physical ailments can be linked to depression. (It is important to note that depression symptoms vary from person to person.)

Here are a just few physical symptoms that could be linked to depression problems: 

• Headaches
• Digestive Problems
• Muscle or Joint Pain
• Dizzy Spells
• Change in Appetite
• Problems Sleeping
• Exhaustion

Visit The National Institute of Mental Health for a full list of signs and symptoms of depression.

 

If you can relate to the symptoms listed above, I advise you to seek professional help to see if you can determine what is causing your symptoms. And remember that depression is treatable. For more information on treating depression, visit Overcoming Depression on my website. It is also important to understand the mind and body connection. Visit Holistic Health Consciousness for a more detail explanation.

High Divorce Rates for Parents Raising a Child with Autism

Thursday, September 02, 2010

If
you have been diagnosed with Adult ADHD, studies show you are more likely to
also suffer from depression than adults without ADHD. Depression could be
rooted in a variety of different factors, but sometimes it’s because you are
frustrated by living with ADHD. Someone may slip into depression because they
have just recently been diagnosed or maybe they are tired of being perceived as
lazy, flighty, or unsuccessful. Regardless of the reasons, depression can hit
very hard.

It is important if you have Adult ADHD that you get proper therapy with or
without symptoms of depression. Psychotherapy
is especially helpful for people with ADHD who also deal with
depression and anxiety. It can also help adults deal with the frustration and
anger they feel because their ADHD was never addressed in childhood. In
addition, psychotherapists can help improve social skills and the ability to
deal with ADHD-unfriendly situations. A specific type of psychotherapy
is called Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy which has proven to be highly beneficial.

In addition to your psychotherapy treatments, you can also try meditation,
exercise, or a hobby when you are feeling depressed. Remember that both ADHD
and depression are treatable. Visit my website for more information about Adult ADHD and Depression.

Can
marriage contribute to your health? According to recent studies, the answer is
YES! Recent studies from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University came
to the conclusion that those who are married or in long-term relationships have
lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

University of Chicago professor Dario Maestripieri stated “These results
suggest that single and unpaired individuals are more responsive to
psychological stress than married individuals, a finding consistent with a
growing body of evidence showing that marriage and social support can buffer
against stress.” For more details on this study, read Marriage
Lowers Stress Hormones.

It is no easy task to maintain a strong and healthy marriage, but it can be
done! It takes hard work, dedication, and the proper tools to make a marriage
work. You might also need to seek the guidance of a marriage counselor
for help. Don’t delay because unfortunately unresolved problems in marriage can
have a very negative impact on your health. I encourage
you to visit my website – Maintaining
a Strong Marriage – where you will learn nine critical
psychological tasks that must be applied to keep a lasting and
happy marriage. 

Experts
have been searching for easier methods to diagnose adult autism. Current
methods can be lengthy and expensive. Scientists at King’s College London are
in the process of developing a brain scan to diagnose autism.

The Medical Research Counsel performed a study on 40 different individuals – 20
with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and 20 without ASD. They first
diagnosed their patients using previously known methods and then performed a 15
minute MRI. Small differences in the brain were identified. They had a success
rate of 90% according to the Journal of Neuroscience. For more detailed
information on this study, read BBC News – New Brain Scan To
Diagnose Autism.

These experts are hopeful that this test will become a widely used method for diagnosing
ASD. Then the patient will be able to get immediate attention from a
professional who can assist them with coping techniques. This is also exciting
information because it may help us learn more about brain abnormalities and
ASD.  

For more information on adult Autism Spectrum Disorder, visit Asperger Syndrome Frequently
Asked Questions.