I think i’m an insomniac. I can’t fall asleep until 4 am each night. I always get super anxious at night. Is this something worth going to the doctor over? Do i have insomnia?

Chosen Answer:

You may take a trip to the doctor but pre-diagnosing yourself may be part of the problem. Only a doctor can actually tell you what the problem is. Try getting ready for bed earlier, cut off the tv an hour before you intend to fall asleep. I usually get a book and read until I get sleepy.

Eating before can also cause you to lose sleep.

The less thoughts you have running through your mind the better your body starts to relax. Try that first and if that doesn’t count then you should see a doctor.
by:
on: 24th July 11

I am looking to ween off my treatment (Medication) that the doctor (GP) has recommended me and I am looking to treat my depression and Insomnia naturally, and my body isn’t reacting well with my medication so I am going to try ween my way off the medication.

Have you gone natural for you depression and Insomnia?
If so what natural products did you use and was it successful?
How long would you have to take the product/products for?
Other information: I also have anixity as well.

Chosen Answer:

St. johns wort worked for me for the depression. You can pick this up at any drug store. Try working out for the insomnia. Usually if you work out 3 times per wk your body will allow you to go to sleep easier.
by: JP
on: 23rd April 09

I have had a lot of depression lately for how my life is going, and I need to do something without prescription drugs for help. Thank you for all answers.

Chosen Answer:

True depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals as well as other factors. There are many ways to treat depression but most focus on drugs to treat the chemical imbalances.

The problem with drugs is that they can and usually have undesirable side-effects such as weight gain, constipation, headache, nausea, and anxiety. These side-effects caused by unnatural drugs, can contribute to feelings of depression rather than relieving the depression.

Xocai Healthy Chocolate products containing super high levels of antioxidants can provide a great alternative to drugs when it comes to depression.

Xocai products mainly consist of healthy, unprocessed dark chocolate combined with the Acai berry super fruit. Studies have shown that dark chocolate found is Xocai products contain increased levels of serotonin and dopamine which helps decrease depression.

Xocai products also help to increase your energy level which can reduce and help eliminate depression.

The natural vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in Xocai products help to decrease depression as well as panic attacks and anxiety.

Xocai products contain huge levels of natural antioxidants that eliminate disease and free-radicals from your body. We breathe, absorb, and consume free radicals every day. Your body can deal with free radicals in moderate amounts. However with current levels of pollution in the world and poor diets, the body needs supplemental antioxidants in order to fight them all. Especially for those that are currently suffering from illnesses or problems like depression.

In addition to huge levels of natural antioxidants, Xocai products also contain other healthy ingredients like essential Omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

For more information, review our website MedicalChocolate.info to learn about how Xocai is helping thousands of people and how Xocai can help you. Please email me through the website if you have any questions. Take care!
by: LyndseyB
on: 3rd October 09

I am on depression medication and my dermatologist prescribed me Accutane. I really need it as it is my last resort, I have been going to her for 6 years. My skin doesn’t want to clear up. She does not know about my depression problem (which is ONLY a result of a recent bad breakup). If I tell her, will she work with me or is she going to pull the plug on giving me the prescription?! Please help. I need the help!

Chosen Answer:

You must tell her about the medication and the depression. To not do so damages the trust needed to have a good doctor patient relationship. She needs to be able to trust that you give truthful answers and you need to trust that she will make the best decisions for your care. She may continue with the course of accutane, just with closer monitoring, but that should be a decision you make together. The reason for the depression does not matter, only that you have an increased risk while taking accutane.
by: curator
on: 31st August 10

How is being bi polar different from clinical depression? Is being bi polar a disabilty, disease, both or neither?

Chosen Answer:

Hey

I am going to try and answer your questions in the same order you asked them..

MILD DEPRESSION:

Because this is only the mild form of the disorder, the symptoms are not very severe. Sufferer may carry on with their normal lives, only appearing low in spirits and possibly less sharp in their thinking or in their interest. They may stop doing things they do not actually have to do, but will often continue with the essentials, such as going to work or carring for the family.

However, they will tend not to be as conscientious about these things as previously, or will become upset because they feel they are not coping as well as they should because they feel too tired.

SEVERE DEPRESSION:

Severe Depression includes markedly depressed mood complicated by symptoms such as slowed speech, slowed (or agitated) responses, markedly impaired memory and concentration, excessive (or diminished) sleep, significant weight loss (or weight gain), intense feelings of worthlessness and guilt, recurrent thoughts of suicide, and lack of interest in pleasurable activities. This form of clinical depression is a dangerous and excruciating illness. The emotional structure of the brain has frozen into a pattern of misery that cannot be altered by willpower, a change of scenery, or the most earnest efforts of friends. In a sense, the brain has locked up like a crashed computer.

BI – POLAR

People with Bipolar Disorder experience extreme mood swings that can take three different forms: manic, depressive, and mixed episodes. Symptoms can include both a lowering of mood (depression) and an exaggerated elevation of mood (mania).

MANIC BI POLAR EPISODES

In a manic episode, some people with Bipolar Disorder may experience an elevated (extremely happy) mood, often described as feeling “on top of the world.” Others may feel very agitated and act uncooperative and aggressive, which can be frightening for themselves and others. Patients often report that these episodes result in consequences that must be dealt with after the symptoms fade.

A diagnosis for a manic episode includes either an elevated or an irritable mood lasting at least a week plus three or more of the following symptoms:

•Talking too fast or too much
•Risky or impulsive behavior, like sexual promiscuity or excessive spending sprees
•Needing little sleep
•Being easily distracted (your attention shifts between many topics in just a few minutes)
•Having an inflated feeling of power, greatness, or importance
•Intense focus on goal-directed activity
•Racing thoughts

DEPRESSIVE BI – POLAR

A diagnosis for a major depressive episode requires having a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities a person used to enjoy. In addition, four of the following symptoms must also be present nearly every day for at least two weeks:

•Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (i.e., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite
•Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) nearly every day
•Feeling restless or sluggish to the point that others notice
•Fatigue or loss of energy
•Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
•Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
•Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal thoughts without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide
Mixed episodes
A mixed episode includes symptoms that are both manic and depressive.

ABILIFY (aripiprazole) is used for the treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder in adults and in pediatric patients 10 to 17 years of age.

Bipolar is verry different from clinical depression
by: Victoria
on: 27th June 09

I notice that I have insomnia which is something that I have never dealt with before and it is making it hard for me to go to sleep. I have heard that Sleeping pills are bad because they make the body dependent on them later on but I feel like I have a hard time going to sleep.

Chosen Answer:

benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a great drug to help you sleep. It is sold over the counter (OTC) in most pharmacies. The best part is that it is non-habit forming, so your body will not get dependent on it.

Another drug to try is melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body. Taking it medicinally can help with insomnia. Do not take melatonin if you have high blood pressure (can raise BP), diabetes (can raise blood sugar), depression (can make symptoms worse), or a seizure disorder (can potentiate seizures)

One more option could be Valerian root extract. This has been shown to help treat insomnia. Do not drink alcohol with this drug, or other CNS depressants because they could increase each others effect in the body
by:
on: 24th October 11

I am a 17 year old female who has been dealing with some anxiety issues for the past few years. I am going to my doctor’s next week for an analysis. Lately, my anxiety has really been affecting my self-esteem and frankly, I want to do something about it!

I am open to options about some mild medications which I won’t become dependant on. Are there any suggestions I should ask my doctor about?

Chosen Answer:

Your doctor will likely discuss all your options with you in detail. If you need medication, he/she will prescribe it for you, after talking to you about the various pros and cons associated with it. Make sure you ask plenty of questions if you’re not certain about something. Your doctor knows your situation and will help you make an informed decision. Until then, try not to jump the gun, and good luck.
by: Nox
on: 5th June 10

I have anxiety and i finally told my parents about it, and im going to go see a doctor about it. But i was wondering, how long (generally) does it take to cure anxiety while seeing a specialist?
I have anxiety about getting a job. I cant apply for a job, go to an interview or even start a job without having panic attacks. If i know i have an interview coming up, from the day of the call till the day of the interview i will cry and have panic attacks everyday worrying about it. It has developed mostly in the past year or so.

Chosen Answer:

Nobody here can give you an answer. There are too many variables starting with the cause of your anxiety. Are you anxious because you know next year you have to go away to college and you fear the change? Or are you anxious because you were sexually abused when you were 6 and don’t feel safe in your surroundings? I have a good friend in her 40s that deals with this and it has improved greatly after 10+ years of therapy, but she still needs anti anxiety meds to get her through the day.
by:
on: 2nd May 11

I have a driving test in 3 weeks time, the only problem is I am suffering bad anxiety at the moment, do you think I would be better putting my test of until i get help for my anxiety or is there a way i can manage my anxiety on the test day so that i don’t get too nervous, is there any techniques i could use to reduce the anxiety on test day?

Chosen Answer:

I had the same thing when I went for my test on the 7th.

I went the first time on March 26th, I was a little nervous, went through the test fine until I failed because some moron didn’t give me the right of way. On April 7th I went again and I was SOO nervous. I bawled my eyes out an hour before, it was raining, there was an accident at one end of the town and road construction on the other. But I did just fine and I passed. The instructors KNOW your nervous.

When I was in the car with the instructor I kept telling myself that he was just some guy who was giving directions to his house and I had to drop him off. When that didnt work I told myself, Hey no one knows me in this place anyway so whatever.

Back to your question.

Deep Breathing, and just put your mind somewhere else. The more you think about it the more nervous you will get. And I don’t recommend putting it off, you’ll always be nervous about it and you’ll never be ready for it until test day.

Just think, years from now, you’ll be telling your kids how you did on the test.
=)
by: Kate
on: 24th August 10

I think I might have insomnia. I’m a 14 year old girl. I’m afraid to tell my mom about it because she already thinks I’m doctor crazy. I just finished therapy a few months ago and I don’t want to go back. What should I do?

Chosen Answer:

If you text and browse the internet before going to sleep that might be your problem, a study recently showed that those activities may cause insomnia in kids and teens. Check it out!

http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/did-you-know-that-texting-or-surfing-the-internet-at-night-generates-insomnia/

by: Brenda Jennings
on: 20th January 11