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 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 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 am 23 year old female. I have a 2 year old daughter. I have had problems with depression since I have had her. Because of the depression, I have gained 40 lbs. Is there something else besides medicine that I can take or do? My depression is hurting my marriage. I am out of refills on my medication. I just want something besides my medication to help me, if there is any. Serious answers only please.

Chosen Answer:

My English isn’t perfect but I’ll do my best to tell you how I got out of it. I’d been struggling with serious depression from January till about June this year. I think I am healthy now, but consider myself depression prone and going to pay attention to my life style for the rest of my life.
My answer to your question is make your life as positive as possible and give yourself 6 months to feel better.
1. Watch positive movies, TV programs and laugh a lot. Avoid TV news and newspapers – they are depressing. Avoid thrillers, dramas, horror movies etc. In general avoid anything negative.
2. Read positive, inspiring books.
3. Listen to joyful music.
4. Regularly exercise.
5. Avoid toxic people, even if they are members of your family. / Spend time with positive,uplifting people.
6. Meet friends on regular basis.
7. Make a list of your life achievements, and focus on it every morning and evening.
8. Every night, before going to sleep make a list of good things that happened to you that day. Be grateful for them.
9. Meditate every day.
10. Sleep well, and try to go to bed always at the same tiime.
11. Every day give yourself time to spend with things you love to do.
12. Bless your enemies.
13. Make your home a peaceful place. You should always feel “at home” when you’re at home.
14. Yes, have a healthy diet.

I’d also recommend the following books:
1. Creating Optimism – Bob Murray & Alicia Fortinberry
2. Change Your Brain, Change Your Life – Daniel G. Amen
3. The 4:8 Principle – Tommy Newberry

Hang in there!

by: Jack Brown
on: 16th September 08

Someone i know i feel as severe depression. His mood completely changed when the holiday came around. It got to the point where he lashed out and verbally said some hurtful things. Is this a symptom? How long does a phase of depression last for?

Chosen Answer:

Sweetie, I have had Manic Depression. And that doesn’t sound what your friend has honestly. He sounds more like Bi-polar or something to that effect. He’s having some major anxiety problems, or severe mood swings. That’s what it sounds like to me. Now of course, I’m not a Psychiatrist but I’ve dealt with mental issues all my life. And if it keeps on he needs to seek some counseling and maybe be put on some medication for it. But I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers, and you should continue to pray about it and urge him to see someone. It can get really bad with friends and family because at the time he can’t help what he’s saying. Other people may think that he can control his tongue. But he can not. So, keep that in mind when he says things that may hurt your feelings. But you noticed the change in him before anyone else so he must mean a lot to you. And if you noticed he’s changed then I’m sure he’s noticing it also and maybe afraid or embarrassed to say anything. Talk to him about it and let him know that you care and are there for him, I know that helped me a lot. God Bless You and Him!
by:
on: 10th December 10

I have Social anxiety. My doctor prescribed Zoloft which is a depression medicine. I am just curious, how does the same medicine also treats social anxiety???

Chosen Answer:

They go hand in hand. You get anxious about something and after some time it becomes depressed over that same thing. In both cases, when the nerve ends send messages to the next nerve thru a gap, these messages don’t get there, they sort of bounce back to their origin. This is what’s called a chemical imbalance in the brain. These messages are sent via chemicals ‘jumping’ from one nerve end to the other. If they don’t get ‘absorbed’ by the second nerve, we become depressed and probably more anxious about more things in life.
by: FlowersYes
on: 11th December 09

I guess what I really want to know is if paranoia is a type of an anxiety disorder/part of an anxiety disorder, or are the two seperate things?
Are they a part of the same disorder?

Or are they two completely seperate disorders that just happen to have similar symptoms?

Chosen Answer:

They are 2 separate disorders. Paranoia is the when you think someone or something is trying to do you harm or make you fail. This is all in the mind.

Anxiety is a disorder involving chemicals in the mind which sends adrenaline surges from your adrenal glands. Anxiety is treated as a mental disorder even though it involves actually bodily functions. That is why when someone first starts having anxiety or panic attacks the doctor wants you to have a blood test to check on how your hormones are functioning, especially the thyroid hormone.
by: MeAgain
on: 11th October 10

My boyfriend has severe depression, as well as anxiety disorders. Lately it’s been pretty bad. He’s already on a variety of medications. They lessen the severity, but like I said, it’s still pretty bad. What are some other ways he can bring his depression and anxiety under control? I don’t mean taking herbal remedies or anything like that. I mean something like exercising, which his doctor recommended.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

Chosen Answer:

Exercise is one of the most potent treatments for depression and there is a growing body of research to support this. In several studies exercise was as effective as antidepressant medication in relieving symptoms of depression. It does not have to be aerobic exercise, but should be done at least 3-4 times per week and it may take up to 6 weeks for him to experience the difference. One of the ways you can encourage him to exercise is to do it with him. Go walking, jogging, biking or even dancing. This may not only help relieve his depression, but will give you more time with him as well doing a shared activity. If his depression is caused by a particular problem he is facing, then medication will not help, He needs to address the problem directly.

Good luck
by: 30kdays
on: 31st May 09

I have Major Depressive Disorder (so I am told). I don’t think I would ever have the guts to kill myself, but I envy those who do. Could this be the depression?

Chosen Answer:

same thing here. but i do not envy those who can do it. i agree that they have some extra stamina or an immeasurable bluntness that moves them all the way to the end. but I appreciate whatever it is that they have. i try my own way. something or the other stops me. i console myself saying, its not your cup of tea. so, endure and enjoy what life has in store for you. if there is nothing but depression, live up to it. the catharsis will give you a pleasure. you know what – there is a pleasure in senses of loss; there is a joy in senses of melancholy; there is everything in senses of nothingness. you just need to feel it. listen to Waka Waka. relate it to you.
by:
on: 13th July 10