Anti-Stress Tips
Friday, December 19, 2008
By: Elisabeth Deffner

FMOnline vol. 8, no. 12

Work responsibilities. Family friction. Healthcare challenges. Economic tumult. We all know there are plenty of reasons to feel stressed out—and we all know that too much stress can impact our health: increasing blood pressure, disturbing sleep, even paving the way for a fibro-flare.

We also know the best ways to stave off stress: stay as healthy as possible by maintaining a good diet and getting enough sleep, exercising the body, and taking time to relax. But what to do when stress hits anyway? That’s the question we asked FM patients. Here we share their top suggestions.

Eyes and Ears
You may benefit from carefully considering what you watch and what you listen to. Karen Call relaxes every day with “Reduce Stress and Anxiety,” a DVD by Dr. David Illig, or Dr. Andrew Weil’s Mindbody Toolkit, which includes breathwork, meditation, guided imagery, and sound therapy. It’s not difficult to find soothing CDs of ocean sounds or bird calls; perhaps classical music is key to calm for you.

“When I am having a flare-up. I sip warm tea, curl up with my heating pad, cuddly throw and just close my eyes and listen to the ocean, the rain, and beautiful music,” says Suzanne Blaquiere.

Daily affirmations may be helpful for you as well. There are many books available, as well as page-a-day affirmation calendars. You may also want to search online for a website that can emailyou a daily affirmation.

Four-Legged Assistance
Study after study has shown that animal interaction benefits people physiologically—and Arlene LaBarre Kempf of Amity, Ore., has experienced this firsthand. “With everything I’ve been through, my love of my horses, my complete involvement in their care and training—as well as the high level of fitness and the amount of exercise I was getting—always so completely occupied my mind that it allowed me to de-stress, unwind, let-down, relax,” she says.

While maintaining a stable may be out of economic reach for many people, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to interact with animals—from renting a horse to go riding, to owning a small pet such as a guinea pig, to pet-sitting for friends and neighbors, to volunteering at an animal shelter or veterinary clinic.

“Relieving stress for me meant totally occupying my mind with the one thing that I loved more than anything else in the world,” says LaBarre Kempf. “Occupying my mind with something I felt passionate about … causes me to forget about the pain and the stress for those periods of time when I am on a horse’s back.”

“I raise Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats and Chihuahuas,” says Claudia Mitchell of the southwestern Missouri Hoof Print Farm. “When I get that feeling of stress, I go to the barn and hug goats or just watch them. I feel so good when I go back up to the house.”

“I have a cat. She purrs and when I need some loving, I pick her up and she purrs and all things don’t seem as bad,” adds Sandy Crary.

Focus
When Anne Kennedy feels stressed, she takes time out to sit comfortably somewhere and “center” herself. Then she begins to consciously relax her body, a little bit at a time, taking deep breaths as she does it, and focusing on the areas where she is experiencing a lot of pain. “Sometimes it’ll work after one try; other times I keep at it until I relax,” she says.

Change Your Mindset
Family squabble got you stressed? Is your boss in a bad mood? Break your favorite piece of china? Take a deep breath and remind yourself that these are small bumps in the road. Few things are worth the pain of a fibro-flare, so don’t let small annoyances stress you out and put you in one.

“When I get up in the morning I actually do make a conscious decision to be happy and not let things get to me,” explainsAngie Phillips of Burlington, Iowa. “When things do get to me I ask myself one question: ‘In the big scheme of my life, does this really matter that much?’ A lot of times I discover that it doesn’t and I’m able to deal more effectively with whatever is bothering me.

“I really think that the best first step to controlling stress in anyone’s life is to recognize that the control is ours! We can make all the difference in the amount of stress that we have in our lives each day simply by paying attention to our attitudes.”

“I learned that when the stress gets out of control, I need to change the things I can, and it helps me to deal with the things I can’t,” says Michele Stobbe Schenck.

Exercise
You don’t need to do aerobics to experience the de-stressing benefits of exercise. A leisurely walk outside may offer you a new perspective on the issues that are causing you stres and release some endorphins, raising your mood and even decreasing your pain levels.

“Exercise definitely helps,” says Gina S. “At first I didn’t believe it. Exercise in the last thing you think you need when you are curled up in bed, especially on these lately cold mornings. But when I leave the gym and take a shower I feel so much more energized and happy. It has become a healthy addiction for me. I only hope I can keep it up!”

Get a Hobby
Studies have shown that different kinds of handwork—such as knitting and sewing—provides a “relaxation effect” that can sooth your stressed mind. Other hobbies you enjoy, such as painting, gardening, writing, or scrapbooking may provide a distraction from the issues that are bothering you, staving off stress. Christine Margaret Knox, who lives in North Yorkshire in England, makes cards and knits scarves—activities she enjoys, which result in products she can sell for funds to donate to her support group. 

Eliminate the Stress Source
Many of the tips above focus on managing stress, which is an important skill to develop. But big, constant stressors might be better dealt with if they were eradicated. Angie Phillips of Burlington, Iowa, only realized how intensely stress impacted her fibromyalgia symptoms after her divorce became final and she moved to a new community. “I was amazed, and still am, that within a few weeks of the finalization of my divorce and arriving in my new life, I literally felt like a whole new woman,” she says. “It was amazing how much better my pain levels were, how much clearer I could think, how much better my balance was, and I didn’t feel like dying anymore!”

“The first thing I had to do was to distant myself from people that stressed me out (you could call them ‘high-maintanance’),” says Dionne White. “Then I would have to learn to say ‘no.’ I had to stop committing to things that I could not do. Believe me, it keeps stress at bay. You don’t end up disappointing someone else or even yourself.”

“One of the hardest yet most important things I needed (and finally did learn) to help manage my stress levels was to give myself unconditional permission to step back, or even withdraw both emotionally and physically from stressful situations,” says one patient in Bend, Ore. “I give myself to permission to remove myself from a ‘toxic’ situation for whatever time I may need to get back in the saddle again.”

Laugh it Up
“Laughter is a great stress relief,” says Dionne White, who often watches funny movies to reduce her stress. “You feel better when you laugh and I’m convinced it fights depression.”

“Anytime I start to feel stressed I either pop in a funny movie (Blazing Saddles works every time) or I call a friend or one of my sisters. We always end up laughing, and I always feel better!” says Cynthia Mittel.

Consider Alternatives
Valerie Blake loves to cook big holiday meals—but she knows the toll that takes on her, so she has re-consideredher methods. She buys frozen mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes. Her daughters bake the holiday pies, and her grocery store cooks the turkey.  “It’s a hard change to make,” she admits, “but time with my family is far more important to me than the food preparation.  I am thankful I have learned this lesson before I spent one more year suffering through it."

Santa and Sarah
Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at the
Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a
picture of a little girl.
"Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend? Your sister?’"
"Yes, Santa,’ he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.
Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her
dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
"She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child
exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.
Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy’s face, asking
him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit,
the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.
"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.
"Well, I know it’s really too much to ask you, Santa, but.." the old woman
began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa’s elves to collect the
little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
"The girl in the photograph… my granddaughter well, you see … she has
leukemia and isn’t expected to make it even through the holidays," she said
through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa, any possible way that
you could come see Sarah? That’s all she’s asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."
Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information
with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do.
Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he
had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he
thought with a sinking heart, "This is the least I can do."
When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he
retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying.
He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children’s Hospital.
"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.
Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah’s grandmother earlier that
day. "C’mon…..I’ll take you there." Rick said softly. Rick drove them to the
hospital and came inside with Santa.
They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out
in the hall.
Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw
little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the
Grandmother and the girl’s brother he had met earlier that day. A woman
whom he guessed was Sarah’s mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah’s
thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was
Sarah’s aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary, sad look on her
face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and
closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.
Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the
room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!"
"Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run
to him, IV tubes intact.
Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of
his own son — 9 years old — gazed up at him with wonder and excitement.
Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the
effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of
huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke
back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah’s face, he could hear
the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room.
As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one
by one, squeezing Santa’s shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "Thank
you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah
talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for
Christmas, assuring him she’d been a very good girl that year.
As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for
Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl’s mother. She nodded in
agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah’s bed, holding hands.
Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.
"Oh, yes, Santa… I do!" she exclaimed.
"Well, I’m going to ask that angels watch over you." he said. Laying one
hand on the child’s head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that
God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that
angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying,
still with eyes closed, he started singing, softly, "Silent Night, Holy
Night…. all is calm, all is bright…"
"The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying
tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all.
When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah’s
frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you
have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to
have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at
my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!"
He knew it was risky proclaiming that to this little girl who had terminal
cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could —
not dolls or games or toys — but the gift of HOPE.
"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed
her on the forehead and left the room.
Out in the hall, the minute Santa’s eyes met Rick’s, a look passed between
them and they wept unashamed.
Sarah’s mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to
Santa’s side to thank him.
"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is
the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his
six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and
then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.
"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"
"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at
her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each
child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.
"You came to see me in the hospital last year!"
Santa’s jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed
this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He
scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were
rosy — much different from the little girl he had visited just a year
before. He looked over and saw Sarah’s mother and grandmother in the
sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed –and been
blessed to be instrumental in bringing about — this miracle of hope. This precious
little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven
and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. ‘Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"
If you believe in miracles you will pass this on..I did!

Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas – no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears*

*You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday !*

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet during the

holidays a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is ‘The Reason’ for the Christ-mas Season!

Subject: FW: prayer

A  Pastor with GUTS!!
Thought you might enjoy this interesting
Prayer given in Kansas at
The opening session of their Senate. It seems
Prayer still upsets some
People. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open
The new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was
expecting the usual  generalities, but this is what they heard: 

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
Your forgiveness and to seek your direction and 
Guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those 
Who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we
Have done. 

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
Our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it
The lottery. 

We have rewarded laziness and called it
Welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called  it
Choice. 

We have shot abortionists and called  it
Justifiable. 

We have neglected to discipline our
Children and called it building self esteem..

We have abused power and called it 
Politics. 

We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions
And called it ambition. 

We have polluted the air with profanity and
Pornography and called it freedom of expression. 

We have ridiculed the time-honored values
Of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search  us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
Today;  cleanse us from every sin and set us free. 
Amen! 

The response was immediate. A number of
Legislators walked out during the prayer in
Protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian
Church,  where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than
5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls
Responding negatively. The church is now receiving
International requests for copies of this prayer
From India , Africa and Korea .

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on
His radio program, ‘The Rest of the Story,’and
Received a larger response to this program than any  
Other he has ever aired. 

With the Lord’s help, may this prayer sweep
Over our nation and wholeheartedly become our
Desire so that we again can be called ‘one nation
Under God.’ 

If possible, please pass this prayer on to
Your friends. ‘If you don’t stand for something,
You  will fall for everything.’

Think about this: If you forward this
Prayer to everyone on your
E-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be
Heard by the world.

How many people in your address book will  
Not receive this prayer…..do you have the guts to pass it on? 

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it.
Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn’t know, but I checked it out and it’s true:
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, ‘Taps’. It’s the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song?  If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia ..  The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.  Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention  Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as ‘Taps’ used at military funerals was born.
The words are:
Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes.
From the hills.
From the sky.
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun.
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky.
As we go.
This we know.
God is nigh
I too have felt the chills while listening to ‘Taps’ but I have never seen all the words to the song until now.  I didn’t even know there was more than one verse.  I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn’t know if you had either so I thought I’d pass it a long.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.
Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.
Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those
presently serving in the Armed Forces.
Please send this on after a short prayer.
Make this a Prayer wheel for our soldiers….please don’t break it!

Tex Mex Chicken and Rice Casserole

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Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 25 minutes

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Ingredients

· 1/2  cup chopped onion (1 medium)

· 1  tablespoon olive oil

· 1  6.9-ounce package chicken-flavored rice and vermicelli mix

· 1  14-ounce can chicken broth

· 2  cups water

· 2  cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey

· 1  cup chopped seeded tomatoes (2 medium)

· 3  tablespoons canned diced green chile peppers, drained

· 1  teaspoon dried basil, crushed

· 1-1/2  teaspoons chili powder

· 1/8  teaspoon ground cumin

· 1/8  teaspoon black pepper

· 1/2  cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 ounces)

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan cook onion in hot oil over medium heat until tender. Stir in rice and vermicelli mix (including seasoning package); cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in broth and water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes (liquid will not be fully absorbed).

2. Transfer the rice mixture to a large bowl. Stir in chicken, tomatoes, chile peppers, basil, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. Transfer to a 2-quart casserole.

3. Bake, covered, in a 425 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Make Ahead Directions: Prepare as above through step 1. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Bake, covered, in a 425 degree F oven about 40 minutes or until heated through. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

I wanted to share this recipe with everyone.  My kids absolutely loved it!!!

I am adopted. The only thing I know for sure is that my Biological Mother
was from Mississippi. I was born at Seventh Ward General Hospital on April
26,. 1971.
I am searching for any family I may have out there. So if anyone can help I
would appreciate it.

by Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed. ©

Although there has been a great deal of recent interest and writing on the subject of Fibromyalgia and how to manage the painful symptoms, it is almost never suggested that avoidance of certain environmental triggers may be an important management practice. I learned slowly and painstakingly that this is indeed the case for me.

My Fibromyalgia was diagnosed after I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysregulation and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Many of the symptoms of these conditions overlap, but the characteristic painful tender points and extreme diffuse pain were a signal that my condition included something distinctly different from what other MCS and CFIDS patients typically experience.

Because medical practitioners did not tell me that environmental and chemical exposures could trigger or aggravate my FM pain, I did not assume that this would be the case. I only discovered this to be true because of being diagnosed with MCS and I had learned to pay very close attention to my body’s messages and to any possible environmental triggers of my symptoms. It was through this process that I discovered that my Fibromyalgia symptoms were aggravated by chemical exposures, certain foods, and hormonal fluctuations and I came to believe that all three diagnoses were actually one in the same with a different subset of symptoms for each syndrome. I unfortunately had all three syndromes symptoms.

The first thing I noticed was that at different times in my menstrual cycle, particularly at ovulation, menstruation, and right after menstruation my Fibromyalgia symptoms would flare. There was a definite and repeated patter. The tender points on my head, shoulders, legs and buttocks would become extremely painful. I would have accompanying headaches, diffuse body pain, and sleep difficulties. My neuro-cognitive difficulties, often referred to as “brain fog” would also worsen at these times in my menstrual cycle.

If I had been out in the world a great deal being exposed to common everyday chemicals in the days and weeks before my menstrual period, I would invariable notice that all these symptoms would be worse. I also began to see that my Fibromyalgia symptoms would be worse if I had been eating high levers of refined carbohydrates during my cycle.

I discovered that if I washed my clothes in water that was chlorine free and eat organic foods then that made an enormous difference in my Fibromyalgia pain. If I wash my clothes in chlorinated water then the pain is so bad I can’t function and I must take my clothes off. If I shower in chlorinated water I will feel comatose. When I have an exposure to pesticides or herbicides such as a neighbor spraying their yard or mosquito control then my all my symptoms flare severely. If I would sit in a room full of people with someone wearing cologne or an air freshener present then trigger points and widespread pain are excruciating and cognitive functioning is impaired severely. If I leave this room and take a shower in filtered water then my symptoms improve. If I stay in that same room for an extended amount of time then the next day I will be bedridden and barely able to walk or function because of pain and brain fog.

If I don’t have chemical exposures and if I limit refined carbohydrates in my diet then my fibromyalgia symptoms as well as my MCS and CFIDS will improve dramatically. The more exposures I have or the more refined carbohydrates I eat then the more severe my symptoms will be in each category.

Why this happens, we can only speculate, but I believe that the chemicals are upsetting my body’s natural hormonal and endocrine balance. Scientists are now aware that many of the air-borne and food-borne chemicals we are constantly ingesting are endocrine-disrupters. These chemicals mimic estrogen in the body and may contribute to many problems. There is also evidence that refined carbohydrates may interfere with proper endocrine functioning.

Some Fibromyalgia patients may feel that following a strict regimen of avoiding certain chemicals or following a strict diet may not give you enough improvement to justify the effort. However, there is recent evidence to suggest that chemical sensitivity can be the result of a liver dysfunction that is a component of a medical condition known as porphyria. Porphyria has been studied for decades, and it has long been accepted that it is often degenerative in certain types of porphyria, the disability can permanently worsen over time if the patient does not avoid the triggers of their episodes. Although this research is not yet conclusive, it creates cause for concern. If in fact Fibromyalgia, CFIDS, MCS and GWS are all related in some way or in fact really just one in the same and if all involve this typed of liver dysfunction, then avoidance of chemicals may be an important therapy for these patient groups. I would urge all FM patients to carefully evaluate the possibility that they are reacting to environmental triggers to prevent the possibility of a permanent worsening of their condition.

***************

You have permission to publish this article electronically free of charge, providing the entire byline at the end of the article is included and the content is left unchanged. If you use it, please notify me with a copy of your publication or a url to where it can be found. For print publications, please contact me to discuss and to obtain US mailing address to send a courtesy copy. cynthiap@frognet.net This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed. is an author and holistic health counselor providing alternative solutions and life management and support for individuals living with chronic illness or chronic pain. She is also author of the inspirational E-Book “Finding Life Fulfillment when Living with Chronic Illness-A Spiritual Journey”. Subscribe to her FREE monthly Newsletter for inspiration, advice and support. http://www.holistichelp.net/ or send any email to this address to subscribe to the FREE Newsletter Holistichelp-Subscribe@Topica.com

In the 1400’s a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have ‘the rule

of thumb’

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Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled ‘Gentlemen Only…Ladies Forbidden’…and thus, the word GOLF entered

into the English language.

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The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

——————————————-

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.

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Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

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Coca-Cola was originally green.

——————————————-

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

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The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work:

Alaska

——————————————-

The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this….)

——————————————-

The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

————————————————————————

The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age

of eleven:

$ 16,400

————————————————————————

The average number of people airborne over the U.S. In any given hour:

61,000

————————————————————————

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

————————————————————————

The first novel ever written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.

————————————————————————

The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

————————————————————————

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:

Spades – King David

Hearts – Charlemagne

Clubs -Alexander, the Great

Diamonds – Julius Caesar

————————————————————————

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

————————————————————————

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

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Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn’t added until 5 years later.

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Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?

A. Their birthplace

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Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?

A. Obsession

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Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter ‘A’?

A. One thousand

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Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common?

A. All were invented by women.

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Q. What is the only food that doesn’t spoil?

A. Honey

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Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?

A. Father’s Day

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In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.  When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase…’Goodnight, sleep tight’

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It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

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In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts… So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them ‘Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.’

It’s where we get the phrase ‘mind your P’s and Q’s’

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Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. ‘Wet your whistle’ is the phrase inspired by this practice.

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At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!

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Don’t delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

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YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2008 when…

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven’t played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don’t have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn’t even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You’re reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn’t a #9 on this list.

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history lesson for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol…so pass it on!!
Author Unknown

I have taken many moments to find the right things to say,

When I think of how wonderful you are the words just slip away,

I really cannot begin to tell you how you light up the room,

When you enter into a place there is no sign of doom.

The smile on your face is as beautiful as the stars above,

You are a true expression of God’s creation and his love.

You are blessed with a spirit that is genuine and ooh so true,

Your personality is so awesome you keep others from being blue.

Always hold your head up and never look down,

Continue to trust the Master and stay on level ground.

You are like a colorful butterfly; the limit is truly the sky,

When you are faced with obstacles just spread your wings and fly.

Remember to trust the Savior and always bend your knees to pray,

And know in your heart that He will always make a way.

By: Chantal R. Lee 9/9/08

Labor analysis estimate that if a Canadian stay-at-home mom with two school aged children were paid for all the work she does, her annual salary would be $163,852.00 {Canadian}.  The figure is based on current market wages and a “100-hour work week consisting of six 15 hour days and one 10 hour day,” says the Vancouver Sun newspaper.  Among the responsibilities of a stay at home mom are those of day care, teacher, driver, teacher, housekeeper, cook, nurse, and general maintenance worker.  The newspaper offers the following advice: “Appreciate your mother: She’s probably underpaid.”

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room’s only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon,  when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by ..
Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.
‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present ..’
The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone who passes it on.
Do not keep this letter.
Just forward it to your friends to whom you wish blessings.

     God doesn’t make mistakes. He puts us where we are to be.
  They say there are no mistakes, for everything there is a purpose. Makes you think. Enjoy! We’ll never know where our paths will take us!
   ***AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ**TRUST ME
   This is really beautiful…God is not sleeping.
   Consumed by my loss, I didn’t notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend-my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father’s death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.
     When mother’s illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her.
   I counted it an honor.. ‘What now, Lord?’ I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife’s hand.
   My sister sat slumped against her husband’s shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child.. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone.
   My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone. I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church.  Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor.
   An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed the them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle. ‘I’m late,’ he explained, though no explanation was necessary.
   After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, ‘Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of ‘ Margaret ?” ‘Because that was her name, Margaret . Never Mary . No one called her ‘ Mary ,” I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn’t have sat
on the other side of the church He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?
   ‘No, that isn’t correct,’ he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, ‘Her name is Mary , Mary Peters .’ ‘That isn’t who this is.’ ‘Isn’t this the Lutheran church?’
   ‘No, the Lutheran church is across the street.’  ‘Oh.’  ‘I believe you’re at the wrong funeral, Sir.’
     The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man’s mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs.
   The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious.
   I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing..
     At the final ‘Amen,’ we darted out a door and into the parking lot. ‘I do believe we’ll be the talk of the town,’ he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt’s funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.
     That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor.
   This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.
   In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them , ‘Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it’s truly a match made in heaven.’
     Jesus said, ‘If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father. ‘Not ashamed? Pass this on. Only if you mean it. Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I would be nothing. Without him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)
   If you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he has done for you, send this on to others.

Today is the day I started taking CHANTIX.  A prescription medication designed to help you quit smoking.  According to the paperwork, I should be completely smoke free by August 2, 2008.  I have decided to help myself out by blogging it on here!!!

I would like for my experience to somehow help someone else to quit smoking.  I’ll be spending alot of time on my papercrafts.  I know it will be easier if I keep myself busy.  Therefore, I will be doing alot of scrapbook maybe, I will even work on my cousins cookbook for Christmas.

So, everyone lets see how many of you smokers out there are willing to quit with me!!!

Love is always PATIENT,
Love is always KIND,
Love is always JEALOUS,
Love is always BOASTFUL,
Love is always CONCEDED,
Love is always RUDE,
Love is always SELFISH,
Love does not take OFFENSE,
Love is never RESENTFUL,
Love takes no pleasure
In other peoples Pain,
But delights in the TRUTH:
Love is always ready to EXCUSE,
Love is always ready to TRUST,
Love is always ready to HOPE,
Love is always ready to ENDURE,
WHATEVER COMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Red Rose stands for

” PASSIONATE LOVE”

The first step to getting appropriate treatment for depression is a physical examination by a physician. Certain medications as well as some medical conditions such as a viral infection can cause the same symptoms as depression, and the physician should rule out these possibilities through examination, interview, and lab tests. If a physical cause for the depression is ruled out, a psychological evaluation should be done, by the physician or by referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist.

A good diagnostic evaluation will include a complete history of symptoms, i.e., when they started, how long they have lasted, how severe they are, whether the patient had them before and, if so, whether the symptoms were treated and what treatment was given. The doctor should ask about alcohol and drug use, and if the patient has thoughts about death or suicide. Further, a history should include questions about whether other family members have had a depressive illness and, if treated, what treatments they may have received and which were effective.

Last, a diagnostic evaluation should include a mental status examination to determine if speech or thought patterns or memory have been affected, as sometimes happens in the case of a depressive or manic-depressive illness.

Treatment choice will depend on the outcome of the evaluation. There are a variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depressive disorders. Some people with milder forms may do well with psychotherapy alone. People with moderate to severe depression most often benefit from antidepressants. Most do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life’s problems, including depression. Depending on the patient’s diagnosis and severity of symptoms, the therapist may prescribe medication and/or one of the several forms of psychotherapy that have proven effective for depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is useful, particularly for individuals whose depression is severe or life threatening or who cannot take antidepressant medication. ECT often is effective in cases where antidepressant medications do not provide sufficient relief of symptoms. In recent years, ECT has been much improved. A muscle relaxant is given before treatment, which is done under brief anesthesia. Electrodes are placed at precise locations on the head to deliver electrical impulses. The stimulation causes a brief (about 30 seconds) seizure within the brain. The person receiving ECT does not consciously experience the electrical stimulus. For full therapeutic benefit, at least several sessions of ECT, typically given at the rate of three per week, are required.

Medications for Depression
There are several types of antidepressant medications used to treat depressive disorders. These include newer medications — chiefly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — the tricyclics, and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The SSRIs-and other newer medications that affect neurotransmitters such as dopamine or norepinephrine-generally have fewer side effects than tricyclics. Sometimes the doctor will try a variety of antidepressants before finding the most effective medication or combination of medications. Sometimes the dosage must be increased to be effective. Although some improvements may be seen in the first few weeks, antidepressant medications must be taken regularly for 3 to 4 weeks (in some cases, as many as 8 weeks) before the full therapeutic effect occurs.

Patients often are tempted to stop medication too soon. They may feel better and think they no longer need the medication. Or they may think the medication isn’t helping at all. It is important to keep taking medication until it has a chance to work, though side effects may appear before antidepressant activity does. Once the individual is feeling better, it is important to continue the medication for 4 to 9 months to prevent a recurrence of the depression. Some medications must be stopped gradually to give the body time to adjust, and many can produce withdrawal symptoms if discontinued abruptly. For individuals with bipolar disorder and those with chronic or recurrent major depression, medication may have to be maintained indefinitely.

Antidepressant drugs are not habit-forming. However, as is the case with any type of medication prescribed for more than a few days, antidepressants have to be carefully monitored to see if the correct dosage is being given. The doctor will check the dosage and its effectiveness regularly.

For the small number of people for whom MAO inhibitors are the best treatment, it is necessary to avoid certain foods that contain high levels of tyramine, such as many cheeses, wines, and pickles, as well as medications such as decongestants. The interaction of tyramine with MAOIs can bring on a hypertensive crisis, a sharp increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. The doctor should furnish a complete list of prohibited foods that the patient should carry at all times. Other forms of antidepressants require no food restrictions.

Medications of any kind — prescribed, over-the counter, or borrowed — should never be mixed without consulting the doctor. Other health professionals who may prescribe a drug-such as a dentist or other medical specialist-should be told of the medications the patient is taking. Some drugs, although safe when taken alone can, if taken with others, cause severe and dangerous side effects. Some drugs, like alcohol or street drugs, may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and should be avoided. This includes wine, beer, and hard liquor. Some people who have not had a problem with alcohol use may be permitted by their doctor to use a modest amount of alcohol while taking one of the newer antidepressants.

Antianxiety drugs or sedatives are not antidepressants. They are sometimes prescribed along with antidepressants; however, they are not effective when taken alone for a depressive disorder. Stimulants, such as amphetamines, are not effective antidepressants, but they are used occasionally under close supervision in medically ill depressed patients.

Questions about any antidepressant prescribed, or problems that may be related to the medication, should be discussed with the doctor.

Lithium has for many years been the treatment of choice for bipolar disorder, as it can be effective in smoothing out the mood swings common to this disorder. Its use must be carefully monitored, as the range between an effective dose and a toxic one is small. If a person has preexisting thyroid, kidney, or heart disorders or epilepsy, lithium may not be recommended.

Fortunately, other medications have been found to be of benefit in controlling mood swings. Among these are two mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants, carbamazepine (Tegretol™) and valproate (Depakote™). Both of these medications have gained wide acceptance in clinical practice, and valproate has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for first-line treatment of acute mania. Other anticonvulsants that are being used now include lamotrigine (Lamictal™) and gabapentin (Neurontin™): their role in the treatment hierarchy of bipolar disorder remains under study.

Most people who have bipolar disorder take more than one medication including, along with lithium and/or an anticonvulsant, a medication for accompanying agitation, anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Finding the best possible combination of these medications is of utmost importance to the patient and requires close monitoring by the physician.

Side Effects of Antidepressants
Antidepressants may cause mild and, usually, temporary side effects (sometimes referred to as adverse effects) in some people. Typically these are annoying, but not serious. However, any unusual reactions or side effects or those that interfere with functioning should be reported to the doctor immediately. The most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants, and ways to deal with them, are:

• Dry mouth — it is helpful to drink sips of water; chew sugarless gum; clean teeth daily.
• Constipation — bran cereals, prunes, fruit, and vegetables should be in the diet.
• Bladder problems — emptying the bladder may be troublesome, and the urine stream may not be as strong as usual; the doctor should be notified if there is marked difficulty or pain.
• Sexual problems — sexual functioning may change; if worrisome, it should be discussed with the doctor.
• Blurred vision — this will pass soon and will not usually necessitate new glasses.
• Dizziness — rising from the bed or chair slowly is helpful.
• Drowsiness as a daytime problem — this usually passes soon. A person feeling drowsy or sedated should not drive or operate heavy equipment. The more sedating antidepressants are generally taken at bedtime to help sleep and minimize daytime drowsiness.

The newer antidepressants have different types of side effects:

• Headache — this will usually go away.
• Nausea — this is also temporary, but even when it occurs, it is transient after each dose.
• Nervousness and insomnia (trouble falling asleep or waking often during the night) — these may occur during the first few weeks; dosage reductions or time will usually resolve them.
• Agitation (feeling jittery) — if this happens for the first time after the drug is taken and is more than transient, the doctor should be notified.
• Sexual problems — the doctor should be consulted if the problem is persistent or worrisome.

Herbal Therapy for Depression
In the past few years, much interest has risen in the use of herbs in the treatment of both depression and anxiety. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), an herb used extensively in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in Europe, has recently aroused interest in the United States. St. John’s wort, an attractive bushy, low-growing plant covered with yellow flowers in summer, has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. Today in Germany, Hypericum is used in the treatment of depression more than any other antidepressant. However, the scientific studies that have been conducted on its use have been short-term and have used several different doses.

Because of the widespread interest in St. John’s wort, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is conducting a 3-year study, sponsored by three NIH components-the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the Office of Dietary Supplements.

The study is designed to include 336 patients with major depression, randomly assigned to an 8-week trial with one-third of patients receiving a uniform dose of St. John’s wort, another third a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor commonly prescribed for depression, and the final third a placebo (a pill that looks exactly like the SSRI and the St. John’s wort, but has no active ingredients). The study participants who respond positively will be followed for an additional 18 weeks. After the 3-year study has been completed, results will be analyzed and published.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory on February 10, 2000. It stated that St. John’s wort appears to affect an important metabolic pathway that is used by many drugs prescribed to treat conditions such as heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and rejection of transplants. Therefore, health care providers should alert their patients about these potential drug interactions. Any herbal supplement should be taken only after consultation with the doctor or other health care provider.

In any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness. The economic cost for this disorder is high, but the cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person. But much of this suffering is unnecessary.

Most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment, although the great majority — even those whose depression is extremely severe — can be helped. Thanks to years of fruitful research, there are now medications and psychosocial therapies such as cognitive/behavioral, “talk,” or interpersonal that ease the pain of depression.

Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that depression is a treatable illness. If you feel that you or someone you care about is one of the many undiagnosed depressed people in this country, the information presented here may help you take the steps that may save your own or someone else’s life.

A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together” and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.

Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses such as heart disease. Three of the most common types of depressive disorders are discussed here. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.

Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.

A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, the individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state.

Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time.

Depression Symptoms

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Mania Symptoms

• Abnormal or excessive elation
• Unusual irritability
• Decreased need for sleep
• Grandiose notions
• Increased talking
• Racing thoughts
• Increased sexual desire
• Markedly increased energy
• Poor judgment
• Inappropriate social behavior

Some types of depression run in families, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited. This seems to be the case with bipolar disorder. Studies of families in which members of each generation develop bipolar disorder found that those with the illness have a somewhat different genetic makeup than those who do not get ill. However, the reverse is not true: Not everybody with the genetic makeup that causes vulnerability to bipolar disorder will have the illness. Apparently additional factors, possibly stresses at home, work, or school, are involved in its onset.

In some families, major depression also seems to occur generation after generation. However, it can also occur in people who have no family history of depression. Whether inherited or not, major depressive disorder is often associated with changes in brain structures or brain function.

People who have low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism or who are readily overwhelmed by stress, are prone to depression. Whether this represents a psychological predisposition or an early form of the illness is not clear.

In recent years, researchers have shown that physical changes in the body can be accompanied by mental changes as well. Medical illnesses such as stroke, a heart attack, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depressive illness, making the sick person apathetic and unwilling to care for his or her physical needs, thus prolonging the recovery period. Also, a serious loss, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any stressful (unwelcome or even desired) change in life patterns can trigger a depressive episode. Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive disorder. Later episodes of illness typically are precipitated by only mild stresses, or none at all.

Depression in Women
Women experience depression about twice as often as men. Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women-particularly such factors as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, postpartum period, pre-menopause, and menopause. Many women also face additional stresses such as responsibilities both at work and home, single parenthood, and caring for children and for aging parents.

A recent NIMH study showed that in the case of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), women with a preexisting vulnerability to PMS experienced relief from mood and physical symptoms when their sex hormones were suppressed. Shortly after the hormones were re-introduced, they again developed symptoms of PMS. Women without a history of PMS reported no effects of the hormonal manipulation.

Many women are also particularly vulnerable after the birth of a baby. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new life, can be factors that lead to postpartum depression in some women. While transient “blues” are common in new mothers, a full-blown depressive episode is not a normal occurrence and requires active intervention. Treatment by a sympathetic physician and the family’s emotional support for the new mother are prime considerations in aiding her to recover her physical and mental well-being and her ability to care for and enjoy the infant.

Depression in Men
Although men are less likely to suffer from depression than women, three to four million men in the United States are affected by the illness. Men are less likely to admit to depression, and doctors are less likely to suspect it. The rate of suicide in men is four times that of women, though more women attempt it. In fact, after age 70, the rate of men’s suicide rises, reaching a peak after age 85.

Depression can also affect the physical health in men differently from women. A new study shows that, although depression is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in both men and women, only men suffer a high death rate.

Men’s depression is often masked by alcohol or drugs, or by the socially acceptable habit of working excessively long hours. Depression typically shows up in men not as feeling hopeless and helpless, but as being irritable, angry, and discouraged; hence, depression may be difficult to recognize as such in men. Even if a man realizes that he is depressed, he may be less willing than a woman to seek help. Encouragement and support from concerned family members can make a difference. In the workplace, employee assistance professionals or worksite mental health programs can be of assistance in helping men understand and accept depression as a real illness that needs treatment.

Depression in the Elderly
Some people have the mistaken idea that it is normal for the elderly to feel depressed. On the contrary, most older people feel satisfied with their lives. Sometimes, though, when depression develops, it may be dismissed as a normal part of aging. Depression in the elderly, undiagnosed and untreated, causes needless suffering for the family and for the individual who could otherwise live a fruitful life. When he or she does go to the doctor, the symptoms described are usually physical, for the older person is often reluctant to discuss feelings of hopelessness, sadness, loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities, or extremely prolonged grief after a loss.

Recognizing how depressive symptoms in older people are often missed, many health care professionals are learning to identify and treat the underlying depression. They recognize that some symptoms may be side effects of medication the older person is taking for a physical problem, or they may be caused by a co-occurring illness. If a diagnosis of depression is made, treatment with medication and/or psychotherapy will help the depressed person return to a happier, more fulfilling life. Recent research suggests that brief psychotherapy (talk therapies that help a person in day-to-day relationships or in learning to counter the distorted negative thinking that commonly accompanies depression) is effective in reducing symptoms in short-term depression in older persons who are medically ill. Psychotherapy is also useful in older patients who cannot or will not take medication. Efficacy studies show that late-life depression can be treated with psychotherapy.

Improved recognition and treatment of depression in late life will make those years more enjoyable and fulfilling for the depressed elderly person, the family, and caretakers.

Depression in Children
Only in the past two decades has depression in children been taken very seriously. The depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that the parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, grouchy, and feel misunderstood.

Because normal behaviors vary from one childhood stage to another, it can be difficult to tell whether a child is just going through a temporary “phase” or is suffering from depression. Sometimes the parents become worried about how the child’s behavior has changed, or a teacher mentions that “your child doesn’t seem to be himself.”

In such a case, if a visit to the child’s pediatrician rules out physical symptoms, the doctor will probably suggest that the child be evaluated, preferably by a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of children. If treatment is needed, the doctor may suggest that another therapist, usually a social worker or a psychologist, provide therapy while the psychiatrist will oversee medication if it is needed.

Parents should not be afraid to ask questions: What are the therapist’s qualifications? What kind of therapy will the child have? Will the family as a whole participate in therapy? Will my child’s therapy include an antidepressant? If so, what might the side effects be?

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has identified the use of medications for depression in children as an important area for research. The NIMH-supported Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPPs) form a network of seven research sites where clinical studies on the effects of medications for mental disorders can be conducted in children and adolescents. Among the medications being studied are antidepressants, some of which have been found to be effective in treating children with depression, if properly monitored by the child’s physician.

I am adopted.  My mother passed away on November 26, 2007.  Since my Mother passed away the only person that I hear from on her side of the family is her niece and my cousin Paula.  I made an effort to invite members of the family to my sons 7th birthday party which we had yesterday.  None of them bothered to come.  Paula I knew most likely wouldn’t because she doesn’t drive alot and drives even less in bad weather.

Well I made my last effort to include the others in my life.  The only one I will talk to on a daily basis or invite to anything that I have for my family is Paula.  The others need not worry that they will hear from me again because they won’t.  Lord knows that I don’t need them for anything.

My Mom would be really proud of the way they are treating me and my children.  But, as I told Paula, it is not for me to judge them.  They will be judged by a higher power.  I will leave judgement to Our LORD and Savior. 

It just saddens me that they feel as if we are no longer a part of this family simply because my Mother is no longer with us.