Depression In North America - a Downturn in Mood!

Video Concerning Foods That Affect Moods

Depression is referred to a downturn in mood. This "mood" is usually transitory and is usually caused by something trivial. Depression is another way of term for being sad, feeling blue, discouraged, hopeless or "down in the dumps" Depression is often the result of many factors.

These factors join together to cause feelings of depression or may have the same results when experienced individually. Events in our lives, often some form of loss, are the most likely causes of depression. The loss could be readily apparent like the death of a family member of a friend, or it may be less obvious. Moving away from home for the first time can cause a less obvious feeling of loss.

Domestic problems, financial difficulties, feelings of helplessness in controlling your environment and even a monotonous environment are common causes of a depressed mood. A sad song can bring on a depressed mood. Rainy weather and lack of sunlight are examples of common seasonal causes. The depressed mood can also stem from an internal source.

Lack of self-esteem or a negative view of your life can lead to depression. Hereditary and hormonal factors also contribute to depressed moods. Certain illnesses can encourage depressive behavior. A depressed mood may come at you quickly with no apparent reason, but is likely to leave you just as quickly. Depression lasting for more than two weeks or so severe that it interferes with daily living may indicate a more serious problem and should be discussed with your doctor.


Clinical depression is the leading cause of disability in North America. The World Health Organization
anticipates that by 2020, clinical depressions will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide.
Heart disease is expected to continue being number one.

Interestingly, almost twice as many females as males report or receive treatment for clinical depression.
However, recent history is showing a lessening of this imbalance. This difference seems to disappear after the age of 50-55.

The theoretical causes and risk factors of clinical depression are broadly classified into two categories
Physiological and Sociopsychological.

One common sociopsychological cause is life experiences. This includes job loss, long term
unemployment, rape, divorce and sexual dysfunction. As the instances of these causes increases in North
America, the cases of depression rise as well.

A few of the physiological factors prevalent in North America include dietary, medical conditions and even the quality of sleep.

The increase in depression in industrialized countries is linked to the reduced amounts of omega-3 fatty
acids found in intensively farmed and processed foods.  A deficiency in magnesium levels can cause depression as well as an excess of omega-6 fatty acids.

Certain illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, prominent in North America, may contribute to
depression. Some prescription drugs such as hormonal contraceptives and steroids may also play a roll in causing depression.

In short, give yourself a break and relax because life will drag you through the mud until you take charge and start managing your lifestyle instead of having it managed for you!

Anxiety, Panic and Stress

Anxiety is a physiological state that’s caused by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). SNS is always active at the base level (called sympathetic tone) and becomes more active in stressful situations. The "flight or fight" response occurs from here. Anxiety doesn’t need an outside influence to occur. Anxiety is often based on irrational or illogical fears.

Panic is related to the "fight or flight" mechanism.  It’s a reaction brought on by outside stimulus and is a product of the sympathetic nervous system. Panic in general is a sudden fear that can dominate or replace our thinking. Panic usually occurs in a situation that is perceived to be health or life threatening. Panic is an anxiety state we’re thinking about.

Stress is a psychosocial reaction. It’s influenced by the way a person filters non-threatening external

events. The filtering is based on the person’s assumptions, ideas and expectations. These

assumptions, ideas and expectations can be referred to as social constructionism.

Panic and stress both play important roles in the natural survival instinct. The preparations for fight

Or flight is the body’s defense mechanisms. Preparing for whichever course of action is decided upon to preserve life, health or whatever is in danger.

Anxiety doesn’t always stem from an actual need for fear or defensive action. Escaping situations that make us anxious may bring relief, but these feelings are intensified when we face similar situations. This encourages us to escape the situation again instead of working through the anxiety.

Anxiety or panic attacks are sudden periods of intense anxiety, fear and discomfort. While these attacks might seem to happen for no reason, they’re actually the body’s response to what it perceives as the need for "fight or flight".

The attacks usually last about ten minutes, but can be as short as one minute. In severe cases, these attacks can happen in cycles. These cycles may last for extended periods. These cycles can cause "anticipation" anxiety between episodes.

Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks generally include shortness of breath, heart palpitations and sweating.  Tingling and numbness in the extremities, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches and nausea are also commonly experienced. These may appear to be random, but they’re actually the result of the body’s preparations for protection.

The anxiety attack is brought on by a sudden onset of fear. In response, the body releases adrenaline Followed by increases in the heart and breathing rate and the production of sweat (to regulate body temperature).

These actions prepare the body for the physical activities of fighting or escaping. Because the anticipated strenuous activity rarely follows the panic attack, these reactions result in physical discomfort.

The increased heart rate is felt as heart palpitations. Rapid breathing (hyperventilation) results in a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and blood.  This leads to the tingling, numbness, dizziness and lightheadedness. The adrenaline causes a narrowing of the blood vessels which results in less blood flow to the head. This also contributes to the lightheadedness and headaches.

These debilitating episodes are more likely to occur during times of high stress. It’s also common for symptoms of clinical depression to be present in people with anxiety disorders. Treatment includes behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes and medications. Sometimes a combination of all three is needed. Occasionally, a change in lifestyle is all that is needed.

 Mainstream treatment generally consists of a combination of prescription medications and referral to a cognitive behavioral therapist. This treatment method is often met with controversy. Some studies show this combination is more effective than either method alone, while other studies have shown that the majority of patients gain more benefits from the medications and very little of the behavioral treatments.

 The best treatment may depend on the genetics of the individual sufferer as well as environmental factors. Working closely with a counselor, psychiatrist or therapist will aid in determining the best treatment methods.

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