Complementary remedies for depression and anxiety

About 4 in every 10 persons in the United States use some form of complementary or alternative therapy of some sort. The use of complementary remedies has increased in the past decades. One of the most common uses of complementary remedies is for the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms. A validquestion then is: do they work? Let’s review the latest information on the mostpopular remedies.

 

• Hypericumperforatum (St. John’sWort): a few studies point out that St. John’s Wort can be as effective as theold tricyclic anti-depressants for the treatment of mild depression. Currentlyit is used at a standard 0.3% preparation, although there are others. Somestudies comparing it to fluoxetine (Prozac) yielded mixed results. In summary:for mild depression St. John’s Wort is an alternative for treatment, but caremust be taken due to its tendency to interact with some medications. Ask yourphysician.
• S-adenosyl-methionine(SAMe): studies indicate that SAMe can be as effective as the older tricyclicanti-depressants in treating symptoms of mayor depression. Furthermore, it tends to be bettertolerated than those medications. In summary: this is the best-validatedcomplementary therapy for depressive symptoms.
• Omega-3Fatty Acids: meta-analysis (aggregating various studies) studies indicate thatthey work better than placebo for depressive symptoms. It is noteworthy that italso worked for people with bipolar depression. In summary: another option forpeople with mild depression or people with bipolar illness with depressivesymptoms.
• Chamomile:studies indicate effectiveness in anxiety symptoms when compared to placebo. Insummary: it is worth trying in people with anxiety or depressive symptoms.
• Yoga:practicing yoga fosters general feelings of well-being, which help diminishfeelings of depression and anxiety. Yoga practice is also associated withbetter stress management. In summary: for people who don’t have a medicalcondition that prevents them from practicing yoga there is no reason not togive it a try.
• Taichi: studies have indicated tai chi is useful to relieve depression, anxiety,and is helpful to diminish stress. Some studies have suggested that it is alsouseful for relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome, which frequentlycoexists with depression. Insummary: there is no reason not to try it, as even people with medicalconditions preventing yoga can try the basic exercises which are not toostressful on the body.
• Meditation:several studies have shown improvement in depression and anxiety scales inpeople who practice meditation techniques. And thousands of people commend theefficacy of their meditation techniques. In summary: try different techniquesto find which on suits you best. Almost everybody can benefit from the rightmeditative technique.
• Acupuncture:due to the heterogeneous nature of the various acupuncture treatments it is difficultto study them from the scientific perspective. Studies point to acupuncture beinguseful in the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms. In summary: it ishard to recommend acupuncture as the sole treatment of depression and anxietybut due to it being well tolerated and it is worth a try when complementingother treatment modalities.
• Exercise:anyone who can, should exercise. A study has found exercise as effective asanti-depressants for relief of mild depression. It also helps promote generalwell-being and equips the body to better manage stress and anxiety. In summary:start exercising after consulting your doctor.

 

 

Complementarytherapies can be effective in the relief of depression and anxiety. Just rememberthat natural remedies do not necessarily mean safe remedies. Natural remediesare chemicals, just like any medication. Any medical condition, includingneuropsychiatric ones, should be treated with the supervision of yourphysician.

 

The information in this blogis not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician aboutany health concerns you may have.

 

For appointments with Dr.Douglas J. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com. You can sendquestions for Dr. Romero at douglasromeromd@gmail.com.

 

As always your opinions areimportant. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.

 

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Anxiety medications

There are two types of medication for anxiety: those that treat anxiety when it manifests itself and those that prevent excessive anxiety when someone has frequent bouts of anxiety. Both have their role in eradicating anxiety disorders.

Medications that treat acute anxiety are usually called anxiolytics. They tend to be fast acting medications (usually working within an hour) to achieve rapid relief for someone who is acutely anxious. Examples of these medications include Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and others. Although these medications have some abuse potential and can have withdrawal effects if used for several weeks at high doses few people actually develop problems from the use of these medications. They can be used only when the person needs anxiety relief or daily to control chronic anxiety.

Other medicines are used to prevent anxiety episodes or to control chronic anxiety on a daily basis. The medicines most often used for this are the selective serotinin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which were discussed in the entry on anti-depressants. Along with other findings, the fact that these medications control both anxiety and depression is making psychiatrists believe that depression and anxiety are similar dysfunctions of brain function. Exmaples of these medications include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and others. Other medications that work through other mecanims but are effective foe anxiety include BuSpar, Effexor, Neurontin, and several others.

The information in this blog is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician about any health concerns you have.

For appointments with Dr. Douglas J. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com

As always your opinions are important. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.

Hypnotic regression explained

We all have within us an unlimited source of wisdom. Sometimes we forget to look inside in order to bring balance to our lives. That's when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances and depressed. But we can reconnect with our essence to create harmony in our lives, understand each other better, and have peace. One of the most powerful tools to achieve this is the technique known as hypnotic regression therapy.

In hypnotic regression therapy you can recall the memories that cause depression and anxiety to bring emotional health. The psychiatrist leads the patient to an internal inspection of these experiences to rid the person of the effect caused by them. The strands of your existence unravel through this exploration. This way you will be free from any effect of your past. You will better understand the effect of the past on your current life issues and be able to bring about positive actions to improve the quality of your life.

Regression therapy is an excellent way to combat depression and anxiety. When used alone or with other therapies such as medications it can bring quick relief from neuropsychiatric symptoms. Examining the patterns of your life leads to understanding. And understanding allow you to make positive changes in your life. The chains of vicious cycles are broken because the past no longer dictates the present. Current relations are explored in order to and live better. And above all you open to that inner wisdom that guides us to a better life and greater growth.

Not everyone experiences the same as hypnotic regression. Some people have vivid experiences that involve all of their senses. Other people have a subtle experience or impressions recalling distant fragments. Some people may have revelatory experiences in their first few sessions and others may take a little longer. But for all these people regression serves as a vehicle for healing and self improvement.

Exploring your life course through regression therapy is a safe and effective way to achieve emotional health. In the hands of a qualified psychiatrist it is a very powerful therapy. It improves relationships with others and ourselves. And it brings greater happiness.

The information in this blog is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician about any health concerns you have.

For appointments with Dr. Douglas J. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com

As always your opinions are important. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.

Depression explained

Clinical depression, known in psychiatry as major depressive disorder, is a brain disorder in which the brain loses its capacity to properly regulate a person’s emotions, thought patterns, and behavioral reactions. This is due to the brain losing it ability to balance its information connections and biochemistry leading to frequent feelings of sadness, inability to enjoy activities, disruption of sleep and eating patterns, poor energy, irritability, feelings of guilt, concentration problems, and difficulty in making decisions. It is estimated that around 15% of the population that suffers from major depression eventually commits suicide.

There are other neuropsychiatric conditions which might lead to depressive symptoms. Such conditions include adjustment disorders (a very strong reaction to adjusting to changes), bipolar illness, dysthymic disorder (a low level, chronic depression), and others. Mayor depressive disorder also has some subtypes depending on a person’s symptoms.

Factors such as heredity, chronic stress, emotional stress, substance abuse, medical conditions, medication side effects, history of abuse, and others could predispose a person to depression by affecting brain function. Studies indicate that depression is slightly more common in women than in men, meaning gender is also another factor in the condition. 

Depression is unfortunately a very common medical condition. It is estimated that about 25% of all people will at some point meet criteria for a diagnosis of mayor depressive disorder. And current trends indicate that the incidence of depression is increasing. Despite that fact that depression is very common most depressed people will never seek or receive treatment for their condition. And of the people that are prescribed treatment most will abandon treatment. This are regrettable facts because depression is a treatable (even curable) condition.

Depression deeply affects the lives of those who suffer it and the people close to them. Someone with depressed mood will not be able to enjoy life.  Personal relationships and ability to work are also affected, as symptoms impair ability to appropriately respond to personal situations and  problems with concentration frequently affect job performance. Also, appetite changes affect self esteem with the associated weight changes. Depression might also lead some to try to “self-medicate” with drugs and alcohol leading to addiction. And in severe depression a person might attempt and commit suicide.

Depression is a medical condition of the brain which affects in many ways the life of those afflicted. The first in treatment is to a approach a healthcare professional so the condition might be identified and treated. it’s important to understand that depression is a brain disorder and that there are effective therapies to treat the disorder. Also, as with any health condition there are steps a person might take that will lead to better health (dieting, exercising, change of habits and environment) to improve a depressive condition.

The information in this blog is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician about any health concerns you have.

For appointments with Dr. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com

As always your opinions are important. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.

Anxiety explained

Anxiety is an uncomfortable emotional state in which a person feels that something bad will happen. It tends to be a diffuse feeling of danger. The feeling is accompanied by physical reactions like sweating, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, dry mouth, muscle tension, confusion, and sometimes dizziness or lightheadedness. In psychiatry, anxiety differs from fear, which is a physical reaction to something specific. For example, someone may feel great anxiety about an earthquake versus fearing an aggressive dog and being concerned about being bitten.

Anxiety comes in many forms. It can manifest as chronic, ongoing concerns, sleep problems, and stress. It can also come in intense attacks of anxiety in a short period of time, strong reactions after a traumatic event, excessive fear of a situation or object or excessive worry about everyday life issues. Anxiety becomes a medical disorder at the time it interferes with the activities of daily living of the person and their ability to function normally.

A common manifestation of anxiety are episodes called panic attacks. A panic attack is an anxiety attack usually happenning without there being something in the environment that justifies the intense anxiety reaction. In panic disorder the person suffering from these episodes often accompanied by concerns about having another episode. Episodes prevent normal functioning person and affect their quality of life.

Anyone can suffer from an anxiety disorder. It is estimated that worldwide 16.6 percent of people suffer from an anxiety disorder. They are very common conditions. An estimated one quarter of the population will suffer from a panic attack at some point. People with relatives who suffer from an anxiety disorder are at greater risk. So are people with a history of trauma and people with excessive stress. Also people with certain medical conditions are at higher risk for anxiety conditions.

Feelings of anxiety are caused by inappropriate activation in the brain centers that process the signals of danger. In a fit of anxiety over these centers are activated for the situation of the person. In these centers panic attacks are triggered without any reason can be identified. The anxiety centers then send signals to the rest of the brain and body and creating a sense of anxiety reaction in the body. These episodes are a reaction of the brain and in severe cases the person can not control. Several medical conditions can also cause anxiety episodes. Episodes of hypoglycemia, thyroid conditions, hormonal disorders and heart attacks can create symptoms of anxiety as something wrong is happening in the body and activates the brain.

Many people seek help from their physician or emergency room when they experience episodes of anxiety for the first time. Associated physical sensations can be extremely powerful and uncomfortable. If someone has an episode of intense anxiety, particularly if it is the first time, I recommend to seek medical help to determine the cause of the episode. Anxiety can be the first symptom of a serious condition that requires treatment. People who already have a diagnosis of an anxiety condition of neuropsychiatric origin should seek treatment to eliminate symptoms. With psychotherapy the person may develop various tools to reduce or eliminate excessive anxiety.

If the cause of anxiety can be determined it can be treated and to eliminate anxiety symptoms. And through the various therapies a person can reach the point that he or she does not require further treatment. The brain is very versatile and has great resilience. If the anxiety is caused by a condition affecting the brain that condition needs to be treated. It is important to understand that anxiety is a brain condition and that there are excellent treatments for these disorders.

It is also important to distinguish between anxiety and stress. Stress can be good if it is not excessive. Appropriate stress allows us to work better if channeled properly. Anxiety, by definition, is bad for health. Anxiety suppresses our immune response, increases the risk of disease and affects the individual and those around him. People with high stress are at risk for anxiety as excessive stress overloads the brain to the point that prevents its normal function. Prevention is possible and important, as proper stress management can prevent the development of anxiety conditions. Such prevention is important because anxiety conditions are debilitating. It is also important to society because of the high social and economic costs of these conditions once they develop.

The information in this blog is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician about any health concerns you have.

For appointments with Dr. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com

As always your opinions are important. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.

About loneliness

About loneliness

Someone recently told me he felt a great sense of loneliness despite living in a big city. Loneliness is one of the social ills afflicting the psyche of more people of all ages in developed countries in the XXI Century. Not long ago if you wanted to communicate with someone you had to speak with the person. Today, our societies congregate on cities where we do not know who is our next door neighbor. Technology is creating a generation of functionally autistic people who have no genuine contact with other humans except for brief excerpts of text on our phones. And every day our attention span grows shorter. One effect of modern adult life is its complexity. Have you read the terms of use of iTunes? In this environment, who has time for other people?

So people are becoming increasingly isolated. And with the loss of the sense of interconnectedness between us and nature there we develop a sense of social narcissism. In this way begins to rear its head one of the ills of our age: loneliness.

To feel lonely is to feel that our connection with others has been severed. People become mere objects and become just objects to other people, we depersonalize each other. And in the process we deny one of the essential characteristics of human beings: that we are social beings.

Humans need deep emotional relationships in the same way we need oxygen and nutrients. We could say our relationships are the food of the soul. We can try to replace those relationships and try to replace love with money, sex, or many other things. But we know that is a trick that does not work because it leaves the soul empty. Worse, when we realize it is a problem we've hit rock bottom and do not know how to get out.

There is good news, however. There is no need to fall into the abyss of loneliness and if you fall you do not have to stay in it. Always remember that the biggest limitations of humans are those imposed by ourselves. And that is also your solution ... free yourself. To exit the solitude you can follow some simple but effective steps:

• Reactive old connections. In the same way that modern technology has created much of the problem of loneliness, used judiciously it can reconnect you with friends you have not seen in a while. And as time passes it becomes more important to keep in touch with those people who know you back five, ten, thirty years ago. Taking a moment for a phone call from time to time is something everyone can do. Coordinate a gathering of friends. If there is the will, there will be the way. Believe me, the other person is in the same situation.
• Get out of your house! You can’t connect with other people if you stay in your house like a vampire in his coffin. Search the world and find it. When you are exposed to differnet experiences you will find more opportunities to develop relationships with others.
• Get involved in activities that interest you. When we are young our relationships are based on geography. You share the same room, the same university, and so on. Relationships when we become adults rely more on shared interests. Search in groups, classes and activities of your interest and find like-minded people. Collect people compatible with you and you will find that before you realize it, you have reactivated your social life and developed connections with people.
• Seek the elderly. Our society of 24 hours / 7 days a week tends to put aside our elders. A shame, because they are people of great wisdom who have much experiences, stories, and advice to  offer to the younger generations. And they are the most solitary of people and really appreciate when people gets interested in them. Sit and listen to an older person. You'll be surprised.
• Did I mention to leave your house from time to time?
• Enter an information diet. Keep your information consumption to a minimum. There is so much information competing for your attention that you get out of your use of the information all that is unnecessary and hinders your growth. Of course, don’t forget to read this blog.
• Do not pay so much attention to your smartphone.

The information in this blog is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician about any health concerns you have.

For appointments with Dr. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com

As always your opinions are important. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.

Health explained

We should all aspire to our highest potential. A constant state of mediocrity, conformity and constant unhappiness are the most common effects on people of our modern society. You deserve better and the primary tool you have to achieve your maximum potential is your health.

Health however is a poorly understood concept. Most people think of health as simply the absence of obvious disease. But health is more. In 1946 the World Health Organization defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This means that to be healthy is to find our comfort and enjoyment of life in all its dimensions. And keeping your health is what will allow you to reach your full potential.

So given that definition here are some tips to reach that total health status, or at least get as close as possible to this ideal:

• Prevention is your main tool. Whether your annual physical exam (got one, right?) or being at your ideal weight, measures that prevent you from getting sick are your primary tool to achieving and maintaining your health.
• Strengthen your mind, body and spirit. You do not have health if you have a perfect body but your mind is in disarray and your spirit is empty. Fill your life with healthy experiences that can enrich all dimensions of your being.
• Have fun. All work and no play is not life, and certainly it’s not health. Look for activities that fill you with joy and people with whom to share them.
• Create healthy relationships. We are social beings and need to connect with other people. Promote healthy relationships and stay away from toxic relationships. Attracts people to fill your life with love, knowledge and wisdom. Distance yourself from people who are emotional, economic and personal parasites. They will not contribute to your growth. In short, surround yourself with people who promote your growth and expand your horizons. Remove those people who will sink you with them into the whirlpool of their twisted lives.

The information in this blog is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician about any health concerns you have.

For appointments with Dr. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com

As always your opinions are important. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.

Psychiatry and mental illness explained

It seems like a good idea to start a discussion about concepts of psychiatry with a discussion about what is psychiatry. Psychiatry is the branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of patterns of emotion, thought, and behavior that causes disruption of the normal functioning and the quality of life of a person and people around him or her. The psychiatrist has the knowledge to diagnose and treat these conditions and improve the quality of life of these persons. This group of conditions is called mental illness, but perhaps a better term would neuropsychiatric conditions.

The vast majority of disorders of emotion, thought and behavior is the result from disruption of normal brain function. The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. To put into perspective just how complex the brain is, picture that in your head you have more connections between your neurons than the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy. With so many connections it is understandable;e that sometimes these connections won’t work well.

There are several factors that can affect brain function and cause dysfunction. The first factor is genetic. If you have any close family with a neuropsychiatric condition you have a higher risk of developing a condition if you are exposed to high stress situations. This does not mean you will develop a condition. For example, if you are female and your mother developed breast cancer, you have a higher risk but doesn’t mean you will have the disease.

Another major factor is the stressors to which we are exposed. This runs the gamut from traffic jams you face every day to serious interpersonal situations. Depending on your vulnerabilities at some point your brain might overload and you develop a neuropsychiatric condition. And there are many other factors, such as medical conditions. Each body is a universe. And in that universe when a part is not working well it affect other parts of your body. Thyroid conditions, diabetes and others may manifest as anxiety, depression or other neuropsychiatric conditions.

The job of the psychiatrist then is to obtain a history and if necessary a physical examination the necessary information to reach a description of how brain function is affected. That way you can formulate an improvement plan for that person to return to health.

It's worth making the distinction between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in brain function and the way other medical conditions can affect the brain. It has the ability to integrate the medical and the mental dimensions of human beings to work to improve a person’s health. A psychiatrist can help a person change her thought and behavior patterns (a process called psychotherapy) and/or use medications to restore the brain’s normal function in the same way that a diabetic uses insulin to regulate glucose metabolism in the blood. A psychologist is a person who specializes in studying the phenomena of emotion, thought and personal and social behavior of a person and also has training in the process of psychotherapy.

Several points should be considered when it comes to neuropsychiatric conditions:

• A psychiatric diagnosis is not destiny. It is simply a description that helps clinicians to better understand your situation and to communicate with other clinicians. Neuropsychiatric conditions symptoms vary widely among people with the same diagnosis.
• You're not a passive victim of a neuropsychiatric disorder. Like any other medical conditions, neuropsychiatric disorders may improve or worsen depending on your actions. A healthy lifestyle with exercise, good nutrition, good relationships, and eliminating unnecessary or toxic stress in your life can make a huge difference in the way a neuropsychiatric condition manifests itself.
• There are effective treatments. If your emotions, thoughts and behaviors are disturbed to the point of affecting your quality of life it is time to seek professional help and improve your quality of life.
• Do not give up. Neuropsychiatric conditions can make you or your family feel great despair. Remember that there are various types of help and there are more tools than medicine and psychology to help you be well again.

The content on this blog is not a substitute for a proper medical evaluation. If you have any questions regarding your health consult your physician.

For appointments with Dr. Romero call 787-764-5642 or visit www.mimejoramiento.com

As always your opinions are important. Share them so that others benefit from your experiences and perspectives.