What are the signs of Depression?

A person may be depressed for a variety of different reasons including: a life event (death of loved one, divorce), substance abuse, a situation in life (being in an unhappy marriage), a feeling of depression without any noticeable starting point, a medical condition or any combination of the above.

The symptoms of depression include any of the following symptoms: feeling sad for most of day, decrease in pleasurable pursuits, weight gain/weight loss, fatigue, feeling guilty or worthless, isolating, sleep difficulties, difficulties concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death. Any single one of these symptoms could bring a person to see their doctor or.

Diagnosing depression may not seem as easy as one would think. A person may be depressed but not necessarily identify their symptoms as being the cause. Some one may see a doctor for sleep difficulties, but upon further questioning might have other symptoms of depression. A thorough exam should uncover other symptoms that would lead to a diagnosis of depression. If any of the aforementioned symptoms persist for a while or impact your life, you should seek out help. If you are seeking out help from your doctor, it is important for both patient and doctor to discuss other symptoms or events that are occurring in a person's life as opposed to just looking at the initial symptoms.

Going against the current

Most People generally do not like change, even if the change would benefit them. When individuals are feeling depressed, they behave depressed.  By giving into the depression and allowing behaviors to continue, symptoms will increase.  Think of an undercurrent, going with the current would be easier. Going with the current will take you further out to sea……………………………………

Goings against the current will be harder......

 But will get you to solid ground……………………..

Mark Myers Expert Answer to: How Can I Manage My Anger

When anger is mismanaged, the problems it can create could vary. Often physical problems such as ulcers, high blood pressure, and gastro problems could occur. Other problems such as social and relationship problems, occupational problems, and law problems could also present themselves.
When trying to figure out destructive anger, it is important to realize that anger could serve many functions for us. Examples include: getting our way through anger episodes, feeling superior to others, feeling powerful, expressing thoughts (especially hurt), discharging excessive energy, remaining a victim (not taking action but focusing on what is making you angry), and increasing production and motivation. In order to change the way you deal with your anger, you need to be willing or motivated to change. This would involve giving up the advantages you experience when angry.

Managing your anger involves rethinking the way you look at problems, creating more awareness to patterns to your anger, utilizing relaxation techniques, and making lifestyle changes.
We cannot escape from anger. This is a natural human emotion. However we are able to control anger. If you have continual problems in managing your anger, discuss this with a therapist.

Is it possible for Autism to go unrecognized?

Usually, a diagnosis of autism is made when someone is a child, around age three or four years of age. Symptoms of this diagnosis become more obvious as a child struggles to meet the demands of his or her world. Social, language, and behavioral problems or deficits begin to stand out.

Often times a child may be given a diagnosis other than Autism yet still be Autistic. If the symptoms the child is experiencing are intense, the diagnosis of Autism may be overlooked as attention is given to the more overt symptoms.

An example would be a child who has Asperger (one of the five diagnosis that fall under Autism) may be missing social cues that could be interpreted as defiant. This could lead to a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and therapy could go in a completely different direction.

Also, with Asperger, some of the challenges a child experiences may fall under the radar and not be quite as noticeable. Something may be going on in that person's life as a teenager that were not apparent earlier for him or her. This may make a diagnosis of Autism more clear. Autistic symptoms may stand out more, for example, if a child is put in a more challenging environment. As well, if a person has figured out ways to cope with some of the symptoms of Autism, it is possible they could go through life without being diagnosed.

What are the best ways to temporarily ease anxiety?

Answer by Mark Myers:

There are several different components at work when it comes to anxiety. These would include thoughts, behaviors, physiology, and/or environment. Most of the time we can utilize tools to address all the above. Recognize patterns to your anxiety (environment). Certain surroundings may create more anxiety. Preparing for these situations (not worrying about them) will give you a better opportunity to lessen the anxiety.
Another area to look into is your own internal dialogue (thoughts). Recognize how your own thought process may contribute to your angst. Journaling, writing down your thoughts, will help recognize these thoughts. Some people are just wired (physiology) to be anxious. For these individuals, slowing down their physical responses by breathing exercises or progressive relaxation could greatly help. Practicing this techniques is going to be important and will give you more confidence in addressing anxiety.
Anxiety is a emotion that tells us something is wrong. It signals us from messages our brains are interpreting that something is amiss. If we give in to the anxiety (behavior) and avoid the situation that is making us anxious, we are reinforcing the anxiety experience. Working through your anxiety utilizing some of these suggestions, will give you a better chance at mastering your anxiety.
Lastly, I would suggest looking at your lifestyle. Diet, exercise, and poor sleep habits could be contributing factors.  If the anxiety persists and is uncomfortable enough, I would suggest seeking out  professional advise.
View Answer on Quora

Mark Myers Expert Answer to: How do I set my goals?

The thing is, I'm trying to set my goals, for me to have a long term mirage or finish line and I'm having an hard time, because I don't have an clear image of what I want in a 10 years time. I know what I want for the next months, a year max., but 10 years?

The creation of wealth is my top priority, I have Ideas, but putting them in a timeline, is looking much more difficult than I expected, I usually find planning a difficult task.

So how do you set your goals and how can I set them ?   click for answer

PARENT SURVIVAL TIPS

The behaviorally Challenged child

∙ Avoid comparing your children with each other. Each child is unique in his/her own way.

∙ Identify and understand the unique limits and strengths of each child.

∙ Try to see the humor in things.

∙ Dwell on positives not failures.

∙ Try to start the day off with a positive for your child. Make a list of all the things that make you proud of your child...post it in a prominent place

Advice Giving

∙ Avoid soliciting too much advice from people. You can find yourself overloaded with conflicting information.

∙ Know what you are looking for in others when soliciting advice. Are you looking for support (someone to listen to you) or answers to your problems. If you are looking for support, it could be frustrating for you and that other person when you are trying to ventilate and they are giving you solutions.

Consequences

∙ Role model the \behavior you are expecting from your child. If you do not want him/her to swear, that means curbing your own language.

∙ Instead of saying no all the time, try something different. Switch objects, vary messages (too high, hot, not for baby). This strengthens the No message.

∙ Offer choices. When you do this, then this will happen. Rely on natural consequences. Do not feel the need to always be creative in giving consequences.

∙ Avoid power struggles. Children need to accept that there are going to be consequences they will not like or feel is fair.

∙ Set clear limits with consequences. Let your child know the consequences ahead of time.

∙ Impose consequences as soon as possible.

∙ Limit length of time for time outs. Usually one minute for each year of age.

∙ Avoid rigidity.

∙ Don’t apply consequences that you feel more than the child (grounding him/her and having to stay home and monitor them).

Day to Day

∙ Make things easier for yourselves. Hire a cleaning service. Swap baby sitting. Have your groceries delivered. Have a neighborhood youth mow your lawn or shovel your walk.
∙ Expand your resources. This includes finding baby sitters, and/or joining a mother’s, fathers’s, and/or parent group. Explore your options with your church or synagogue.

∙ Family and friends are a necessity, not a luxury.

∙ Take care of yourself. Their nap time is your nap time. You could also spend time working out at the Health Club. Plan your meals well.

∙ Accept the fact that there are changes you need to adjust to. Your house may not be as clean as it used to be. Dishes may not get done as soon as you would like.

Marriage and Parenthood

∙ Look at parenthood/marriage as a cooperative venture. Apply team work (giving each other breaks).

∙ Look for or create your own windows of opportunity to do things. Accept the fact that now that you have children, free time does not come as easy. You may not be able to go out with the boys/girls on a weekly basis, but if you plan ahead, an evening out once in awhile will help.

∙ Make sure your relationship keeps going strong. Call each other during the day. Leave a message to let your spouse know you are thinking of them. Buy a little gift, leave a note in their lunch box or briefcase.

∙ Wake up ½ hour earlier to greet the day together...quietly.

∙ Avoid having one parent do all the disciplining.

Mark Myers expert answer to: What are the best ways to support and help a significant other who suffers from depression?

Mark Myers expert answer: Feeling sad or blue is a typical human emotion. However individuals that are struggling with depression could find even the simplest of tasks tremendously challenging .It is difficult to see a loved one impacted by this illness.Depression could be devastating not only for the person going through it but for family members as well.   click here for more

Mark Myers Expert Answer to: I Am Addicted to Marijuana and Want to Stop."

From your description, you have two issues you are dealing with, depression and dependency on Marijuana. Both of those issues should be considered. There is a likelihood, they both may be contributing to each other, creating a feedback loop. If you are depressed you could enjoy the escape that comes from the high. The residual effects of the pot use leave you feeling lethargic, unmotivated, and in a "fog", which contribute to feeling depressed. Click here to find out more.