The power of addiction and stress in life

July 31, 2015

The power of addiction and stress in life: The dangers of mixing stress with drugs

The power of addiction and stress in life can be the reason of your endless frustrations and discomfort in life. Real time action should be taken to correct any mess that may have been created by addiction and stress in your life

What kind of life is this? Why must be always me? Will I ever overcome these challenges? When will all these end? I am tired and frustrated with this kind of work? It is now time for paying bills and I don’t have money how will I face my landlord? These and many more are some of the questions that illustrate the kinds of life we live today, a life full of demands with very limited resources in a fast moving society. People are discouraged, lost in thoughts and ideas on how to make ends meet. The result of this is living a very stressful life full of worries, temptations, anarchy and wishes. I wish I had this, did that and so on. The question that begs for an answer is how do you cope with situations like these? Many people often resort to using drugs as relief providers. They just want to have everything behind them thinking that they will indeed succeed in doing so by taking drugs or alcohol. This is not always the case because the power of addiction and stress in life are not limited to drugs. We spoke to doctor Dalal Akoury who is an expert in addiction for well over two decades and she acknowledges that substance abuse is one way through which many people think of when it comes to relieving of their stressful moments.

She says that even though this is the common practice across the globe, it is the worse anyone can do for him or herself. By resorting to drugs you are indeed adding more problems into your life instead of eliminating them. It is true that when under the influence of drugs, you are not really yourself and as long as the substance is still controlling your systems you may not experience the effects of your stressful life. However the moment sobriety sets in, you pick up the pieces from when you left and this time it will even come with other additional complications. When you are overwhelmed you resort to drugs again and again and before you know it, you are addicted to that. It now means that besides the stress you were trying to escape from, you have added into your life the garbage of addiction to that specific drug.

The power of addiction and stress in life: Substance abuse as self-medication for stress

Like we have already mentioned self-medication is a situation where people turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to manage their problems. Depressants like alcohol produce a calming effect on the body, and so the individual will feel like they have escaped their difficulties. They may start to take these substances more and more as a way to manage their stress levels. This is dangerous because the cure can be far more damaging than the initial symptoms.

The power of addiction and stress in life: The dangers of using alcohol and drugs to deal with stress

If you understand the consequences of using drugs or alcohol in excess, then you wouldn’t use them when stressed. It may be true that using alcohol or drugs to deal with stress is at best a short-term solution but the resulting consequences are very dangerous because:

It can lead toaddiction. If this happens then the individual may find it difficult to stop. Addicts can end up losing everything including their possessions, health, friends, family, and self-respect.
Substance abuse only masks the problem and doesn’t eliminate it. It will be almost impossible for the individual to learn better ways of managing stress while they are still abusing alcohol or drugs.
Substance abuse increases the amount of stress in people’s lives. It makes it difficult to be effective at work, and it damages people’s ability to form meaningful relationships. The longer a person abuses these substances the more things they will have in their lives to feel stressed about. They can then get into a vicious circle of abusing drugs more and more to escape the stress that is being caused by their substance abuse.

The power of addiction and stress in life: Symptoms of stress

It is possible that sometimes people can be stressed and not even noticing therefore is important to have the understanding of some of the most common symptoms which may include:

Inability to sleep properly
Loss of appetite and discomfort when eating
Headaches
Feeling antsy
Indigestion
Stomach discomfort or ‘butterflies in the stomach’
Getting irritated easily
Luck of concentration– sometimes described as ‘fuzzy thinking’
Anxiety
Lack of energy
Thinking negatively most of time
Muscle tension
Evidence of an ineffective immune system – e.g. frequent colds
Loss of interest in sex
Feelings of frustration

The power of addiction and stress in life: Effective ways to deal with stress

It may not be possible for people to completely eliminate stress from their lives. Because of that fact it is important that we develop strategies for managing it. In those strategies substance abuse must never be part of the solution because they are not. The most effective solutions include:

Learning a meditation technique such asmindfulness. This teaches people to observe what is happening in their mind without taking it so personally. Just the simple technique of naming and observing stress can be enough to reduce it.
Relaxation techniques provide the body with the opportunity to let go of stress. This could include simple breathing techniques or visualizations.
Exercise is another good way to relieve stress. This is because itincreases the release of body chemicals that make people feel good. Just going for a long walk every day can be enough to keep stress levels under control.
Listening to music or spending time engaged in a hobby can also dramatically reduce stress levels.
Getting away for a few days can help people recharge and escape the usual stressors. A break away from normal living also provides the opportunity to reassess life.
Keeping a journal provides the opportunity to vent about stressors. These annoyances tend to be more damaging when they are internalized. Just writing about them on paper can diminish the strength of these stressors.
Talking about problems to other people is another good way to reduce stress levels

Finally it is necessary that when people continue to struggle with chronic stress for unnecessarily too long, they should advice from a therapist immediately. Talking to doctor Dalal Akoury the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will go a long way in finding lasting solution to all your addiction or stressful life concerns. Call her today on Tel: 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment right away.

The power of addiction and stress in life: The dangers of mixing stress with drugs

The illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief

July 31, 2015

The illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief: Substance abuse provides temporary relief from stress

The illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief is one that should not be taken seriously because the consequences can be life threatening.

Over the years research has established that the effects of stress on human life can damage individual’s mental and physical well-being. Despite of this establishment, we are somehow bound to be stressed in life owing to the nature of life’s demands today. Experts are very categorical that stress will always be there and reasonable stress may not be bad anyway however, our inability to deal with stress effectively when it strikes is the problem we need to work on. Ordinarily and this is where we all miss the point, when we are faced with stressful situations and circumstances we often go for the wrong elements of solutions. Doctor Dalal Akoury a respected drug addiction experts registered that one of the ways that people often run to for help is the use of alcohol or drugs. Whereas this type of self-medication can provide temporary relief, it however important to note that this is ultimately self-defeating. The consequences is that the individual will have more stress in their life than ever before and besides that they will lose their strength and ability to handle it progressively. Therefore the illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief is misleading and dangerous. Nonetheless there are so many different techniques that people can use to better manage stress effectively. We will be discussing some of those ways as we progress into the discussion and therefore I request you to stay on the link to the conclusion of this article and you will not regret it.

The illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief: Stress Defined

People often struggle to give the precise definition of stress yet in their life this word is used almost on a daily basis. A lot of us will give numerous examples of what stress does in an attempt to define the adjective however giving the precise specification of what stress is remains an uphill task to many a challenge that we want to pull off your shoulders now. Ideally stress is very subjective and people are even struggling to agree primarily on which things are stressful and those that are not. Like for instance so many people will be taken off gourd and fell stressed when they are asked to make a public speech, and yet again for others this won’t be such a big deal. We are all different as to what stressed us but we all have the common fact that despite being different on how and what stress us, we are all getting stressed at one point or another.

Therefore we can make several definitions of stress and one way of defining stress would be to simply register that it is the body’s way of dealing with a demand at any given time. This will involve the release of different chemicals in the body in preparation to taking action. It is also important to appreciate that the fight or flight response is produced by the body when there is a sense of danger. We may not shy away from the fact that stress has developed a bad reputation in our lives and societies, but the again it is also somehow essential for survival. That is because if people didn’t react to external events they would be in great danger from those events. Besides that stress can also be highly beneficial when it comes to preparation for exams or other important events. Does that surprise you? If it does I will explain for your understanding. From various studies it has been established that stress can encourage people to put in a lot of effort and it keeps them focused to their ultimate goal whether it is an exam or any other thing they want to excel in. now that we are all at par with what stress is, let us further into the discussion by addressing some of the elements that triggers stress.

The illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief: Stressors – Triggers of stress response

Anything that triggers the stress response is referred to as a stressor. Therefore some of the most common stressors include:

Sudden death of a loved one
Consistent conflicts at work or home
Chronic Illnesses
Overwork and undue targets
Poor time management
Legal problems
Major life changes such as changing house or job
Relationship breakdown
Unhealthy habits such as substance abuse

It may not be possible to put all the stressors here on paper because they are many and diversified but these are just a few that may help you know what are likely to cause you stress so that you can take action accordingly.

The illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief: The dangers of chronic stress

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of this health facility, it is important to understand that the moment people spend a lot of time feeling stressed, a lot of changes will take effect in their lives. Like for instance when one is stressed he or she can begin to feel the effects of stress which can cause damage both physically and mentally. This is because the chemicals associated with the stress response are only meant to be in the bloodstream for short periods. Those who are chronically stressed will have such chemicals working overtime. Therefore, the following are some of the dangers of chronic stress that we need to take note of:

Chronic stresscauses the immune system to become less effective. This is because stress forces the immune system to release chemicals so that they end up being overused. Instead of helping people fight off infections, these chemicals begin to damage the individual’s own organs. This can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes among other chronic complications.
Chronic stress leads to fatigue and depression. Those who are dealing with a lot of stress in their lives will have poor mental health.
It can increase the risk of developing ulcers and digestive problems.
Many people who are dealing with chronic stress will turn to substance abuse.

Finally we will certainly continue with this discussion in our subsequent articles but in the meantime, it is important that if you are stressed and using the wrong substance for relief, it is time for you to choose life and live it in a healthy way. Doctor Akoury is an expert in all lines of addiction and your stressful life is one that she will help you fix in the most professional way if only you can schedule for an appointment with her today for the commencement of your treatment and full recovery.

The illusion that substance abuse offers stress relief: Substance abuse provides temporary relief from stress

Types of depression which are associated with addiction

July 30, 2015

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: What you need to know about depression

Types of depression which are associated with addiction are not just harmful to individuals health but are also fatal if not addressed in good time

Research has proved that there are significant evidence linking depression and drug addiction. Today we have different types of depression which are associated with addiction some of which may include the following: A typical depression, chronic and psychotic depression. For us to understand these properly, we are going to be consulting with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and also the founder of the facility. Doctor Akoury is a veteran expert in addiction and has been in practice for well over two decades now. That can tell you that we are talking about nothing but professionalism at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. You can become part of this team by scheduling for an appointment today and all your concerns will be addressed professionally and promptly. And now to the types of depression:

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: A typical depression

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, there is a form of clinical depression which does not present itself straightforwardly. This is what is commonly known as “atypical depression,” where the symptoms are surprising and indeed, atypical to the condition. The “atypical” in the name does not mean that this is a rare condition it is found in 36 percent of all cases of depression only that it is different from classical depression. This type of depression is often associated with the following symptoms.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: Symptoms of atypical depression

Doctor Akoury says that, those who have this type of depression (atypical depression) are likely to experience the following:

Sleep a lot (hypersomnia) instead of being unable to sleep
Overeat (hyperphagia) instead of losing your appetite
Gain weight instead of losing it

In cases of hypersomnia and hyperphagia, the variation or excess sleep is defined as 10 hours per day (or two or more hours a day than usual); the weight gain is defined as at least 5 pounds. There are other, more nuanced symptoms of atypical depression. You may actually experience happiness at good news, but the feelings do not last and are quickly replaced by more common depressive sensations. In fact, this symptom known as mood reactivity – is one of the criteria for diagnosing atypical depression. If a positive experience makes you feel more than 50 percent happier than you did before the experience, your doctor knows that you do not have major depression and can prescribe the appropriate course of treatment for you.

In another symptom, you may feel incredibly lethargic and completely drained of energy. While this is standard to victims of both classical and atypical depression, atypical depression is different because victims feel as though they are physically unable to move that is to say that they are feeling as if they are being physically restrained from getting out of bed, for example.

Atypical depression also can make you excessively sensitive to criticism and negative feedback. If this sensitivity negatively impacts your job or academic performance, and it causes stress in your personal and everyday life, your medical practitioner can use this to diagnosis atypical depression.

Similar to other depressive and mood disorders, women are more likely to develop atypical depression than men. Besides women, typical depression is also very common with teenagers than adults even though it can continue into adulthood if not detected and treated in good time. Other conditions, such as substance abuse, anxiety, and somatization disorder where the patient has chronic physical symptoms with no evident physical cause are more common in atypical depression than classical depression.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: Chronic depression

Chronic depression also known as dysthymia, its effects are not as severe as those of major depression, but it lasts longer – upwards of two years. While the impact is not as crushing, the persistent, lingering effects of dysthymia are still serious cause for concern. Doctor Akoury reports that diagnosing dysthymia is not easy, because it does not present itself clearly as major depression. Given that it is diffused over a significant period of time, dysthymia is often simply brushed off as a negative disposition or a long-term bad mood. It often escapes the attention of the people who may be able to notice a problem because of how habitual the symptoms of dysthymia can appear.

Because of this, even people who have dysthymia may not know that they have a depressive condition. Unable to understand why they do not enjoy life as much as they used to, they are at risk for developing other comorbid conditions, such as eating disorder (never leaving the house and relying on comfort food), substance abuse, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is possible for the patient to experience an attack of major depression, even while suffering from dysthymia. This phenomenon is known as “double depression.”

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: Chronic depression symptoms

Other recognizable symptoms of chronic depression may be:

Insomnia
Fatigue
Excessive amount of sleep
Cognitive impairment
Hopelessness and despair

These symptoms may be familiar; they are also found in people who have major depression. The difference here is that for people with dysthymia, these symptoms are not as pronounced, but they can last for years. However, like other major depression, the effects of dysthymia are enough to disrupt daily life.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: What is psychotic depression?

In the context of mental health, psychosis refers to a patient losing contact with reality. The following symptoms are associated with psychosis:

Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things when there is no such stimuli
Paranoid delusions, or the fear that the patient is being persecuted
Cognitive impairment
Catatonia

Psychotic depression is characterized by the usual symptoms of major depression including insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, etc. with some manifestation of psychosis. The causes of psychotic depression are still not understood, but it is believed that an imbalance of a hormone known as cortisol (which is secreted in the adrenal glands, for release during times of stress) may be associated. It is also important to note that psychotic depression is different from other disorders where psychosis is present, like schizophrenia, because patients with psychotic depression are aware of their psychoses; that is, if you have psychotic depression, you will know that the voices you hear are not real.

Finally it is important to note that the shame or embarrassment inherent can make psychotic depression difficult to diagnose. Therefore taking early precaution is very necessary so that what can be avoided be avoided before it gets out of hand. You can talk to doctor Dalal Akoury of you feel that this describes you and she will be able to help you in the most professional way.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: What you need to know about depression

The effects of drugs on clinical depression

July 29, 2015

The effects of drugs on clinical depression: Depression and addiction

The effects of drugs on clinical depression is almost getting out of hand in the current life set up.

The complications of drug addiction and misuse of alcohol will continue to be with us thanks to the life demands in the twenty first century. Everybody is having their own share of life demands and expectations which in many times we often fail to meet. Those failures always form the biggest reasons why people feel depressed and stressed. When these two (depression and stress) are present in ones’ life there will be high chances that some of those people may resort to using drugs to minimize their depressed and stressed situation. And with that in mind, we want to discuss through this article the effects of drugs on clinical depression and stress. Our objective is to inform you of their interrelationship and the best possible means of eliminating them from your life. Meanwhile in one of our discussion forums a question was asked to the experts’ at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury that “does depression cause addiction by triggering a need for intoxication? Or does substance abuse cause depression by changing the way the brain functions?” In response to that, doctor Akoury said that it is important to note that depression and substance abuse intertwine on several levels including the following:

Under normal circumstances depression can trigger drug or alcohol use as a form of self-medication.
Drugs or alcohol can also precipitate depression by altering the brain chemistry.
The effects of intoxication or withdrawal can resemble the signs of a depressive disorder.
The neurological factors that cause depression may predispose the individual to alcohol or drug addiction.

One very challenging thing about depression and drugs is that a lot has been and is still being done to conclusively establish the difference between the two but as things stand now, even to the most experienced clinicians, it can be difficult to tell the difference between clinical depression and the effects of drugs or alcohol. Many of the most widely abused substances are central nervous system depressants, including:

Alcohol: Includes beer and wine as well as hard liquor and spirits
Benzodiazepines: Includes sedative/muscle relaxants like Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam)
Cannabis: Includes smokable and edible forms of marijuana
Opiates: Includes illicit and prescription drugs derived from opium, such as heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone
Barbiturates: Includes powerful sedatives like Seconal (secobarbital) and Nembutal (pentobarbital)

From the expert’s point of view, doctor Akoury says that substance induced mood disorders occur when the psychological effects of drug intoxication or withdrawal cause abnormal emotional states. Withdrawing from cocaine, meth or other stimulants can cause changes in brain chemistry that lead to severe depression. Depression may also be a side effect of withdrawal from heroin or other opium-based drugs.

The effects of drugs on clinical depression: Symptoms of substance-induced depression

Symptoms of substance-induced depression include: fatigue, poor appetite, lack of concentration, tearfulness, suicidal ideation and they resemble the symptoms of major depressive disorder. And besides that, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the symptoms of substance-induced depression usually does not take long and normally resolve within a few days after the drug is cleared from the patient’s system. However when depression is not diagnosed in good time, getting clean or sober can actually make the symptoms worse. Further to that it is important to appreciate that when alcohol or drugs have been used as a form of self-medication, the depressive symptoms may come to the forefront once the individual has been through detox. Nonetheless in the event that depression is treated in a mental health setting without addressing the problem of substance abuse, the patient may never be motivated to stop abusing drugs or alcohol, and depressive symptoms may never really be resolved.

The effects of drugs on clinical depression: Treatment of depression

First of all it is important to appreciate that depression is a chronic condition that in many instances may never be completely cured. However, its symptoms can be managed effectively through a combination of psychotherapy, behavioral modification training and participation in support groups. Doctor Akoury adds that in the event that talk therapy alone can’t resolve the symptoms of depression, then the application of antidepressant medication can be a valuable addition to the treatment plan. Besides that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has also been proven to be a highly effective method for changing the negative thought patterns associated with depression.

Feelings of hopelessness, low self-worth, and despair are treated as learned thought patterns that can be replaced with positive, self-affirming beliefs. According to JAMA Psychiatry, CBT is an effective therapy for depressed individuals within all age groups, and positive results continue over time. The therapeutic strategies learned in CBT can be applied to co-occurring disorders like anxiety, personality disorders or substance use disorders.

Alongside that doctor Akoury alludes that with consistent, medically supervised use, antidepressant medications can improve symptoms in a matter of weeks. Antidepressants in the SSRI category (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that is considered to be in the first line pharmaceutical treatment for depression, these medications include popular drugs like Prozac (fluoxetine), paroxetine (Paxil) and citalopram (Celexa). When SSRIs are not effective, older antidepressants in the tricyclic or MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) may be prescribed instead. And according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, depressive symptoms improve with treatment in up to 80 percent of cases. Unfortunately, nearly two-thirds of depressed individuals either do not seek or do not receive treatment for this serious, disabling disorder. Out of those individuals who struggle with both depression and substance abuse, only a small percentage receives research-based, dual diagnosis treatment for both conditions. It therefore means that we still have a lot to do in order to bring these chronic conditions to manageable levels. Finally if you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression or even stress, your help is now within reach just by making a phone call on Tel: 843 213 1480 to schedule for your appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center today and all your concerns will be professionally addressed.

The effects of drugs on clinical depression: Depression and addiction

Depression and the Connection to Substance Abuse

July 29, 2015

Depression and the connection to substance abuse: Understanding the two conditions

Depression and the Connection to Substance Abuse are realistically dangerous in any human life

We are at it again and this is because of the ever increasing concerns raised across the globe about the significance of depression and the connection to substance abuse. Professionals at the home of experts (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) are very concern at the effects of clinical depression and how it can take a toll on the body, mind and spirit causing physical health problems as well as a profound sense of hopelessness and despair. This is one health element that can ruin a whole society if not addressed in good time. And because of the increasing demand for health information about this two unique problems, we are going to be discussing this topic yet again to further give insight of the precautions that you can take to be safe of this devastating health condition.

According to doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) a veteran expert in addiction and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the effects of depression can be felt primarily on a physical level in the form of sleeplessness, weight changes, inactivity and substance abuse. Doctor Akoury is confirming that from the available statistics it is true that the problem of alcohol consumption and drug abuse are more common with depressed individuals than in the general population. Besides that we can further make some confirmations from different bodies who are researching on the possible links between depression and addiction, like for instance according to QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, men diagnosed with major depression are nearly three times more likely to develop a dependence on alcohol, while women with depression are over four times more likely to become alcohol-dependent.

Depressive disorders affect the health and productivity of the general population as well as the life of the individual. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that major depressive disorder affects almost 7 percent of American adults and that is almost 15 million people, while dysthymic disorder affects 1.5 percent, and yet again the World Health Organization has also noted that depression is one of the leading causes of disability around the globe further giving us more reason to act swiftly. The expert’s at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury are reporting that if not addressed promptly, substance abuse can worsen the course of depressive disorder by increasing the risk of outcomes such as:

Drug or alcohol addiction
Psychiatric hospitalization
Suicide attempts
Accidental or intentional overdose

Individuals who are diagnosed with depression and a substance use disorder are more likely to drop out of conventional substance abuse treatment programs before they finish rehab. They are also more likely to relapse once they start a treatment program. Therefore it is important that the treatment for these co-occurring disorders should be done effectively and must target both conditions in order for the patient to achieve long-lasting recovery.

Depression and the connection to substance abuse: Recognizing depressive disorders

When dealing with situations like the two before us, it is very important that we are well informed of each of them so that we are able to make a distinction. Therefore the question that follows would be “how can you distinguish between depression as a psychiatric disorder and the blue moods that we all experience at times?” This is very necessary because with clinical depression, the severity of these moods is more intense, and symptoms last for longer periods of time. In order to meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, the individual must experience at least five symptoms of depression for two or more weeks. The following are some of the typical depressive symptoms to watch over:

A predominantly low mood on most days of the week
Lack of interest in favorite activities
Physical exhaustion
Sleeping too much or too little
Unwanted weight loss or gain
Sluggish thinking or movements
Dwindling to focus on important tasks
Contemplations of death or suicide
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness

Dysthymic disorder, a milder form of depression, is characterized by less severe symptoms persisting for two years or more. People with dysthymic disorder may seem chronically unhappy, irritable or sullen. While the symptoms of this disorder may be less noticeable than major depression, however the effects can persist for years. One of the major challenges about this situation is that many individuals who are struggling with dysthymic are actually not aware that they have a psychiatric disorder. It is therefore important to note that when faces with such circumstances, then only a qualified professional either a clinician, a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist can make an official diagnosis of major depressive disorder. However, by learning to recognize the symptoms of this debilitating condition, you and your loved ones can prevent serious consequences like self-isolation, addiction and suicide. We understand that some of these problems may not go down well with many of us and that is why we are open always to offer our professional help to all members of the public of all walks of life. You can call doctor Akoury on Tel: 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment with her for a more consultative season and have all your concerns addressed professionally.

Depression and the Connection to Substance Abuse: How does depression begin?

It is common knowledge that ignorant is a very costly affair meaning that in our case study we must get all the information we need about depression and addiction for us to be able to understand and make the right decision. While addressing the question “how does depression begin?” Doctor Akoury registered that depressive disorders can arise from a number of different sources or from a combination of factors. And the following are some of the most common contributing causes for your consumption:

Stressful situations that aren’t easily resolved, such as divorce, the death of a loved one, or a serious injury or illness
Physical health problems, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, or alcoholism
A genetic predisposition to depression, or depressive moods in close family members
An imbalance of chemicals that regulate mood and energy levels, such as serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Structural abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate mood and memory

Finally imaging studies have shown that depression is linked to specific regions of the brain, and that these areas appear to be different in people with depressive disorders. Harvard Medical School points out that the hippocampus amygdala and thalamus may be smaller or function less efficiently in people with depression. We will however continue with this theory of Harvard Medical School in our subsequent discussions but in the meantime, if you or any one you know is struggling with depression or substance abuse, then it is important for you to seek for immediate help from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center today without delay.

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