El Diario NY

Ryan Phillippe admits to depression; being innately sad

Impremedia — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 18:03:00 +0000

Ryan Phillippe won the hearts of Americans as an actor and former husband of Hollywood sweetheart Reese Witherspoon, but behind the golden boy exterior he…

Could cocaine be the next depression treatment?

Impremedia — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 18:02:00 +0000

Cocaine is a highly illegal substance, banned by the government for it’s mind-altering, potentially life-threatening effects. When it comes to depression, however, some experts–including the…

Is there some truth in the shamanistic view on mental illness?

Impremedia — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:02:00 +0000

OPINION The US has seen a sharp and startling increase in mental disorders among its population in recent years. According to the American Psychological Association, there is…

How the movie Frozen helped a woman out of depression

Impremedia — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:02:00 +0000

The Disney movie “Frozen” and its accompanying music are much loved by audiences of all ages. The motivational story of Elsa, who sings “Let it…

Five reasons why you should be taking cold showers

Impremedia — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:01:00 +0000

For many people in the United States, a shower is more of a luxury than a necessity. The hot water, steamy room and fragrant washes can be a big part of unwinding after a long day or getting out of grouch-mode in the morning. Much of the rest of the world, however, isn’t as familiar with hot showers, but they might be the ones who have it right, not us. SEE ALSO: This works better than anything else for depression Many people in other countries take cold showers or baths because it is the only option; warming up enough water would be time consuming for people who utilize all the hours in a day, and some people don’t have the means to make their shower water warm. But before you feel sorry for these individuals, take a look at five powerful reasons why we should all become fans of cold water. Five reasons to take a cold shower Hydrotherapy for depression: Psychology Today author Peter Bongiorno, ND, explained in his Internet writings as well as his other publications the benefits of applying water of different temperature to the skin. Known as hydrotherapy, this form of treatment for mood disorders can work as well as many prescription medications. Taking a cold shower, for example, is beneficial for people with depression because it generates an invigorating feeling after and promotes a surge of fresh blood to the vital organs. Research also indicates cold showers and baths can decrease stress hormones in the body. Keeps the skin healthier: Dermatologists everywhere will tell you if you want to banish dry skin and irritation, you need to stop washing with hot water. Cold water does not strip the skin of essential oils as severely as hot water does, and it still allows cleansers to reach the pores. Helps naturally increase testosterone: Materials from Arkansas State University Herald indicate a cold shower is one of the home remedies for men who need a boost of testosterone. Taking a cold shower stimulates the production of this hormone and keeps it elevated throughout the day. This doesn’t mean taking a cold shower will make a woman turn manly; both men and women have testosterone in their systems, and increasing it naturally with a cold shower won’t cause changes in features. Encourages the body to burn fat: Your body wants to maintain a temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, so it makes sense that being old makes the body burn more energy in an attempt to stay warm. Cold showers can help encourage caloric burn and 5 minutes of a truly cold shower can burn as much energy as 30 minutes of regular exercise. SEE ALSO: How to increase testosterone naturally and safely Can help prevent muscle soreness: Taking a cold shower can be particularly beneficial after a workout. Athletes in demanding sports often take ice baths after training to help prevent and ease muscle aches. The same can be done with a cold shower even if exercise wasn’t too demanding. A regular day at the gym can strain muscles, too.

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Why you need to hug more people this holiday season

Impremedia — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:12:00 +0000

Not everyone wants to be on the receiving end of a hug, but studies show hugging and cuddling are among the best things for us. So, even if you aren’t the touchy-feely type, take this holiday season as your opportunity to embrace (literally) the ones you care about and spread some cheer while boosting your health at the same time. According to new research published in the journal Psychological Science, frequent hugging may reduce a person’s susceptibility to infection, thus keeping them healthier overall. Experts in the study indicate it all has to do with stress reduction, and few things are as effective in immediately reducing stress than a comforting, genuine hug. SEE ALSO: 7 unusual and unique ways to relieve stress “We tested whether perceptions of social support are equally effective in protecting us from stress-induced susceptibility to infection and also whether receiving hugs might partially account for those feelings of support and themselves protect a person against infection,” said lead author Sheldon Cohen to MNT. “The apparent protective effect of hugs may be attributable to the physical contact itself or to hugging being a behavioral indicator of support and intimacy. Either way, those who receive more hugs are somewhat more protected from infection.” Cohen and his team explained hugging and the emotional support that comes with it is associated with stress reduction. Chronic stress is well-known to wreck havoc on the immune system; research has shown individuals involved in constant struggle are significantly less able to fight off common viruses like the cold or the flu. This is not the first time hugging has been the topic of health. In a National Institutes of Health (NIH) publication, experts explained how hugging and cuddling promotes the product of feel-good hormones in the brain. these are the same hormones that stave off serious conditions like depression. In fact, hugging and cuddling can help lower blood pressure, improve pain tolerance, and even speed up the healing process after the body is injured. Hugging, and touching in general, is all part of how humans and other animals form social bonds. Infants, for example, of many species, have healthier social interactions as adults if they were affectionately handled by their mother. Researchers have shown this by observing dogs and humans; puppies that have been removed from their mother for too long and are returned are often ignored when it comes to licking or affectionate grooming. These puppies have more behavioral issues and tend to be more fearful when in new environments. Similarly, women who hold their babies more experience better socialization and also reap the benefits of improved mood and feel-good hormone production. SEE ALSO: Could laughing gas help people with severe depression? The bottom line? Hugging is not only helpful to show someone you care or brighten someone else’s day, it also provides health benefits for the giver and the receiver. If you’re looking for a healthier immune system and better overall health, forget the old apple adage, and make it a hug a day to keep the doctor away.

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Could laughing gas help people with severe depression?

Impremedia — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:12:00 +0000

Major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Of those, an estimated 80 percent see improvement of symptoms with regular treatment, though nearly two out of three people suffering with depression do not actively seek nor receive proper treatment. SEE ALSO: How could Botox cure depression? New hope may be on the horizon, however, for individuals with severe depression who have not responded well to traditional therapy. The answer for these patients may lie in the use of nitrous oxide, better known to the public as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas, used primarily in dental practices as a form of anesthetic. The compound was discovered in 1772 by Joseph Priestly and then used heavily throughout Europe during the late 1800’s, particularly among German surgeons. Laughing gas has a mild sedative and analgesic ability, and is not used for procedures where patients need to be fully unconscious. It has the unique side-effect of making people feel giddy. “It’s kind of surprising that no one ever thought about using a drug that makes people laugh as a treatment for patients whose main symptom is that they’re so very sad,” lead researcher Peter Nagele, assistant professor of anesthesiology, told MNT. Nagele’s team evaluated 20 patients with severe depression whose illness was not responding to conventional treatment. Those patients were then administered a placebo or laughing gas on two separate occasions. Immediately after treatment and then a day post-therapy, study participants were rated on their level of sadness, feelings of guilt, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and insomnia. What the researchers found was two-thirds of the patients reported an improvement in depression symptoms when treated with the laughing gas. “When they received nitrous oxide, many of the patients reported a rapid and significant improvement. Although some patients also reported feeling better after breathing the placebo gas, it was clear that the overall pattern observed was that nitrous oxide improved depression above and beyond the placebo,” said study co-author Charles R. Conway, associate professor of psychiatry at Washington University. The findings don’t come as a surprise to many medical experts; laughter has been known as a mood booster for a long time. The Mayo Clinic indicates laughing: Stimulates organ function Relieves the body’s stress response Soothes tension Improves the immune system Relieves pain Improves overall mood The clinic notes that even forced laughter, laughing when you don’t feel happy, causes the above positive changes to a limited extent. SEE ALSO: This works better than anything else for depression

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Avril Lavigne missing from public eye since September, cites health issues

Impremedia — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:12:00 +0000

Singer/ Songwriter Avril Lavigne has been missing from public view since September. The only information fans have been given is that “health issues” have kept the ‘Girlfriend’ singer away from the media, but rumors suggest the absence–and health issues–may have something to do with marriage trouble. “‘I feel bad because I haven’t been able to say anything to the fans to let them no why I’ve been absent,” Avril wrote in a direct message to AvrilMusicChart. “‘I’m not feeling well. I’m having some health issues. So please keep me in your prayers. (sic)” SEE ALSO: This works better than anything else for depression Though she responded to fan’s well-wishes towards her health, the singer did not further disclose what medical ailment she was suffering from. Though the most popular rumor on social media appears to be related to marriage issues, another popular gossip trend suggests the 30-year-old may be pregnant and having related complications. Though neither scenario has been given any credence by Lavigne or her husband, Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger, both could potentially explain why Avril has been staying out of the spotlight. Marriage issues can lead to depression, and according to the Mayo Clinic, depression can result in unexplained body aches and pains as well as changes in appetite, exhaustion and difficulty sleeping, among other things. Pregnancy can also have a fair share of complications including hyperemisis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness the likes of which Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge suffered from. All these condition are just speculation, however. It is possible Avril is suffering from a medical condition the public has no previous knowledge of. At age 30, it isn’t uncommon for medical issues to start appearing. SEE ALSO: Morning sickness: Home remedies for the mom-to-be As for her marriage, Avril’s husband appears to be taking the rumors in stride. “You know my dad calls me up and he’s just like, ‘I havent slept in 2 days, what’s going on?’ I’m like, ‘Dad you’re not buying all this crap are you?’ You know, I get to hear all the rumor mill stuff. I find it very amusing,” he told ET Canada. “When you get out of high school, and it’s like ugh, okay. All that rumor crap. All that stuff that people say behind each other’s backs is minuscule, pales in comparison to the world of celebrity or being married to a celebrity. That’s high school multiplied exponentially,” he commented. “It’s ridiculous. How many times has Jennifer Aniston been pregnant this year? A dozen?”

The post Avril Lavigne missing from public eye since September, cites health issues appeared first on Voxxi.

Puerto Rican depression rates can be alarming

Impremedia — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:10:00 +0000

It’s no longer practical to group Hispanics under one umbrella term when it comes to health care. Research has continually demonstrated that Hispanic subgroups vary…

Hispanic boys need this to prevent depression

Impremedia — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:10:00 +0000

Positive youth development and positive ethnic identity are two important psychological factors for Hispanic boys living in poverty. According to new research from the University…

Do men experience sympathetic pregnancy?

Impremedia — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:09:00 +0000

It’s natural to sympathize with someone’s pain, but to what extent can that happen when dealing with a pregnancy? According to experts, some men experience…

Should you add amino acids to your workout diet?

Impremedia — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:09:00 +0000

If you are taking in protein, you’re getting amino acids, so why does it seem like athletes are adding amino acid supplements to their workout…

Schizophrenia may consist of 8 genetic disorders

Impremedia — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 17:09:00 +0000

Researchers have attempted for years to understand schizophrenia, a mental disorder consisting of hallucinations, delusions, along with thought, movement and cognitive impairment. While may have…

Your antidepressant might be making you a little less romantic

Impremedia — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 15:08:00 +0000

People suffering from depression often separate themselves from the things and the people they love the most, but new research suggests common medical treatment for…

Robin Williams’ depression

Impremedia — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 14:08:02 +0000

The death of a celebrity often focuses people’s attention on a problem or an illness. A case in point is the suicide of actor Robin Williams and depression.At least 16 million adults had this mental illness in 2012, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. What used to be known as an extreme state […]

This works better than anything else for depression

Impremedia — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 15:08:00 +0000

If you’re struggling with depression, you’re probably struggling to get off the couch and get motivated too, research suggests you need to be physically active…

Could a blood test predict suicide risk?

Impremedia — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 15:08:00 +0000

Experts say suicide is one of the most preventable causes of mortality in the United States, but it has been almost impossible to accurately predict…

Can Botox cure depression?

Impremedia — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:07:00 +0000

Botox is the name given to a common beauty treatment that involves injecting a therapeutic amount of a neurotoxin into the body. Typically used to…

The true impact of depression in the U.S.

Impremedia — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:04:00 +0000

By Lacie Glover It wasnt that long ago that mental illness was under the radardenied, misunderstood, and rarely acknowledged. While the stigma of mental health issues…