Buy Seroquel Online

Today, antibiotics, including those from the group of fluoroquinolones, are widely used in the treatment of various pathologies. But it has been repeatedly described that fluoroquinolones can cause rare, but very serious side effects that can be delayed and permanent. One of the most serious problems was the effect on the psyche with the provocation of depression and suicidal attempts, as well as the formation of tendon inflammation and muscle weakness. Another frequent and serious side effect of taking this type of antibiotic, scientists call a decrease in blood sugar, sometimes leading to life-threatening conditions.

Antibiotics in the treatment

Since the first antibiotics were discovered, a lot of time has passed, but the drugs have not lost their relevance today. Moreover, they are being improved, new drugs are being opened and introduced, several groups of antibiotics having different chemical structures and activity against pathogens have been identified. The drugs are used to suppress the activity of bacteria that provoke purulent-inflammatory processes of various localizations.

They treat respiratory, ENT pathologies, infections of the urinary system and skin, pathologies of the digestive system and much more. However, over many years of using antibiotics, not only positive, but also negative effects from their administration, complications from their treatment were revealed. In particular, the use of fluoroquinolones, widely prescribed in the treatment of respiratory, genitourinary infections and some others, is actively discussed.  

Depression and Mental Disorders

Not so long ago, data were published that antibiotics of the fluoroquinolone group can provoke depression and mental disorders in patients who have not previously had such problems. Moreover, a rather large number of suicidal attempts among patients previously treated with these drugs is described. Depression and mental disorders belong to the group of rare but serious side effects that can occur when taking this group of antibiotics.   

They are currently recognized in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, but after several years of lawsuits from patients, the FDA has proposed a warning of potential risks in the drug annotation. Side effects in the form of depression can last months and years, or be permanent. Among the leading manifestations of mental disorders are described anxiety and panic attacks, as well as suicidal thoughts. Moreover, depression or mental disorders before treatment with fluoroquinolones in patients were not registered.  

Side effects: lowering blood sugar

So, in July this year, the FDA announced that it was necessary to update the information in the instructions for use of fluoroquinolones. Correction of data on side effects and complications, including the development of low blood sugar and side effects from mental health, is necessary. Specialists point out that this is especially important for diabetics, as low blood sugar can lead to serious problems, including coma, especially in older people and patients who take medications to control their blood sugar.

Thus, such comments will be important in the selection of therapy in people of advanced age, if their blood sugar fluctuates or hypoglycemia is frequent. The presence of indications will be one of the reasons for refusing to take fluoroquinolones in favor of safer antibiotic groups.

Movement disorders and tendon inflammation

This is not the first correction of side effects and complications during treatment with fluoroquinolones; in 2008, a remark was added that the risk of developing tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) and movement discomfort may be increased .

Complaints regarding complications of the musculoskeletal system are controversial, many researchers believe that ligament inflammation can be triggered not by taking an antibiotic, but by the infections and their consequences against which it is used. At the same time, other scientists emphasize the connection between tendon inflammation and antibiotics because the infections treated with fluoroquinolones vary widely, while the side effects are very similar with respect to tendons. In addition, not all patients see a doctor and report similar side effects such as tendon inflammation, taking them for one of the symptoms of the disease or age-related features.

Rare syndrome complex: weakness, rash, neurological complications

In some patients, especially prone to depressive disorders while taking drugs, a special set of symptoms was described. First of all, severe muscle weakness, which did not allow to actively move and lead a familiar life. Due to weakness, patients are forced to travel only short distances. Against the background of weakness, pain in the tendons, joints and their swelling, problems of the peripheral nervous system, such as burning and tingling, are detected.

In addition, weakness was also a symptom of problems with the central nervous system, which were supplemented by blurred consciousness, decreased cognitive functions, and memory disorders. In addition, skin problems were identified due to its slight vulnerability, frequent itchy rashes, digestive disorders, vision, insomnia, palpitations.

Is everyone in danger?

Clinicians emphasize that fluoroquinolones are highly effective and can save lives and overcome severe infections that cannot be treated with other antibiotics. These drugs are extremely important for certain groups of people, for example, in kidney transplantation or urological pathologies.

But often, experts say, the risks of antibiotics are not fully assessed, since side effects can be associated with their combination with other types of drugs. Therefore, the risk of therapy should be weighed against the potential benefit.

For most patients, fluoroquinolones are safe and effective. For its part, the FDA has recommended that doctors use fluoroquinolones more rationally in recent years, especially when other 

For many, it may come as a surprise that there is a connection between the health of one’s own skin and the psyche, the brain. Some people suffer from redness and skin rashes when they are stressed, while others get red spots if they are worried. But in recent years, studies have shown that the mental and emotional state of a person can have a profound effect on the largest organ in the body. Stress, depression, anxiety and other psychological conditions can contribute to the development of many skin diseases such as acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia and vitiligo. 

The work of the skin, communication with the brain

The skin, as the largest organ on the body, and the central nervous system are closely intertwined, and actively influence each other. Therefore, it is not surprising that almost all skin diseases can be affected by changes in the nervous system. Especially pronounced marks on the skin can leave stress. Human skin, when the host is under stress, produces more sebum. These are fatty, thick secretions that can contribute to clogging of pores and exacerbation of acne. Stress can also provoke or exacerbate systemic inflammation in the body, which can aggravate the course of eczema (a chronic inflammatory skin disease). In addition, stress is known to provoke vesicular eruptions caused by the herpes simplex virus on the lips and skin around them. 

A study published in 2008 in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology & Leprology found that more than a quarter of the 50 patients with psoriasis – a chronic skin disease that causes thick scaly spots – experienced stressful life events such as unemployment, serious personal problems or death of loved ones. A 2012 study by dermatologists found that 45% of the 100 patients with psoriasis experience constant anxiety and anxiety.

Stress Problem in Dermatology

Many psychological conditions that affect the skin are provoked due to increased levels of stress and anxiety. Experts explain that when the body is not prone to anxiety and stress, hormone levels remain relatively balanced. But when the body is faced with psychological or physical stressful reactions, the “run or fight” program is activated in the body. The sympathetic nervous system then sends signals to the adrenal glands to increase the production of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which are the main stress hormones.

Under normal conditions, the parasympathetic nervous system helps restore body balance after the danger has passed. But when the body is faced with ongoing stress or anxiety, the body literally “drowns” in these stress hormones. As a result, the skin suffers from chemical reactions of the body to psychological stressors. Skin – the barrier of the human body from the destructive effects of the outside world – in such situations is almost unable to act like a shield.

The role of the skin in the health of the whole body

Skin serves as the main system of body protection, while maintaining the health and constancy of the internal environment. It provides the first level of protection against infection, not only as a physical barrier, but also as a place of work for white blood cells that begin to attack invading bacteria and viruses. A 2007 study at the University of California – San Francisco showed that mice exposed to psychological stress show a decrease in the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the skin, which makes them more susceptible to skin infections than mice that live under normal conditions. Thus, stress destructively affects the health of the skin and the body as a whole.  

Given that the skin is the most prominent organ, the emotional impact on skin diseases can be huge and devastating. And if the skin ceases to be a reliable shield from external influences, the health of the whole organism as a whole also gradually suffers.

The development of depression and treatment of skin pathologies

Social isolation and a sense of insecurity, the formation of depression only fuel the pathophysiology of skin lesions, often making them even harder. The problem becomes a vicious, perpetual cycle between the skin condition and the nervous system, both exerting a causal effect on each other. That is, depression exacerbates skin problems, and increased skin symptoms, in turn, aggravates the symptoms of depression.

It is important to consult a dermatologist at an early stage in order to begin treatment, alleviate the condition and learn to control chronic recurrent skin diseases. In parallel with this, a psychotherapist is needed, the task of which will be depression, which in latent form is often present in most patients.

Doctors often explain to patients that the condition of the skin is their main problem, which causes them stress and manifestations of depression. A visit to a psychologist or psychotherapist can help deal with stress so as not to aggravate the condition. Such visits can be an additional part of treatment, along with the use of drugs and skin care.

Treatment Plan: Redness, Rash, and Itching

To effectively eliminate any skin problems – rashes, redness, itching, or getting wet, an integrated approach is needed. These are dietary changes, the use of fewer light carbohydrates, an increase in the amount of pure water, complete protein, in combination with rational physical activity. In addition, to eliminate redness and skin irritation, drugs are used both externally and internally.

But the most important thing that patients can do is to change the prevailing focus of their thoughts, to get rid of the influence of stress. It is known that stress hormones suppress the immune system and activate inflammatory reactions, so redness and irritation of the skin can intensify. Often in the treatment of skin diseases include sedatives, and sometimes antidepressants, which work very well, giving pronounced improvements. And this also proves the role of stress in skin problems.

Depression is a serious mental illness that adversely affects a person’s performance and quality of life. Contrary to popular myths and misconceptions, depression cannot be cured by hard physical labor, work, or sports. It is caused by a violation of biochemical processes in the human body. Looking at the patient, it is not always possible to determine that he is sick, because others may not notice changes in the psyche. One of the common symptoms of depression is insomnia.

The effect of depression on human life

Despite the widespread dissemination of information about depression and increased confidence in psychotherapists, many people still consider it a manifestation of laziness, natural pessimism, or an unwillingness to look at life positively. Some people think that “this was not before”, but this is not so. Many symptoms were ignored for a long time, and it was not accepted to seek psychotherapeutic help.  

Depression has a number of symptoms that others do not immediately notice. Her emotional manifestations include depressed mood, anxiety, guilt, fear for the life of loved ones, lack of interest in favorite things. A person with a depressive disorder is often subject to gloomy thoughts, including suicidal ones. He is constantly haunted by a sense of his own uselessness and meaninglessness of existence.

Depressive disorder also manifests itself in a number of physical symptoms, and can be masked by frequent colds, heart or stomach diseases. His frequent companion is also insomnia. From gloomy thoughts, a person can often wake up and feel the negative effects of lack of sleep.

Why is depression disturbing sleep?

Proper and healthy sleep is one of the main components of a healthy lifestyle. Even one sleepless night can seriously affect the performance and mental activity of a person. In depressive disorder, the level of stress hormones in the human body increases, which leads to insomnia and problems with falling asleep.  

Inability to fall asleep, frequent awakenings, and intermittent sleep are frequent companions of depressive disorder. The less a person sleeps, the worse his health during the day. As a result, irritability appears, a decrease in mental and physical activity, and an increase in blood pressure. When a person cannot fall asleep, gloomy thoughts haunt him, conflict and stressful situations scroll through his head, and nightmares dream. Chronic insomnia can lead to fear of falling asleep. And in the morning a person wakes up broken and tired.

The inability to recover at night leads to a number of unpleasant consequences. The first of these is overeating. The body needs to be restored, and a person is trying to get the missing energy from sweets or coffee. A person with a lack of sleep worsens his attention and ability to concentrate on work. Insufficient rest at night negatively affects the appearance of a person – circles under the eyes appear, the skin condition worsens. Sleep deprivation decreases immunity and increases the risk of colds and infectious diseases.  

The most effective way to treat depressive disorders is through psychotherapy. In addition to cognitive-behavioral therapy, it includes drug treatment and recommendations for revising the regimen of the day. People suffering from insomnia in a depressive disorder are advised to go to bed and get up at the same time, do not overeat at bedtime and refuse coffee and alcohol. To normalize falling asleep, it is necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature in the bedroom and refuse to use electronic devices about 30 minutes before bedtime.

Psychotherapy for depression and insomnia

For successful treatment of insomnia, it is necessary to treat the depressive disorder itself. In modern psychotherapy, a number of techniques are used to correct human behavior and normalize conditions for night rest. Among such techniques is stimulus control, in which the patient needs to go to bed only when he feels sleepy. Various methods of relaxation and meditation are widely used.

A full night’s rest also involves revising the rituals when falling asleep, for example, refusing to use a smartphone, computer or watching TV, drinking coffee, alcohol or tobacco, ensuring maximum convenience and comfort of a sleeping place. In severe forms of insomnia, a combination of behavioral therapy and drug treatment is possible.

Depressive disorder cannot be cured by willpower, a change of scenery, or physical labor. Numerous calls to smile, “shake oneself” and think positively do not affect the patient. In addition to pills, psychotherapy is an effective way to treat it. Most often, a combination of cognitive-behavioral and drug treatments is used to treat depressive disorders.

There are several types of treatments for depressive disorders. This is cognitive-behavioral, the purpose of which is to change the patient’s behavior patterns and internal settings that served as a trigger for the development of the disease, interpersonal, aimed at reviewing relationships and establishing new, more harmonious relationships with others, and psychodynamic, focused on resolving the patient’s internal conflicts, which also could become triggers for the development of a depressive state.

The attitude to psychotherapeutic treatment in society is gradually changing. People are less and less associating it with punitive treatment and less and less believe that medications can turn a person into a “vegetable”. The methods of “relaxation” with smoking and alcohol are not able to solve psychological problems, but only exacerbate them. Not everyone is ready to share their problems with relatives or friends, start the disease and do not attach importance to the symptoms of depressive disorder. And insomnia is one of the most serious symptoms of a person’s mental and physical distress. Therefore, psychotherapists take an integrated approach aimed at eliminating the root cause of the violation of the daily regimen and the occurrence of insomnia.

British scientists from the University of Kent found that mothers of boys are significantly more likely to suffer from postpartum depression. Another risk factor is complications during childbirth. 

Postpartum depression is known to affect at least one in ten women who give birth. Moreover, the risk of developing depression after childbirth is lower in young mothers with a diagnosed mental disorder. This is because they are already under the control of doctors and are receiving treatment.

The study involved nearly 300 young mothers. It turned out that complications during childbirth increase the likelihood of developing postpartum depression by 3 times, by 174% compared with conventional childbirth.

Another unexpected risk factor is the gender of the child. Boys’ mothers suffer from depression 71-79% more often than mothers of newborn girls.

Scientists believe that the cause of depression may be inflammation, which develops during pregnancy complications. It leads to swelling of the internal tissues caused by an increase in blood flow and an increase in the concentration of white blood cells. This changes the balance of chemical compounds in the mother’s brain.

Bearing a boy also increases the level of inflammation in the woman’s immune system and also leads to a change in the concentration of certain substances in her brain.

Depressive disorders along with anxiety are some of the most common mental illnesses. Depression can affect anyone: an elderly person, a young man, or even a child. In a pregnant woman, this disease is also possible. Women in position always emphasize that you need to be careful with medicines, because they can adversely affect the child. Does this apply to antidepressants? Can I use them when pregnancy and depression coincided?

Are antidepressants and pregnancy possible?

Treatment for depression is usually associated with medications. However, fearing for the baby’s health, women avoid the use of drugs – they are recommended for patients only in emergency situations. Hence the answer to the question posed – yes, antidepressants can be used.

Depression is a serious illness that requires treatment. Refusal of therapy can lead to serious consequences: the risk of maintaining depressive disorders even after the birth of the child increases. This condition is dangerous: it can lead to improper development of the relationship between mother and child. There is a risk that a woman cannot take care of a newborn.

Depression can affect the course of pregnancy itself, especially with a high degree of severity and the absence of treatment. There is a risk of premature birth, low birth weight or other complications.

What to drink so as not to harm the baby?

There is no doubt that depression treatment is necessary. But there is another question – the danger of using antidepressants in bearing the fetus. None of the currently available drugs belongs to group A, whose use is absolutely safe for a pregnant woman.  

There are reports that some of the common antidepressants may increase the risk of various birth defects that the baby will receive. It is especially dangerous when drugs are taken in the first trimester.

Known drugs whose use is associated with an increased risk (paroxetine). However, there are cases when the appearance of disorders in children whose mothers used antidepressants was definitely less common (fluoxetine, sertraline). In general, we can say that it is always necessary to analyze the benefits for the woman’s psyche during depression and the potential risks that may arise from the use of medicines.

Help the psyche during pregnancy

Each disease during pregnancy should be considered individually. The treatment of a problem in a woman who suffered from depression before conception, and in a situation where the disorder appeared at the time of bearing the fetus, will be different.  

In the first case, a woman took antidepressants before she became pregnant. In this situation, an accurate assessment of the state of her psyche is required. Complete discontinuation of antidepressants is not recommended (especially when the patient has not recovered from depressive symptoms). You can reduce the dose of the drug taken by the pregnant woman, but such a decision is made when the patient’s mental state allows this.

Sometimes a change in course may consist in replacing one medicine with another, which is characterized by a lower tendency to cause disorders in the child. Here, however, it should be emphasized that changes in antidepressant therapy last for some time – this is not one day. Previously used drug should be gradually eliminated, and a new drug is administered with caution. Therapy should be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.

When a mother’s condition is critical

Another decision on the treatment of depression is made if the disease appeared when the pregnancy began. Here, first of all, it is necessary to analyze whether a woman really needs pharmacological treatment. When depressive symptoms are of low intensity, initially attempts can be made to eliminate them on the basis of psychotherapy. If this does not help or the symptoms of the disease in a pregnant woman deteriorate significantly, antidepressant treatment is usually started.

It should be emphasized that there is no single concrete way to combat depression. The treatment plan for patients should be determined individually. However, it is always necessary to inform the gynecologist who monitors the pregnancy that antidepressants are being used. Their use can lead to withdrawal symptoms in the child. Its manifestations may include anxiety in the newborn or transient difficulties with feeding. These problems usually quickly disappear, but the medical staff involved in the young mother and baby should be aware of the possibility of their occurrence.

Alternative help methods

A pregnant woman cannot treat depression herself. The presence of the disease should be known to a specialist who deals with the health of the expectant mother. He will be able to draw up a suitable treatment plan, advise safe antidepressants and relieve the condition. If a pregnant woman calls for help in time, the baby will be born and grow up mentally and physically healthy, and the woman will get rid of the disorder.

If the doctor admits that the condition of the pregnant woman does not require medical intervention, then the following corrective support methods can advise her:

• An alternative to pharmacological treatment for gestation is psychotherapy. This is the best and safest way for a pregnant woman when she feels depressed, upset.
• Yoga and meditation. The ways that relax the “mind” remove the anxiety that many women experience when they become pregnant or in their later stages.
• Classes of art therapy. Exercises where, with the help of visual means, you can better know yourself and calm a restless consciousness. It is better to practice them together with a specialist. This is done by psychotherapists and psychologists with relevant work experience. If the psyche of a woman is in a relatively safe condition and the expectant mother does not require medical support, then she can seek help from a specialist. Personal therapy for a pregnant woman, with the support of a psychologist, as well as a group of meetings of expectant mothers under the guidance of a therapist, is an excellent opportunity to improve your condition, physical well-being and make waiting for childbirth and a meeting with your child a pleasant, joyful pastime.  

Skin will not necessarily show signs of aging as you celebrate all new birthdays. The dynamics of aging of the skin of the body and face depend on internal factors, including genetic predisposition and general health. In addition, changes depend on external factors, such as excessive exposure to the sun, smoking, and even frequent use of straws for cocktails. A significant role in the aging process is played by diet and weight fluctuations, as well as night sleep, emotional state and depression. How do they affect?

Aging processes: what do they depend on?

About 30% of the manifestations of aging at a particular age are determined genetically – the rest is the influence of the environment. This means that a person has the ability to control how the skin looks over time. Patients do not always have to look at the passport age: the health and elasticity of their own skin can be tens of years younger than the actual age. It is important to circumvent or mitigate the influence of hidden factors that can accelerate the aging process of the skin. There are a number of factors that can accelerate the aging of the face and body, as well as ways to influence these causes, preventive measures.

Irrational diet, excess sweets

An irrationally selected diet, the consumption of a large number of processed or sugary foods can cause a sharp jump in blood sugar and insulin, which can cause mild chronic inflammation at the cellular level. This latent inflammation can, in turn, accelerate skin aging through a process called glycation.

In a nutshell, we’ll discuss how this works. Glucose (from carbohydrates and sugar itself) enters the bloodstream and joins protein molecules, including collagen (which forms the skin structure), forming new molecules called end products of glycation. They are believed to destroy collagen and elastin (the protein that gives the skin elasticity). Defects in the diet lead to the fact that collagen and elastin can become more “stiff” and less functional, which theoretically can lead to sagging skin, wrinkles and accelerated aging. 

How to help the skin?

To normalize the condition of the skin, it is important to review the components of your diet: reduce simple carbohydrates, which quickly turn into glucose, raising blood sugar, and instead choose a lot of whole grains, vegetables and fruits. In particular, you need to increase your diet’s intake of foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, papaya, red and green peppers, and broccoli, because antioxidants fight the signs and causes of skin aging. The same can be said about the use of skin care products with antioxidant ingredients such as vitamins C and E, resveratrol, green tea and grape seed. 

Night sleep on one side

Everyone knows that a good night’s sleep is important if a person wants to look better. While a person is sleeping, his body initiates the process of restoration of many different body tissues, including skin. Thus, without sufficiently deep sleep, in particular, the skin does not receive the full regeneration and restoration that it needs.

But if a person is constantly sleeping on one side of the face, then the skin of the face will age faster. This is similar to the process of wrinkling pants. If sleep all the time occurs on one side, in this case a person mechanically wrinkles the skin, deforming collagen and interfering with the blood circulation, which makes the folds permanent.

In addition to the fact that a person needs to devote a lot of time to sleep, you need to develop the habit of sleeping on your back, or at least alternately change your sleeping position.

Constant depression and depression

Negative emotions, stresses, fatigue, depression or depression can appear on the face, as well as in the nature and characteristics of behavior. This occurs for various reasons. For starters, when people are depressed, they can constantly strain certain facial muscles, grimace, or frown. These negative facial expressions appear to be “engraved” on the skin in the form of fine lines and wrinkles.  

Meanwhile, depression is associated with an increased level of cortisol, which can weaken, disrupt the structure of collagen and cause a decrease in the synthesis of growth hormone. Deficiency of this hormone prevents the skin’s ability to fully recover at night, during sleep. Moreover, when people are depressed, they often eat poorly, almost do not sleep, do not train, and do not care for their skin as they should. These are additional factors that trigger accelerated skin aging.

What to do to improve the appearance?

It is important to actively and urgently take steps to improve your mood, regularly exercise, attend a psychologist’s consultation, or talk with your doctor about whether the patient will benefit from taking antidepressants or if you need to choose another therapy. Interestingly, reducing or eliminating wrinkles through cosmetic procedures such as botulinum toxin therapy can improve symptoms of depression.

In March 2009, a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that when people were treated with facial wrinkles with Botox, facial paralysis did not allow them to transmit negative mood signals to the brain, which correlated with mood enhancement. The effects were not accidental: a study published in August 2014 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry showed that in patients with severe depressive disorder who were given Botox injections in their forehead, symptoms of depression decreased by 42% after 12 weeks.

Of course, not all patients need to immediately go to the beautician to inject botulinum toxin and remove wrinkles in order to fight depression and slow down aging. A rational day regimen, a healthy diet and activity, and a positive mood are important. In addition, full face and body skin care, time for yourself is also a kind of antidepressant and a way to deal with stress.

A mother who sings to her child is a very ordinary event, which many take for granted. Why this happens and what pushes mothers to such actions is unclear, it seems that this happens on a hunch, just a woman at one moment understands that the baby needs a lullaby. This practice can be traced in many cultures. But how does the song affect the baby, why does the mother seek to sing, regardless of her vocal abilities, what effect does this action have on the woman herself? Shannon de L’Etoile received answers to exciting questions and even found a cure for postpartum depression in her mother’s singing.

Mother singing

Lullabies, children’s songs, nursery rhymes are an integral part of many cultures, and according to some reports, they are passed down from generation to generation and have existed for thousands of years. Each culture and even family has its own songs, which the mother sings in her own way, but they are united by one thing – tonality.

Shannon de L’Etoile, professor of music therapy at the music school of the University of Miami Frost, Florida, USA, decided to study this issue, which was helped by scientists of different directions and specialties.

The previous ones proved the positive influence of music on the developing brain of a young child, but this direction remains a little-studied topic. Scientists were able to prove that the child has an innate ability to process music and sounds heard, and in a rather complicated way.  

It was also possible to prove that the mother’s singing and her repertoire has her own characteristics, and this distinguishes him radically from other types of singing. It is proved that the mother’s song has a high initial height, and in the future we can note the slip between the levels of height. The mother’s song also has stable vowel sounds, a diverse amplitude that the child and others hear. Moreover, each mother has her own tonality, aimed only at her baby, and this does not depend on vocal data, education and the presence of musical hearing in the mother.

Such an important song for a child

In a study, Shannon de L’Etoile compared mother singing to other types of interactions with a child. The doctor noted: the purpose of the study was to determine the reaction and characteristics of the child’s behavior in response to live singing, which was directed at him. It was planned to compare the results with the characteristics of the reaction to other types of interaction between mother and child: reading books, fairy tales, toys.

The main goal of the study was to clarify the meaning of singing directed at children, as well as to identify behavioral reactions in children in response to this action. Shannon de L’Etoile also explored the role of singing in the meaning of becoming a bond between mother and child.

To obtain the result, more than 70 infants and their behavior were studied in response to 6 types of mother-child interaction:

• mother performs the selected song;
• a stranger sings the same song;
• mother sings a song she chooses on her own;
• book reading;
• game with a toy;
• mother and baby listen to recorded music.

To hold a child’s attention, singing, reading a book or playing with a toy were also effective. And in many respects the success was due to the personal presence of the mother. But the live singing of the mother attracted the attention of the child more effectively than the recorded repertoire. In many ways, the kids perceived this recording as extraneous noise.

Subsequently, the study became somewhat more complicated. Shannon de L’Etoile and her team studied exactly the mother’s singing, or rather, the song itself: intonation, tonal content, decrease or increase in frequency, and performance sensitivity.

Studies have shown that with the attention of the child, the instincts of the mother were on high alert, there was no one else around the mother and child, the whole world narrowed to the two of them. Intuitively, with a decrease in concentration, the mother adjusted the height of the song, the pace to attract the attention of the baby. Such actions took place completely on an intuitive level.

Singing and postpartum depression

Dr. Shannon de L’Etoile examined the singing of mothers with a diagnosis of postpartum depression, the goal was to study the difference in tonality, emotional fullness and reaction of the child. The data showed that the sensitivity of singing in mothers with depression was reduced. 

Dr. Shannon de L’Etoile noted: maternal postpartum depression is the reason for the lack of sensitivity and emotional expression in singing. But the child also reacted to the mother’s singing, although his pace and amplitude did not change and did not depend on the baby’s behavior and his involvement in the action. We can say that the mother’s singing was robotic.  

In the course of further studies, it was possible to establish: singing with depression in the mother has a unique two-way interaction, the benefit for both the mother and the child is clearly visible. Children receive the stimulus that they need so much, which allows them to focus their attention and get rid of unpleasant sensations. Mother, in turn, is so distracted and gradually gets rid of the negative emotions associated with depression.

Today, depression is considered one of the most dangerous mental disorders. High stress levels, life in an atmosphere of constant tension, conflict and negative emotions are all risk factors for adverse psychosomatic conditions. Often depression leads not only to mental, but also to physical distress – a decrease in immunity, the development of heart and vascular diseases. But, despite the fact that it is officially recognized as a disease, many people still believe that the development of depression is a consequence of laziness and unwillingness to work on themselves.    

Depression is one of the most serious mental disorders.

Some people mistake the short-term bouts of sadness, longing, or despair for depression. It is necessary to distinguish those moments when something helped a person to distract from sad thoughts, for example, watching a movie or meeting with friends. With depression, this does not happen. Neither a change of scenery, nor a movie watching, nor a new experience helps.

If adverse symptoms such as gloomy thoughts, depressed mood, irritability, causeless tears persist for two weeks, then a person’s condition can cause serious concern. A mental disorder that is not noticed on time or ignored by loved ones can lead to sad consequences, up to suicide attempts.

Nevertheless, many still believe that depressive mental disorders do not seem to exist, or that they are easily “cured” by physical labor or memories of difficulties suffered by distant ancestors during wars or other upheavals. But such statements are not able to console a person. Instead, they exacerbate an already unfavorable mental state.

Myths and facts about depression and other mental disorders

The fact that a depressed state is not just “blues” or short-term sadness has begun to be talked about and written in the media over the past few years. Bloggers, artists and other famous people began to openly talk about how a person who is experiencing a depressive episode actually feels. But many still refuse to acknowledge this mental disorder.

There are many myths and misconceptions around depressive states. Some of them relate to medication and antidepressants. For example, many people believe that antidepressants can change a person’s personality, suppress the will and turn it into a “vegetable”. But in fact, they confuse antidepressants with potent tranquilizers, used several decades ago.

Stress from job loss, death of a loved one or divorce is not always a catalyst for a depressive episode. Sometimes such conditions also arise against the background of the person’s external well-being, which may look joyful and optimistic externally and not reduce life activity. It is believed that depressive episodes do not happen in adolescent life, but this is not true.

Each depressive episode is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The goal of drug treatment is to restore this balance. Aggression, dissatisfaction with oneself or the surrounding life situation are a consequence, not a cause of a depressive state.

One of the most harmful misconceptions that can seriously ruin a relationship with a person in a depressed state is the assertion that it arises from a weakness in character. But physical illnesses like flu or diabetes do not occur due to weakness or laziness. The same applies to depressive episodes.

Stress can cause a depressive episode, but it is far from the only reason for its occurrence. An unfavorable mental state can develop against a background of reduced immunity, hormonal imbalance, or a deficiency of certain foods in the human diet. In some cases, positive emotions help to get out of a depressive state, but not cure it. 

Many people find it uncomfortable to be depressed with a person. But for the patient, it is the support of loved ones that is important and their willingness to help him, including of a therapeutic nature. The myth that a depressive episode can be treated with alcohol, smoking or drugs is one of the most dangerous. Any harmful means of stimulation can worsen the condition of the patient.

Treatment for Depression: Stress Prevention and More

The first step in the treatment of depressive conditions or other mental disorders is the selection of a qualified specialist. To begin with, you should consult a psychologist, who will then refer you to a therapist if necessary. He has the right to prescribe medication in accordance with the physical condition and wishes of the patient.

An equally important step will be to change the patient’s lifestyle. If before this the level of stressful situations was quite high, while improper diet and lack of physical activity were added, then it is necessary to introduce the main components of a healthy lifestyle into your life. The most basic of them is a large number of hours of sleep, because it is insufficient or poor quality sleep that can lead to adverse consequences for the psyche.

Exercise strengthens not only the body, but also the psyche. They help improve hormonal levels and the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, psychotherapists often recommend a specific type of physical activity to their patients, such as dancing or yoga.

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Few people think about the prevention of depressive conditions. Among the main preventive measures are observing the regimen of the day, proper nutrition and physical activity. It is also necessary to limit or exclude from everyday life factors contributing to the development of increased anxiety – negative news or reading disturbing information on social networks.

Measures such as hobbies, creativity, communication with people and working with negative emotions significantly reduce the likelihood of depressive disorders. For a person, the ability to properly relax and bring into life as many positive aspects as possible before stressful situations or the wrong lifestyle will seriously harm his psyche.

Today, depression is the most common mental disorder. Despite the wide dissemination of information about her, many still consider it a sign of weakness, laziness, inability to work on themselves. A person in a state of depression may look quite active and cheerful in the company of other people and hesitate to admit his weakness. But, remaining alone with himself, he again experiences negative emotions, loses interest even in his hobbies, has problems with sleep and appetite.  

Depression, its causes and symptoms

Many people do not believe in the existence of depression. It seems to them that this state disappears from physical labor, engaging in a favorite activity, or eating bananas or chocolate. But neither the advice to “work”, nor the examples of real or fictional people who find themselves in difficult life situations, nor phrases like “life is beautiful” help a person to recover. On the contrary, they cause even more negative emotions. 

Depression develops in a person, regardless of his level of material support, social status, or the presence or absence of certain benefits. The main reasons for its development are the hereditary factor, problems with the endocrine system, stressful situations and traumatic events in a person’s life. Symptoms of depression are not always noticeable to others, because sometimes a person knows how to mask them so as not to dedicate anyone to their problems. Among the most common symptoms are anxiety, apathy, fatigue, lack of motivation for favorite things and work, unwillingness to communicate with people, irritability.

The complexity of the situation lies in the fact that the patient may not be aware that he is seriously ill, and others may not notice it. A person in a depressed state does not always neglect self-care or walks with a gloomy and depressed facial expression. At work or parties with friends, he can be cheerful and cheerful, but in his solitude he can attend dark and even suicidal thoughts.

5 bright signs of depression: negative emotions, fatigue and much more

Depression is significantly different from short-term bad mood or what is called the “blues.” If symptoms such as constant fatigue, unwillingness to communicate with people, loss of interest in your favorite activities, persist for more than two weeks, then the person’s family and friends should be on their guard and convince him to start treating depression. 

Psychotherapists recommend to pay attention to the following signs, which may indicate the beginning of a depressive state in a person:

• Chronic fatigue and sleep problems

A person in a depressed state can sleep poorly, often wake up from obsessive dark thoughts or sleep for 10-12 hours and not get enough sleep;

• Irritability

In a depressed state, a person experiences nervous tension if he needs to “keep his face” with others and find strength in himself for daily activities. This symptom may not be the most noticeable, especially if a person has previously distinguished melancholic temperament;

• Lack of interest in work and daily activities

The depressed state is not at all sadness and longing, it is apathy and the absence of any emotions, some “numbness.” And in this state a person is often visited by thoughts about the unwillingness to live and about the absence of the meaning of life;

• Waiver of favorite activities

Often in a depressed state, a person is advised to “shake things up” to find a hobby in the form of playing sports or creativity. But he simply does not have the strength to do it. Lack of interest in what brought joy, alarming loved ones and friends;

• Change in appetite

A person in a depressed state may not feel the taste of food or, conversely, overeat. Compulsive eating or lack of appetite are common signs of depression.

When a family member, friend or colleague finds several symptoms of a possible depressive state, in no case should he be reproached for being lazy or offended for excessive irritability. It is possible that he needs treatment for depression. But only a psychotherapist can diagnose it.

Can you convince a person of the need to treat depression?

A depressed person can convince others that he is all right and that he does not need any treatment. He himself may not believe in his own depressive state and assume that it “will pass by itself.” Nevertheless, it can take a long time in a latent form. But it’s not so easy to convince a person to start treatment for depression, especially with a very negative reaction from him.

All people prefer to have in their environment cheerful and positive-minded people and try to isolate themselves from those who have problems. The most ineffective and even harmful for a person in a depressive state are criticism, reproaches for laziness and lack of gratitude for what he has, stories about other people’s and more serious disasters. The most important thing for the patient is the attention and support of close people.

In many cases, close people and friends prefer to refuse to communicate with a person in a depressed state due to his ill will and irritability. But his actions should not be taken personally, and, moreover, one should not make him smile or visit places where he does not want to go.

When a person who is in a depressed state sees that relatives and friends still trust him and want to help, it will be easier for them to convince him to go to a psychotherapist and begin treatment. Therapy and drug treatment will not turn a person into a “vegetable” at all, as many people still think. Far in the past there was also a placement in a hospital – today only people with really serious mental illnesses get there. Modern antidepressants can restore the broken chemical balance and return a person to normal life.

Depression does not go away on its own, as some people think. Like any other disease, it requires close attention from the patient and his family. Its danger lies in the fact that for a long time it flows in a latent form, and the patient can deceive himself and even be ashamed of him. But sooner or later it will begin to have a negative impact on all spheres of human life. Therefore, mental health requires no less serious attention than physical.

Parting with a loved one can be perceived as a halt in life and development, emotional death. Depression is a frequent companion of the one who has experienced loss and loss. Sad thoughts and loneliness, the inability to understand what to do next is knocked out of the rut of life, deprived of energy and filled with heartache. All of this is a normal reaction of the psyche in response to the fact that relationships that were meaningful and necessary have ended. At first, a person cannot understand how to live and where to go next. It was at this time that depressive thoughts may appear that life is over and existence does not make sense. Is it possible to stop the occurrence of depression on their own? When should you not risk your health and, better, seek help from a psychologist? The answers in this article.

Cleavage of the psyche: what needs to be controlled?

The absence of a loved one near causes severe mental pain. This feeling gives rise to thoughts that are sometimes difficult to cope with. What does a person think about him and his life when he “falls” into depression?

• “I will remain alone until the end of my life. Nobody will love me. ” It should be understood that parting is only one of the life stages. It is heavy, however, it can be experienced. To do this, you do not need to refuse the help of close people from outside – relatives, friends. It is also useful to give yourself time for suffering and feelings, without giving up, at the same time, from everyday affairs, work, and communication with others.
• “No one can be trusted. Around one deceivers and traitors. ” Such an attitude towards people is caused by severe pain after partner betrayal. To think so, at first, after the shock of parting – it is normal, however, turning these thoughts into a stable life position threatens with loneliness, the fear of approaching and becoming attached to other people. It is necessary to be able to separate the former partner from another experience of relationships, which can be obtained with other people, because they are all different, do not resemble each other and the betrayal of one person does not mean that new love will bring pain and suffering. 
• “Opening and trusting is dangerous. Much better – if they love you. ” Such a decision can be made by people who are painfully burned, too dissolved in a loved one. Then, their decision not to love themselves, but only to allow others to do it, may look like an opportunity to protect oneself from pain. After all, if you do not fall in love, you will not have to suffer much if the separation happens again. The human psyche is thus protected, however, it has its drawbacks. For example, that a person who is allowed to love will feel used. Without receiving feedback, without feeling intimacy, he will become angry at his partner, be offended, jealous, trying to feel, thus, affection and love.

It is not necessary, right after the break, to “rush” headlong into a new relationship, if the old pain has not yet subsided. Do not force yourself to trust another, if there is no such desire. Reasonably and caringly towards oneself, one will wait until the mental wounds heal, the pain subsides and the desire to trust and love will appear by itself.

Thus, the ability to control the expression of your thoughts and feelings will help to avoid new mistakes and negative experiences. The human mind reacts to everything that he thinks and what decisions he makes. The greater the balance and slowness will be in them, the greater the chance of maintaining health after breaking up.

You do not become worse without love

Depression will become a frequent guest, if you constantly think that now that no one loves me, I am a loser (weak, unattractive, not interesting to anyone). Such thoughts will definitely make it impossible to burn off the love that has ended, and get a chance to build happy relationships in the future. One simple truth should be remembered: the presence or absence of close relationships in life does not affect the qualities of character, does not make a person worse. To think so is to be dependent on another. The ability to find a new partner and build close communication is based on a person’s ability to accept and love himself, feeling comfortable and calm, even when alone, alone with himself.

Wines in a relationship is divided equally

Depression cannot be avoided if you scold yourself for the collapse of the relationship. Even if a man realizes that his mistakes have caused a gap – everything that happens between a man and a woman depends on both of them. You can not shift the blame and responsibility on only one partner. When people build intimate communication, they tend to play psychological games. Thus, they trigger the processes of reactions and responses, which can lead to both the consolidation of relations and their rupture. Depression can be stopped by giving half the responsibility to another person in time for the union collapsing and the lovers are no longer together.

Psychological trauma needs to be treated

It so happens that depressive thoughts cannot be avoided, despite all efforts and control of feelings and thoughts. The more people meant to each other, the stronger the love between them was, the more difficult it might be to experience separation. In such cases, the help of a psychologist is necessary, because if a person cannot cope with his own emotions, depression will “knock” on him and he will remain in it for a long time.  

Loss of sleep and appetite, rejection of activity and communication, attempts to end the scores of life, revenge – direct indicators to seek psychological help. If mental injury after parting is not treated, it can seriously ruin life – lead to loneliness, a new unsuccessful relationship, a complete loss of self-confidence.

What is depression afraid of?

While understanding that depressive thoughts are coming up, an ever less desire to live and rejoice is born, you need to pay attention to other areas of life, instead of constantly thinking about the gap and the absence of a loved one.

What does depression not like , and how can a person help himself to avoid meeting her? 

• Changes in the outer and inner world. You can start by updating your wardrobe and hairstyle, buy beautiful things that you have been wanting for a long time, create such an image, through which, looking in the mirror, joyful thoughts will appear in your head.
• Depression is afraid of any creativity. The more often a person does something with his hands, creating, at the same time, beautiful, unusual things, the sooner he will express negative feelings that “flood” him after parting. This makes it possible to safely live through a difficult period, not to force oneself to “forget and stop loving”, but to express emotional pain through creativity. It is also a chance to recharge yourself with new positive energy and once again feel the desire to live and love.
• Depression does not like being talked about – communication with loved ones helps not to close within itself, to get rid of tension, to continue to trust people.
• Depressive thoughts will definitely not be valid if a person feels a great love for himself from his inner essence – this helps him not to be depressed and sad, not to think about the end of life, but instead, take care of how to start pleasing yourself , take care of yourself and take care.