What?s causing my Depression and Fatigue?
Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Depression are absolutely systemic in our society today. Recent studies done by the AMA and CMA purport one in four people in North America are suffering from some form of chronic fatigue or depression and it's expected eight out of ten of us will experience similar afflictions in our lifetime. But numbers like these don't speak to the cause and only tell half the story.In June of this year, my new book entitled, "Until You've Walked the Path" hit the bookstores. In it, I chronicle my own real life battle and recovery from CFS [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]. I am pleased to say that from the responses I've received, the book has touched many people in a positive way, both those suffering from the disease, as well as caregivers, looking for new ways to aid the afflicted.In conversations about CFS, the one question I am asked the most is, "What's causing My [their] chronic depression and fatigue?" Followed by, "Is it just stress?"I'll admit I am not a doctor and have no medical training, however, I have done a fair bit of research over the last decade and I am a real CFS Survivor.
That said, it is my belief there are three fundamental ?Camps' if you will, that can cause depression or fatigue and it is absolutely essential to determine what camp you are in to expedite speedy recovery.Camp #1: CFIDS [Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome]CFIDS is the new acronym for most immune dysfunctional disorders which covers a broad base of causes and outcomes. More specifically, the factors that can bring on CFS are viral. In my case I was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr Virus [EBV]. Another common virus known to cause CFS is the ME Virus [Myalgic Encephalomyelitis]. An outcome associated with CFS sufferers is Fibromyalgia; an excruciatingly painful disease that effects all the muscles and joints in the body.I could go on but the important point to understand is that most of what causes ?Real' Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is most often viral.
These viruses attack the immune system causing acute un-wellness, fatigue and depression. Stress is another immune-weakening phenomenon and is often a major cause for CFS. On the other hand, motivators like post viral infection ? as it was in my case ? is known to be much of the cause because of the damaging consequences it can affect to an otherwise healthy immune system. One outcome is Depression and Fatigue.Camp #2: Mood DisordersMood disorders are perhaps easier for most people to understand. Not the diseases themselves but rather the fact that there are commonly known diseases like: By-Polar, Manic-Depression and Schizophrenia, to name but three.
We all know they can cause behavioral ? often unpredictable -changes in those afflicted. Another outcome is Depression and Fatigue.Camp #3: Substance AbuseWhether it's drugs or alcohol, [prescribed or otherwise], many people fall victim to their affects that over time, can clearly evolve into conditions of un-wellness. Stress-relief is often the reason for those who use drugs and alcohol on a regular basis and one need not be addicted to experience many of the health deteriorations that ultimately come about. Another outcome, of course, is Depression and Fatigue.By now you may be seeing a bit of an assertion I am making in this article which now compels me to make two important points:1. Depression and Fatigue can be outcomes from many different motivators.2. It is critical for sufferers to seek out immediate professional help in determining precisely what is causing their fatigue and depression.I have seen too many people needlessly wither away with diseases like these, never getting the right help. Many of them try to hide their problem and shrink into the shadows because it's not a glamorous disease and for the most part, is still a little misunderstood ? even by many in the medical field.My advice is to find the right medical specialist who deals specifically with what's causing your fatigue and depression.
Understand that no doctor can be a specialist at everything and that the medicine, treatment and care for someone with Schizophrenia would be entirely different from what's required to treat someone with substance abuse or a viral infection. The specialist would be just as different.It's also vitally important for those afflicted and caregivers alike to know that there is a short window of opportunity in getting diseases like these under control. That is to say, from my observation and experience, the longer one goes without proper diagnosis and treatment, the harder it is and less likely it is, recovery can be achieved. Chronic Depression and Fatigues is not something one chooses to have and treatments like "Suck it up soldier!" or love deprivation do not work. Ignoring it works even less.The Bottom Line: What's causing Your Depression and Fatigue could be many things.
You need to align yourself with the right specialist, the right medication and the right treatment As Soon As Possible!The good news? You can recover from it and you can triumph over it! I am living proof..
Paul Shearstone is President of The CFIDS Foundation of Canada Inc. He is an International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, Sales, Time & Stress Management Specialist. Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs motivates and entertains. To comment on this article or to book Paul for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590 www.success150.com or paul@success150.com.For more information and how to order Paul?s new book, ?Until You?ve Walked the Path? please visit www.paulshearstone.ca "Every day millions of people struggle valiantly with the pain of CFIDS and Depression... the very real physical pain and the excruciating psychic pain of the soul. Paul gives both voice and face to their pain. More importantly, he gives expression to their courage, resilience, and valour. By his account of his own remarkable journey, he gives hope to the millions of others who are still on theirs".Karen LibermanExecutive DirectorMood Disorders Association of Ontariopaul@paulshearstone.caMilitary Columnist and Navy Wife Shares Personal Experience with Depression During Husband?s Deployment
(ContentDesk) March 19, 2004--Where is a military wife to go when she needs information and support?and she doesn't feel like a "Proud Military Wife"?
These days, thousands of wives from all branches of service are flocking to the newest web site for military families, Shore Duty (www.SarahSmiley.com).
Begun less than 3 months ago, Shore Duty has grown at an amazing speed.
Sarah Smiley, the site's owner and operator, reports that Shore Duty already has over 200 subscribers and more than 4,000 unique visitors a month.So what's so special about this site for military families, and why has it grown so fast?
Smiley says the answer is in Shore Duty's realistic, uncomplicated approach."I wanted to create something for the real military spouse," says Smiley.
"There is so much pressure to be the ?the strong military wife' that society imagines in their head, I want to give these...
Depression > Military Columnist and Navy Wife Shares Personal Experience with Depression During Husband?s Deployment
Faith and Depression
Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish thisarticle electronically or in print, free of charge, as longas the resource box is included with a live link to my site.A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.***********************************************************Title: Faith Healing and Depression?Author: E-mail: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.comCopyright: by Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.comWord Count: 948Category: DEPRESSIONDon't worry, I'm not going to get in the pulpit but I willchallenge you to take an objective look at what faith maybe able to do for your depression. In doing so, we'll belooking at many people who use faith in different ways.Did you know that someone who practices healing touch, suchas Reiki, which is simply prayer by channeling God's loveand healing energy, can help a hospital patient's woundheal up to 5 times faster?Were you aware that the great majority of happily marriedcouples, couples married 50 years and...
Faith and Depression
Depression > Faith and Depression
Do You Think You Have Depression?
Do you have days where nothing can make you happy? You are not alone. I ignored my depressive thoughts about life for years. Unfortunately I didn't do anything to fix my situation until they became so dehabilitating that I had no choice.Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. In a given year, an estimated 22.1% of Americans aged 18 and older (about 1 in 5 adults) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. According to the 1998 United States Census population estimate, this figure translates to 44.3 million people! In addition, 4 of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S.
and other developed countries are mental disorders, with major depression being the leading cause of disability.It is estimated that depression alone will occur in approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5% of the United States population aged 18 or above. If you are a woman, you are twice as likely than a man (12% vs. 6.6%) to be affected by depression each...
Do You Think You Have Depression?
Depression > Do You Think You Have Depression?
Living with Depression
Depression is a psychological, biological and environmental problem that has affected millions of people, both directly and indirectly. People suffering with depression often have difficulty functioning normally, and frequently experience problems in their everyday lives as a result. The emotional toll of depression can shatter families; result in a loss of employment and in some occasions end in suicide. While there is no cure for depression, treatment options are available that can help sufferers of depression lead normal, happy lives.
Depression changes the way in which a person is able to think, feel and view the world around them.
These changes produce adverse effects on behavior directed towards others and towards one's self. If a person experiences feelings of sadness or malaise which continue over a long period of time, it is likely that he or she suffers from some form of depression. Recognizing the symptoms of depression is the first step toward recovery....
Living with Depression
Depression > Living with Depression
5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression
While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people all over the world, more and more people suffer with depression. The more we focus on news events and the business climate, the more we are depressed. Whatever the reason you feel is the cause of your depression, the following five simple tips guarantee you reduce it significantly.1. Do not read newspapers. Newspapers publish negative stories most of the time.
Even in peaceful periods, newspapers will find the worst in humanity and place negative stories on display in order to promote sales and subscribers. Stories focused on War, rebellion, death, destruction, doom and despair abound in the newspapers. Stop reading the newspaper and reduce the negative input to your brain.2. Turn off your television.Watching and listening about the horrible economy and the losses associated with War will add to depression. In fact, you guarantee the feeling of helplessness.
Helplessness allows depression to nurture. If you really...
5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression
Depression > 5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression
Anxiety Depression Symptom
Anxiety and Depression are the two forms of phobias and behavioral disorders which can casts a very bad spell on any human being. The former is a type of an emotional disorder caused due to the imbalance in the body of a person. Whereas the latter is a form of a behavioral disorder caused due to chemical imbalance in the nervous systems of the person. There are a variety of symptoms of these behavioral and emotional disorders, ranging differently for a child and an adult person. Let's first consider Anxiety and Depression symptoms among the children.
Children, like adults, can not express their feelings or problems. It is we who have to look for the Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in them. The symptoms seen in childhood can be sadness, hopelessness, powerlessness, lack of interest and prone to get irritated easily. As the world of children is controlled by adults, some are bound to feel dominated and hence suffer from severe Anxiety and Depression.The symptom of Anxiety and Depression...
Anxiety Depression Symptom
Depression > Anxiety Depression Symptom
Depression payday loans What?s causing my Depression and Fatigue?
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Record Breaking Snow Storm Brings Flurry of Online Cell Phone Sales at YouNeverCall
(ContentDesk) February 16, 2006 -- Sunday's record-breaking snowstorm in he Northeastern US brought with it a flurry of Motorola Pink Razr phone sales, reports YouNeverCall (http://www.younevercall.com), a leading online cell phone website.While the unusually intense snowstorm buried much of the northeastern part of the US, shutting down major transportation hubs, school systems, businesses and shops, YouNeverCall Wireless, a leading cell...
Depression razr phone Record Breaking Snow Storm Brings Flurry of Online Cell Phone Sales at YouNeverCall What?s causing my Depression and Fatigue?
Depression > Record Breaking Snow Storm Brings Flurry of Online Cell Phone Sales at YouNeverCall