What is Loneliness?

I was browsing my old files in the computer and I came across this little piece of literature practically just lying around in one of my folders. I don’t have any idea how in the world did I come up with this one but I sure believe I made it during a time when I was pretty darn an outcast.

Gosh, never knew I was THAT “emo.”

It’s funny how you can be in the company of friends at one point and wake up feeling so alone in the next.

What makes us humans so afraid of living without a single soul to be with?

What is loneliness?

I don’t know. . . But I sure know that there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.

It’s that constant feeling of emptiness which keeps on feeding on your flesh like a monster devouring your very soul and existence – it’s downright real.

To some it’s the depressing atmosphere of the dark.

It’s the strange calmness embracing the air before the first drop of rain ever hits the earth.

It’s the deafening cry of silence, a secluding voice of emptiness…

…An unexplainable feeling of void and space.

It’s a belittling experience of feeling like you have nothing to feel…

Like you have no feelings at all.

It’s when the night consumes the day.

It’s when the nest eventually becomes unoccupied.

It’s when you have reached the end, and realized that you never finished anything.

It’s when the stars fall and kings dethroned.

It’s when the things you knew were real, suddenly became dreams.

It’s when fantasy breaks your heart, and you’re left lying defeated by your own expectations.

It’s when you’re with the company of those who unfavor you.

It’s when you thought you were someone, and finally realized that you’re no one.

It’s when the heavens break apart and the angels cease to sing their hymns.

It’s when you lose sight of you’re connection to your Creator.

It’s when you become intimate but never really one.

It’s when somebody tells you a lie, and you believe it with all your heart.

It’s when you fight a battle alone with the rest of your army just looking behind you.

It’s when hell becomes nothing.

It’s when heaven becomes nothing too.

It’s when you’re lost.

It’s when you lose your mind thinking how you’ve lost yourself.

It’s when you come to a place and find it deserted.

It’s when you push away everyone who cares for you.

It’s when they have finally decided to leave.

It’s when you have been fighting the same old battle for such a very, very long time but at the end – you still lost.

It’s when you can finally grasp victory and see redemption but you gave up.

It’s when your strength became your weakness.

It’s when someone you love breaks your heart.

It’s when hate got tired of your hating.

It’s when the world robs you of everything and gives you back nothing.

It’s when you do good but emerge being bad.

It’s when you seek someone who is gone.

It’s when you call, and there’s no answer.

It’s when you’re rich but never happy.

It’s when you feel weak and unable.

It’s when darkness has consumed even that single streak of light that illuminates your path.

It’s when you feel so down and empty.

It’s when you feel so alone and yet you have no single soul to call.

It when you finally realize, that everything will pass.

It when the past becomes irreversible.

It when nostalgia defies your memory

It’s when somebody leaves…

and never comes back. 

Five 5-Minute Ways to Beat Stress (My Way)

Stress it out!

I’ve been soooo much stressed lately – especially at work – that I can feel my body cells screaming for more sleep each time I get out of bed. My colleagues and I are currently in a very hectic and pressure-packed month that I think we’re all getting so much overwhelmed by what’s happening and how fast things are coming through.

I know I’m stressed because I can’t sleep without thinking of work (it pops up even at the split second before I close my eyes). And what’s even worse is that my work already creeps down my dreams!

I hate stress. I’ve always hated it… For low to moderate pressure… Yeah, I can take it. In fact, I know my body needs it to get my butt going each day. But when too much pressure sinks in, I always have the tendency to just draw away and give up. This sounds strange because back when I was a student nurse, it seems as if stress was actually a part of my daily routine. Well, I was young back then. Now, it’s different.

 Stress is Helpful – But Not for Long

Yes, I know that a little doze of stress can be quite helpful occasionally. It helps me focus on what I’m doing and makes my mind and body in-sync in no time. But long-term stress is a form of abuse – and it has several detrimental effects too.

• First, it sucks away the life in you thereby making you “OOOOLLLLDDD.” Gosh, I’m just twenty-three, and I don’t wanna look like thirty next year.
• Second, it cuts down your concentration. This may not be true to all people but being self-aware, I know I can’t think clearly when I’m haggard. That’s the reason why I sleep first before I write, you can never push me to think when my peepers are too darn heavy to keep open – unless it’s a term paper due the next day (that one is another story).
• Third, it makes you miss the meaning of LIFE. If you’re stressed, you’re too busy to even sip your morning drink with gusto or admire the lush green garden outside of your house because all you think about is that deadline you’ll have to catch or that work you need to master.

Anyway, enough for my rants. Let’s just accept stress as a part of life, and most definitely a part of growing up. Sometimes I just say to myself that the stress I feel today is just about the same stress that I feel way back in school every time exams are up. The only thing that makes the present stress I have so big is because I just “magnified” it myself (which puts me into thinking that maybe I’m just stressed because I’m too hard on myself….. eeerh, yeah. I have to lighten up).

Beat Stress Out Before It Knocks You Down

If you come to think of it, five minutes is such a short span for you to win over stress each day. But believe me, you can stretch those five minutes and think of it as 300 long seconds to prepare yourself for the challenges of each day. How? If you’ve got five minutes, you can choose to do the following:

• 1. Breathe in and out. It may sound simple, but breathing “fresh” air in and out of your lungs actually relaxes your body and fills up your oxygen tank, making your cells well-oxygenated. You can stare at a wall, face your garden, or open the windows while you do this. Just be sure you’re not in a polluted area – unless you want to get asthma or you wanna kill your lungs.
  

  Fresh Air!

• 2. Listen to your favorite music. Listening to a song you really like works wonders to your mind and body. It perks up your day and makes you think of happy thoughts. If your fave song has a sad theme, you can opt for a lighter song instead because sad songs may set your mood low for the day. If the song’s beat is a little too fast, that’s okay. Remember, your brain waves sync to the rhythm of the beat; therefore fast-beat songs are best if you wanna set the mood high. However, if your choice of songs are somehow too loud and heavy (super rock or heavy metal), then we might have a little problem there – your eardrums get stressed too, ya’ know?
  

  Tune up!

• 3. Pop some vitamins or munch on fruits. Take vitamins – this one won’t need your five minutes – perhaps only ten seconds. You can spend the remaining 4 minutes and 50 seconds then to drink your tea (avoid coffee as much as possible) or play around with your pet. Please, you can reserve the newspaper-session some other time (when you’re not that stressed anymore) because reading crimes and inflation rates may get you to worry more.
  

  Yummy!

  On the other hand, eating fruits like apples, oranges and bananas are helpful because they’re healthy!

• 

  Say cheese.

• 4. Smile or have a quick friendly chit-chat with someone. As they say, smiles are so infectious you can spread one in seconds. Upon waking up in the morning, greet your loved one, family members, or neighbors a sweet “Good morning!” and pair it up with a nice big grin. You’ll realize that even by just smiling, you send shocks of positive energy out of the atmosphere, and what’s good about it is that you get twice as much positivity when someone smiles back at you (especially if he’s cute). Just a warning though, don’t go overboard and say “hi” or smile to just about any human entity you get across the street. You might be mistaken for a politician, or worse – you might get weird stares instead, which can add up to your STRESS factor.
  

  Relax your mind.

• 5. PRAY. Prayer and meditation is the fastest way to beat out stress. Why? It’s because you’ll realize that you’re not alone in your endeavors. It’s so simple, yet so powerful.

 Note to Self

I know that a big chunk of also winning over my stressful life right now is by embracing my work wholeheartedly. Yet right now, I am still in the process of learning how to get there.

 Just to Add Up

I’ve learned through books and personal experience as well that the long-term resolution to keep stress at bay is by using the “Power of Three.” No, I’m not talking about Charmed here, I am actually referring to these three things:

• Time Management
• Physical Conditioning
• Meditation

Time Management is all about setting your priorities right each day, making sure that these are in accordance to your goals. This also entails allotting your time wisely for things that matters the most so that you’ll not be too time-pressured always.

Physical Conditioning refers to preparing your body to cope with stress by having enough sleep each night (I try sleeping for 9 hours), eating the right kinds of food, and exercising. Stress affects your body a lot, so be careful with the lifestyle you choose.

Meditation is I guess…. self-explanatory, but just for the knack of it I’d like to point out that your mind and spirit is a very powerful tool. Before you can actually command your body to cool down and relax, you’ll have to convince your mind first to stop “over-thinking” (I over think too…always). In addition, prayer will give you the strength to overcome your stress-ors.

Well, I can’t give you any guarantee that these things will work, but if it does for me – why not try it as well?

How about you, what do you do to beat stress?

Note: I don’t own the pictures posted here, all snaps are linked to the source site. 

The Real Bumps of Hyperkeratosis Pilaris

I am deeply sorry for missing yesterday’s post about health. I’ve got a lot of things to attend to that I barely had the time to write my draft and publish a post for Friday’s health topic. Anyway, I’d like to compensate for my deficit by giving a post about hyperkeratosis pilaris – a condition that’s common to our skin but not to our ears.

What is Hyperkeratosis Pilaris?

As I’ve said, HP is a common skin condition, but the term is not that familiar to our ears because people usually refer to it as “chicken skin” and only dermatologists or a few people knows it by its medical term. Hyperkatosis is the keratinization of the follicles of the hair. It is a genetic disorder manifesting as small and rough folliculocentric keratotic papules or skin bumps. It greatly resembles the skin’s appearance whenever you get goosebumps.

Click the link to know more about Hyperkeratosis Pilaris. Image from skincare4uonline.

HP affects 40% of the adult population while 50-80% of adolescents cry for help regarding this condition. Body areas that are usually affected by HP are the thighs, outer upper arms, and the back. Medically, this condition is really harmless. However, it does look unappealing.

Truth be told, I fall under the 40% who unluckily suffers from HP. And yes, I do agree that this is due to genetics since some of my cousins and all of my brothers also have the same condition. Lucky for me though, the small bumps are thinly spread and it’s not extending to the exposed parts of my body (such as the arms).

If you do suffer from the same skin problem, don’t worry – Hyperkeratosis Pilaris can be dealt with easily. Although you cannot completely turn away from the gene, you can find ways to manage its exacerbations and improve your skin’s appearance.

Treatment for Hyperkeratosis Pilaris

Managing Hyperkeratosis pilaris depends on the severity of the skin condition. For the extremely severe  types, very potent medications are usually prescribed. However, for the lesser evils, some OTC creams and lotions will do the trick.

Products containing lactic acid and those which are high in urea are the ones usually prescribed for mild to moderate types of HP. In addition, keeping the skin away from dryness is necessary so using plain moisturizers like Cetaphil and Dove is a wise choice.

As to my experience, my derma suggested that I use Neostrata Lotion. It’s a skin product specially made to combat Hyperkeratosis Pilaris. However, this option comes with a hefty price tag and Neostrata isn’t readily available in department stores and pharmacies! Eventually, I settled for the cheaper alternative and went for Nivea’s Baby Milk Wash. I use it whenever I take a bath. I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks now and so far my skin’s appearance has slightly improved.

Nivea Baby Milk Wash - great for HP if you're saving.

If after weeks of using the Nivea Baby and I’m not yet satisfied with the results. Maybe I’d really dig the heavy-duty Neostrata Lotion even if it’ll empty my pocket. I’ll do a follow up post about this in the future, reviewing the said products. As of now, I’ll try my luck!

Neostrata Lotion

Hyperkertosis Pilaris is not a serious condition, but it sure is a thumbs-down having chicken-skin all over your body parts. Deal with it now, say goodbye to Hyperkeratosis Pilaris and enjoy a flawless you!

Note: I wasn’t paid to include the abovestated products in my post. I don’t own any of these images. 

Related articles

• Is keratosis contagious? (zocdoc.com)
• KP Elements Launched to Treat Keratosis Pilaris – the Most Common Skin Condition You’ve Never Heard Of (prweb.com)
• ACNE PRONE SKIN? FIGHT all 4 Factors At The Source with Eucerin! (ginevi.wordpress.com)

Depression Anxiety: Which Causes Which?

About Depression Anxiety

There are people who experience both primary Anxiety Disorder and primary depression. This psychological disorder can be referred to as depression anxiety. Basically, physicians distinguish the various types of depression anxiety based upon information extracted from the patient, the particular symptoms that are present, the medical history of the individual and his or her family, and sometimes the sequence of the symptoms (whether depression or anxiety happens first).

 The doctor’s professional decision on whether anxiety or depression or any other disorder is the primary cause of a patient’s difficulty is known as the differential diagnosis. At times, however, arriving at this differential diagnosis is complicated and may require constant evaluation by means of interviews, laboratory exams, and—sometimes—trials of various treatments appropriate for depression and Anxiety Disorders.

Feeling anxious and depressed? Talk to someone.

Depression and Anxiety are two inter-related terms. It could either be that the former has precipitated the latter or vice versa. Consequently, depression – anxiety potentiate each other’s negative emotional effect on a person.

 Depression Anxiety View 1: Anxiety Influences Depression

 Due to anxiety, plenty of people also develop depression, this particular phenomenon could then result in feelings of self-pity and make the person feel worthless. Feelings of depression arise if anxiety exists because anxiety has a tendency to crush one’s spirit and make one feel emotionally spent. Moreover, one begins to see no chance out from the way he/she thinks and he/she has absolutely nothing to anticipate. Nonetheless, anxiety itself is depressing, and it is usual to get somewhat depressed if anxiety persists too long. Usually, however, sad emotions in anxious people are less intense compared to those found in people whom depression is the major problem. Alleviating primary anxiety often helps mild associated depression as well.

 Depression Anxiety View 2: Depression Causes Anxiety

 Individuals who are depressed usually feel anxious too. In agitated depression, their anxiousness is extreme and may be presented as an inability to sit still, constant pacing, hand wringing, picking at clothing or fingers and nails, lip biting, and tormented facial expressions that convey their inner turmoil. Difficulty making up one’s mind and other indications of anxiety can also emerge with depression.

 Depression Anxiety: Basic Treatment

 The best thing one can do about feelings of depression due to anxiety (or the other way around) is usually to tell him/herself that the feeling is only temporary.

If you are caught in this turmoil, do practice inviting new things into your day, do not let depression rule over. Start taking walks and go for a swim to shake off the undesirable feeling, this can greatly help you divert your attention into another foci. Do not permit yourself to wallow too much in a pool of negative emotions.

Nature and a natural diet  are fantastic mood lifters and they can also relieve feelings of anxiety. Going out for a run or a walk, or taking some daily exercise is better than sitting at home brooding about how depressed you feel. Exercise in itself emits endorphins, which are great for elating the mood, and it can also burn off all those stress chemicals built up during the day.

More importantly, if what you are experiencing has been going on for quite some time – then do not hesitate to ask for help. Seek professional help to assess the current situation, and ask for support from family and friends. Although this situation is but normal, however, when depression anxiety is left untreated, it can result to a more serious detriment to the body.

Related articles

• Youth mental health (bupa.com.au)
• Depression (cozyblanketsnowflakerepetitioncompulsion.wordpress.com)
• Brief Psychotherapy Helps Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Insomnia and Depression (ahrq.gov)
• Antidepressant anxiety one reason patients clam up about depression (cbsnews.com)

Depression and Alcohol – How are They Related?

Image by Lynda Giddens via Flickr

Depression and alcohol, a mood disorder and an addictive substance – these two things are always linked together. There are many accounts and statements, which point to the idea that alcohol leads to depression and depression, on the other hand, also intensifies alcoholism. However, the big question is, how did these two things really get related? The following statements briefly discuss the connections between the two.

 

Depression and Alcohol – a Dangerous Combination


One of the principal reasons why depression and alcohol are closely associated with each other is that the two complement one another in creating one vicious scenario – suicide.

Alcohol causes a person to lose his or her inhibitions. A person under alcoholic influence becomes aggressive and is capable of doing violent acts. If, by any chance, that person has depression and is contemplating of committing suicide, alcohol might just be the “push” that he or she needs before the plan is transformed into an action.

Suicide is a fatal decision, and depressed and alcoholic individuals who are at their wit’s end do not recognize that what they are about to do is against moral and societal virtues. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an organization committed to the prevention of suicide, more than 60% of individuals who died by suicide have suffered from major depression. In addition, 30% of all completed suicides have alcohol as one of the factors that influenced the successful performance of the brutal act. Evidently, alcoholism and depression increases the risk for suicide of an individual suffering from depression.

Depression and Alcohol Lead to Bigger Problems

Depression and Alcohol produce an additive effect; both greatly increase each other’s negative outcome. For instance, a depressed person who takes alcohol becomes more depressed because alcohol is a depressant if taken in large amounts. The same is true with alcoholics; the more they depend on alcohol, the more chances that they’ll end up being depressed.

Considering this additive effect, depression and alcohol then can also lead to several other serious problems such as physical health problems, decrease in work performance, social isolation, relationship issues, family problems, anxiety, emotional instabilities, and sleep disturbances.

Depression and Alcohol Treatment: A Call to Action

The treatment for Depression and Alcohol problems is a combination of different treatment modalities, which all require some degree of cooperation and support to become successful. Depression symptoms can be addressed properly by using therapeutic drugs (primarily antidepressants) and psychological assistance such as counseling, behavioral, and cognitive therapies.

On the other hand, alcoholism or alcohol dependence can be managed through physical detoxification and by using invaluable human resources such as asking the help of a counselor, a good friend, or a trusted family member. Joining Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is also a very promising option.

Depressed alcoholics should bear in mind that treating their abnormal mood state and excessive compulsion to drink alcohol would need a great deal of sacrifice. Nevertheless, the first and foremost step in achieving freedom from Depression and Alcohol is actually acknowledging that a problem in relation to this actually exists.

The moment that the afflicted person acknowledges his or her vulnerability – it makes the treatment process of eradicating depression and alcohol a lot easier.

Related articles

• Overcoming Depression and Alcoholism (everydayhealth.com)
• Alcohol and Depression (everydayhealth.com)
• Depression and Substance Abuse (everydayhealth.com)

Why Depression?

Image via Wikipedia

As a nurse, I feel like I have a strong commitment to inform the public about this thing called depression. Although my blog is mostly about girly stuffs and the like, I figured it wouldn’t hurt if I butt-in a couple or so articles about “serious health matter”s from time to time.

Today, I feel like writing something about depression.

Depression is not just something that you can shrug off. Whether you are aware of it or not, this condition is actually prevalent in your surroundings. You never know, perhaps your family member, friend, or neighbor is already experiencing this (and if they really are, then you must be on your guard since depression can lead to suicide).

So, what’s depression?

Being down and feeling blue at times (especially when something bad just happened) is just normal throughout the life of an individual. Normally, you will just get past that feeling after a week or so. However, if you have depression, your feelings of loneliness and abandonment can extend for up to two weeks or more.

Psychologists diagnose depression according to the symptoms the patient displays which are already manifesting for more than two weeks. These symptoms may be either of the following:

• disturbed sleep pattern (either you sleep more or sleep less)
• disturbed eating (either you eat more or eat less)
• feeling sad
• anhedonia (you don’t find your usual hobbies or activities pleasurable anymore)
• Anergia (loss of energy)
• Physical symptoms like hyperacidity
• loss of libido

There are a lot more symptoms related to depression, but these things I’ve mentioned are the most common ones.

There are several factors believed to be the causes of depression – it can be severe life changes or experiences, genetics, biological factors (the play of hormones in your body) and sometimes even your lifestyle.

Help someone with depression

If you know someone with this kind of dilemma, don’t hesitate to offer your presence. You don’t have to necessarily give solution to that person’s problems if he or she has one, neither make fun of yourself just to make him or her smile. All you need to do is to be his or her friend during that difficult time. And also, be alert for signs of suicide. If you can, then you may refer your friend to a psychologist – this is perhaps the best way you can be of help.

Related articles

• Coping With Depression and Insomnia (everydayhealth.com)
• Are You Depressed or Just Feeling Blue? (everydayhealth.com)
• Women and Depression (everydayhealth.com)
• Understanding Depression (everydayhealth.com)
• Is it true that sleep deprivation can help with depression? (zocdoc.com)

About Postpartum Depression

 

 

Image via Wikipedia

Postpartum Depression (PPD, Postpartum psychosis) is a type of depressive disorder that affects a number of mothers after giving birth. The intensity of this depression ranges from moderate to severe. It can occur very soon after the delivery, most likely within the first three months, or it can develop after some time, say, after a year.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

Normally, pregnant women do experience mood changes during pregnancy, a situation closely related to hormonal level changes in response to the needs of the growing fetus. Shortly after delivery, approximately one of two weeks, women may experience certain feelings of irritation, anxiety, restlessness, tearfulness, and the feeling of being abandoned. This kind of emotional shift, in itself, is also considered normal and is even termed as postpartum blues or baby blues.

This normal “baby blues” may deteriorate into postpartum depression if these down and sad feelings do not go away or when the mother starts to exhibit early manifestations of depression.

The exact cause of postpartum depression then may not be solely attributed to hormonal changes or the sudden addition of a new role (parenthood), the cause of postpartum depression may be attributed to several factors that present the risks for this type of condition to develop.

The following can increase the chances of developing postpartum depression:

- Maternal age of below 20

- Alcohol and other illegal substances abuse

- Presence of certain mental disorders before the actual pregnancy (bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder)

- Family history of depression

- Single motherhood due to divorce or separation

- Financial problems

- Lack of support system

- Stressful events prior of during the delivery (death of a loved one, illness in the family, premature delivery, birth defects and death of the baby)

What are the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?

The symptoms of Postpartum Depression are the same as with the general symptoms exhibited by depression, but with additional manifestations. The following are the symptoms of Postpartum Depression:

The symptoms of Postpartum Depression are the same as with the general symptoms exhibited by depression, but with additional manifestations. The following are the symptoms of Postpartum Depression:

- Feelings of worthlessness, helplessness or hopelessness

- Change in appetite, either eating more or eating less than the usual

- Isolation

- Irritability or agitation

- Anhedonia (lack of interest or pleasure in doing most or all kinds of activities)

- Anergia (loss of energy)

- Loss of concentration

- Poor work performance

- Feeling of being abandoned by family members and significant other

- Negative feelings directed to the baby (thoughts of harming the baby)

- Anxiety

- Sleeping problems

- Thinking of suicide

- Neglect of the baby

- Being afraid to be alone with the baby

- Have little interest in the baby

Postpartum Depression is diagnosed using a series of tests and observation. The doctor may use a Postnatal Depression Scale questionnaire to signs and potential risks of depression in the patient. Results of medical tests such as a blood test may rule out depression and give the impression that the unfavorable feelings were due to an underlying disease process and not entirely a symptom of depression.

How is Postpartum Depression treated?

The treatment of Postpartum Depression involves the use of pharmacotherapy (medications) or psychotherapy (counseling, behavioral and cognitive therapies). In other cases, the two methods are used together.

A woman diagnosed of Postpartum depression is placed under security observation for at least six months. Aside from the standard treatment modalities, managing depression also needs the support of family members and significant others.

If Postpartum Depression is screened early and the proper management is promptly applied, its symptoms are highly manageable and treatable. On the other hand, although the prognosis of postpartum depression is good, the best option is still prevention of this condition through establishing a strong support system.

Related articles

• Postpartum Depression Isn’t ‘Just Hormones’ (everydayhealth.com)
• Are You at Risk for Postpartum Depression? (everydayhealth.com)
• Postpartum Depression and the New Mom (everydayhealth.com)
• Postpartum Depression: How to Care for the Baby Blues (everydayhealth.com)
• What is postnatal depression? (contact-counselling.com)