Adlerian Therapy against Depression

OverviewAdlerian psychotherapy was founded by Alfred Adler (an ex-associate of Freud who rejected Freud's notion that sex is the root of all psychological problems.) It takes a positive view of human nature: We are all goal-oriented creatures who are striving for social connectedness, and we are in control of our destiny. Many personal difficulties, Adler believed, stem from feelings of inferiority-he in fact coined the term "inferiority complex." An Adlerian therapist will identify, explore, and challenge a client's current beliefs about their life goals. He or she will gather family history and will use information about a client's behavior...

Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)

Cyclothymia (si-kloh-THIGH-me-uh), also called cyclothymic disorder, is a mild form of bipolar disorder. Like bipolar disorder, cyclothymia is a chronic mood disorder that causes emotional ups and downs. With cyclothymia, you experience periods when your mood noticeably fluctuates from your baseline. You may feel on top of the world for a time, followed by a low period when you feel somewhat blue. Between these cyclothymic highs and lows, you may feel stable and fine. Compared with bipolar disorder, the highs and lows of cyclothymia are less extreme. Still, it's critical to seek help managing these symptoms because they increase your risk of...

Robert Sapolsky Lecture on Depression

We've all felt a little blue, down in the dumps, or just plain sad. But when a serious depression sets in, it could be weeks, months or even years before the feeling lifts. It is your enemy, and consider your fight with depression seriously. Learn more about the illness, learn more about yourself, and you will be able to develop an action plan of how to win the fight and become healthier, happier, and in harmony with your soul and body.During a recent workshop presented by Stanford's Faculty and Staff Help Center, biologist Robert Sapolsky talked about the biological and psychological causes of depression, how to recognize its symptoms and how...

Chocolate against Stress and Depression

Researchers have found that chocolate can make some people who are prone to depression less anxious and less irritable. There is a downside, as the chocolate is laden with fat and sugar. Several recent studies provided the scientific background to the common knowledge that chocolate has a definite upside as an anti-depressant.A study of 3,000 people by the Black Dog Institute found 45 per cent of people with depression craved chocolate. "Of those 45 per cent, 60 per cent found that the chocolate improved their mood when they were depressed," Joanne Crawford, study co-author said.Researchers found that among the depressed, those who were anxious...