What is Depression?

*Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. A depressive disorder is more than a passing mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be willed or wished away.

*A depressive disorder involves the body, mood, and thoughts. People who are depressed cannot “snap out of it” and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for months or years.

Types of Depression

*Depressive disorders come in different forms. Three of the most common are Major Depression, Dysthymia, and Bipolar Disorder. Even within these types of depression there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.

*Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities.

*Some people have a single episode of depression, but many have episodes that recur.

*Dysthymia is a less severe type of depression that lasts a long time but involves less severe symptoms. If you suffer from dysthymia you probably lead a normal life, but you may not be functioning well or feeling good. People with dysthymia may also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

*Bipolar Disorder (also called manic-depression) is another type of depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is thought to be less common than other depressive disorders. If you have bipolar disorder you are troubled by cycling mood swings – usually severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). The mood swings are sometimes dramatic and rapid, but usually are more gradual. When in the depressed stage, a person can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic stage, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior, sometimes in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. A person in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state, where the person is out of touch with reality.

Symptoms of Depression and Mania

*These lists are not complete, and not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences all of these symptoms. The severity of symptoms varies with individuals and varies over time.

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

*Mania

• Abnormal or excessive elation
• Unusual irritability
• Decreased need for sleep
• Grandiose notions
• Increased talking
• Racing thoughts
• Increased sexual desire
• Markedly increased energy
• Poor judgment
• Inappropriate social behavior

*Treatment

*As chiropractic treatment begins to take effect, negative thinking is likely to fade so be patient with yourself.

What is B.E.S.T.?

*B.E.S.T. or Bio Energetic Synchronization Techniques a non-forceful, energy balancing chiropractic hands on procedure used to help reestablish the full healing potential of the body. B.E.S.T. principles acknowledge the concept of Interference we create with our conscious mind. This Interference caused imbalance in the autonomic nervous system leading to exhaustion of our organ systems over time.

*Face down and/or Physical B.E.S.T. is based on scientific principles utilizing light pressure contacts on the surface of the body to address parasympathetic and sympathetic imbalances. When expressed in the intrinsic muscles of the spine as a Chiropractic Subluxation, pinched nerve, or muscle spasm, this pattern of imbalance can lead to symptoms of discomfort and loss of function throughout the entire body. This chiropractic technique offers a non-forceful way to update patterns of stress and discomfort which have been surfacing in both acute pain and chronic conditions. This chiropractic procedure is administered in the face down position, utilizing a leg balance check, palpating the spinal muscles, and subsequently holding pressure points along various points in the spine, sacrum, and skull. When muscles are balanced and the updated pattern restored, spinal muscle spasm, vertebral subluxation, and nerve pressure are removed. Chiropractic patients often experience immediate relief from symptoms and completely enjoy the painless approach to health and wellness. The body can heal itself if just given the opportunity. Balancing the energy within us and removing the interference unleashes the healing power that is in everyone of us..

*Face up and/or Emotional B.E.S.T. utilizes advanced chiropractic technology developed to update higher brain interference from expression in the physical body. When emotional thoughts such as worry, guilt, fear, judgment, to name just a few, become the overriding factor in our memory patterns, interference with the divine plan for our perfect health and wellness becomes the norm. This interference, formulated by conscious thought which in turn becomes a pattern, prevents the true expression of our physical bodies healing capability. Emotional B.E.S.T. is an advanced procedure used by chiropractors to help identify this emotional pattern, remove the interference, and then allow the body to function based on current situations rather than past experiences.

*Dr. Popkin, Plantation Chiropractor,  holds the Elite Diplomate certification which indicates that he has been exposed to the latest in B.E.S.T. Technique study and have completed and passed the practical and written examinations required by the Elite Diplomate program. For more information regarding B.E.S.T., you may contact Plantation Chiropractor Dr. Popkin at 954-370-1900.

*What can I do immediately?

• Commit to working out whatever issues are occurring by attending regular sessions and being frank with your Doctor or therapist
• Outside of treatment, set realistic goals you need to achieve in your day-to-day life
• Take on a reasonable amount of responsibility and ask for help if you feel overwhelmed
• Break large tasks into smaller ones and reward yourself for completing those larger tasks
• Set priorities and do what you can when you can
• Try to spend time with other people and to confide your feelings to someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive
• Let your family and friends help you
• Participate in activities that may make you feel better such as going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities
• Make time for exercise, but don’t over-do it
• Postpone important decisions, such as changing jobs getting married or divorced, until the depression has lifted

How Long Will It Take to Feel Better

*People rarely “snap out of” a depression, but they can get a little better day-by-day. Expect your mood to improve gradually. Feeling better takes time. Positive thinking will gradually replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression. The excessive negative thinking grow weaker and disappear as your depression responds to treatment.

*Results may vary from person to person