Depression is of two types; one is Major Depressive Disorder and the other Bipolar Disorder. The two are different and require different treatment. The symptoms of the former involves sadness, excessive crying, loss of pleasure, sleeping too much or too little, low energy, restlessness, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, loss of appetite or overeating, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, feelings of physical problems that are not caused by physical illness or injury like headaches, digestive problems, pain and thoughts of death or suicide…

PMS (premenstrual syndrome), PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and mood disorders seem to have innumerable symptoms in common. So is there a clear-cut way to distinguish between them? Well there is and it is about as clear mud. Determining their subtle nuances is like deciphering the DSM-IV and even trained doctors have difficulty in that arena. So how does the sufferer try to get a decent picture of what is what so they know where to go for help or can at least get a handle of their problem? Right here, I hope. After hours of research on several different websites, I have what I think is a fairly clear understanding of the distinctions…

Bipolar Disorder is one of the most difficult to treat. Not only is it difficult to find the right medicine recipe for each person, patient compliance is a major obstacle. Some people suffer debilitating side effects or cannot tolerate the high dosages of some medications. Some start feeling better and make a conscious decision to stop taking their medications. Others simply don’t like taking medication at all. Some of these same people will turn to vitamins, health supplements and holistic answers instead. Herein lies the problem. It seems to me that the general population is much more willing to trust the claims on vitamins bottles and health supplements than that of prescription medications that are governed by the FDA. Who is it that regulates vitamins and health supplements– the “natural healing fairy?..

Countless number of patients and their family members have asked me about manic–depression and major depression. “Is there any difference?” “Are they one and the same?” “Is the treatment the same?” And so on. Each time I encounter a chorus of questions like these, I am enthused to provide answers…

Manic depression - Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Some mornings can start with overriding feelings of joy, elation and power. By the time the afternoon has arrived this can shift to feelings of desperation, despair and depression…