Depression affects more than 100 million people in the U.S. on any given day. It can strike anytime, can come on suddenly or build up over time. It's more than just "feeling sad." Often, a person with depression feels out of control and lacks self-direction. It's important to counter the effects of depression with a regimen of exercise, proper nutrition (including nutritional supplements) and adequate sleep. Practicing relaxation techniques is helpful, too.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, clinical depression has a specific definition and can be associated with the following symptoms (if you suffer from at least four of these symptoms, you may be suffering from clinical depression):

• Poor appetite with weight loss,
  or increased appetite with weight gain
  
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
  
• Physical hyperactivity or inactivity
  
• Loss of interest or pleasure in your usual activities,
  or decrease in sexual drive
  
• Loss of energy and feelings of fatigue
  
• Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach,
  or inappropriate guilt
  
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate
  
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic pain and stress are all related, and involve similar changes in brain chemistry, endocrine system imbalance and nervous system imbalance. At Cincinnati Rehabilitation Center, we want to help you make informed decisions about the natural choices available to you to help manage or mitigate depression, without resorting to prescription medication. Give our office a call and see how we can help.