Depression: America Killer

By: Denise Young

 

Many of people suffer from depression and do not even know it. Do you know the common depression symptoms? Do you know about different types of depression? Let me give you some tips about depression so you can talk openly with your doctor or a counselor. Find out the warning signs of more serious depression problems so you can prevent depression complications. Let’s talk about one form of depression such as Chronic Depression or Dysthymia?

Chronic depression, or dysthymia, is characterized by a long-term (two years or more) depressed mood. There are also symptoms present that are associated with major depression but not enough for a diagnosis of major depression. Chronic depression is less severe than major depression and typically does not disable the person. If you have dysthymia or chronic depression, you may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during your lifetime.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's Chronic Depression (Dysthymia).

What Is Atypical Depression?

The key symptoms of atypical depression include:

·         Overeating

·         Oversleeping

·         Fatigue

·         Extreme sensitivity to rejection

·         Moods that worsen or improve in direct response to events

Regular -- or "typical" -- depression, on the other hand, tends to be marked by pervasive sadness and a pattern of loss of appetite and difficulty fall or staying asleep.

If you have more information you can leave comments, or call your local doctor or counselor in your area for diagnosis.

 

 

Look for the Day

Yes! 5 Ways Sex Makes You Happier & Healthier

Sure, sex is fun - that's nothing new. But, did you know that sex has secret benefits beyond the big O? Research shows that getting it on is proven to make you happier and healthier, long after you've left the bedroom. We're talking less stress, solid sleep, and even a sunnier outlook. (Yes, yes, yes!)

Every climax triggers the release of hormones whose effects have the power to restore harmony to mind, body and even our surrounding community. Good for you, good for us, good for all. Read on to see how your sex life can make the rest of your life that much better - as though you needed another reason.
Sex leads to better sleep

Sleep is essential to maintaining a stress-free and energetic lifestyle - and there are a variety of ways in which sexual pleasure can help us wind down. "Orgasm in men and women causes the release of oxytocin, one of the brain's stress-reducing chemicals," explains Dr. Paul Zak, Ph.d, author of The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity. "In order to reach orgasm, one must be sufficiently relaxed or the brain inhibits this response." In other words, we have to relax to get in the mood for sex.

In addition, sex is energetic. ("At least, good sex is," Dr. Zak notes.) Muscle contractions and movement involved in sex burn energy stored in muscle mass. When that energy is depleted and the body is flooded with soothing hormones, we transition to an intuitively restful state. Those relaxing effects of orgasm might explain why many people masturbate in order to fall asleep. So, the next time insomnia hits, instead of popping Ambien, reach for a partner - or the Magic Wand.
RELATED: Hormones Might Be Responsible For Your Unhappy Relationship


Sex calms our minds

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 6.8 million adults are affected by general anxiety disorder, with women twice as likely to be affected than men. While sex alone won't cure anxiety, orgasms can help our brains reach a calmer state. The easiest way to get there is through masturbation, or what Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, prefers to call a practice of "self-cultivation."

"Self-cultivation can relieve anxiety by allowing a woman to sink into her own ability to experience bodily pleasure," Dr. Northrup says. When we reach states of physical pleasure, the body releases feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. "In short, they're the same kinds of chemicals that are in the medications given to women for depression or anxiety," she says. By giving ourselves orgasms, we can credit our bodies for the powerful feeling of ecstasy that is associated with the release of chemicals we produce involuntarily.

RELATED: Men Are From Mars? Here's How The Sexes REALLY Differ

Sex tells PMS to shove it

For decades, researchers have known that sexual activity causes the release of oxytocin and loads of feel-good endorphins, both of which lower the sense of pain caused by premenstrual syndrome. Here's the really interesting thing: Both pain and pleasure register in the same parts of the brain.

So, what does that have to do with cramps? A lot, actually. Brain-imaging studies have found that during orgasm, women can withstand up to twice as much pain as usual. Not only will the endorphin rush restore you to homeostasis, it might also provide a respite from abdominal torture.
Sex makes you chill
"Sex and stress are closely linked, particularly for women," says Elizabeth Scott, author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. "Too much stress can negatively affect a woman's libido. Conversely, positive sexual experiences can be an effective and enjoyable source of stress relief." It's not all in your head, either: Sex can lower blood pressure and levels of cortisol (a hormone related to the "fight or flight response") by creating an abundance of hormones that relax us mentally and physically.

Most people think about the stress-relieving qualities of partnered sex, but "going solo" has its own aerobic benefits, says Dr. Betty Dodson, Ph.D, a sex educator in New York City. "Having stress-free orgasms with ourselves is an exercise for the heart," she says. "Deep breathing is good for our lungs, and our blood flow gets a workout, too. Meanwhile, actual orgasm slows down our brain waves, giving it a rest as we flex and release our pelvic floor muscles." And hey, it's cheaper than therapy.
Sex makes you more empathic

You know the old saying, "Make love, not war"? There's actually substantial scientific evidence to show that oxytocin - the "love hormone" - strengthens our emotional bonds with others. And, it's not just for women, either: A 2012 study found that when men in monogamous relationships were under the influence of oxytocin, they flirted significantly less with attractive women.

"Sex is the most powerful oxytocin-releasing activity scientists have discovered," explains Dr. Zak. "We have found that when the brain releases oxytocin, people are more trusting, generous and compassionate for up to an hour afterwards. Oxytocin connects us to other people; it makes us feel what other people feel." So, sex not only makes us feel closer to our romantic partners, it makes us treat strangers better, too. The rewarding effects of oxytocin prod us to express empathy and generosity more frequently, so why not make nice?

Arm Candy

The look of the day

Why We Fall in Love

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore!” sang Dean Martin. We all know the delicious feeling of new love, but what about the flip side? Love doesn’t always last, and its retreat can leave us bewildered, confused or downright depressed.

Even if you were raised on a plentiful diet of fairy tales, you know that “till death do us part” can be a rare thing. Even staying with someone forever is no guarantee of experiencing lasting love. But why do people really fall out of love? Is there anything we can do to make love stay? Do some of us give up too easily? To understand the phenomenon of love’s end, we asked the experts’ opinions on the subject. Here are the top three reasons they shared with us:

1. A distancing “Wave” can topple a good thing if you let it. Ken Page, psychotherapist and author of the Finding Love blog for Psychology Today and founder of the Deeper Dating website, has identified a phenomenon that can destroy new love: “The ‘Wave’ occurs when we unconsciously push a caring and available person away by inwardly diminishing his or her worth.” Think about how Carrie Bradshaw behaved when she first started dating Aidan Shaw: Aidan was “too available” and Carrie freaked because she wasn’t used to being with someone so open.
“When someone is available and decent,” Page explains, “something inside us knows [this person] can get to our nest, our soul — the place where we care the most and can be hurt the most. And our unconscious gets panicked.” If you find yourself breaking up with someone awesome for no good reason, check yourself; you might be acting out of fear. After all, real love is a big deal. It involves a leap of faith, and that can be a scary thing. Those who give in to the Wave fall out of love before they even give themselves a chance to fall properly in love, and that’s kind of sad.

2. Unwillingness to discuss relationship problems. OK, let’s say you’ve taken that leap and you’re in a long-term, committed relationship. Good for you! Now, don’t forget to communicate with your partner regularly. Guy Winch, Ph.D., author of The Squeaky Wheel: Complaining the Right Way to Get Results, Improve Your Relationships and Enhance Self-Esteem, says that people fall out of love because they don’t talk through their relationship peeves with each other: “Research shows that couples who are able to voice complaints well and discuss them productively have greater marital satisfaction and much lower divorce rates than couples who are unable to do so.” If you’re in a newer relationship, iron out the kinks early on to keep love alive over the long haul. “It is much easier to address issues earlier in a relationship than later, just as it is much harder to mold cement once it has dried and hardened,” explains Winch.

The key word here, however, is “productively.” It usually doesn’t help to fight and blame your partner for all of the relationship’s problems. Dr. Fran Praver, author of The New Science of Love: How Understanding Your Brain’s Wiring Can Help Rekindle Your Relationship, says that “when couples play the blame game, they wage a war of being right where both parties lose. It may seem like a strong personality to insist on being right, but in fact ‘rightness’ is born out of rigidity and weakness, not strength.” Couples fall out of love when they can’t find a way to make the partnership good for both people involved. Creativity and open minds are the stuff of lasting love; silence and blaming, though? Not so much.

3. People change or get bored with each other. April Masini, the relationship expert behind AskApril.com and author of Romantic Date Ideas, says: “Over time, people can change — or more often, they become who they really are. Someone who loved his steady business career may suddenly realize he always wanted to be a stand-up comedian and throw caution to the wind to chase his dreams.” People evolve; circumstances change — and sometimes, relationships can’t be sustained as a result. But if you really know your partner down to the core, the changes won’t be as shocking. “The kind of change that leads to love lost is always about a buried desire to be someone that’s repressed inside,” continues Masini. “It’s important to really know your partner to avoid this lost-love syndrome.” In other words, don’t neglect someone you care about. You cannot get to know a person thoroughly right away — rather, it’s a lifelong journey. There’s a whole universe inside the person you fell for, and if you don’t check in with that individual on a regular basis, you could wake up one day hearing this: “I’m unhappy. I’m moving to another country to start my life over fresh, and you’re not invited.”

If you find yourself perusing faraway rental homes and thinking, “He’s changed!” or “I’m just so bored with her,” think about holding on and digging a little deeper first. “At a certain point in a relationship, according to Imago Couples Therapy,” says Page, “each partner feels that the thing they most need from their partner is the very thing that their partner can’t give. At that point, many people feel that the relationship has run its course and they leave. The reality, however, is much different. This can be the beginning phase of an entirely new level of intimacy, if they each decide to learn to grow and try to give that partner what [he or she needs most].”

Then again, love doesn’t necessarily have to last decades (or a lifetime) to matter. Romantic relationships can also evolve into dear friendships — and that’s perfectly fine. Dr. Lissa Coffey, author of the book, Closure and the Law of Relationship: Endings as New Beginnings, agrees. “We may come together for a certain period of time to help each other learn and grow, and when that has been accomplished, we’ve gotten everything we were meant to get out of the relationship. Then it changes,” Coffey explains. “It doesn’t have to end; it’s just redefined.”

Look of the Day!

Demi Moore Files Divorce Papers: What She Wants From Ashton Kutcher

Three months after Ashton Kutcher filed for divorce, Demi Moore is firing back with her own response.
On Thursday, the 50-year-old actress filed her own papers in Los Angeles Superior Court, and while that’s not particularly shocking, the fact that she’s seeking money from him is.
In the official documents, Moore has checked the boxes asking for the petitioner, Kutcher, to pay her legal fees as well as spousal support.
READ MOORE'S DOCS
Her request to have him pay up is interesting considering that she’s believed to be worth far more than the 35-year-old actor. But although she has barely worked in the past few years (her 2012 movie with Miley Cyrus, “LOL,” made fans do exactly that -- it went straight to DVD), Kutcher, of course, is one of the highest-paid TV stars, earning $24 million a year on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men.” And lucky for Moore, he joined the show before they split in November 2011 after six years of marriage.
So what does it all mean? Los Angeles attorney Marlo Van Oorschot tells omg! that according to Moore's filing, she “has not made an official request for the court to determine spousal support at this time. Rather, she has set forth in her Response to the Petition a request for spousal support as a way to preserve her rights to formally seek support during or at the conclusion of the divorce. Whether or not Moore will actually receive support will be dependent upon both parties' financial conditions ... There are many factors to be take into account in determining the ultimate issue of spousal support."
Moore in Miami. (GettyImages)Moore and Kutcher have traveled separate paths since she ended their relationship, following reports that he had cheated with a college student. Almost immediately, Kutcher began seeing writer-director Lorene Scafaria and even spent the holidays with her in Italy. In January 2012, Moore was hospitalized following what was reportedly an incident with drugs, and she subsequently entered rehab.
Although Moore seemed to be back on a healthy track, Kutcher’s very public romance with his former “That ‘70s Show” co-star, Mila Kunis, reportedly sent Moore back into a downward spiral. In early December, she was seen partying hard at Art Basel in Miami, and embarrassing photos surfaced of the mother of three appearing out-of-it and dancing wildly. Two weeks later, Kutcher filed for divorce.
Since then, she’s been linked to Lindsay Lohan’s former boyfriend, Pink Taco restaurant owner Harry Morton, 31.
So, do you think Moore is right to ask Kutcher to pay up?

What Triggers an IRS Tax Audit?

 

 

The IRS examined 1.1 percent of all individual tax returns in 2010 and 2011, so the chances that your tax return will be audited are only about 1 in 90.

But the odds of an audit can increase substantially depending on your income, types of income, deduction amount and changes you have made since filing your last tax return.

The IRS uses a computerized process to check all tax returns for math and clerical errors, such as incorrect Social Security numbers and addresses. If a mistake is detected, a notice of the error and a recalculation of the tax due is sent to the taxpayer.

The IRS also runs tax returns through a process that compares the information you report from your bank, employer, and W-2, 1099 and other forms and documents. If you omit an item from your tax return, it's very likely to be picked up by the IRS's computers. The agency will send a computer-generated notice that includes a recalculation of your tax and the additional interest and penalties you will owe.

A few newer items that can trip up some taxpayers include payments received by businesses from credit and debit cards and investors who report the sale of their investments. As for businesses who accept credit and debit card payments, those gross and monthly totals are reported to the IRS by banks and other settlement entities that process the transactions. So it's important to make sure these amounts are reported accurately on the businesses tax returns.

Also, individuals who report gains from the sale of their investments should also take note that the securities industry is now reporting to the IRS the cost basis of investments that were sold as the gross proceeds from the sale.

Meanwhile, the IRS assigns numerical weights to certain tax return characteristics. These weights are added together to obtain a national composite score for all tax returns. When the total score of all selected items on your tax return exceeds the national average score set by the IRS, the agency will flag the return for a possible audit. The exact items the IRS zeroes in on and scoring method is a closely guarded secret, but some of the things the agency is believed to scrutinize include:

• Large amounts of income not subject to tax withholding
• Unusually large amounts of deductions claimed than seem reasonable when compared to your income
• A large number of dependent exemptions claimed that doesn't square with reported SSNs, tax withholding allowances and so forth
• Large deductions for charitable contributions, casualty losses, home office expenses, and travel and entertainment expenses
• Indicating a change of address when not reporting a sale of your residence and not changing your home related deductions

While an IRS audit is not something most sane folks want to go through, it also isn't something to be feared. If you have kept complete and accurate records of all of your deductions and have reported all of your income, you should be fine. In fact, in about a quarter of audits, the IRS makes no changes or issues a refund.

 

Kim Kardashian scare

The reality star is resting on doctor’s orders. The pregnant celeb had a minor health scare after returning to Los Angeles from a trip to Paris. Rest seems a tall order for the 32-year-old. She recently moved in with boyfriend Kanye West and is dealing with her divorce from Kris Humphries.

'Real Housewives of Bev Hills' the drama continues

Several lawyers and managers in Hollywood have banned together to tell clients who could become cast members of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" to stay clear of the show ... TMZ has learned.

Sources very familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the triggers for the boycott are Camille Grammer and Adrienne Maloof. As we first reported, both of them will NOT be returning to the show.

Here's the gripe -- the way the show is structured, cast members can say ANYTHING about anyone on the show and get away with it, even if it's inaccurate and malicious. Camille and Adrienne have -- in the past -- complained that other cast members have lied about their business ventures, including Adrienne's Las Vegas casino, and they've had no legal recourse.

As one professional put it, "It's fine if Brandi Glanville does the show. She doesn't have anything going for her and the show makes her famous. But for someone who has a real business or career outside the show, they need to stay a mile away."

That may be a reason why we're told LeAnn Rimes will NEVER do the show.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2013/03/04/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-boycott-camille-grammer-adrienne-maloof-brandi-glanville/#ixzz2MfkB5otV
Visit the TMZ Store: http://tmzstore.com

Mel B booed on America's Got Talent

Rough start for Mel B, one of 2 new judges on "America's Got Talent" -- she was loudly booed during the first day of taping for daring to diss brass music.

Mel was in New Orleans Monday, along with Howie Mandel, Howard Stern and Heidi Klum. The first act of the day was Lagniappe, a very popular New Orleans brass band.

Mel told the band ... she's not a fan of brass music. Bad move in The Big Easy. The audience went nuts on her, screaming "Go home," and "No respect."

Mel became unglued, and leaned over to Howie, who comforted her.

Heidi did fine. We're guessing being really, really hot helped.

See also

• Heidi Klum -- I'm Ready to 'X' You
• Sharon Osbourne -- 'Suck' It NBC! I'm Off Peacock For Life
• Heidi Klum -- I'm Gonna Be a Judge on 'America's Got Talent'

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2013/03/05/mel-b-booed-on-americas-got-talent-new-orleans-judges-brass-band/#ixzz2MfjQOJgf
Visit the TMZ Store: http://tmzstore.com

Oprah & Deepak/Tip of the day: The gift of Mediation

 

March 5,2013

Being a life skills coach and counselor for years I have worked with various different types of people from all walks of life. My clients range from abusers, people that suffer from some form of addiction, to incest survivors. My heart has been open to many things and many experiences. But, my heart is still having compassion for the hearts of the broken. I am sure that I would have not chosen this if I knew the pain that I would see and experience over the years, but somehow it this (career) chose me.  I have been blessed to have so many great relationships with my clients and their families. I am humble to keep secrets for people that they have in trust me with over the years. During many sessions I have shared secrets to reduce stress and depression.  That secret is mediation.

One of the tips that I would like to share is the gift of mediation. This simple thing is one of the things that I have shared for years with my clients. And I would like to share this with my fans and viewers. During this hard time of pain and suffering you need something that will connect you with some form of peace. Mental health is real and most people do not take care of your mental health and therefore you go into depression or let stress rip your life apart. Life is hard and even horrible for many, but with mediation you can find some type of piece and focus and restore your life and build some form of reconciliation to a better you. Please join me has I work with Oprah as we do a 21 day mediate fast. Join me and Oprah and many on March 11 for a transformational three-week guided meditation journey toward the triad of whole wellness—mind, body, and spirit. In our interactive online program, we invite you to meditate and journal with us each day to embrace the vision of your best self, expand your understanding of your miraculous body, and achieve greater balance and wellbeing.

 

We encourage you to register now for our all-new 21-Day Meditation Challenge—Perfect Health. It’s free to participate and we will be your guides each day as together we discover how to recognize our body’s natural perfection and leverage its inherent wisdom.

 

Please give yourself this gift with infinite benefits and sign up today. We look forward to an amazing three weeks together!

Blessings

Denise Young

Editor, Life Skills Coach and Counselor

 

:Look of the Day

Adrienne Maloof 'Let Go' From The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Source Says

Another one bites the dust.

Following the news of Camille Grammer's departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, sources have confirmed that Adrienne Maloof will not be returning for season 4 – and that she was fired.

Get more stories on your favorite celebrities by subscribing now.

"She was let go," says a source close to Bravo's hit show. "Producers were sick of her constant tardiness and her issues."

But a source close to Maloof, 51, disputes that, saying, "It was her decision to leave. Adrienne is very happy."

Maloof – who is currently dating 32-year-old Sean Stewart – did not participate in the season 3 reunion, citing legal reasons related to her divorce from Paul Nassif.

RELATED: Camille Grammer Leaving Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

"The producers were begging Adrienne to come back to the show and the reunion right up until the last minute," the Maloof source says.

Whether or not she was fired or made her own decision to leave the show, the Maloof source says she's not looking back: "Housewives was part of her past. She's looking to the future."

Taylor Armstrong, Kim Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, Adrienne Maloof, Brandi Glanville, Yolanda Foster and Kyle Richards

Jet Set Baby Bump! Pregnant Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Go Glam In Paris

This is going to be on well traveled baby! Kim Kardashian proudly showed off her growing baby bump with her baby daddy Kanye West, and RadarOnline.com has the photos of her stylish stroll in Paris.
Trying hard to make up for her maternity fashion disasters, Kim donned a simple black dress and black heels while Kanye dressed down in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a jacket.
PHOTOS: Kim Shows Off Growing Baby Bump In Paris
Still, Kim is completing ignoring the mantra that ‘fur is murder’ and bundled up a big black fur coat to walk the streets of Paris.
This conservative outfit is a far cry from the nude photo shoot she did with Kanye for French magazine L’Officiel Hommes

Shahs of Sunset: Where do they get their money from

By Radar Staff
Ryan Seacrest has hailed his new reality show production, Shahs of Sunset as promoting “something I believe in, which is friendship and family” but judging by a trailer for Sunday night’s premiere it’s more about the cash than clan.
“It’s all about cash, flash, Cristal, gold, cars, houses with big columns,” proclaims one cast member. While another explains: “We don’t work IN buildings, we own them.”
PHOTOS: Reality TV’s Hottest Stars
“We come from a line of doctors and lawyers and businessmen and people who are making money,” says another in a voiceover, and: “People expect you to do great things.”
“To outsiders it probably looks like we live very glamorous lives,” says one of the female cast off camera, “and in fact we do.”
PHOTOS: The Hottest Celebrity Bikini Bods
Watching the six stars cavort in swimwear around the jacuzzi, get embroiled in stand up knock down fights and flash the cash whenever and wherever possible, it’s easy to see why the show is being hailed by many as the new Jersey Shore, but cast member Reza Farahan is quick to shoot down the comparison.
“We are much more sophisticated [than Jersey Shore's cast],” he told the Daily Beast. “We come from different backgrounds of lawyers and doctors. Those people on Jersey Shore are hooking up every night. They have a ‘smoosh’ room. They drink pickle juice. They have nothing. They are incredibly trashy. We are not like that.”
PHOTOS: Meet The Cast Of The Shahs Of Sunset
The show follows a group of uber wealthy Persian immigrants living in Los Angeles and the six main cast members have said that they hope by sharing their lives with the public they will help change how Americans think about Iranians.

Do you have a problem with FASHION?

By: Denise Young
Do you have problems putting things together. It is hard to wake up from some of us to get outfits together in five seconds. Put now of days you can look on wesites to get ideas to up the fashion game. I have emails sent all the time about how to look cute and sexy at the same time. I always say it is in your style that will makes you sexy but here are some tips that I will suggest to help you push your fashionista diva out. Please check out these sites for help:
http://www.thechicfashionista.com/vintage-fashion.html
www.instylemagazine.com
and there are other site but here are a few that can help you get you inner fashionista jumping for the Spring.

 

Stars out on the town: Which style would you do?

Halters: Michelle Williams scores reality show!

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Singer/actress Michelle Williams has nabbed her very own reality show with Entertainment One Television that will document the release of her upcoming solo gospel album, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
My Sister’s Keeper will follow the Destiny’s Child alum and her sisters as she prepares to debut her latest material. Williams will serve as executive producer alongside Tara Long, Phil Thornton, Jeff Hevert and John Dee Hammond.
Related: Michelle Williams Responds To Critics
“Working together on my new gospel album and television series, I am excited to share with everyone a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and journey of recording for the album, performing, fun family times and other unforgettable experiences out together with my dear sisters,” the 32-year-old artist said in a statement.
Williams is currently on tour with the Award-winning Broadway musical, Fela!

- See more at: http://uptownmagazine.com/2013/02/michelle-williams-lands-reality-show/#sthash.81CEIPDT.dpuf