Men's Health Expert: depression and a good night's sleep

Today we discussed Depression, and it's a timely topic given the stress on the rural sector and farmers.

It's bitterly cold this winter, with a fair share of rain, and pressure on the dairy payout is not helping.

It's worthwhile remembering that depressed moods may not require any professional treatment, and may be a normal reaction to these and certain life events, a symptom of some medical condition, or even a side effect of medicines you may be taking. So it's always good to speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any queries. You can email me at Bernie@quinspharmacy.co.nz

In the Unites States, it has been estimated that two thirds of people with depression do not actively try to receive treatment, and the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2009 guidelines indicate that antidepressants should not be routinely used for the initial treatment of mild depression because the risk-benefit ratio is poor.

While women have a greater proportion of somatic symptoms such as appetite, sleep disturbances and fatigue accompanied by pain and anxiety than men, the gender difference is much smaller in other aspects of depression.

Instances of suicide is much greater in men than women, (3x in Sweden) (4x in the United States), but the difference here is actually due to men choosing more effective methods, resulting in the higher rate of success.

Depression is defined as a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts. People can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worthless, guilty ashamed and restless. The activities we used to find pleasurable are now less interesting, and we can experience problems remembering, concentrating, and experience dark thoughts, sleeplessness and fatigue, to name a few. A problem shared is a problem halved, so I encourage people under stress, and fatigue to talk about it with a mate if you can.

One of the side effects of stress in the activation of cortisol (our fight and flight response) that diminishes appetite, and ruins a good night's sleep, and we have Sleep Science; a research-based powerful synergistic herbal remedy that may assist with supporting a natural sleep pathway. It's safe with other prescribed medications and the main indications are for insomnia, frequent or early wakening, stress and anxiety. Go to our website for all our Men's Health Specials.