Goji and Depressive Disorders What is a Depressive Disorder? A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It affects 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 just feeling sad, “blue” or “down in the dumps.” People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together” and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression. What Are the Symptoms of Depression? The following are the most common symptoms of depression. If you experience five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, you may be depressed: Sadness, anxiety or “empty” feelings Decreased energy, fatigue or being “slowed down” Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, including sex Insomnia, oversleeping or waking much earlier than usual Loss of weight or appetite, or overeating and weight gain Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism Feelings of helplessness, guilt and worthlessness Difficulty concentrating, making decisions or remembering Restlessness, irritability or excessive crying Chronic aches and pains or physical problems that do not respond to treatment Thoughts of death, suicide or suicide attempts How Common is Depression? According to National Institute of Mental Health statistics, nearly 20 million American adults suffer from a depressive illness. It is twice as common in women as in men; 10-25 percent of American women and 5-12 percent of men will become clinically depressed at some point in their lives. In fact, depression affects so many people worldwide that it is often referred to as the "common cold" of mental illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently projected that, in this century, depression will be the leading cause of illness in developing nations. Common Causes of Depression Heredity — Some types of depression run in families, occurring generation after generation. Biology — Studies have suggested that depression may be associated with chemical imbalances in the brain, especially of the hormone serotonin. Life Events — Job loss, retirement, divorce, death of a loved one, or moving to a new house can precipitate a depressive illness. Social Circumstances — Depression tends to strike those who are living alone, in isolation, or without a support network of close friends or family. Physical Illness — Those with life-threatening or long-term physical illness such as cancer, stroke, arthritis or heart disease are vulnerable to depression. Personality — People with low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, or who are easily overwhelmed by stress, are prone to depression. Treating Depression Treatment usually consists of drug (antidepressant medication) and non-drug therapy. Often a combined treatment is used: medication to gain relatively quick relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life stresses. There are numerous types of antidepressant drugs. Each can be effective, but all have side effects. In fact, side effects are the main reason for people stopping a course of antidepressant drug therapy. Drug Therapy Side Effects: Dry mouth Gastrointestinal disturbance/diarrhea Urinary retention Abdominal pain Blurred vision Sexual impotence Constipation Loss of libido Sedation Agitation Sleep disruption Anxiety Weight gain Suicidal thoughts Headache Violent behavior Nausea The Most Popular Non-Drug Treatment Options: Psychotherapy involves talking things through with a trained counselor or therapist. Talking to someone who can really listen and understand you without passing judgment can be a tremendous relief. You learn new ways to deal with problems and life stresses. Exercise improves your health and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Endorphins (“feel good” hormones) are released during exercise and can elevate your mood. Relaxation Therapy uses deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation techniques, such as those practiced in yoga. Support groups offer fellowship, and you get to hear firsthand accounts of how others like you have learned to cope with depression. How You Can Help Yourself Don't bottle things up. Try to talk to someone close to you. It helps to have a good cry and talk things through. Don't set unrealistic or difficult goals for yourself. Depression tends to make you think in terms of “all or nothing.” Resist and just do what you can. Keep yourself occupied as much as possible in ways that keep you from thinking too much. Get exercise if you can. The results of the physical exertion will lift your depression temporarily at least, in addition to the other benefits of exercise. Do some light activities or get out of the house for some fresh air. It helps to take your mind off your troubles. Eat a balanced diet, although you may not feel like eating. Maintain a regular sleep pattern, aiming for at least 7 hours per night. Do not sleep in, even if you feel exhausted in the morning. Set a time to get up every morning and get out of bed. Do not drown your sorrows in alcohol. It may give immediate relief, but alcohol ultimately depresses your mood. It is also bad for your health. Don't despair: remind yourself that many other people have suffered from depression and have become better. You will eventually come out of it, just like they did. Drink goji juice every day. Fighting Depression With Goji In Asia, goji has enjoyed a long and well-deserved reputation as an energizing supertonic. Known as the “happy berry,” goji has a legendary ability to promote cheerfulness and brighten the spirit. In fact, it has been noted that the only known side effect of goji is that continued consumption may make it impossible for you to stop smiling! Goji offers a host of unique benefits that should be of great interest to anyone fighting depression. Goji Alleviates Anxiety and Stress As an adaptogen, goji helps the body to adapt to and cope with stress. It provides the energy reserves to help you handle just about any difficulty. Goji Fights Fatigue and Boosts Stamina Ranked as one of Asia's premier adaptogens, goji increases exercise tolerance, stamina and endurance. It helps to eliminate fatigue, especially when recovering from illness. Goji Enhances Libido and Sexual Function The goji berry is revered as one of the premier sexual tonic herbs in all of Asian medicine and is legendary for helping to spark the passions. Modern scientific studies have shown that goji markedly increases libido in both men and women. Goji Improves Sleep Quality Goji has enjoyed long use throughout Asia in the natural treatment of insomnia. In several medical study groups with elderly people, nearly all patients taking goji reported better quality of sleep. Usual Dosage Level For depressive disorders, research and traditional use suggest a daily intake of 2 to 4 ounces of high-quality standardized goji juice.