Health Archives

The 7 Major Causes of Depression and Anxiety

What are the most common causes of depression and anxiety? Why isn’t biology the main cause of depression? The main causes of depression and anxiety are acute loneliness, childhood trauma, loss of purpose in life, and a severe disconnection with nature. There are biological factors that can make an individual vulnerable to depression, but these factors are usually latent. It is social, psychological, and environmental factors that can trigger a genetic tendency to have depression and anxiety. Read on to learn more about the major causes of depression and anxiety.

A Closer Look at the Effect of Placebo Antidepressants

What is the effect of placebo antidepressants on depression? What is the harm in using placebo drugs to treat depression? Placebo antidepressants work by stimulating the drug user’s belief in the power of the treatment to cure depression. The drug itself cannot cure depression, it is the placebo effect of using the drug that instigates improvement in the patient. The harm comes from the side effects of antidepressants which include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and increased risk of diabetes. Read on to learn more about the effect of placebo antidepressants.

Johann Hari: Why Antidepressants Don’t Always Work

The Three Reasons Why Antidepressants Don't Work

What is the major reason why Johann Hari claims antidepressants don’t work? If antidepressants are not the solution to depression, why are they still popular? According to Johann Hari, author of Lost Connections, the main reason why antidepressants don’t work is that the chemical imbalance that those drugs are designed to treat is rarely ever the true cause of depression. Multiple studies have debunked the imbalance theory, and yet, antidepressants are still used. Hari says this is because big pharma controls much of the drug trial and approval process that authorizes the use of antidepressants. Read on to learn more

The Chemical Imbalance Theory—Debunked

Is the chemical imbalance theory of depression true? How does the book Lost Connections challenge the theory? Research shows that there is no evidence that having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals can solely lead to depression. The book Lost Connections challenges the chemical imbalance theory by exploring the biopsychosocial model which posits that psychological, social, and biological factors are the main causes of depression. Read more about why the chemical imbalance theory is flawed.

Vincent Peale on How Emotions Affect the Body

Do you believe that emotions can “spill over” into your body? How can negative emotions influence your physical state? When you have an unhealthy emotional life marked by feelings of anger and resentment, your energy and vitality can sag and your physical health can diminish. According to Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, this happens because what you think in your mind has a profound effect on how you feel in your body. In this article, we’ll discuss how emotions affect the body and what you can do when negative emotions take over to restore

Lost Connections: Book Overview (Johann Hari)

What is the Lost Connections book about? What are the solutions to depression highlighted in the book? The Lost Connections book challenges the belief that depression is just a chemical imbalance in the brain, and instead highlights the psychological, social, and biological factors that are the real root causes of depression. The book suggests a few ways to tackle depression including community care, social prescribing, walking through childhood trauma, and curbing materialism. Read on to learn more about how the Lost Connections book explores alternative causes of depression.

How to Let Go of Excessive Worry and Restore Peace

Do you often find yourself in a state of worry, thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong? Why are the consequences of excessive, chronic worry? Excessive worry is a destructive and unhealthy mental habit that can actually cause health problems. The word “worry” is derived from a word whose literal meaning is “to choke.” Think of worry as choking the flow of your power. Worry is also dangerous because when you fear something for a long time, you can actually draw it to you, helping the fear come to pass. In this article, we’ll discuss the consequences

The Power of Thinking: Your Thoughts Change Your Life

Do you know how the power of thinking works in your life? Is it a force for good or for bad? In the 1902 self-help classic As a Man Thinketh, British philosophical writer James Allen explores the power of thinking. He argues that your thoughts ultimately shape your circumstances. They also dictate your physical health. For good or for bad, the way you think makes a difference. Read more to learn about the power of thinking.

Parkinson’s Disease: Causes & Prevention Measures

Are there any hereditary causes of Parkinson’s disease? Can Parkinson’s disease be deadly? 25,000 people die from Parkinson’s every year. Most cases of Parkinson’s disease aren’t genetic, although people who are diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease are likely to have inherited it. Keep reading to learn more about Parkinson’s disease prevention, mechanisms, and causes.

Breast Cancer: Causes and Prevention Measures

How deadly is breast cancer? What is the main cause of breast cancer? Can breast cancer be prevented? Around 41,000 people die from breast cancer and 230,000 are diagnosed annually. A number of different factors can contribute to the risk of developing breast cancer, many of which are related to lifestyle. Therefore, the likelihood of breast cancer can be significantly reduced by making healthy lifestyle choices. Keep reading to learn about breast cancer causes and prevention.