Massage and Depression

It's normal to feel down sometimes. We all experience the ebb and flow of emotions, but if your sadness lasts for weeks without letting up and it effects your ability to function, you could be clinically depressed. Some other symptoms are:

• feelings of hopelessness, that you can't go on, suicidal thoughts and/or actions

• lost of interest in life and things you used to enjoy

• feeling tired all the time

• difficulty concentrating

• sleeping too much or the inability to sleep at all

• overeating or loss of appetite

• feelings of emptiness

• irritability

A variety of factors may contribute to your sadness. Genetics plays a role. Stress, such as financial difficulties, a bad break-up or difficulties on the job can contribute to your sense of sadness. If you had a traumatic event in your life, such as the death of someone close to you, or you were the victim of abuse, you are more likely to have this problem. Also a low sense of self-worth can contribute.

There are different forms of depressive disorders.

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) occurs during winter months. This depressive disorder is the result of lack of sunlight and is often treated with light therapy.

• Major depressive disorder is a disabling depressive disorder that interferes in your daily life. It makes it very difficult to get up in the morning and participate in daily activities. People who get this depressive disorder often have it more than once.

• Psychotic depressive disorder is when you experience hallucinations and delusions along with your sadness. People who have this disorder lose touch with reality.

• Dysthymic disorder (dysthymia) lasts two or more years. This is long term depressive disorder isn't disabling but is still very difficult to deal with.

• Postpartum depression is when a new mother has a depressive episode after giving birth. This usually occurs within a month after delivery.

Florida Atlantic University did a study on the effects of massage and music therapy on depressed teenagers. They did brain scans on the teens before receiving therapy to measure their levels of depression. Then 14 teens received massage therapy and 16 teens received music therapy. After the therapy sessions the teens brains were scanned again and they all showed more normal brain activity than they had previous to therapy.

If you're feeling depressed consider getting a Swedish massage or some form of relaxation massage. The smooth fluid strokes of this type of massage really help calm the mind. If you continue to feel depressed for an extended period of time, you should seek some other professional help.

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