Panic Attacks - You Will Not Have a Heart Attack

You do not have to be scared out of your wits, as I was

You can read all about my true emotional journey, in my book and can read of the contents on my blog post. My chapter 'Discover the signs of an anxiety/panic attack' tells what happened to me and how I learned of the signs and what I personally did to help myself. Meanwhile, I have been researching the subject further to help you, whilst you are awaiting publication of my true story 'The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It'.

The passages below (which I cannot take credit for!) was on a site I discovered and goes into the subject more comprehensively. My story was written especially to help you and my further wish is to bring even more information to you. It was sadly lacking in my case and I really do not want you to go through all that I had to. When you get to read my book I think you will find it absolutely incredible, if nothing else - because of the total lack of any proper help - that was not forthcoming to me. I had to fight for any little bit of assistance that I could.

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Ever Wondered What Exactly Is Happening In Your Brain When You Have A Panic Attack?
The University College London have recently published findings in the journal Science (2007), demonstrating that when people experience extreme anxiety or panic, the activity in their brain moves from the front of their brain to the mid brain. This was demonstrated by scans showing higher blood flow to the section of the brain that was most active. The front of the brain (prefrontal cortex) is where decision making and rationalization takes place. The midbrain (periaqueductal grey area) is where survival mechanisms such as fight or flight originate from.

You are probably well aware that a panic attack is a 'fight or flight' response to a perceived threat. The reason the human brain responds like this goes back to our prehistoric past where humans needed their bodies to respond quickly to a perceived physical threat. What this new research is telling us, is that people's mental activity during a panic attack is suddenly moving to the mid brain, resulting in the heightened state of fear and panic. In short, a separate part of your brain becomes more active during a panic attack. The problem, as you well know, is that once the panic attack begins and that heightened state of fear starts, it is very difficult to calm yourself down. In order to restore calm you therefore need the brains mental activity to change.

This is the reason why deep breathing is so ineffective in helping people control a panic attack. All deep breathing does is try and restore calm to the body. Trying to mentally calm the body is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. Your brain is the control center and that is where the change needs to happen. During a panic attack your brain has moved into panic mode and in order to really restore order you need to learn how to switch your mental activity back to the rational part of your brain.

If you visit a doctor or psychiatrist you are almost always going to be given a prescription for medication simply because they are short on time and believe it to be the fastest solution to your anxiety problem. I am not judging these professions, many do an excellent job but are sadly too short on time to investigate the issue further and try a different drug free approach with you. (Bonnie says: my book thoroughly endorses this because it is exactly what happened to me! - I even tell you what helped me and further alternative ways in which you can help yourself)

Fact: A Panic Attack Will Not Harm You

I know when you are in the middle of a panic attack it feels like this terrifying experience is so intense, it might just kill you! You feel an array of unusual bodily sensation from dizziness, rapid heart beat to tingles (paresthesias) right through your body. You fear you may have a heart attack or that the anxiety will push you over the edge mentally.

I want to reassure you that even though the sensations can be terrifying, they will not cause you harm. There is very good medical studies to back this up. In fact panic attacks are not too dissimilar from a good aerobic exercise workout. The fear is powered by an overreaction to bodily sensations.

Please Don't Let Your Anxiety Fool You Into Thinking Your Case Is Unique and Not Curable
That is simply not true. There are no lost causes -no matter how long you have been suffering from anxiety. You must not simply go on coping with this condition. You must embrace the opportunity now to change all of that today. It is so very important to remove these self imposed limitations and get rid of the anxiety that is holding your life back from its true potential. Only you can make the move towards this freedom.

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I had a lot of panic attacks and at first I did not even know what was going on. I only found out through a book that what I was having was, in-fact panic attacks. My own book shows you that there are many other symptoms also which I certainly was not aware of, made even more confusing by the fact that anxiety/panic/depression/stress - all have some symptoms the same. Three chapters of my book go into each and you will get to compartmentalize your own symptoms and know the best treatment to suit you.

Please check out and enjoy my other posts - I will keep you updated as to when my book is going to be launched. It will be in both physical (which will not be long as it is just about to be submitted to a publisher) and PDF format (I am currently in the middle of building a website to promote this) It is a complete one off because each chapter is interspersed with what was going on in my life and how I struggled on a day to day basis - just to get through each day.

Please also feel free to send me your comments as I love hearing from you:

howtobeatdepression@googlemail.com

Are you planning to, or have you already, written your own book? If so, I can highly recommend my own publishers. click on the link below for details:

Bonnie

'The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It'

Menopause - Does Not Cause Depression

The Truth About The Menopause and How Important It Is To Take Care of Yourself

My book (which you can read all about in my other posting, along with my post regarding anti-depressants), contains a chapter entitled 'How stress can double the misery of hot flashes and cold sweats during the menopause'. Like the rest of my journey, which you follow in my book, it shows you my experiences as they are happening and this is especially true in this chapter.

I tell how I gave in to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) patches against my better judgement and the resulting reaction in only two months, which ended up in my having to have a 'scraping' done of my endometrium for testing at the hospital. What I have not told you, which transpired 7 weeks after this test, was that the hospital managed to lose it! no trace could be found. It was fortunate that this was done as a precautionary measure only - to check that all was ok.

Luckily I recently had a couple of scans which showed that all was 'normal' which has gone a long way to reassuring me. I was disappointed because the patches had actually stopped the hot flashes, so now they are back again. I have no doubt that my alternative health therapies have stopped the severity of the menopause.

This chapter also tells of how I helped myself and the various alternative therapies that you can try to alleviate the distresssing symptoms for yourself, along with healthy eating. I am bringing you this post to further help you (which was the reason for writing my book in the first place). By chance I found the article below and as it says to share the information, I am pleased to do so - therefore not taking any credit for the article whatsoever!

Here goes, I hope that it helps you:

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Menopause, Menopause Symptoms, Perimenopause

Menopause is a normal part of life. It is one step in a long, slow process of reproductive aging. For most women this process begins silently somewhere around age 40 when periods may start to be less regular. Declining levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone cause changes in your periods. These hormones are important for keeping the vagina and uterus healthy as well as for normal menstrual cycles and for successful pregnancy. Estrogen also helps to keep bones healthy. It helps women keep good cholesterol levels in their blood.

Some types of surgery can bring on menopause. For instance, removal of your uterus (hysterectomy) will make your periods stop. When both ovaries are removed (oophorectomy), menopause symptoms may start right away, no matter what your age.

What Are Menopause Symptoms, Hormones and Change?

A woman’s body changes throughout her lifetime. Many of those changes are due to varying hormone levels that happen at different stages in life. Puberty often starts when a girl is about 12 years old. Her body changes breasts and pubic hair develop, monthly periods begin.

Menopausal transition, commonly called perimenopause, is the time when a woman’s body is closer to menopause. At this time, a woman’s periods may become less regular, and she may start to feel menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Perimenopause usually begins about 2 to 4 years before the last menstrual period. It lasts for about 1 year after your last period. Menopause is marked by a woman’s last menstrual period. You cannot know for sure what is your last period until you have been period free for 1 full year. Post menopause follows menopause and lasts the rest of your life. Pregnancy is no longer possible. There may be some symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, which may continue long after you have passed through menopause.

What Are the Signs of Menopause and Menopause Symptoms?

Changing hormone levels can cause a variety of symptoms that may last from a few months to a few years or longer. Some women have slight discomfort or worse. Others have little or no trouble. If any of these changes bother you, check with your doctor. The most common symptoms are:

Changes in periods. One of the first signs may be a change in a woman’s periods. Many women become less regular; some have a lighter flow than normal; others have a heavier flow and may bleed a lot for many days. Periods may come less than 3 weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be spotting between periods. Women who have had problems with heavy menstrual periods and cramps will find relief from these symptoms when menopause starts.

Hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Your face and neck become flushed. Red blotches may appear on your chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most flashes last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes.

Problems with the vagina and bladder. The genital area can get drier and thinner as estrogen levels change. This dryness may make sexual intercourse painful. Vaginal infections can become more common. Some women have more urinary tract infections. Other problems can make it hard to hold urine long enough to get to the bathroom. Some women find that urine leaks during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running.

Sex. Some women find that their feelings about sex change with menopause. Some have changes to the vagina, such as dryness, that makes sexual intercourse painful. Others feel freer and sexier after menopause relieved that pregnancy is no longer a worry. Until you have had 1 full year without a period, you should still use birth control if you do not want to become pregnant. After menopause a woman can still get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV/AIDS or gonorrhea. If you are worried about STDs, make sure your partner uses a condom each time you have sex.

Sleep problems. Some women find they have a hard time getting a good night sleep they may not fall asleep easily or may wake too early. They may need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and then find they aren’t able to fall back to sleep. Hot flashes also may cause some women to wake up.

Mood changes. There may be a relationship between changes in estrogen levels and a woman’s mood. Shifts in mood may also be caused by stress, family changes such as children leaving home, or feeling tired. Depression is NOT a symptom of menopause.

Changes in your body. Some women find that their bodies change around the time of menopause. With age, waists thicken, muscle mass is lost, fat tissue may increase, skin may get thinner. Other women have memory problems, or joint and muscle stiffness and pain. With regular exercise and attention to diet, many of these changes may be eased or prevented.

What About Heart and Bones for Menopause Symptom Relief?

You may not even notice two important changes that happen with menopause.
* Loss of bone tissue can weaken your bones and cause osteoporosis.
* Heart disease risk may grow, due to age-related increases in weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Osteoporosis. To maintain strong bones, the body is always breaking down old bone and replacing it with new healthy bone. For women, the loss of estrogen around the time of menopause causes more bone to be lost than is replaced. If too much bone is lost, bones become thin and weak and can break easily. Many people do not know they have weak bones until they break a wrist, hip, or spine bone (vertebrae). Doctors can test bone density (bone densitometry) to find out if you are at risk of osteoporosis. You can lower your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis by making changes to your lifestyle regular weight-bearing exercise and getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help. There are also drugs available that prevent bone loss. Talk to your doctor to find out what is best for you.

Heart disease. Younger women have a lower risk of heart disease than do men of the same age. But after menopause, a woman’s risk of heart disease is almost the same as a man. In fact, heart disease is the major cause of death in women, killing more women than lung or breast cancer. It’s important to know your blood pressure, and levels of cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose. You can lower your chance of heart disease by eating a healthy diet, not smoking, losing weight, and exercising regularly. There are also drugs that can help. Talk to your doctor to be sure you are doing everything possible to protect your heart.

How Can I Stay Healthy Throughout Menopause?

To stay healthy you can make some changes in the way you live. For example:
* Don’t smoke.
* Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat. Your diet should aim to be high in fiber and include fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods. It should also be well balanced in vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
* Lose weight if you are overweight.
* Take part in weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, running, or dancing, at least 3 days each week.
* Take medicine to lower your blood pressure if your doctor prescribes it for you.
* For vaginal discomfort, use a water-based vaginal lubricant (not petroleum jelly) or an estrogen cream.
* If you frequently feel an urgent need to urinate, ask your doctor about techniques such as pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, and bladder training that can help you improve muscle control.
* Be sure to get regular pelvic and breast exams, Pap tests, and mammograms. Contact your doctor right away if you notice a lump in your breast.
* If you are having hot flashes, keep a diary to track when they happen. You may be able to use this information to help find out what triggers them.

Try these tips to help manage hot flashes:
* When a hot flash starts, go somewhere cool.
* If hot flashes wake you at night, try sleeping in a cool room.
* Dress in layers that you can take off if you get too warm.
* Use sheets and clothing that let your skin breathe.
* Have a cold drink (water or juice) at the beginning of a flash.

What About Hormone Replacement for Menopause Symptom Relief?

Recent studies are recommending that hormone replacement therapy using estrogen and progestin (HRT) be used only for short-term treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Studies involving women taking estrogen without progestin (ERT) are still in progress. While ERT alone increases the risk of endometrial cancer, estrogen taken in combination with progestin (HRT) does not increase the risk. Women who have had a hysterectomy do not have an increased risk of uterine cancer.

A woman who has a uterus and is unable to tolerate the side effects of progestin in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may consider estrogen-only replacement therapy (ERT) if testing shows no abnormalities of the endometrium. Close observation for precancerous changes of the endometrium is required, including an annual pelvic exam and an annual endometrial biopsy.

No studies have compared different types estrogens to see whether there is a difference in their effects. Some women prefer estrogens that do not come from animal products.

HRT was initially only licensed as a treatment for osteoporosis

but was widely prescribed for symptoms of the menopause and to prevent heart disease - based on the assumption that women are less likely to suffer a heart attack while younger because of high estrogen levels. so if they were given high doses in later life if would offer the same protection. When the results of the Women's Health Initiative study were published in 2002, involving over 16,000 women over 50, it turned out that those on the drug did have fewer hip fractures and colorectal cancer they also had an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.

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Unfortunately, I had a coil fitted for 5 years because of very heavy periods for 35 years so it was impossible to know just when my periods had stopped naturally (they had stopped altogether when having the coil fitted). You do need this information before starting HRT so this did ultimately worry me as both myself and my doctor had no way of knowing this.

This was not helped by the fact that 10 months before I had had some blood tests taken and was only then informed, by chance, that my periods had stopped then! this meant that I had the coil in for no good reason! Also, I started HRT patches just 12 days after having the coil removed.

I strongly suggest that all factors are considered before you decide to go down this road. Personally I am now glad to have ceased the patches and will try every alternative method going as I really do not want any more HRT in any shape or form!

Again, you can make your own informed decision but remember there are lots of other things you can try - most of which you can read about in my book which will be out soon, both in physical form and PDF.

Your comments and stories are welcome and you can contact me on:

howyoucanbeatdepression@googlemail.com

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Are you planning to, or have you already written your own book? Then I can highly recommend my own publisher. click on the link below for details:

Bonnie

The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It (author)

Anti-Depressants - Do You Really Need Them

Anti-depressants - make an informed decision

When you all get to read my book, you will also be able to read comprehensive information in my chapter 'are you concerned about anti-depressants? - are there other alternatives'. This blog was set up so I could follow on with what is happening in my life and any further updates, but for this post I want to elaborate on the above subject because of what transpired at my latest doctor's appointment yesterday (5 Feb '09).

My story shows that not only was I told by a professional that I did not need anti-depressants and that what I needed was 'talking therapies' (cognitive behavioural therapy), which is not readily available in the UK - it also shows how I fought against being prescribed them by my G.P.

This is the 28th week of being under the doctor and my emotional book shows the personal difficulty I have had just getting through one day to another, and one doctor's appointment to another.

It has been proved time and time again that anti-depressants will only be of help for 'major depressive episodes' and that the herbal alternative 'St John's Wort' (tested and endorsed by myself over many years), can be of far more benefit without the awful side effects of some anti-depressants.

Over 2 years ago, in the UK, there were 31 million prescriptions given out for anti-depressants.

After another doctor's appointment yesterday, and again, being told that there was nothing he could do (which made all my past pleas that I just needed to 'talk to someone', fade into the background), I then got the distinct impression that if I didn't give in to his offered anti-depressants then maybe any further help (i.e. being able to talk about my feelings at the situation I had found myself in), would not be forthcoming, and I would be left with not even this option.

I intend to stick to my principles and nothing on earth will ever induce me to take these horrible tablets, especially after I spent some time on the internet reading up about these. I was reading that if you have 5 out of 9 of the listed symptoms then you are probably depressed and an anti-depressant would benefit you, and I don't doubt that they may do if your symptoms are so severe.

1. Depressed mood (which I do not get all that often)
2. Loss of interest in usual activities
3. Significant change in weight and/or appetite
4. Insomnia or hypersomnia
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
6. Increased fatigue (I do not feel any more fatigued than I have done the last 3 years)
7. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
8. Slowed thinking or impaired concentration
9. Suicide attempt or thoughts of suicide

I have spoken to many people on anti-depressants, all of whom told me that it did nothing to stop stress/anxiety and panic attacks (another chapter on my book goes into detail on these symptoms). In fact I was reading about possible side effects of the anti-depressants that I was prescribed which includes:

• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Panic Attacks
• Insomnia
• Irritability

All the above symptoms being my main ones. Like me, you will probably deduce from this information that anti-depressants would actually be causing you any of the above you may be experiencing!

On starting your anti-depressants it would take at least 3 weeks to work and you would need to take them for at least 6 months to find any real long term benefit. You also could not just stop them as you need to be weaned off them slowly as stopping suddenly could be dangerous. I was horrified to read that under 24's taking them are in danger of suicidal tendencies!

This week, I read an interesting article in my charity magazine 'Candis' in which it states that 'the most effective treatment in so simple - exercise', and that 'walking showed a 90 per cent increase in self esteem and a 71% improvement in depression'. We have had a lot of snow this week, what better way but to go out, have fun, and enjoy it - everything looks so magical.

Other things shown to be helpful is:

• gardening
• walking
• conservation work
• running
• cycling

The above are classed as 'green exercise activities'. Strangely enough outdoor exercise showed a 90 percent increase in self-esteem and a 71 percent improvement in depression, as opposed to indoor walking which had a negative impact!

Another 'lesser know herb' which is one I take and mention in my book, is Rhodiola rosea which can act as an energy booster and ease anxiety because it can help disable the enzyme that breaks down serotonin (said to be deficient in depression cases).

You can also try 'lightbox therapy' - recommended by 85% of people who have tried it as it affects hormones as, in winter months our systems can go haywire - causing mood problems. You actually cannot mix lightbox therapy with St. John's Wort.

Just chatting to family and friends can also help. I have researched enough, and know from my own needs, that CBT would be very effective as you need to talk and work through what is bothering you. I even went on a stress management course and tell you all about it in my book.

Needless to say a healthy diet will also do wonders for your mood, health and well being and I also go into this comprehensively, whilst also giving you samples of my own meals. In a nutshell:

• Avoid sugary drink and foods which puts you on a short high then plunges you to a low
• You need protein with every meal
• Never miss out on breakfast
• Make sure you eat wholegrain foods and fruit and veg (5 a day) which releases energy slowly
• Eat oily fish 2 to 4 times a week (or take an omega supplement - as I do)
• Drink at least 2litres a day but remember, that alcohol does not count and is a depressive

I walk to my gym and go through a park on my way, I really look at the trees and bushes and you can appreciate nature if you take a long hard look - instant mood uplifter. Lots of therapeutic deep breaths to take in the fresh air - what more do you need?

An experiment from Hull's Department of Psychology (UK) and along with US experts also, researched a range of the most common anti-depressants (SSRI's - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and discovered that they worked no better than placebos for mild to moderate depression and only very marginally for severe depression. It also states that '93% of GP's say they have prescribed the pills against their better judgement'! but because of the long waiting lists for CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) this may be the only option.

It is gratifying to then read that they also endorse 'St John's Wort', as accepted by our 'British Medical Journal's 'best treatments' panel, as it 'maintains levels of the feel good chemical - serotonin', as being effective in cases of mild to moderate depression with mild side effects compared to those of anti-depressants.

It can interact with other drugs so you must check with your pharmacy if you are taking other medication.

Dr. Erick H Turner - former FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) states:

'Most studies with negative results were never published in journals so doctors had no way of knowing how poorly anti-depressants have actually fared, because medical journals are increasingly dependent on advertising revenue from drug companies which results in a disincentive to publish negative results'.

In 2000, a psychiatric 'Times' article concluded 'in fact when anti-depressants are compared with an active placebo there appears to be no differences in clinical effectiveness'.

In can take trying up to 3 different anti-depressants before one could be found to help you.

At least you can now make an informed decision.

My book. which will be brought to you soon, was written especially to help you through reading about my own emotional journey so you do not have to go through what I have.

You can read all about it in the next post.

Please feel free to email me with your own experiences:

howyoucanbeatdepression@googlemail.com

Are you planning to, or have you already written, your own book? If so, I can highly recommend my own publishers. click on the link below for details:

'til next time,

Bonnie

The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It (author)

The Truth About Depression And How You Can Beat It

Launching Very Soon

(Check at the end for regular updates)

The book your doctor will not want you to read - but one they should all read!

My Book, but not just any book but one that charts my actual experiences as they were happening, so it is 100% pure original content based on what I have gone through and how I came out on the other side. It is a very personal and emotional journey and you will read just what I had to go through to get any sort of help and the eventual anti-climax when I got there.

You get to read of my feelings as I dipped down to the very edge of despair and how I had to continually battle to keep my sanity intact. It shows that if I can do it, then you can too.

At the time of writing this, I am going into the 19th week of being under the doctor and it is only through my strength of character and determination, that I have managed to survive and the fact that I have had no choice but to help myself because there was very little other help available.

My book shows ways in which I did so, and was written in the hope that it will help you also. I answer

the many questions that you have probably been asking yourself, with a fair amount of controversy thrown in for good measure.

You will read of the only one person who was the most help of all and how I had to almost totally rely on them and how my dignity and self-respect just flew out of the window in my quest just to be able to get through one day at a time.

Here are the chapters which are all interspersed with updates as to what is going on with my life and how I really can empathize with the way that you are feeling.

You will not only be shocked at the side effects of certain medications but at the interaction with other medications. Read how it could have been dangerous for me if I had taken the two lots of tablets at the same time that I had been prescribed.

Introduction

This tells you how I came to write this book

1. The Truth about Depression and how to beat it

Learn all about the causes of depression, what you can do to help yourself, and what I did

2. Discover the signs of an anxiety/panic attack

I did not even know that what I was having was anxiety and panic attacks. You will get to read of all the signs and what you can do to help yourself.

3. Have you got stress, and how to deal with it

Depression, anxiety/panic attacks and stress are so closely related with some of the same symptoms - you get to know exactly what you are suffering from without having to wonder, as I did. Read the symptoms of stress, what you can do to help yourself, and what I did also.

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Depression (a condition and mental illness)
Anxiety/Panic attack (through your own feelings, behaviour & thinking (repressed)
Stress (the way you react to a situation)

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4. Exposed - the serious flaw in the UK N.H.S.

There is just not enough being done in the UK to help people suffering from such illnesses. You will read how practices were not put in place in my own GP's surgery and how I had to literally beg to be able to speak to somebody.

5. Are you concerned about antidepressants -
are there other alternatives

You will find, as I have done, that - if you go to your doctor's surgery, then the likely outcome is that they will prescribe anti-depressants. My research has shown that these do little to counteract the symptoms of an anxiety and panic attack. This chapter shows that there are quite a few over the counter health tablets that you can take, one especially, that has been proven to be far more beneficial than pharmaceutical anti-depressants.

6. The secrets of how you can stop those thoughts
pounding through your brain

Like me, you have one thought leading to another pounding through your brain and you can do little to stop them. Learn of some of my 'tricks' that can help you and also how my desperate feelings almost drove me completely over the edge. I know exactly how you feel.

7. The key to ‘feel good’ foods and how they can help

There are foods that can help and I am sure I do not need to tell you that if you eat rubbish then you will feel like rubbish so a healthy diet is a must. I list comprehensively - all the foods that can help you keep a healthy mind and body and even give you examples of some of my own meals.

8. The simple truth of how you should not put up with
stress in the workplace

It was because I had put up with two and half years of stress in the workplace that I nearly ended up with a nervous breakdown. You will learn all that I went through and also the signs of stress that you should look out for in your own workplace, the causes, and even the illnesses that could transpire if you do not address the issue.

9. How stress can double the misery of hot flashes and
cold sweats during the menopause

My doctor did not know what medication to prescribe for me because you can get hot flashes and cold sweats from anxiety/panic attacks also. This chapter will really open your eyes to the menopause. You get to learn of all the symptoms and the different ways in which you can help yourself - from massage, aromatherapy, homeopathy and even acupuncture. I list the many alternative health tablets that are also available to help you and also foods known to help during the menopause. Read how I 'caved in' to HRT patches and how quickly they had a very bad effect on me resulting in a biopsy, and a scan at the hospital having to be booked.

10. Countdown to the long awaited appointment

I had to wait 16 weeks and a third visit to the triage in the GP's surgery before I got referred to a specialist in mental health. You get to read how I tried to cope day by day whilst I was waiting for this appointment and how I nearly did not make it, and how it was a complete anti-climax and why. I even quote from the very personal report and my diary entries - and the bad effect that it had on me causing me to quickly go downhill and be left in limbo where I have been ever since.

Summary & conclusion

This sums up all that we have learned on the painful journey that we travelled on together.

My little tips to keep down at mouth lines at bay

Two little exercises for you to try and keep all the frown lines away.

This book is 104 pages long, packed with useful information whilst also charting my very emotional journey where I not only learned a great deal about myself, but also ways in which I had to help myself, in turn - enabling me to get you through it as well. I have also done a lot of research to further assist us both on our painful journey.

The book has been written so it just needs 'fine tuning' before I can bring it to you. It was written in less than 3 and a half months and finished on 27 November

I hope you enjoy reading it and, most of all, it helps you so you do not have to go to the great lengths that I had to.

Update: 3 Feb '09 This is week 28 of being under the doctor - this is further confirmation that you can do it, as I have had to - and my book will show you how.

Exciting News! I am just checking my book as it is going to be submitted to a publisher! so you will be able to order this book in physical form also. I had a UK and US firm fighting to publish this story, and after very careful consideration I am going with a UK publisher whose main office is in the US anyway so it will be widely available there, and all over the world aswell.

It is hoped to be able to add to this blog, in the meanwhile, so you can subscribe to it and will be notified automatically when any additions are made - so please sign up now!!! It will not cost you anything and you will not be spammed!

Are you planning to, or have you already, written your own book? If so, I can highly recommend my own publishers. click on the link below for details:

Bonnie

The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It

GMail: howtobeatdepression@googlemail.com

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