TODAY’S CONSIDERATIONS
Other considerations which might be relevant to the current topic are offered in the book INSTABILITY / INSANITY: What the Advaita Teachings Can (and Cannot Address):
Not all emotions or feelings and behaviors which some might deem "negative" are caused by the agendas of personality; nor are they a result of "non-realization." As often noted here, many issues which were formerly deemed to be rooted only in the mind are now understood to be rooted in chemical imbalances in the elemental plant food body as well.
Hormonal imbalances can occur in both men and women, so certain emotional reactions can actually be rooted more in the body than in the mind. Also, there is such a thing as male menopause as well as female menopause. In males, the issue can involves testosterone deficiencies.
Also, after giving birth, women undergo a huge "calcium dump." That leaves the body in a far-too-alkaline state, and an alkaline body state can cause moodiness or feeling down or being depressed. While the causes of postpartum symptoms are multi-faceted, treating the imbalance in the plant food body can help alleviate what has long been thought to be a mental issue alone.
[Of course mothers who are nursing should consult their physicians before adding any supplement to their food plan / diet. What goes into the mother goes into the baby.]
So, some might be willing to consider these "symptoms" which (1) might be caused by "non-realization and" personality agendas but which (2) might be caused by physiological issues:
Mood Swings, Sudden Tears
Person's with mood problems are like human roller coasters. One minute they are up, the next minute they down. They never seems to be able to get off the ride. Their mood swings are intense, sudden and out of control. Chronic and severe mood swings are a psychological disorder, a health problem just as real as a physical ailment. In fact, sometimes they can be the result of a physical problem, like a premenstrual syndrome. And just like a physical problem, they can be treated. Professionals should be sought for advice and treatment.
Fatigue
"Fatigue is second only to pain as the most common symptom doctors see in patients," says David S. Bell, M.D., a chronic fatigue researcher at Harvard Medical School and the Cambridge Hospital in Massachusetts. "One-fourth of all Americans will have long episodes of lethargy and tiredness." Particularly common in women and in men undergoing the menopausal transition, chronic fatigue can have a drastic impact on daily life, putting a strain on relationships, work productivity, and quality of life, but - as noted above - the same can happen in men as well.
Fatigue, one of the most common menopause symptoms in both men and women, is defined as an ongoing and persistent feeling of weakness, tiredness, and lowered energy level. This should be distinguished from drowsiness, which implies an actual urge to sleep. Fatigue involves lack of energy rather than sleepiness. If the fatigue comes on suddenly, it could be a sign of crashing fatigue. Other characteristics may include apathy, irritability, and decreased attention.
Sleep Disorders
If you are waking throughout the night, tossing and turning, and generally suffering with insomnia, many problems are potential causes. In many cases, obesity is a contributing factor.
In both males and females, the sleep disorder might be connected to the onset of male menopause or female menopause. (Again, both sexes suffer from menopause and both can benefit from hormonal therapy.)
When the body shifts into a menopausal condition, one may find that sleep is less and less restful, if one is sleeping at all.
In the past, doctors believed that interrupted sleep was a consequence of night sweats, but recent studies indicate that you can also have problems with sleep that are not connected to hot flashes, such sweating and flashes being a result more often of the body being too alkaline. Conversely, leg cramps can indicate that the body is not alkaline enough. Here, the use of "nature's muscle relaxer" (magnesium oxide) is used to restore the body's acidic / alkaline balance.
[The consideration regarding balancing the body's acid / alkaline rates: consult a naturopathic doctor for advice. Most doctors in traditional medical fields are opposed to anything which does not require an office visit and a prescription from them.]
Typically, the frequency of insomnia doubles from the amount one may have had before entering premature menopause, and research also indicates that people can begin experiencing restless sleep as many as five to seven years before entering menopause. Again, though, in these cases, the problem is determining if the insomnia has its roots in changes in one's hormone levels or in some other cause or causes.
Difficulty Concentrating, Disorientation, Mental Confusion
During early menopause, both males and females can be troubled to find that they have difficulty remembering things, can experience mental blocks or can have trouble concentrating. Not getting enough sleep, or having sleep disrupted, can contribute to memory and concentration problems.
Depression
Feelings of sadness can be normal, appropriate and even necessary during "setbacks" or "losses" throughout the relative existence. Or one may feel blue or unhappy for short periods of time without reason or warning, which also can be normal and ordinary. But if such feelings persist or impair one's daily life, one may have a depressive disorder.
Severity, duration and the presence of other symptoms are the factors that distinguish ordinary sadness from a depressive disorder. This is called depression or irritability, which is a significant change in mood for an extended period of time associated with loss of interest in usual activities, including sleep and eating disorders, and including withdrawal from family and friends.
Depression can happen to anyone of any age. It afflicts millions if not billions around the globe each year, and up to one in five women (likely a low estimate) in so-called "developed countries" will suffer from clinical depression at some point. Women are two to three times more likely than men to suffer from depression, and any women first experience symptoms of depression during their 20s and 30s. Were men to be more honest, studies claiming women are more likely to be depressed would probably end. In the case of both men and women, many are so dissociated that they do not recognize their actual condition, and others simply deny it exists.
(It has been noted that those who take themselves to be super religious or to be spiritual giants are especially prone to deny that they are depressed, even when they are. Why? Their belief is that being depressed would be a sign that they are not as "close to God" or as truly religious or as truly spiritual as they want to think they are or as truly religious or as truly spiritual as they want others to believe. That is no different from the ancient Aryan belief which continues to this day among many, the belief being that if persons are poor, they are not being blessed by God with wealth because they are sinners or because they are not as religious or as spiritual as they should be. Many television evangelists have built huge followings with their message that riches will come to the faithful . . . and to the faithful givers to their ministries.)
Anxiety, Feeling Ill at Ease
Anxiety can be a vague or intense feeling caused by physical or psychological conditions. Anxiety can produce feelings of agitation and loss of emotional control that may be associated with panic attacks and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and palpitations.
The frequency of anxiety can range from a one-time event to recurring episodes. Early diagnosis may aid early recovery, prevent the disorder from becoming worse and possibly prevent the disorder from developing into depression.
Irritability
Irritability can result in a significant change in mood for an extended period of time associated with loss of interest in usual activities, with sleep and eating disorders, and with withdrawal from family and friends.
"Occasional irritability is a normal part of being human," says Paul Horton, M.D., a psychiatrist in Meriden, Connecticut. "But irritability also can go hand in hand with almost any illness. Very often, people who are falling ill will become irritable but don't know why."
If irritability persists more than a week and is adversely affecting one's job performance and relationships with family, friends and co-workers, it is recommended that the seeking of professional help might be considered.
Panic Disorder, Feelings of Dread, Apprehension, Doom
Some exhibit a significant and debilitating emotional state characterized by overwhelming fear and anxiety. These emotional states can be vague or intense and can be caused by physical or psychological conditions. The frequency can range from a one-time event to recurring episodes. If one's life is totally disrupted by those symptoms, professional help should be sought.
To be continued.
Please enter into the silence of contemplation.
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