How to deal with depression?
Submitted by legalizeliberty on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 15:44in
Speaking from heart I must admit to having a terrible depression this month.
This January has been hell to me.
Just wanted some info some advice on how to deal with depression dark mood...
For example what foods are the best to lift the dark veil covering the brain?
What can I do to lift my tortured spirit?
At times a simple cup of herbal tea helps and sometimes just coffee seems to do the job.
But many days like the day after South Carolina results came in nothing worked at all.
To find myself unable to get out of bed and just laying there falling asleep at times then waking up and having no energy to get out is not a way to live a life.
I deserve better than this.
Thanks everyone.
EFT for Depression
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique, an alternative, energy-therapy tool for alleviating stress. It can help lift your mood.
http://efttappingtechniques.com/tapping-technique/eft-techni...
Of course, exercise, sunshine, good food, good fats, and gratitude help, too!
Good luck.
energizedbyfreedom
Seminole,Florida
In my opinion
Depression cannot be defeated unless you involve your mind and the thoughts within.
You can drink 10 gallons of tea and swallow vitamins all day everyday but it's really the thoughts in your head which must be examined.
Give thanks for everything that you have...
I suggest reading a book (or listening to audiobook) the following: Napoleon Hill: Outwitting The Devil.
The slogan press on has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.
- Calvin Coolidge
get lots of sun -if not get daylight bulbs and vit D
You can get an 85 watt cfl on Amazon for 15 bucks or a 40 watt for under 10. If you use say a 28 watt bulbs get three or four. It works if your depression is light related.
I lived in the Pac NW where it rains 9 months a year and winters are dim. Read an article somewhere that in daylight starved Finland they outfit homes with daylight bulbs to fight depression.
Get checked for sleep apnea and allergies -each of these can really wipe you out.
Government is supposed to protect our freedom, our property, our privacy, not invade it. Ron Paul 2007
Make a gratitude list
Make a gratitude list, and get down on paper everything you can think of, no matter how silly, that you have to be grateful for. Then when your sensing a downturn, pull it out and read it!
Also, I don't know if you've a relationship with GOD, but having one is a huge difference when it comes to depression and it effects.
Physical excerices, if you can, take your mind out of the depression path and into somewhere else.
My gratitude list contains things like , ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, a nose, a mouth, not too many scars, a full head of hair, I think you can catch my drift, being grateful for EVERYTHING helps one put a depression into perspective.
I hope I've helped in some small way.
Peace.
Drew, by the very grace of GOD through the blood of Christ Jesus.
"there shall come after us men whom shall garner great wealth using our system, and having done so shall seek to slam the door of prosperity behind them." George Washington
Start taking vitamin D
Start taking vitamin D supplements. It's artificial sunshine.
Things are only impossible until they are not.
-- Jean Luc Picard
Suggestions
Depression is something I have been dealing with personally for some time and I have a few tips that may help. While I am extremely skeptical about the efficacy of big pharm solutions like SSRI’s, natural supplements can be very helpful. St. Johns Wort is good to take everyday (especially in winter if you’re like me) but it doesn’t kick in for a month or two. That can be an eternity if you are truly depressed. There is something called 5-HTP that can be really helpful, it sends the signals to your brain to produce more dopamine and serotonin. It can work wonders on a bad day. One weird thing that can cause depression is not sleeping in a dark enough room. Make sure to sleep in total darkness. I won’t recommend doing anything illegal but in some states like California it is legal to acquire certain “herbal” treatments that supposedly can help. Other than that, just eat right, exercise, and FORCE YOURSELF to talk to people, it automatically lifts spirits.
Do what I do
Picture everyone else in their underwear. It just makes me smile. Watch things that make you laugh (Funniest home videos does it for me) Laughter is the secret to life. Smiling makes your gray skies turn blue. Some people say don't sleep but I think it is good to sleep when depressed but when you get up at least get out in the sun. I set in the back yard in my porch swing and talk to God (in my mind and I talk just like I would talk to anyone else). I take my dog outside with me and play with him (pets are great for depression). I also study the bible It seems to help allot.
I still think laughter is the number one medicine for depression.
Time, sunshine, exercise; even modern drugs
Situational depressions, e.g. post partum, death in family, horrible job situations, often resolve themselves with time. I have see women snap out of depression after trying everything for years when they hit menopause. I know of one case of a fellow who shed his depression upon becoming Christian but other Christians who have depression. Everyone is different.
The Norwegian government owns spas in Turkey where it sends depressed Norwegians for massages and lots of sunshine to relieve them of their dreary clime. Light boxes of the correct spectrum sometimes help.
If nothing else works, Prozac and related drugs often really make a huge difference although it takes weeks for them to kick in. Some people only need these drugs in the winter if they have seasonal affective disorder. One guy told me that Welbutrin took care of his depression but he didn't think that he was as creative in his computer field while taking it; more creative though than being depressed.
Gluten intolerance and food
Gluten intolerance and food allergies can cause depression as well as a whole host of conditions. I suggest finding a good naturopathic doctor and looking into all of this.
Everything the government touches turns to mud...expensive mud.
I have more experience
I have more experience defeating anxiety and mild ocd than depression but the following works well for both:
Running
Weight Lifting
Biking
Get out in the sun and do something. Keep yourself busy and distracted. Let your emotions out. Watch a sad movie. Its very healthy to watch a tear jerker and feel the emotions come out.
Diet and Supplements:
Take a 50-100mg B Vitamin complex with every b vitamin and vitamin c. These help with neurological functioning... Mood stability and energy level.
Take cod liver omega 3 fish oil. This is loaded in vitamin d which with you being in canada you may be severly dificent in it. Vitamin d is created by sun exposure and its proven that it has a direct positive impact on mood. The omega 3s help with brain functioning and some say help fight depression. They also help blood circulation and are great for your cardiovascular system overall.
Avoid alcohol for while. The fats in your diet suggestion is good as well. Eat some meats and butter instead of simple carbs eat complex but at a minimum. Take organic apple cider vinegar ... Two teaspoons after each meal in water. I can personally atest to the vinegar helping elevate mood. It rugulates insuline and can also help you lose weight.
Some natural herbs that may help depression are St Johns Wort and SamE. I havent tried them.
Try new things and try to change up your routine a bit. Do something new and exciting.
If your depression doesnt get better see a psychologist first and only consider temporary meds/see a psychiatrist or regular MD, if it gets real bad.
Note: people tend to be more depressed during winter months possibly do to a lack of sun exposure and studies show people living closer to the equator have better moods. So definitly taking vitamin d and getting outside could help.
"A true competitor wants their opponent at their best." Lao Tzu
http://www.facebook.com/JonathanGibbonsWVP
In addition, I recently read that
pre-biotics and pro-biotics are positive for mood. To combat the lack of sunshine, there are lights that have been developed to give sunlight into one's eyes, which is supposed to help mood.
Do what I do...
...just turn off your emotions. Being a robot is better than misery sometimes.
A tailored diagnosis that fits your depression like a glove...
...then slaps it backhand...that's what always gives the best results.
Depression comes in many shapes and depths and degrees, so I would recommend a customized, tailored program to treat it. I'm sure, being a Ron Pauler, you're less open to prescription drugs...are you open to seeing a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine? I've seen it be THE treatment for depression, even severe suicidal depression I've seen reversed after one acupuncture treatment. And Chinese herb formulas also work wonders--they get to the root of the issue instead of "masking" it, like even St. John's Wort (which can be very effective, btw, but works with the same moa as Prozac--it's an herbal SSRI addressing you at the level of brain chemistry and not at the level of your emotions.) But you could certainly do both, and I've seen that work as well.
In TCM, some depression causes you to lose your appetite (usually wood overacting earth), some depression causes you to crave sweets (spleen/pancreas qi deficiency), sometimes depression comes with coldness--cold arms or legs (kidney yang deficiency--akin to an endocrine disorder in biomedicine)...you could lose all enthusiasm (heart qi deficiency) you could lose courage (gallbladder qi deficiency) and on and on...That's why I would recommend you go see a very good doctor of traditional Chinese Medicine who could give you a tailored diagnosis.
One final thought-it's winter time, the sun's not out and your vitamin D is, no doubt, lower than usual. The BEST way to get your vitamin D levels up, safely, is to supplement with fermented high-vitamin cod liver oil. You have to buy it online, though, as it's not something available at most stores. I don't recommend typical cod liver oil (Carlson's, Nordic Naturals, etc) because they are heat and chemically processed, which destroys all the natural vitamin D's (yes, plural, as vitamin D3 from nature comes in several hundred known forms). Those cod liver oils will often, as in the case of Carlson's, add synthetic vitamin D back in, making it only moderately effective IMO.
bumping for Traditional Chinese . . .
medicine. Saved my life this year--
(or last; been a long journey)
it's hard to be awake; it's easier to dream--
Dear LL, FAT is the answer. Don't trust the govt sponsored diet!
In fact, it's like dealing with the economic depression: go against the advice of your government ;)
Just // WATCH THIS clip // (start at 1h12m55sec) and learn more at Mark's Daily Apple.
Tom Woods has also gone "primal", which basically means to go against almost every piece of advice the govt-sponsored "experts" have issued. Turn this nefarious food pyramid upside down, enjoy your (animal) fat and notice how your mood and - perhaps even more importantly - your energy levels will improve.
No need to argue the obvious fact that the primal lifestyle also fits in quite well with the R3V PAUL philosophy of not allowing the govt to run your life.
FYI, I am a psychologist myself, and from a professional perspective, let me inform you that all you need to know about Big Pharma psychotropic drugs, is that group jogging has demonstrated to be be as effective, with, of course, considerably less "side effects".
Good luck and take care!
Kind regs from / Amsterdam (clip) /, Holland,
Richard
Thank you Richard & everyone else who posted here
This thread proves how much love supporters of Dr. Ron Paul have. It is such a blessing to see to read every informative comment - so much help. Some comments I read several times. I will be reading them for days and weeks.
Just bought vitamin D garlic salmon grapes...
I will stay away from cooked foods pasta from sugary foods from grains as some suggested. Bread is good for birds you are right Richard.
In a few minutes I'm heading for a very long walk in the park - so what that it's late.
Website:
http://www.libertypoet.com/
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LibertyPoet
“The most important element of a free society, where individual rights are held in the highest esteem, is the rejection of the initiation of violence.” Dr. Ron Paul
Hi LL, greetings from overseas..
And for sure I'd like to acknowledge all of the other DP'ers, who have commented on the mental aspect of depression. Let's stay true to R3V form and liken that to focussing on consumer prices going up and call that inflation. And it is, in a way, but that would be more or less like neo-cons reading history backwards, like they always seem to do ;)
"We must take care of Iran, look what they did to us in 1979!" So by viewing the problem from their particular stance, they always automatically bypass the problem of blowback (from the staged CIA coup in 1953 in this case).
Ok, now that I've provided some R3V PAUL context, let's focus on the actual nature of depression, like an Austrian Economist would focus on the nature of monetary inflation (and thus the Fed) instead of just looking at prices going up.
Yes, mood is important, and oftentimes seems all there is to depression (certainly for friends and family trying to help). Yet the really defining feature of severe depression is - as Germans put it - "Mangel an Antrieb", i.e. severe lack of power, in all departments.
It really is a physical condition, manifesting itself in accompanying loss of affect/cognitive skills. I gather from your comments though, that you can still be moved, to tears even, by supporting comments over here. That's the "good news", for a severely depressed person wouldn't have been able to feel anything.
Some last link, I'd like to leave you with, since I set you on the "primal" track: here's / a comment / from the Tom Woods site, containing a link to tips that will get you through the first weeks of adjustment to a low-carb lifestyle.
Remember to drink lots of (salted) water, or bone broth (look for recipes on the Daily Apple site that I mentioned), and please take this advise: don't "listen to your body". That's just the carb-junky wailing in the back ;)
Take care and all the best!
Richard
ah, YOU are correct!
I see you are from Holland, so you don't have to worry as much about hormones/antibiotics in meat/dairy/eggs, but the way the fat is produced does matter.
Here in the states *our* animals are . . . treated cruelly, and many animals are not fit to eat--
pastured, grass fed animals not given drugs will give safe fat--
:)
that goes for butter, eggs, meat--
it's hard to be awake; it's easier to dream--
Roger that.. ;)
Two more additions to my post which was intended to outline the general idea of "going primal". And thank you for providing caution and specific info. Think LL could benefit from that.
Ok, here's two caveats, rolled into one:
- Avoid - besides carbs in general - the anti-nutrients* in grains and products developed from this food source, which in fact only benefits birds.
Some persons are more susceptible than others, but long term exposure to an overload of grains (bread etc) can cause irritation, inflammation, leading to a "leaky gut". That in turn can exacerbate something generally labelled "lactose intolerance" which, in this case, has very little to do with "lactase", but refers to a more severe reaction to a compound associated with a particular (evolutionary new) form of casein in milk (Google "a1 type cows"). In Holland, we still have some a2 type cows left, providing the "good casein" we, Dutch Aboriginals, are accustomed to. Goat milk is another idea.
* Chemical compounds that basically serve the self-defense of the grain seed, which doesn't like to be fully digested, so to speak ;)
Absolutely...
Fat and Egg Yolks feed the brain.
I would not be without my coconut oil and pastured eggs. And salmon.
Yes to all of that!
;)
Green Tea is a natural
Green Tea is a natural anti-depressant. It works brother.
Hopefully...
this should bring you some warmth, too.
But in any case, do exercise, take care of your body, take fresh air, and go for the stuff fun. Seek for sensual pleasure : whichever works for you.
Depression best ally is all the negative stuff. Avoid whenever possible.
I know what I'm talking about though I might be biased since most mine (depressions) were work-related, except one. (Ok, every 15 years on average only, I'm a lucky dude, I know.)
Finally : anti-depressant medicine never worked for me, but your mileage may vary. See the doctor if symptoms persist, though, I suppose.
'Hope this helps!
"The demand of a great people is always in the scale of its most serious misfortunes." De Gaulle
"Turn your life into a dream, then turn the dream into your reality." St Exupery
How America WILL WIN:
http://www.dailypaul.com/211222
Natural remedies
One of the best websites I have EVER discovered is Regenerative Nutrition. I have followed their advice for Type II diabetes and now take no medication whatsoever. Here is a link to their article on depression:
http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id=174
It is very important that you NOT use anti-depression drugs which have very peculiar side effects. There have been many reports of people committing murder while on anti-depressant drugs from the medical industrial complex!
"Where the Welfare State is on the march the Police State is not far behind."
Melchior Palyi Hungarian Economist
LL, this should be a . . .
testimony to you of how important you are. There are people here on DP who care about you, and there are angels in heaven who care about you--
it's hard to be awake; it's easier to dream--
Daily Paul community is amazing
No words can convey how Thankful I am for all the comments here.
So much love and wisdom here.
Makes my eyes watery...going for a walk.
Cyber hugs to you and everyone who posted comments here.
Website:
http://www.libertypoet.com/
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LibertyPoet
“The most important element of a free society, where individual rights are held in the highest esteem, is the rejection of the initiation of violence.” Dr. Ron Paul
LL, I liked those who . . .
faced the fact that depression is part of our humanity and not to be ashamed of it--
Recently when I went through some depression as part of a serious physical illness I received some simple, but valid, advice.
I was told to look at the good things (blessings) in my life--
and to look back and see everything good that had happened to me (NOT the bad--LOL!; you don't need that)
and focus on that, over and over again--go into great detail; look for every time you have been 'saved', even if it seems like coincidence, when you might not have been--think about every time you have't been hit by a bus--quite literally--
think about the times you have not fallen on the ice; go into great detail. If anything good happens to you, focus on it--
and thank God.
quite literally, "counting my blessings"--
I was also on an herbal regime that included some natural anti-depressants, and I was also on a very strict diet--
but the blessing counting really helped--
Also, *I* have had to take breaks from the media (DON'T DO NEWS ON THE TV!)--and even from the internet and DP--
and, yes, if you can, get a pet--
pets can help a lot--
funny movies, INDEED--
it's hard to be awake; it's easier to dream--
Easy
Liquidate the Debt and Mal-investment. Reduce regulations and taxes. Let the free market work it's magic!
Sorry. Wrong depression.
Laugh More! :)
I'm no doctor, but...
This worked for me several times, years ago :
To go for :
+ time off if/whenever possible
+ silly comedy movies
+ dancing music and songs (you don't need to dance; just listen and foot tap ;)
+ chocolate (dunno if it has D3 already suggested by someone else in this thread?)
+ more chocolate
+ fresh air
+ read about new topics in new books you had postponed reading so far (helps the brain/curiosity distract from dark ideas; the less clues you have about these topics, the better)
To avoid :
+ too hard work
+ sad content online
+ sad movies where you can relate
+ same with songs and/or lyrics
"The demand of a great people is always in the scale of its most serious misfortunes." De Gaulle
"Turn your life into a dream, then turn the dream into your reality." St Exupery
How America WILL WIN:
http://www.dailypaul.com/211222
YES!
.
it's hard to be awake; it's easier to dream--