try to eat right. exercise. and find positive's in life... oh plus a handful of meds.. !

DS, and CHOCOLATE. LOTS AND LOTS OF CHOCOLATE.

My dad said ice cream is the best antidepressant there is. I think he's right, especially if there's lots and lots of chocolate in it.

Here are some more ideas:

NON MEDICAL WAYS OF COUNTERACTING DEPRESSION

* Take a cold bath/shower every AM - or a cold splash of water on your face can pick you up.

* Work, school, or planned routine, as usual(don't let yourself slide)

* 1/2 hour every day of aerobic exercise (stuff that gets your heart pumping)

* rousing music (upbeat, happy no blues or sad songs)

* incense or aromatherapy

* whole food/balanced diet (no preservatives, colors, etc.

* "looking and seeing" 5 min/day (purposefully observing surroundings - preferably positive things)

COPING WITH STRESS

* tighten and relax body (& concentrate on something pleasant 1/2 hr/day) [there is a name for this method I can't recall, but specifically, you are supposed to lay down in a comfortable, quiet place, and start with your
toes, tense and relax, then point your feet forward, tense and relax, etc., working your way up your entire body one muscle group at a time, and taking in a deep breath and blowing it out slowly in between each muscle group.]

* List stresses and worries, and figure out (constructive) objectives to deal with them
* At least 15" of sunshine/exercise a day helps make seretonin but do it early in the day - too close to bedtime, and it will keep you more awake.

POSITIVE THOUGHT

* write down three thoughts that regularly occur during depression, preferably ones that come in the earliest phases. - recognize these thoughts (and other signs, ie: headaches, frustration, confusion, etc.,) as symptoms of an episode of the same degree as any other physical problem (it is typical to minimize symtoms of depression, or not recognize them for what they are.)
THEN,
* retrain negative thought patterns two ways:
- recognize negative thoughts as symptoms of a depressive phase, a nuicance illness which (in itself) cannot do any real harm,(unless it is ignored)
- affirmations - repeat several times a day - saying scripture, positive (counteractive) true words,that turn around your negtive feelings.

These suggestions are from the book "Overcoming Depression"

Some suggestions of my own:

*One day at a time.

* Recognizing it is only a feeling and not something I must do like eat when I feel hungry, and that for the moment I feel really bad, but knowing it will pass.

* Thinking of anything other than suicide, about the future, like what I still need to get done today, or tomorrow, etc. helps too. Your brain has a tough time contemplating ending it and planning for the future at the same time. Kind of like your brain trying to sense hot and cold at the same time. That is why having goals and a schedule (that is not overwhelming) are helpful tools to keep depression at bay.

* Just going for a walk and getting in a different environment if you can could suprise you how fast it can change your mood. Especially in the winter, when depression often hits hardest, as the shock of cold works a little like ECT and can snap you out of a funk. So can a cool shower.

For me at least, I prefer to at least try or add these methods with meds, because I would rather do these things than take meds if I can, and if you add these things (that work for you) to a drug regimen, you are likely to need a lower dose. The difficult part is, it takes discipline (not a four-letter word, but for me it should be)and consistency for them to be effective. And you have to remember to do them.

St. Johns Wort worked well for me for a couple of years. It is a good herbal supplement for mild to moderate depression, and does not have many side effects. It has been widely used and accepted in Europe for many years. As with all medications, if you start getting a rash, or wheezy, even after taking it for a while, stop immediately. You will not get any severe symptoms like seizures from discontinuing it suddenly, although it is better to taper it off if you can.

SamE is also used, but I dont know much about it. You should be able to get info on the web, though. Be sure you are getting nonbiased information, though, and not info from manufacturers or sellers of the product alone.











Symptoms of Depression:


Depression symptoms - loss of energy, sadness, lack of intest in pleasurable activities

(that the individual normally enjoys), withdrawing, feeling hopeless, self-reproach,

excessive or inappropriate guilt. Difficulty concentrating, undue clumsiness, or

hyperactivity, thoughts of death, suicide, etc.

But it can also manifest by being too busy, irritable, sleep disruption, (too much or not

enough) weight gain or loss,and increased activity. You dont have to have all of these

symptoms to have depression. Or even most of them. But if you have 3 or more of them,

you could be clinically depressed. Many people get depressed from time to time.

But if you have significant interference with your life - your work and relationships,

because of these symptoms, and they dont seem to be going away, or they are getting

worse, you may have major depression, and you may need medication and/or therapy to

help you get relief from the symptoms. It is usually recommended that both medication

and therapy work best to treat major depression.

There are two basic forms of depression, major depression, and dysthymia - chronic, low-

grade depression. This would be the normal depression that everybody feels from time

to time, that doesnt go away. Although treatment for both kinds of depression is the same.

One of several: I set a simple at the moment goals as with picking up stuff off floor, clean the cat litter box, sweep the kitchen floor. I stick to only doing the three goals I had pick to keep the actual contract and no more. I come here. I give my cats Pain & Pest attention, they always are craving attention and so on, and on. If it is a very severe depression I will call my therapist. Of course when I am depressed the phone ways about a ton and a half but I force myself to pick it up anyway.

RICHARD

Casper... old black & white television... way, way back... do you remember 'Casper the Ghost'?

RICHARD

I try to find the positive in every bad situation that comes my way. I get support from my friends and family. I also try not to let the depression get too far ahead of me before I seek help.

Sunshine, friends, humour...and meds of course

Something that gets adrenaline pumping is always good, so cardio exercise like walking quickly/running, cycling, punchbag etc is always a good one. Stay away from alcohol, and as has been said a good diet with plenty of fresh fruit (not mangos) and veg, oily fish.

Thanks Starfish