I Survived Depression - so can YOU!

In my last post I talked about a treatment for illnesses including depression that dealt with changing one’s environment to change one’s inner self.  In this post I’m going to talk about changing one’s physical being or inner self to heal their depression.  Over the last several years I have been on several anti-depressive medications that for the most part have all worked well in elevating and stabilizing my mood.  Without these medications I probably would not be in the recovery phase that I’m currently in.

However, regardless of the fact that I find medication extremely helpful there is a growing sentiment that is very much against the use of anti depressant medications and in most cases rightly so.  Even as someone who believes in medication it was not an easy thing to agree to.  I don’t even like to take an aspirin, but my use of medication had a lot to do with finally giving up control and accepting my depression.  But, the reasons for not taking medication are very valid and range from physical reasons to side effects.

You see, I consider myself lucky, anti depressant medications don’t work for everyone.  If you are someone who suffers from depression and for whatever reason does not want to follow the usual course of action, which at least in western civilization is medication and talk therapy, there are alternatives.  Just understand that from my experience the more severe your depression is, the greater the chance that you will need anti depressant medications to find relief.  However, if your depression is not that severe here is a look at some of the other alternatives you can choose to try. 

St. John’s Wort whose actual name is Hypericum Perforatum is a plant with yellow flowers. It’s these flowers that get crushed up and made into pill or capsule form that contain the active ingredient.  It usually takes about four to six weeks to feel the full effect of the St. John’s wort. Side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth, indigestion, and fatigue.  Studies have confirmed that St. John’s wort is effective in treating mild to moderate depression.

Several years ago, before I accepted the fact that I have depression, I used to go on and off medication.  It was during this time that I tried St. John’s wort.  After using it for several weeks, I did feel a difference, but not as much so as the medications I had previously been on.

SAM-e which is short for S-adenosylmethionine has been widely used in Europe for many years, but only available in the US since about 1996.  Just like St. John’s wort  SAM-e  is used to relieve depression and elevate mood except SAM-e is considered more effective than St. John’s wort.  SAMe comes in tablet form and is a synthetic form of a compound formed naturally in the body.   SAM-e usually takes three to five hours to reach full effectiveness after ingestion.  Also, it usually takes about a month before  SAM-e becomes fully effective.  Like St. John’s wort one of the main benefits of SAM-e is the relatively few side effects associated with anti depressants. SAM-e is also used for joint pain and fibromyalgia.

Omega-3 fatty acid which is contained in fish oil has been shown beneficial in the treatment of many illnesses including depression especially bipolar disorder.  However, not that much research has been done and much more is needed to confirm these results.  In one high profile study which involved 20 participants, 10 were given omega-3 fatty acid and 10 placebos.   Of the 10 who received the omega-3 fatty acid, 6 claimed to have significantly reduced depression.  The idea to treat depression with omega-3 fatty acid originated when it was realized that countries that consume large amounts of fish have reported many less cases of depression.  Omega-3 fatty acid can be consumed either by a nutritional supplement or simply by eating fish several times a week.  The best fish include salmon, sardines, tuna and trout.

As one who really does not like the use of medications, I really prefer any alternative.  As for anti depressants so many people have experienced side effects that almost anything would be better.  The three alternatives that I have mentioned have had very good results.  The problem exists that although these alternatives are good in treating mild depression, they have not had good results in treating depression that is moderate to severe. 

Did you ever think that life just might be something that can make you feel good?  Now I know that some of you have some real good reasons to argue this point with me, but if you take a look just a short distance past where you have been focusing until now you just may begin to agree with me.

Take a look at a blue sky, a mountain range or a newborn baby’s face.  They are all magnificent creations! But I know, by now you’re probably saying, Scott, that’s all nice, but I have some real problems!  I have bills, trouble with my kids and my job - I don’t care about these things.

Well, I understand that, I have some real problems myself.  Actually, let’s begin changing our thinking right now by taking that very limiting word “problems” out of our vocabularies.  Folks, next time you go to use the word problem why not use the word “challenge” instead?  The word challenge is so much less defeating and lets your subconscious mind know that the situation is solvable.
 
Yes, you may have some very real challenges, but they are not your whole life no matter how consuming they may feel.  And I understand there are many people who claim that they never feel good because of the chemical imbalances within their brain.

As one who suffered all my life from those chemical imbalances within my brain as well as being a person whose depression has been in remission for over two years, I’m saying yes that’s all well and good, but a big part of the way one feels is also attributed to your surroundings.  No matter what mood you are in, be it from chemical imbalances or just those nasty challenges you can take it up a level.

I remember an exercise that motivational coach Anthony Robbins did that really rings true here.  He had the participants close their eyes for a moment and then with their eyes still closed recall everything in the room that was brown.  He then had them close their eyes again, but this time with their eyes closed recall everything in the room that was green.  Most people had no problem with the brown, but could not remember much that was green.  This was one of the best examples that I have ever seen that demonstrated people’s focus.  That to many people focus on the negatives in life.

In life we tend to get what we focus on.  Focus on the bad stuff and you will tend to get more of just that - “bad stuff”.  Focus on the good stuff and you will get more of that it!  You see, your mind acts like a camera.  And whatever the camera focuses on is the way you will perceive the world.  Ever notice no matter what the situation is there is always someone having a good time?

And have you ever noticed that no matter what the situation there is always a person unhappy and full of complaints.  Maybe you know somebody like that?  This person has every benefit and yet they are miserable and then there is the person that everything is a challenge and they still maintain a smile.  Not a phony smile, they are truly happy.

Our moods are not controlled by our day-to-day challenges.  Our moods are controlled by what we choose to focus on an everyday basis.  So why not raise the quality of your life by focusing on something that makes you feel good!