posted March 10, 2006 09:49 AM         

How do you know if you have it?

I'm not really big on using drugs or seeing a pshchiatrist (been there, not my thing), but are there signs I should be looking out for?

I've just been told recently that something is off with me... really off... by someone I trust.

Things would seem okay to onlookers, but, lets just say I don't know who I am anymore.

Maybe this is the wrong place for this... just wondering if anyone can offer some advice.

Peace and light

posted March 11, 2006 01:29 PM         

I suffered from depression on and off all my life, a sadness, I would call it.

I never took drugs, (except recreational ones just a few times, but they make it worse)....and having been raised by a dad that numbed it all out with anti depressants, I chose not to do that. I chose and choose to feel all my moods....difficult but worth it I think!

I sought counselling and psycotherapy but talking to anyone who understands and is willing to listen is SO important. Are you able to do this? Are you male or female...men often supress their feelings more.

Would say this to anyone.....to my mind its a part of being human...for me its a yearning for something that was lost, maybe to do with past lives,,,,or maybe of not having enough as a baby/child.....wanting to resume that womb like state.....who knows.....?

My depression is getting less as I age, but i still get sad, as well as extremely happy too....

I call it the rollercoaster of life...

Dont worry....you will be fine.....and if you are brave enough to face it, the healing process will be quicker than numbing it out with booze or drugs....not easy tho !

posted March 12, 2006 12:21 PM         

Take Vitamin E.

Take essential fatty acids.

Get plenty of fresh air and excercise.

Eat really healthy - no sugars or refined carbohydrates, or unhealthy oily junk food.

posted March 12, 2006 08:36 PM         

I am not sure of your situation or what you are having to deal with right now so I don't feel like I can give much constructive advice.

I can, however, wholeheartedly recommend a healthy diet and exercise. These are working so well for me.

I have had depression for about seven years (no specific trigger - more a steady accumulation of things). After years of taking anti-depressants, it is the healthy diet and exercise that have really done it for me.

This is still exciting new ground for me as I have only just managed to break out of the vicious circle of depression and comfort-eating. But, already, I feel more alive and energised and I have lost 12 pounds of the excess weight I was carrying.

People are different so what works for one may not necessarily work for another. I hope you find something good that works for you.

If you want to share any experiences with us fellow knowflakes, please please do. Sharing is a good way to vent things.

Good luck, Ghani.

posted March 12, 2006 11:18 PM         

i am sure u'll be just fine !

posted March 13, 2006 08:05 AM         

I have a really busy schedule at the moment, so maybe not being able to eat properly is a part of it?

I don't know, I go through these phases... I think I have all my life... I can be happy, then it's like I was hit by a truck and I just feel numb to the world.

I'll take into account all your advice.

Thanks again, it means a lot.

posted March 15, 2006 09:32 PM         

If you had a glimpse of my thread in FFA, you may have seen how much I have going on. Most of it is a blur, a little something in between something else to keep my mind off of other thoughts. It kind of sucks with an Aqua mercury, living in my own head all the time. But then my Leo moon roars and lashes out at the innocent... friends are limited, not only from lack of time for friendship, but also a very insecure posessive presence taking over my whole life.... WHEN are we women going to learn that the wounded deer is not the one we should fall for? Hell, forget fall for, just wanting to nurture them and make them feel good about themselves and sacrifice all sense of Self... damn... it's been a while since I've even thought about her... my Self... must be starving!!

Hey, take care of you. I really want to play catch up, but I am at a friends house now, so I don't usually have a puter... maybe we can excahnge e-mails?

Let me know, sweet pixie!!

Miss you lots and send all my love and light to you!!

posted March 15, 2006 10:58 PM         

My first feeling when I read your ititial comments: get a physical. Make sure you aren't having problems with your thyroid or hormones. The thyroid and our endocrine system play a much larger role than we know, so making sure all is right there first. Then...

I agree with the diet and getting your body as healthy as possible and exercise...just getting out in the fresh air and walk will help. Eat foods that are alive, fresh. Juices, veggies.

If you like juice, one that never fails to give me energy is, throw in the juicer, cut into pieces your juicer can handle: 1 med-large apple, 3 medium carrots, 1 medium fresh beet, peeled & 1 handful of fresh parsely including stems. Amazing the amount of energy you will get from this. The color isn't so appealing, but is surprisingly sweet. I can't stand those repetitive infomercials, but got this off that one where the older guy is selling the Juiceman Juicer...

Plus, with the energy you're putting into the other person in your life, you're draining your life energy.

Laura
a Sag

Edited to add: a psychologist once told me that if you don't eat right and you're a little bit depressed, it can be a viscious cycle because the low blood sugar drains you, plus you're depressed and it's difficult to pull yourself up and out of the depression if you're not eating, both combined tends to feed on itself and can make things worse.