Hi to everyone that have had the illness of depression. I worked with the mentally disable and seniors for 10 years, that was on medications for depression. Yes it is true that there is a chemical problem. But sometimes it is inherited and sometimes, people get it when they are older or as teenagers and young adults. I have worked with doctors on this, they have said to me that some people go thru what is called a crises, where they see the world or problems differently and become paranoid and get phobias and depression set in. The brain is confused and don't understand things around them anymore. It may be from childhood problems or abuse, etc. the world is a strange place and not everyone can adjust to changes and problems that they experience, so they go into a state of saddness that can turn on themselves. Sometimes it may be alcohol and drug abuse or the lose of someone or something like a job a spouse, etc. it is hard to understand depression, without getting the proper help. I hope that I'm not offending anyone...1 Love


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Rosalind.Brown

Hi Peggyjean,

I, too, have been depressed and I felt stuck and anxious.

What worked for me was a combination of energy tapping, yoga, and laughter to raise my vibration when I was feeling at my lowest.

As long as you are focusing on what it is that you do not want, you will get more of what you do not want. By changing your vibration and allowing some joy into your life right now, you can create something different.

My name is Mary and I would like to know what alternative medicine you used for your mother. I was diagnosed with depression over 10 years ago and put on anti-depressants. 8 months ago I got off of them and am trying 5-HTP. I have ups and downs still. Any information would be helpful. Thanks for your post, it has really encouraged me.

I have suffered from bouts of severe depression since I was a child. One thing I've learned over the years is that the only person who can overcome that hopeless, empty feeling inside me is me! I'm not saying drugs and counseling aren't helpful...they are a good start. But the only real, permanent cure is inside yourself.

Many times I've found myself focusing on the "negative" things in my life. I feel sorry for myself, or say "how could this happen?" or "why me?" But when I dwell on hurt, I cause myself more hurt.

I've learned that it's best to accept the things that happen as they are. They aren't really good or bad; they just are. And they "are" for a reason...I may not know the reason now, and maybe I never will. But that doesn't mean there isn't a reason. So I accept them and then move on from there.

I've also learned that one of the best ways to deal with depression & anxiety is to focus on the present moment instead of worrying about what happened in the past or what might happen in the future. A really great book to read about this is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. (Not intended as a sales pitch!)

One more tip: I know it's the last thing you want to do when you have no energy, but exercise is a great way to ease the symptoms of depression.

I think many women can relate to this. Women are more prone to depression because of all that we put on ourselves daily with our families, friends, jobs and so on. Notice i said what we put on ourselves...I have always felt like God gave us emotions and feelings for a reason...and in order to get through them we must experience them. If we simply mask them or minimize them with chemicals, drugs or substances...we are not coping with them. Now I do understand that if these emotions and feelings overwhelm us, and we can't get them to go away...then it can become an issue that interferes with our lives. I am no different than anyone else who relies on a habit or behavior; for coping through a difficult time. The point is that even those behaviors or habits cannot consume our lives either. I have never been "diagnosed" with depression, but I have spent many years talking to physicians, nurses and other people whenever I encounter them in my job (I am a nurse). I have been met with both sides of the preferred treatments...some encouraged me to seek counsel, or try an anti depressant for awhile...others told me to pray....and others told me to find something I felt good about and pursue it with passion. I've chosen to take bits and pieces of advice from them all. Though I won't agree to take anti depressants, I will seek out herbal supplements and other ways that may help bring some sort of balance back into my life....I have also begun to pursue old interests and hobbies which has given me a way to find that creative energy and take my mind off my problems and difficult decisions I have to make. This may not be the ultimate solution to end having to experience pain and sadness, because hormones and life circumstances will always happen; but it does help some to be able to shift the focus some. Life happens as they say, and the true challenge comes when we decide to not let it control us or what our destiny will be. I think not knowing the outcome for me, has been part of the problem, but I had to surrender to it, and say to myself...I cannot predict the future or how this will end...but I can find something today to help me get by, or cope, or bring a little joy to "me".

I would like to share two personal stories of depression, one ended in tragedy and the other in victory. 5 years ago, my mother fell deep into a depression that progressed for about a year before she was hospitalized after an episode of hallucinations that came about from lack of sleep and eating, which then caused severe chemical imbalances and resulted with a nervous breakdown. Recommendations to be institutionalized were made! I do not practice medicine, but I self-studied alternative medicine for several years and its methods had proven themselves to me. I won’t discuss the details in this post (please ask if interested), but it took about a week for her to recognize me and get lucid enough to fly back with me where she continued the treatments and support. The day I returned home, I was advised that my next door neighbor was institutionalized while I was away! She was going through a deep depression that started with her mother battling cancer and continued escalating with other events in her life. She too was unable to recognize her family or function after her nervous breakdown. It was odd and sad, to say the least, on how two very strong woman were lost in the clutches of depression at the same time! Of course, I offered help, but they felt that they were doing what was best for her. 6 weeks later my mother's therapist asked me exactly what my mother’s treatments were because she had never seen such an extreme recovery. In fact, she used the words “your mom looks and feels like a Sweet 16 Girl and is ready to take on the world!” Or in my mother’s words to me “I gave birth to you, but you gave life to me. Before I only existed, but today I am living”. Those words will always remain in my heart. Now unfortunately, the story of my neighbor ended very differently. 5 weeks into her treatments, she was released from the hospital with anti-depressants, where she tragically took her own life leaving her husband, son and daughter behind. Through alternative methods and support, my mother is strong and happy today still and I am reminded everyday when I see the house and family next door, that life is precious and one must fight for it in every possible way. Since then, I have vowed to share my stories and steps I took to help my mother and am happy that it has helped others with the same results. Your posts here tell me you have the power to fight it as you have already started the first step in the healing process, you are creating your support system! I have witnessed that one can overcome this, and even be stronger than ever before!

Sending you positive energies!
Maribel

DEPRESSION IS A CONDITION THAT CAN PARALYZE YOU...BUT IT IS NOT A CONDITION THAT YOU CAN NOT HEAL FROM...THE FIRST STEP IS TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE....TWO KNOW THAT YOU CAN LIVE A VERY NORMAL LIFE....THREE YOU DESERVE THE BEST OUT OF LIFE...HOW DO YOU GET THERE?...ALLOW THE LORD TO ACCESS THE ATTIC OF YOUR THE PLACE WHERE YOUR SECRETS ARE STORED...AND THE ONE PLACE WHERE WE HIDE WHEN THE HURT DOMINATES YOUR VERY BEING...YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW...BUT MOST OF ALL KNOW THAT I AM AND WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU...YOU CAN MAKE IT..OVERCOME THIS...RISE ABOVE IT..HEAL FROM IT AND SOME DAY HELP OTHERS THAT WILL TRAVEL THIS PATH THAT HAS TRIED TO DESTROY YOU...YOU ARE STILL HERE SO YOU HAVE ALREADY OVERCOME MORE THAT YOU KNOW...BE BLESSED


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EVANGELIST PATRICIA GRADNEY

I too have suffered for many years with clinical depression, so I understand. The first thing you have to realize is that you are a worthwhile person and helping others only helps yourself. I have found the wisdom of Tony Robbins and I am only 2 days into his cd series, The Ultimate Edge, but, I'm already feeling more positive about my life and circumstances. If you have the money I would definitely recommend it to help you in your "mindset." It is already helping me trememendously. Take care and know that you are not alone.


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Nancy Gleason
P.S.Get your Free copy of "Success in 10 Steps" today. It really changed my perspective! http://nancygleason.successin10steps.com