I came across the following article when a friend of mine posted the link below on Facebook:
As I mentioned briefly, I have suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my adult life - most of it undiagnosed - and at one time, or another, have tried most of the leading medications on the market. I have only anecdotal evidence to base my opinions on, I am neither a doctor nor a scientist so, don't sue me if what I'm about to say doesn't hold true for you. Any treatment of moderate to severe depression should ideally involve medical and psychological professionals.
Depression, at least in my experience of it, is of the body. It is not the sole property of one organ either. I believe that we aren't going to find a cure for depression, and many of the other "mental illnesses" until we let go of the Cartesian (Rene Descartes) ideal that our intellect and emotional being is separate from our biology. We are, therefore we think. Our bodies are not mechanical transportation for our intellect, our intellect is as much a function of our biology as the digestion of food. To put an even blunter point on it, our emotional life is as much blood and guts as the rest of our bodies processes.
Philosophies aside, I 'capitol k,' know that when I take better care of my body, I experience a reduction in the duration, and intensity, of both anxiety and depressive symptoms. I know that eating well, and exercising are the reasons I am able to stay away from the pharmacy counter, and all those drugs that have - at least for me - done more harm, than good. I know, as much as it is not my sole reason for eating well and exercising, that loosing 30 lbs has bolstered both my self esteem, and given me more energy to act on any of the pursuits I wish to give my time to.
While research, such as highlighted in the attached newspaper article, gives me hope that one day we might have a better handle on mental illness in general, I am not willing to wait - nor do I think anyone should - until all the evidence has been collected. Any relief from anxiety and depression is evidence enough to continue to eat well - and as cleanly as you can - get plenty of exercise, and even more importantly, plenty of rest.
So I will amend my earlier statement, by saying that any treatment plan for depression should involve a medical doctor, a psychologist, a nutritionist, and a membership to a gym, or at least a good pair of walking shoes.
Hear, hear!
ReplyDelete