NOTE ...And I offer a whole list of personally created "Therapies" to help you.

Roller Coaster of Life

Roller Coaster of Life
Life's Ups and Downs
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Different Types of Depression and Disorders

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Bi-Polar

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

.......and more


There are so many different types of depression and other mind disorders that have been diagnosed and treated. I have family members and friends that have gone to specialists about their depression and have been told that they have a certain type. Most of them are on medications for it.

I have never gone to a doctor about it...I do not take medications, nor do I want to. I have always seemed to find a way to deal with it myself. I have used prayer, concentrated effort, herbal formulas, and my self-discovered relaxation therapies that I share in this blog.

My form of depression appears to be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Though depression can hit me at any time of the year, it mostly occurs at the beginning of Fall and ends in Spring. During this time of year my exposure to sunlight is diminished, causing my biological clock to run slower. Our biological clock regulates our mood, sleep, and hormones. The biggest cause of SAD is lack of sunlight.

I understand the common signs of this and other forms of depression to be somewhat similar: Sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of interest in usual activities, withdrawal from social activities, inability to concentrate. Other symptoms might include extreme fatigue and lack of energy, increased need for sleep, craving carbs, and increased appetite and weight gain.

Most people have many windows in their house and so they receive some light from the outdoors. The studio size place where I live does not have windows and so I need a better source of light other than regular ceiling lighting and table lamps.

I have remedied the lack of natural light in several ways. I have purchased several full-spectrum lights. These lights are what they call white light....they mimic closely the light that comes from the sun. Some of these lights are table lamps, and some are floor lamps. I have several of them distributed around my living area, and I use these special lights along with my regular lighting.

Another way which is important in gaining extra natural light is to go outdoors and spend some time out in the sun and fresh air. Take in good deep breaths of fresh air through the nose and let it out slowly through the mouth. This clears the system and brings in fresh oxygen. The longer spent outdoors, the better.

Exercise is also important to help tone down and ease depression and stress. It clears the mind and also brings in more oxygen to the body. Going for a good walk outdoors can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

Monday, October 29, 2007

A Mind Retreat...taking your mind somewhere else for awhile so it can relax and heal.

Try to take little mind retreats as often as you need them and for as long (time wise) as you can. This is so good for when you feel overwhelmed with life and even at depressions doorstep. Even more so, when you are rooming in depressions house. Find something you enjoy doing and that will hold your attention without having to think much....even if it is a big time waster. AND DON'T YOU DARE FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT!

The idea is to bring your mind temporarily to a place where it does not have to tax itself by thinking too much. In this way, your mind gets a chance to truly relax, so it can begin to heal a little. But don't forget to come back into the world again!!! You will then be refreshed and strengthened in mind and body, have a better outlook, and be ready to make any necessary eliminations of things to your time schedule, if that is what needs to be done.

My favorite mind retreat is to watch movies. I am truly a MOVIE LOVER. Sometimes I watch one movie right after another and I have been known to do this for a couple of days at a time. But it REALLY works for me. If I don't do this for myself, then my mind keeps dwelling on the problem and I stress myself out more and more and I go deeper and deeper into despair.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Rest and Heal Your Mind and Soul

When those times come when I have dark, overwhelmingly sad days or seasons...I find comfort, relaxation, and a sort of therapy by doing certain things and activities that will take my mind off of what is bothering me and take it to a different place for a short while....so that I can heal.

Some of those places are.....watching good movies, doing my personal writings, working on my websites, calling or visiting a good friend, siting quietly and meditating on sacred things, going outdoors for a nice leisurely walk, reading the scriptures, deep breathing exercises, sitting out in the yard to get sunlight and fresh air, laying on the couch or bed with my legs elevated and with a cool cloth over my eyes and listening to some soft music, and many more things.

Friday, October 26, 2007

My Plate is Full and Spilling Over


Sometimes I take on too many extra responsibilities, and say "yes" to too many things and people. In the beginning it seems to be ok and I can handle everything. But as time goes on I begin to notice all the little, more important things that need to be done and I don't have time to take care of them because of these "other" responsibilities. That is when the stress builds up. Then the stress leads to feelings of being overwhelmed. Then, for me, all that turns into depression and crying and a messed up nervous system I reach a point where I can't handle that pace anymore. I make myself come to a screeching halt, because I have learned the warning signs. It is now time to step back and take stock of my time schedule....and start cutting down on some of the things I am doing. I ask myself what is it that I'm doing that I feel that I am burned out on. I then eliminate those things. For my own mental, physical, and emotional health.....I have to do it!