This is my first blog to read and reply on so I don't know how to include quotes I want to respond to. This is the best discussion on depression I have ever run into and i am on a number of psychological/neurofeedback listservers.
When I was in my teens and 20's my depression was almost exactly like Ian's. i didn't know it was physiological at first. it felt like an existential crisis so I began studying in all the religious traditions looking for an answer. I ended up with a great spiritual path but no movement in the depression. I had lots of supportive friends and love and still was mostly always depressed.
what does help? what should a friend do to support a physiologically depressed friend? Here are some things I have discovered in the past 30 years of working with my own physiology and that of my clients.
1. love does help. it doesn't make anything go away. it just helps as love always does.
2. if your depressed friend is open to it, going for a walk is great. walking or other exercise increases seratonin production. you have great talks and you both can get happier! i suggest to phsyio-depressed people to get walking buddies. it's too hard to get out on your own.
3. pets help. I'm not sure about the cats peeing and pooping in otherwise clean places but even so they all love to snuggle. little dogs are the best as their care is more minimal than larger ones. dogs love to snuggle and have their whole lives be around your and their happiness. many cats are dog-like in this way (sorry cats, i know that is an insult! : > }) and so also serve this function. Again, neuro studies have shown sh ----pause while my cat Giavanni right at this moment comes between me and the computer for snuggles!-------own that snuggling with animals produces the feel good and also the calming neurotransmitters.
3. Spiritual stuff does help even though it won't change the physiology. On a mental level finding meaning helps to see the depression as Ian described as the internal weather not a comment on the lack of meaning in life. this is particularly important if there is a suicidal tendency. Depression often feels like a large black empty hole in the pit of your stomach and a larger sense of meaning helps cope with the pit.
4. The right anti-depressant in the right amount is a gift when needed.
5.neurofeedback trains your brain to do on its own what medication does. In severe depression the medication will still be needed but in lesser amounts.check out eegspectrum.com for more info
6. helping others - someone mentioned this. Many religious traditions prescribe this for personal pain and it really does work. there is a story of the Buddha asking a grieving mother to go to all the homes in the village and bring back a sesame seed from each home that had not experienced the death of a loved relative. Needless to say no seeds came back but the woman was able to function again as she opened to others.
Of course if you are depressed you will not be able to get out on your own to help others and this is where friends can help. Bringing together #2 and #3 and #6 you and your friend can volunteer at an animal shelter where there are so many animals in need of walks and snuggles!
I hope this has helped. I do all of the above and have been depression free for over 5 years.
helping self and freinds with depression
This is my first blog to read and reply on so I don't know how to include quotes I want to respond to. This is the best discussion on depression I have ever run into and i am on a number of psychological/neurofeedback listservers.
When I was in my teens and 20's my depression was almost exactly like Ian's. i didn't know it was physiological at first. it felt like an existential crisis so I began studying in all the religious traditions looking for an answer. I ended up with a great spiritual path but no movement in the depression. I had lots of supportive friends and love and still was mostly always depressed.
what does help? what should a friend do to support a physiologically depressed friend? Here are some things I have discovered in the past 30 years of working with my own physiology and that of my clients.
1. love does help. it doesn't make anything go away. it just helps as love always does.
2. if your depressed friend is open to it, going for a walk is great. walking or other exercise increases seratonin production. you have great talks and you both can get happier! i suggest to phsyio-depressed people to get walking buddies. it's too hard to get out on your own.
3. pets help. I'm not sure about the cats peeing and pooping in otherwise clean places but even so they all love to snuggle. little dogs are the best as their care is more minimal than larger ones. dogs love to snuggle and have their whole lives be around your and their happiness. many cats are dog-like in this way (sorry cats, i know that is an insult! : > }) and so also serve this function. Again, neuro studies have shown sh ----pause while my cat Giavanni right at this moment comes between me and the computer for snuggles!-------own that snuggling with animals produces the feel good and also the calming neurotransmitters.
3. Spiritual stuff does help even though it won't change the physiology. On a mental level finding meaning helps to see the depression as Ian described as the internal weather not a comment on the lack of meaning in life. this is particularly important if there is a suicidal tendency. Depression often feels like a large black empty hole in the pit of your stomach and a larger sense of meaning helps cope with the pit.
4. The right anti-depressant in the right amount is a gift when needed.
5.neurofeedback trains your brain to do on its own what medication does. In severe depression the medication will still be needed but in lesser amounts.check out eegspectrum.com for more info
6. helping others - someone mentioned this. Many religious traditions prescribe this for personal pain and it really does work. there is a story of the Buddha asking a grieving mother to go to all the homes in the village and bring back a sesame seed from each home that had not experienced the death of a loved relative. Needless to say no seeds came back but the woman was able to function again as she opened to others.
Of course if you are depressed you will not be able to get out on your own to help others and this is where friends can help. Bringing together #2 and #3 and #6 you and your friend can volunteer at an animal shelter where there are so many animals in need of walks and snuggles!
I hope this has helped. I do all of the above and have been depression free for over 5 years.
love to all of you,
Jillaurie