Just wanted to post another potential resource, particularly for those who are trying to respond to depression without medication:

The book, "The Mindful Way Through Depression", comes with a cd of mindfulness meditations, and has a very interesting take on why depression happens, and how to respond.

This is one resource that resonates with my worldview, though we all know there is no one size fits all solution.

Just to second this... I have found it very useful, even though I was initially concerned when mindfulness was suggested to me because I wasn't sure it would fit with my 'worldview'...

But I have found it helpful and the book does a good job of focusing on techniques which are widely applicable rather than any spirituality which may not appeal to those from other backgrounds.

I came off anti-depressants four weeks ago and am feeling bl**dy brilliant!! Much more energy, can focus better, etc - only down side is I can't sleep sometimes and feel a bit hyper. *-*

The first couple of weeks were hard going, due to withdrawal symptoms, but I really felt I didn't need them any more and somehow found the strength to do something about it.
Sympathies, though, to those who are doing battle at the moment. It's a difficult life- experience.

Since the holidays can be tough for people, and because this made me smile:

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.co...epression.html

I thoroughly enjoyed that sketch. Now I'm going to kill myself. Thank you that you helped me to make up my mind.

Oldhand: errr....sorry that is a bit ambiguous, can you clarify please?

sorry I was just joking. really sorry.

In fact I'm terribly sorry. I just thought if someone was that way out it wouldn't be a deterrent.

Actually, I thought the sketch was good... Presented depression as something that doesn't have to have a reason and portrayed the downward spiral. Interesting that the person got on her bike and that seemed to make her feel better- exercise can help.

But it did a really good job of describing what it's like to be depressed. Not everyone understands what it's like...telling people to snap out of it doesn't help.

Just went running out in the cold! Was great way to kill a slight depression

Explaining others is usually the hardest part... People who have never being clinically depressed understand sadness of course, but they cannot grasp how deep is the sadness and how much it does affect you. A book that also has a very good explanation of what being depressed feels like is Marian Keyes' Sushi for Beginners.

I'm considering starting to take B12 supplements to see if there is any effect. Does anyone else have experience, positive, negative stories on the topic?

Positive. You can get them here (pharmacy will sell you the major brand in 3mo dose, take a double for the first week or two). I get B-Complex Forte from home. Combining it with marmite and cereals makes it more potent, you should feel the difference in 2-3 weeks (plus the usual b12 perks, hair, nails, skin, etc..). It's good in winter, when light is low, if you find time to exercise, even better. Sports is the best for winter fatigue.

My doc said that positive effects on depression weren't medically proven, and an abuse of B12 vitamin can be dangerous as they are not hydro soluble.

Can you buy them OTC?

Edit: yes you can, just saw MusicChick post. Note that it's my doc point of view I'm reporting. Not sure I'm sharing it.

Thanks Oldhand. The internet is funny that way, without tone and context, I am not always sure when someone is joking, or sarcastic...I reread your comment about 8 times trying to decide if I should try to notify someone somehow, then looked at another of your recent postings to assess the risk level and decided you were probably doing okay and I was interpreting it wrong.

It hadn't occurred to me that the link would be discouraging, but I suppose that is "art" for you, tells a different story to each viewer. I guess I found it hopeful, and the lines like, "maybe I'll touch a spider later" made me smile deep down inside.

Anyhow, glad you are okay, and thanks for the feedback.

I take them all year round when I remember (I am a really bad patient when it comes to adhere to my medication). I feel better after taking it. But, also have to take Vit D, iron and thyroid hormones at the same time. Values out of control for the 4 of them cause pretty much the same symptomns, so I could not really say that it was the Vit B12, the combinaton of the 4 or placebo effect that makes me fell better.

If you feel that your symptons can be caused by nutrient deficiency, I would suggest you to ask your doctor the check them. If you B12 in whithin the normal values, not much point in taking it, anyway. If you have a darker skin tone, probably taking Vit D will be more effective. Again, please do a blood test check if you need them.

__________________
First cycle of The 30 day challenge is now over.
My blogs: Food and Zurich 1200 Fountains

I brought back a bottle from home, so I have a good stock--not really a marmite or cereal eater, but I'm good with taking pills. 2-3 weeks is a bit of stretch (since I'm pretty random and lazy) but I'll giver a go since I don't exercise and am not athletic. The hair, nails, skin benefits aren't too important, since I'm trying to look older, not the other way around.

I haven't come across any dangerous effects of B12 abuse, or anything negative with over-intake, but I'm still digging the surface on the topic. It is water-soluble from what I have gather's thus far.

I don't usually listen to my doctors, but they have generally said I'm Iron-deficient and have very low blood pressure. I have darker skin, and tried the Vit D approach, but saw no difference. Again, maybe not long enough. Did the over tanning last summer, almost got back to my natural colour, but also didn't notice much difference, so I ruled Vit. D out. I go for multiple blood tests each year, not sure exactly for what, but haven't heard of any other concerns--nutrient etc. etc.

__________________
"You have reached the end of you free trial membership at BenjaminFranklinQuotes.com" -Benjamin Franklin

People who suffer from excessive stomach acidity tend to lack B12 vitamin, as it gets destroy in the over-acid stomach. Otherwise it's extremely unlikely that you need supplements.

Personally I take a multivitamin supplement all year round as I'm nt eating a very balanced diet.

It seems that is a combination of things. The only way you can know is doing a blood analysis. I also tend to not listen to doctors - but a measurement is a measurement... Either your values are within normal ranges or not. Just trying for vit D for a few days and giving up is not a very good way of finding what is troubling you. It takes a good while until it kicks in and also you might the overdose for a while to get its values within a normal value. If you do multiple blood test, just ask specifically for it. Sometimes doctors just forget about it - I always have to remind mine to check for Iron.

__________________
First cycle of The 30 day challenge is now over.
My blogs: Food and Zurich 1200 Fountains

I have met and worked with many people who suffer from depression. I also know people personally who have been depressed (my mother for example) and have experienced depression myself.

In my experience medication is an option (for some people the only option that works). Sometimes a mixture of medication and therapy is the best solution. Personally I chose not to try medication when I became seriously depressed in my mid twenties. I turned to a combination of meditation, therapy, exercise and good friends. It did however take some time to get to the stage where I could utilise these startegies. Initially I could only go to bed and sleep. As someone said earlier depression can be totally disabling. It is difficult to 'reframe' your perspectives and emotions when you have no coherent psychology or emotions.

My therapist in London was of my culture. Here in Switzerland I find most people seem to prefer someone from their own culture who understands the 'micro-injuries' that you regularly experience being foriegn here. It is difficult to relate well to someone who cannot truely know your language or culture. It is also essential to find someone whose approach and 'style' of working suits you. It is a personal relationship and you should chose carefully.

The first thing to establish is whether the depression is a product of your past, your current life or your expectations for the future. Often these will all intereact. Exercise, diet, alcohol can all play a part. Friends can be really helpful - if you have them. The longer your depression lasts the less friends you may find you have.

I found my meditation class to be one of the most valuable things in my life when I was depressed. To be with people who do not judge or evaluate you is essential. Having a core sense of meaning and value in life helped me greatly. Some-one talked about the death of the ego leading into a greater awareness of a bigger reality. I did find this to be the case, but I could never promote this as a reason for being depressed. Experiencing the temporal and fragile nature of self does help you understand what it and you are. The pain however is acute.

Depression can be overcome, but for some may have to be learnt to be lived with. There are many ways and numerious approaches that can be applied. What matters is that the right way for you is what is applied and that does mean that every intervention needs to be unique. It is also vital to get support and not be alone. We need eachother all the more when we find ourselves lost in our own unhappyness.