Dooley Noted: 12/27/2015
I have my share of patients that currently use anti-depressant medications, particularly in the winter months.
While these drugs helps many, other people feel their lives don’t change much.
While I have made the elective decision not to utilize such drugs, I understand the depths of struggle with depression.
It’s a tough subject, especially on Facebook – where people only tend to post about being “blessed.”
They are right – they are blessed. And they might still feel depressed.
When practicing gratitude – with or without meds – still leaves you feeling down, you can compile a list of ways to shake the rut.
You can borrow mine as you compile your own.
1. Music: It will access parts of your cerebral cortex that link logic to the limbic system of memories and emotion, helping you to connect lost dots.
2. Dogs: They offer unconditional love and don’t mind the taste of your tears.
3. Movies: View them either solo or with a friend.
4. Deadlifting, or any other type of exercise: Watch yourself physically and mentally access alternative pathways.
5. Vitamin D3 and sunlight: Don’t underestimate this powerful combination in balancing catecholamines like serotonin and norepinephrine.
6. Sprinting like you’re a hero: If you have the ability, remind yourself how swift you are.
7. Singing at the top of your lungs: This powerful form of exhalation delivers oxygen to your cells.
8. Bending steel and ripping phone books: Remind yourself that you can still surprise even you. The impossible is probable.
9. Playing Legos with toddlers: They have no clue what depression is or that you may have it. They just want to laugh and build things.
10. Make a new friend: Particularly choose people who have been through worse and still have a better attitude than you.
11. Meditation: This expedites acceptance of what is.
12. Absolutely, positively do not read old texts, letters, or emails that may perpetuate the down.
13. Reach out to hide who may benefit from your help. But make sure not to give unsolicited advice.
If you are going through it right now, with or without meds, I hope you tap Into the world of anti-depressants.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley