Learning to Cope and get Support ...

Depression is defined as “low spirits, gloominess, dejection and sadness.”

Depression affects your whole body, physically and mentally. It affects the way you eat, sleep, feel about yourself and your actions towards yourself and others.

There are many types and degrees of depression, all with different symptoms. The symptoms include; chronic fatigue, sleep disturbance, change in appetite, backache,
digestive disorder, restlessness, irritability, quick to anger, loss of interest or pleasure in your favorite pastimes, feelings of worthlessness and some people even think of death and consider suicide.

The causes of depression are not fully understood but it can be triggered by tension, stress, trauma in your life, chemical imbalance, thyroid disorder, burn out, hypoglycemia, nutritional deficiencies, poor diet, high consumption of sugar, mononucleosis, endometriosis, allergies (especially food allergies), lack of exercise and negative thinking.

Have you noticed that many of the causes of depression are the same as other lifestyle diseases? This information tells you that depression is curable. It also means that you have to change your lifestyle. You need to re-evaluate your life and make the necessary changes. Be gentle with yourself; start slowly.

Find out the condition of your body and this way you will know what health problems you are facing. Test your Thyroid, if you have hypothyroidism you can usually stimulate the thyroid by taking a herbal remedy containing kelp. A body that is deficient of vitamins and minerals will feel very tired and sluggish. Start taking calcium/magnesium and a vitamin/mineral combination on a daily basis. The herb St. John's Wort has been very helpful in treating people who have suffered from depression.

Be sure these products are liquid, plant extract. Liquid extracts will assimilate in your body in a few minutes. This way your body receives good nutrients and will no longer suffer from nutritional deficiencies.

Examine your life style: Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating healthy foods? Are you living a fairly stress free life? Are you getting enough exercise? If you have answered 'no'... to any of these questions, that is O. K.. You know this now and you can start to make changes slowly. You did not get sick overnight, give your self time to heal your body. To start your get well program make one small change at a time, try giving up sugar or caffeine. You choose the change but remember you need to start somewhere, just one small step at a time.

Examine the emotional issues in your life. Are you angry about issues from your childhood or family? Do you have other problem relationships in your life? Do you have problems with your career? Are there other parts of your life that aren't working for you? Do you concentrate on what is wrong in your life? If you have answered 'yes' ... to any of these questions that is O. K. There is help.

At this time you are probably feeling over whelmed.... don't! think of this as a small step program. One of the first steps you can take for emotional issues is to start a gratitude journal. Each day write down things you are grateful to have in your life. Maybe it was only the blue sky today, but tomorrow your list could grow to five things and soon you will fill a page.

Don't try to do this yourself if you have been depressed for more than a couple months this could be bigger than you are able to handle by yourself. Seek professional help. You can also join a 12 Step program - there is a great program called “Emotions Anonymous” and this program is available in many communities in Canada and the U.S.A. Check your yellow pages for a program near you.

Do you have issues with alcohol or drugs? If you said 'yes'... seek professional help.(Most people who are struggling with addictions are also depressed) You can not cure yourself.

Are you contemplating your death? If you said 'yes'... put this paper down immediately, phone a person you trust and ask for their assistance. Seek professional help immediately.

At this point I have to confess, I have suffered from depression, it was not a fun time in my life but with counseling, changes in my life style and herbal products, I was able to rebuild my body, my mind and my spirit. Today I am happier and healthier than I have ever been in my whole life. You too can over come this disease and live a healthy, vibrant life.

It is exciting to educate people and introduce them to holistic products, and new life style habits. Many of these people have healed their bodies. The holistic world is full of hope and joy, and I believe with effort we can have a healthy vibrant body.

Coping/Support

Organ Donation/Transplantation