"therapeutic doses" of Omega-3 are as effective (33% of the time) as prescription anti-depressants

Does one of the treatments involve waving a crystal over the persons head whilst chanting "you will now be happy"?

---

Member of the People Encouraging Niceness In Society club.

"therapeutic doses" of Omega-3 are as effective (33% of the time) as prescription anti-depressants

Does one of the treatments involve waving a crystal over the persons head whilst chanting "you will now be happy"?

Yes:)
But anti-depressants are not meant to be a "happy pill".
It's about getting a patient less depressive.
Nothing more.
Are anti-depressants drugs needed?
In most cases exercisers works better.
Like chopping wood, running or cycling for more than an half hour, mowing a lawn manually....

Mr. Lightbulb - you are experiencing some pretty "good" triggers to depression (as you no doubt know already). Sadly these are triggers that are very hard to escape from as they are very much beyond our control. I don't know of any magic bullets to "cure" you, but one thing is certain having people around who understand how to "manage" you helps. Sometimes this management can be as simple as just knowing there is someone you can shout and swear at for an hour, or have them shout and swear at you for an hour, or make sure you "pop the right pills" at the right time. Then in hindsight you know they got it right because they got you through that patch with whatever they did (or didn't do) at the time.

---

Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

@ janneseti, Yes that does work. We have a county park that was formed during the last ice age. The lake has a 5 mile long trail around it. I found it very peaceful.
I also took long bike rides. I always felt a lot better after.
@ Tom Miller, I never knew that what I and others had , Had a name.

To the room at large. I'm almost 65, Is it the way us elders were brought up that such a stigma is placed on depression? If only I knew what I know now . I would have been to grief counseling right away.
I sure hope that we as parents didn't teach that message to our kids.

---

[/quote]

Old James

The other day I got a call from MSF who wanted to thank me for all the support my GF gives them.
Rather strange though because my phone number is not listed and not connected to my GF.
Anyway. MSF, Médecins Sans Frontières, are doing a great job!
http://www.msf.org/

I support UNICEF with monthly donations via my credit card.
Tullio

---

I am sorry to hear that there is something going on in the background that I am not aware of, and really do not wish to be.

But what bothers me most is that whatever it is would prevent somebody, anybody, who feels the need to share their honest thoughts on this subject from doing so. Whether it be first or second hand. I hope that they find the strength to speak out if they wish to.

I know that just talking about it, for me, does provide some small bit of calming. And reading about others' experience with depression gives a small bit of peace in knowing that 'I am not alone' with this affliction. Many just suffer it in silence, which is not necessary. And many more do not even realize or admit to themselves that they have it as well.

I am not embarrassed to talk about it. I am not ashamed of it. I did not cause it. I did not choose it, my genetics brought it upon me. And it took me over 40 damn years of living with it to finally even try to take a positive action against it. I wish for others that they do not wait so long to try to find some help.

The clouds have not lifted for me yet. But I do think that the medication I started a couple of months ago is thinning them a bit. Waiting to hear from my doc about adding a second med to the mix.
And I am at least hopeful that some day soon I may be able to say I have had two 'good days' in a row. And then three. And then a week.

And then I shall REALLY meow!

Meow.

EDIT..............
Just got the word from my doc. She is starting me on 10mg escitalopram (Lexapro) to add to the 300mg of bupropion XL (Wellbutrin) that I am currently taking. Trying to boost serotonin levels.
Meow for now.

---

"Time is simply the mechanism that keeps everything from happening all at once."

I did not care then. I do not care now. :-)

I am heartened to hear it.

In addition to feeling like she doesn't care about anything, she is extremely negative about most everything

We all know some people that are always negative, never seem to have a good word to say about anyone or anything. We put them down to just being miserable people. Could they actually be clinically depressed instead? Maybe without knowing it? I cannot judge that as I have no medical training. Obviously you know your own good lady wife better than anyone, and I am quite sure that the course you have taken is the right one for you and her. Sometimes it appears medication is worse than no treatment at all, other times it helps a lot. I wish you both all the best.

Interesting idea. I suppose many negative people are depressed. But a lot of them are just
negative and don't realize it. I was once like that. People had to point it out to me, and time
had to pass for me to get a little smarter about myself.

I suffer from depression. I'm going through a particularly bad time right now. I've been extremely
short-tempered and angry for several days for no apparent reason. But negativity has never really
been a symptom of my depression.

---

~Sue~

What doesn't help is the platitudes that some people use e.g. pat you on the back and say don't worry it might never happen and pull yourself together man, cheer up worse things happen at sea, etc. But some people are very good at putting on a brave face whilst hurting inside.

At the moment most people I know are a bit down because of what's been happing in the UK. this year. All these terror attacks, the London Grenfell fire, the Hillsborough enquiry, Brexit, government hanging on by its fingertips, almost zero interest on savings etc. And further afield the Middle East turmoil, N Korea, USA with Trump, Germany with Merkel and so on. Reasons to be cheerfull 1 2 3? Hard to find 1 at the moment.

But it's not clinical or manic depression it's just being a bit fed up and browned off., and we all go through phases of that. Then you meet our postie a very nice Asian Lady, always happy, always cheerful, come rain wind snow or sunshine. Then there's Mr grumpy 4 doors down that glares at everyone!

But as Steve says genuine depression is debilitating for everyone, and there is not enough public awareness of it.

There are different types of depression. Some of us have chronic depression. Others suffer
temporary depression and will eventually recover.

Funny coincidence: I just today posted this on Facebook: We're well into the 21st century. The Internet
is available to nearly everyone and provides an extensive amount of information on every subject to
anyone willing to do a simple search. It's amazing, then, that there are still people to whom "depressed" = "sad."

Thank you, Puss In Boots, for starting this thread.

---

~Sue~

I was looking at the book that Tom recommended and realized that no one really
has to pay for a book to help them, what with the Internet filled with information
about everything. So I did a search and came up with this. It's from Psychology
Today, which is, afaik, very reputable.

Diet and Depression: Foods that help to improve your mood

Of course, exercise of just about any kind will help, too. Even a brief walk.

And here is an article about supplements. The source is not as reputable since they
are in the business of sales.

Top Five Anti Depression Supplements

Maybe if those of us who are depressed do all three (adjust our diets, exercise, and
take supplements) we'll feel a little better. So far I am sorely lacking in all three
areas.

---

~Sue~

Sincere apologies to the moderators for the extra work this thread has entailed. From what I have seen, there is a culture of abuse being conducted via the PM system by a small minority of posters. I live in hope that it will stop.

Unfortunately hate and rudeness are growing things in today's societies. Some people feel
they have some sort of right to comment negatively about people they have no connection
to nor in whose lives they have any sort of investment. That's why the word "troll" has become so
commonplace.

Others are simply brain-dead and don't realize how stupid they're being trying to either be
helpful or funny or whatnot.

I don't see any remedy in the near future. :-( We all just need to grow thicker skins and ignore
the ignorant.

---

~Sue~

DLL/Zappy,

I tried to send you a PM, but you're not accepting
PMs from me. Hmm. Did we fight once and I've
forgotten?

---

~Sue~

........

Out of courtesy, I responded to questions I was asked here. If the most prolific poster to this thread to date cannot find time nor enough self-respect to do likewise, but can, to belittle not only myself, my husband, my work and my ability to do what is not a job to me, but a calling, again I do not care.

I will repeat:...................

Puss In Boots.

You referred back to my post and kind of added far more.

Please don't get upset with me.

A thread opening up a chance for people to talk about depression is a good thing.

That I suggested that we be cautious not to take someone who states they are a nurse \ professional and wants to help us talk about depression I believe is also a good thing.

I simply asked if you were suffering depression. I don't believe I have been a prolific poster to this thread or belittled your husband, your work or your ability to do what is not a job but a calling to you.

I only posted once (twice now) and never did any belittling.

There is a real issue with professionals (nurses et al) who end up suffering mental health issues but because their training (mind set), lack of understanding or acceptance from other professionals or general disbelief that someone who might know could suffer the same they never get the help they need or accept they need.

I never spoke with disrespect to you. I spoke caution.

I will speak it again.

I do not believe anyone who suffers a mental health illness should simply trust someone who tell us they are a nurse and tells us they have specialist knowledge or skills.

I could tell you I trained as a councillor and in social psychology post-graduate and all... but what would that mean?

In the cafe our titles are secondary and mostly unimportant. Our good humour and personal honesty is worth far more... At least I hope :o)

So do you suffer a mental health disorder?

........
. It is no surprise that I am now the subject of a smear campaign,

If that is so then speak to the mods.

If the mods think I have been rude or untoward then given mental health is an important issue I ask them to refer my posts to Berkeley's Psychology Department.

1 in 4 of us will suffer clinical mental health issues for an extended period in our lives and will require professional help. (Not from a forum but from our local doctors or supporters.)

Probably most of us will have at least 2 years on and off through out our live in which we suffer issues of problematical but recoverable everyday (colloquial) depression or mental health issue.

I think I am right in always suggesting that whatever the issue we always look to those we can stand in front of and not to a forum for proper help.

That doesn't discount any idea that talking about issues on internet forums have value.

Sometimes it is a place to let off steam or find the right words to express what is going on...

... but non of us however qualified in our own sphere should allow ourselves to seem a guru when actually the issues of a person should be met personally locally..

Sorry. I just don't believe it is a good thing to state yourself a professional on a forum amongst people who might be vulnerable.

(Which hospital or university or licensing body had licensed you to promote yourself as a nurse or mental health worker to engaged or work with the mentally ill on the SETI forums?)

A thread opening up a chance for people to talk about depression is a good thing.

I just don't believe it is a good thing to state yourself a professional on a forum amongst people who might be vulnerable.

Very good point for everyone to be cautious. I tend to be a high self-discloser, but that's not really the best way to be, especially on an internet forum.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I think the foods we're consuming these days are contributing to a lot of the anger, hate,
and rudeness that we're seeing. We're eating so many processed foods with artificial
flavorings, colors, and what not that I think it's making us all sick - mentally, mostly. And
out beverages, too. Does anyone agree?

You might not think this has to do with depression, but I think the food issue might
affect our moods, too - our mental health. Also, the anger, hate, and rudeness definitely
makes me more depressed. I hate how people treat one another these days.

---

~Sue~

I think the foods we're consuming these days are contributing to a lot of the anger, hate,
and rudeness that we're seeing. We're eating so many processed foods with artificial
flavorings, colors, and what not that I think it's making us all sick - mentally, mostly. And
out beverages, too. Does anyone agree?

I think you have a very good point there.

You might not think this has to do with depression, but I think the food issue might
affect our moods, too - our mental health. Also, the anger, hate, and rudeness definitely
makes me more depressed. I hate how people treat one another these days.

Yes, I agree. It's a snowball effect. If our way of life is negatively affecting our moods, we're not going to be nice to each other(let alone ourselves), and it becomes a vicious circle. There was a Twilight Zone episode about a man who inadvertently took a train back in time to a gentler place, called Willoughbie. I can't remember how it ended.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I think the foods we're consuming these days are contributing to a lot of the anger, hate,
and rudeness that we're seeing. We're eating so many processed foods with artificial
flavorings, colors, and what not that I think it's making us all sick - mentally, mostly. And
out beverages, too. Does anyone agree?

I do.
Processed food heated in a microwave oven...
Very sweet beverages along...
But that's only a part that could trigger a depression.

I think the foods we're consuming these days are contributing to a lot of the anger, hate,
and rudeness that we're seeing. ....

Interesting argument.

... but just to be counter courant (again :)...

Certain areas of America (and the world) have higher water table levels of Lithium and therefore drinking water and natural foods are saturated.

In all those areas there are far fewer people in prisons because of aggressive or violent acts!

Certain foods that are highly processed, for example tinned and plasticated (microwave) foods contain Z\T estrogens which can counteract and alter testosterone causing changes in gender difference and slightly feminising populations (animal or human.) (Feminising traditionally has been suggested the less aggressive.)

I'm a Veggie so eating soya that also has higher estrogen levels might suggest Veggies are more 'gentle' people...

Problem is that most of our foods are soya, plasticated and tinned these days even for meat eaters.

Also there has been an idea around for a long time that depression in part is a genetic response to periods of deprivation or low food supplies.

The idea is that in periods of scarcity we become more depressed like.

Since most of the world (powered by petrol these days) generally has the chance of eating a far greater range of foods than we have for the past million years it suggests we are have a better range of nutrients.

No doubt processed food with high sugar, salt and overcooked contents are not as good for us as natural foods but we now have a better choice of food variety and amount than at any other time in our history.

I suspect that food has little effect on clinical depression except in specific circumstances.

Another example:

It is true that the poor and working class have less money for fresh food and lesser education around eating fresh foods.

If food was an issue then it would suggest that clinical depression or mental health issues were more prevalent in the working classes than in the middle or upper classes. (Or less educated.)

The issue that i would really like to stand up for is this concept that those who suffer depression or mental health might due to this or that concept be more aggressive, or use anger, hate,
and rudeness.

Certainly people who suffer health issues often have to 'speak out' or be 'more forceful' to be heard or respected but the balance of mental health issues means that proportion of those who are aggressive or gentle is mostly the same as those within the healthy population.

Given depression and mental health issues have been documented back as far as ancient Greece and even Egypt and I suspect Mesopotamia and Persia I suspect food is not a causal effect and only plays a small part and certainly not around aggressive behavior.

I have no doubt that food has a real effect in the lives of ALL people regardless of health issues and good food will always benefit the unhealthy.

I also have no doubt that certain plants or derivatives are beneficial at times.

It might be useful when opening up a discussion about depression that we define what it means to us given some will think it about their own negative or emotional feelings and some may be experiencing something medical and some believing something else.

As to me.

I need to eat more greens, less sugar, less soy and dance more.

.......Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

What's that?

Sounds interesting.