Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Stress Management

Did you know that if you suffer from mild depression medication may not help you?  My doctor flat out asked me if I want to be on medication and I think she was please when my response was no. Please, don't think I hold it against people who decide medication is the best treatment option for depression or that people should take those that are available. Quite frankly, I am happy that medication is available if needed.  I just don't think I need it.

I do believe, however, that I suffer from mild to moderate depression, with some bouts bordering on incapacitating. I also believe it is manageable with a good support system and a lot of effort on my part. Yes, I could choose to make this all easier and go on medication (if I could afford it, which is just another thing adding to my stress pile these days), but we cannot guarantee what effect that would have on my memories returning. Depression medication is designed to change the way your brain functions, and my brain is functioning differently enough, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

So what, you may ask, am I doing about my depression (and if you didn't ask, then stop reading my blogs already. You should know by now that I love putting words into my readers mouths. I live to fluster people.) I exercise and take supplements. Not that I've been very faithful at either, but I found a solution for that.

You see (well, actually you can't unless you live nearby, and I respectfully request that you not come gawking just because you can), a while ago my dad's car broke down and we haven't been able to fix it. Someone has to take him to work in the mornings, and that someone has been my mom. (I've been picking him up after work, so stop your griping already!) Well, that has changed as of this week.  Now that it's warming up again, I want to start jogging again, so I take dad to work in the morning, and stop at the track by the state police post to jog for about an hour. When I get home, I grab a banana, a glass of water, and my supplements. (I have now solved my problems on both ends and my mom no longer has to rush around to get ready for work before dad goes in. It's a win-win, people!)

Already, after just two mornings of this I've noticed a big difference.  Yesterday I had the energy to blog, look for a job, knit a dog sweater, finish a book (and start another. Yay for reading!!), take the dog for a couple of walks, go for a second 35(ish) minute walk with my friend Ryan, and stay up researching yarn prices to price my knitting projects accordingly when I try to sell some of them. That's a super productive day for me! Especially lately when I've looked for a job and slept. Not exactly what you would term productive (unless your a slug or sloth. Then that would be considered a good day!)

I guess this proves that my therapist and doctor were right. A healthy mind starts with a healthy body and stress management is from the inside out.

1 comment:

  1. I'm glad you found something that works for you.

    I was on antidepressants for a short period several years ago (which many people do not know, hence my posting anonymously, although I know you well) and I could not live with the side effects. I had to change many things in my life, drastic changes, but learned that I was coping better by making changes than I was with the medication.

    There are many who are "wired differently" enough that medication is completely essential. And there are those who are going to benefit from the medication no matter how they are wired. But it is a decision between a patient and their doctor, and no one else should make that judgement call.

    Anyway, glad you have found a system that works for you.

    ReplyDelete

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