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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by warmthinthecold on October 7, 2006, at 2:21:45
Best QUICK fixes for depression???I mean fast,long-lasting and on-going?Iv found good music,positive visualisation and sunshine helps to feel good.But what about when the sun aint shining,the stereos broken,and there aint nothing positive going on?
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 7, 2006, at 9:10:05
In reply to quick fix depression, posted by warmthinthecold on October 7, 2006, at 2:21:45
Dunno.
Rhodiola rosea is pretty fast acting - well for an AD anyway. It look around 1.5-2 weeks for the mood brightening efffect to begin....
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Declan on October 7, 2006, at 14:49:54
In reply to quick fix depression, posted by warmthinthecold on October 7, 2006, at 2:21:45
I used to drive to this mountain and climb it twice a week. It took about 5 hours each time. Then I almost felt reasonable.
Posted by pseudoname on October 7, 2006, at 15:03:15
In reply to quick fix depression, posted by warmthinthecold on October 7, 2006, at 2:21:45
(1) Imagine how much worse the situation could be if… [fill in unlikely disaster]
(2) Count your blessings (la-la-la-la-la) ;-)
(3) Toast
Posted by Declan on October 7, 2006, at 18:09:21
In reply to 3 quick fixes for depression » warmthinthecold, posted by pseudoname on October 7, 2006, at 15:03:15
I dunno if it worked that well but I tried the history of the Third Reich and the USSR and matters pertaining and inbetween.
Posted by warmthinthecold on October 8, 2006, at 3:52:57
In reply to Re: 3 quick fixes for depression, posted by Declan on October 7, 2006, at 18:09:21
LOL.
Well theres some interesting quick fixes.
Iv heard alot about this rosea stuff,I'll have to look it up.
Climbing a mountain what a wonderfull idea!! (except if youve got young children) And counting our blessings,well that is so correct.
But what about st john wort? Does it really work? How long does it take before you start feeling anything? ?
Depression (and anziety) stink :-( Are we not sick of it !
Posted by laima on October 8, 2006, at 11:17:39
In reply to Re: 3 quick fixes for depression, posted by warmthinthecold on October 8, 2006, at 3:52:57
My best bet for fast relief seems to be about an hour of very intense excercise- like biking outdoors in the sun on an uninterupted path. That seems to get enough endorphins going and for them to last for awhile, and I end up feeling all ironed and wringed out, too. So my body feels nicer to live in, at least for awhile. Plus I like the feeling of satisfaction that I accomplished something tangible. As a special bonus, if I end up enjoying the weather or feel happy with myself for getting out, I sometimes start smiling, and people will inevitabley then smile back- and that's a super-boost.
Posted by warmthinthecold on October 9, 2006, at 6:15:49
In reply to Re: quick fixes for depression, posted by laima on October 8, 2006, at 11:17:39
> My best bet for fast relief seems to be about an hour of very intense excercise- like biking outdoors in the sun on an uninterupted path. That seems to get enough endorphins going and for them to last for awhile, and I end up feeling all ironed and wringed out, too. So my body feels nicer to live in, at least for awhile. Plus I like the feeling of satisfaction that I accomplished something tangible. As a special bonus, if I end up enjoying the weather or feel happy with myself for getting out, I sometimes start smiling, and people will inevitabley then smile back- and that's a super-boost.
Yes that is true.Accomplishing something tangible.I remember quitting smoking and running and feeling so good.I also remember being out doing this really physically hard job,and the feeling of exhaustion mixed with feeling so good at the end of each day.
Posted by laima on October 9, 2006, at 10:52:36
In reply to Re: quick fixes for depression, posted by warmthinthecold on October 9, 2006, at 6:15:49
> Yes that is true.Accomplishing something tangible.I remember quitting smoking and running and feeling so good.I also remember being out doing this really physically hard job,and the feeling of exhaustion mixed with feeling so good at the end of each day.The bummer is it's not easy to keep up that kind of stamina and commitment! But I suppose doing a reasonable job of it could only contribute to a longer term feeling of staisfaction.
I read something interesting once which I think about from time to time- that several decades ago "psychiatric hospitals" in California had patients doing quite a bit of farm work instead of sitting around in group therapy all day long. They then prepared their own healthy meals from the foods they themselves grew and harvested, and discussed nutrition and savoring moments. The snippet was by a retired psychiatrist who was expressing regret that this was no longer the practice. Laws changed, as some people decided this physical work amounted to exploitation of mental health patients. The writer felt that getting people absorbed into concrete, absorbing, and meaningful tasks that were measurable and even had palpable results was the way to go sometimes. He advocated several hours each day of this sort of activity for anyone suffering from anxiety or depression, and talked about developing a sense of satisfaction, self-sufficiency, belonging, and meaning in addition to giving the troubled mind something manageable to focus on other than only troubles. Like a break or rest for the mind. Sure, classical meditation can do that- but maybe not so easy or realistic for someone very troubled or agitated. Certainly not for someone suffering from an episode of psychosis. It was also supposed to be practice for developing a sense that one can set an intention, and follow through--and hopefully inspiring that confidence of having reasonable control to spread wider into one's life. Also of course, the wholesome work resulted in that good kind of tired you refer too- so sleep was aided. Interestingly, he noted that fewer medications were used in that setting- but I can't remember if he said anything as to whether that was because fewer meds were used then period- or if fewer meds were deemd necessary. It all made a lot of sense... He also wrote about how so many people now are stuck in jobs slogging paper about, involved with only a piece of the process, that they feel alienated from the big picture of their work, are typically chronically behind, sometimes to the point that they feel that there is nothing they could possibly do to be appreciated or caught up, no end in sight, and they are physically inactive, etc. (It was depressing to even read his description.) Shame I can't remember where I saw this or who wrote it.
In any case, in my worst spells, I try to design a couple tasks with this in mind, and I usually do find I experience more relief this way than from, say, calling everyone I know and rehashing over and over whatever is bugging me or how my mood is from one minute to the next. (After a certain point, those conversations just go in circles and seem to magnify problems.) I think there really is something to be said for distraction and physical activity. But it's not the easy route that I wish it was. (Ie- would love to have a drug that I could take for an instant vacation of shere relief--though how long can that keep up, and those sorts of drugs seem to come with many problems and crashes. Oh well. If anyone knows otherwise, do tell!)
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 9, 2006, at 12:35:23
In reply to Re: quick fixes for depression » warmthinthecold, posted by laima on October 9, 2006, at 10:52:36
Hey laima,
Thanks for that interesting and informative post. Perhaps I'll run away and go work on an organic farm or something when I next get a major major crash. Sounds ideal! I often wonder how modern life is making us more 'ill'.
>I think there really is something to be said for distraction and physical activity.
Particulary outdoors, I think.
There's nothing like that tired feeling you get after a hard days hill walking/whatever...
Very very very true!
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by laima on October 9, 2006, at 13:34:10
In reply to Re: quick fixes for depression » laima, posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 9, 2006, at 12:35:23
Hi Meri,Yes, I think about that a lot-physical activity, being outdoors, healthy sorts of distractions.... I also am pretty convinced that being in nature is very restorative, though suspect that's considered a "fringey" notion. So, in Finland now- you must have loads of wonderful opportunities to hike perhaps? I visited Finland once, briefly, as a finale after being an exchange student in lower Scandinavia years ago, and was enchanted by so much forest and the saunas. On the last night of our program, we had an April night sauna followed by jumping into snow and icy lake. Talk about exhileration and distraction from other concerns! Major sensory experience! How are you liking it? Do you feel a culture shock, or more connection?
best wishes,
Laima
> Hey laima,
>
> Thanks for that interesting and informative post. Perhaps I'll run away and go work on an organic farm or something when I next get a major major crash. Sounds ideal! I often wonder how modern life is making us more 'ill'.
>
> >I think there really is something to be said for distraction and physical activity.
>
> Particulary outdoors, I think.
>
> There's nothing like that tired feeling you get after a hard days hill walking/whatever...
>
> Very very very true!
>
> Kind regards
>
> Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 10, 2006, at 9:08:49
In reply to Re: quick fixes for depression » Meri-Tuuli, posted by laima on October 9, 2006, at 13:34:10
Hey Laima!
>I also am pretty convinced that being in nature is very restorative,
Yep, me too. I personally find it really good.
>So, in Finland now- you must have loads of wonderful opportunities to hike perhaps?
Yes, I do! There are loads of trails around the 'burbs and whats even better, is that they're pretty wild (ie proper nature) - and very safe!
>On the last night of our program, we had an April night sauna followed by jumping into snow and icy lake. Talk about exhileration and distraction from other concerns! Major sensory experience!
Yes thats pretty typical here! I read somewhere that a doctor in the UK recommended saunas to this guy who was allergic to modern chemcials - apparently all that sweating clears out the toxins faster. And apparently it helps tone the parasympathic nerveways or something......well anyway they feel good.
>How are you liking it? Do you feel a culture shock, or more connection?
I'm really liking it - my mother is Finnish and lives here anyway (along with a million other relatives), so there isn't much of a culture shock! So, its kinda feels pretty natural to be here. In fact, there isn't one thing I miss about the UK - well except my bf is there still and my cat....and I actually do miss the organic supermarkets and healthfood shops you get in the UK. And I miss my herbalist....but everything else I much much much prefer.
Where do you live?
Take care!
Kind regards
Meri
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