One problem with asking for depression advice on a Internet forum is that there will be many recommendations. Clinically depressed people typically have very low energy and motivation as the OP has described. The depressed person barely has enough energy to make a few small changes in their life so the large quantity of recommendations can be overwhelming and make things worse rather than making things better.
So my advice to the OP is pick something to work on but don't pick everything. Focus on taking action but don't overwhelm yourself by trying to take action on too many things at once.
I strongly agree with these statements. In my opinion, the biggest problem with viewing depression as a symptom of poor health and lifestyle habits which can be cured through health and lifestyle improvements is that this methodology doesn't work well with the recurring revenue business models of the psychiatry, psychology, and pharmaceutical industries. Some of the people in those industries might have good intentions but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that those industries are much more focused on recurring revenue than on the welfare of their customers.
I'm sure that some people's depression has roots in psychological traumas that will require more than health and lifestyle improvements to treat. However, it seems logical that these problems will be easier to treat in a person whose brain is functioning optimally due to proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, social engagement, exposure to sunlight and fresh air, etc.
Check out the book "The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs" by Stephen Ilardi who is a psychology PhD and researcher. He also has some short videos on youtube which summarize his approach to using drugs as somewhat of a last resort for depression treatment.
So my advice to the OP is pick something to work on but don't pick everything. Focus on taking action but don't overwhelm yourself by trying to take action on too many things at once.
Quote: (12-07-2015 01:18 AM)Phoenix Wrote:
Depression is a signal that you're doing something wrong in your life, or failing to do something fundamental. Thus its boldily purpose is to compel you to rectify that.
Quote: (12-06-2015 10:55 PM)RioNomad Wrote:
My non-doctor opinion is that diet, exercise, sunlight, and lifestyle can fix a lot.
I strongly agree with these statements. In my opinion, the biggest problem with viewing depression as a symptom of poor health and lifestyle habits which can be cured through health and lifestyle improvements is that this methodology doesn't work well with the recurring revenue business models of the psychiatry, psychology, and pharmaceutical industries. Some of the people in those industries might have good intentions but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that those industries are much more focused on recurring revenue than on the welfare of their customers.
I'm sure that some people's depression has roots in psychological traumas that will require more than health and lifestyle improvements to treat. However, it seems logical that these problems will be easier to treat in a person whose brain is functioning optimally due to proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, social engagement, exposure to sunlight and fresh air, etc.
Check out the book "The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs" by Stephen Ilardi who is a psychology PhD and researcher. He also has some short videos on youtube which summarize his approach to using drugs as somewhat of a last resort for depression treatment.