I get depressive episodes every winter here ... I get the glimmerings of it around November, as the days get shorter, and then it worsens, and hits a peak (or trough, should I say!) in February, after which I make a rapid recovery with the advent of Spring, and am (usually) a ray of sunshine for the rest of the year! Some people say that it's seasonal, and can't be helped. I prefer to think of it as a kind of period of hibernation, during which I'm resting and renewing myself. But, it's not a pleasant time for me, and it's not very nice for the people around me, either. I should like to stave it off, once and for all.

Andre, do you have any practical ideas of what I can do this time around? I'd rather not take meds (and besides they are not easily available in Japan). Somebody has mentioned to me that engaging in at least 30 mins of vigorous exercise first thing every morning will certainly prevent or alleviate depression .... I dunno, I think I'd rather suffer!

Hope all is well with you these days. I appreciate your posts and comments about these things.

Miko,

Depressing certainly is a debilitating state and not one to look forward to having. I wrote two articles on this topic within the past year...

http://www.andrebest.com/archives/for_when_youre_depressed_defeated_downcast.html

http://www.andrebest.com/archives/there_are_only_two_causes_of_depression.html

They might help you understand my take on this whole deal with depression as a suffering state.

I would agree that any form of exercise is helpful; however, it is not a cure. At least that is not what I've experienced. Yes, it does take my mind off of the state while I'm busy exercising, but after finishing I found that it would be back again.

I found that what helped me was to put my body's chemicals back in balance as some types of depression can be related to long-term chemical impbalances in the brain and other neurological systems.

If you can't take meds I'd suggest talking with your doctor about what type of over-the-counter vitamins would help. St. John's Wort comes to mind, but be sure to check with your doctor first to get the best advice in this regard.

I recall that when I was in university in Alberta, Canada the winters were very long, very dark, and very VERY cold. Edmonton is the northernmost city of its size north of Siberia. That's far north to say the least. So I know what you're going through.

During university we would have something called 'Reading Week' during the same week in February each year. This is akin to the U.S.'s 'spring break'. Now why would a university have their spring break in the dead of winter? Because that was historically when the most suicides occurred at the university. So they figured that giving the kids a break during that week would reduce the suicides.

For the most part it worked. That is, I only remember one suicide during my four years there when a kid jumped off the roof of the eight-story residences I was staying in.

I suggest that you read my two articles referenced above (if you haven't already done so) so as to gleen some understanding as to my take on this topic. I do have more to share but perhaps things will be in better context after you read my two short articles.

Please comment again and let's continue this discussion. :-)

Andre

Whoah, you were depressed for twenty years? Do you have any idea of what caused it in the first place? I was a very depressed child and adolescent, and I realise now that it was really a form of "learned helplessness" (and really, what is depression if not that?) because ... well, things were not too good at home. Sorry, at the moment I'm just knackered and can't comment further, today I started work at 10 AM and finished at 8 PM! Just posted here to let you know that I'd read the articles you referred to. By the way, we can get St. John's Wort OTC here, is that the "liquid vitamin" you mentioned, or is it something else? Thanks!

Miko,

You hit the nail right on the head with your reason for what caused you to become depressed. Mine was the same kind of home life combined with a burgeoning youth trying to figure himself out in this crazy world.

But, no, the liquid vitamin I mention is only available in North America. And I still take it after over eight years now.

So, after reading the articles do you have any other questions or comments about depression that perhaps we can share and offer insights on?

Just curious.

Andre

Yes, I have loads and loads of questions for you, but they are rather personal so I'd better stick to the topic, hadn't I!

Tell me one thing though, do you find that since you became a parent have you been able to cope with depression more easily? I ask this because actually, in early 2001 I had a kind of complete nervous breakdown that was like nothing I had ever experienced before. It was bad even by my standards (which is saying something!). And yet .... I got through it by myself, without seeking help, and without anybody noticing. Somehow I managed to put a brave face on it, in spite of my mental anguish (which was extreme). I was still able to function as a worker and more importantly, as a parent. I mean, even though I was feeling like utter shit and barely had the energy to open my eyes in the morning, I still managed to summon up the strength to get up, make breakfast, check homework, feed the cat, go to work and act "normal" and responsible enough to put enough food on the table to repeat the same pattern day after day, etc.

Slowly I came out of it - I think it took about six months. (Be aware that at the time I was firmly convinced that I had lost my mind and that things would never, ever get better for me. I actually didn't even care if I lived or died. The only thing that kept me going was my duty as a parent, which I fulfilled like an automaton.)

My winter "hibernations" pale in comparison, I assure you! Because at least I know that they are going to end with the Spring. By the way, the suicide rates go higher the farther north you go in Japan, which is probably no surprise to you I'm sure.

Anyway, what's this vitamin that you are still taking after eight years?

Miko,

I found that my depression subsided and then totally disappeared due to a number of factors...

- the birth of my oldest son
- my discovery of Truth teachings that were hard to swallow but good medicine
- a realization that I was no longer just living 'for myself'

There are many aspects to discovering what makes a person change their inner nature if they're so inclined; however, I've found that this type of intrinsic change is always very individualistic.

Depression as a form of suffering is something that all humans suffer from at many varying points during their life. I'm no exception. Even now.

However, I do not get 'stuck' in any bout for any length of time anymore. That's what good about this now.

Like you said, one does have daily responsibilities to themselves and their children when they're a parent and this sometimes becomes the driving force keeping that person moving forward allthewhile being depressed.

So, I've found that a person, like you shared, can function in life yet still have a lot of inner turmoil inside. Again, I'm no different at times from the rest of the masses.

I've found that it simply comes down to what one believes as far as their role and responsibility in their own life. A saying that I will take to the grave with me is the saying 'the only thing one can truly control in their life is their *reaction* to events in their life.'

So, even though Life still comes at us as long as we're vertical, we do have a choice as to how we 'react' to Life. Some choose powerlessness. Some choose despair and hopelessness. Some choose fear and anxiety. Some choose a very dark place.

But I found that this choice is what can get one out of depression, over time, once they truly understand that depression is not a true state of being (for the most part) but rather a state of mind.

Of course this is all very obtuse and perhaps simplistic; however, once a person delves into discovering what is truly going on in their mind on a daily basis they find that there is so much that they can see. And this seeing is the beginning of the way out.

And your questioning your own depression, believe it or not, is your own seeing that perhaps there is a way out of depression.

And good for you. :-)

Andre

P.S. The liquid vitamin I take is called Complete; however, it's only available in North America. My website for it is http://www.best.awarenesshealth.com

Andre,

Life is a Great Time Pass.

Sun rises and sun sets.

Moon rises and moon sets.

Day and nights come and go.

Winter, summer, rain come and go.

People are born, people die.

Sometimes its sunlight, some times its dark.

Sometimes a person is our friend, sometimes that person is not our friend.

Cities are built and cities are destroyed.

Nations are built and nations are destroyed.

We get hungry, we eat and again we get hungry.

We take bath today and we take bath again next day.

We go to sleep and we wake up.

We wake up and again we go to sleep.

Again and again we do this daily.

We shut down our computers and we start our computers.

We say this is mine, after our death "what is ours"

Rajesh