Re: Depression / anxiety
 

The poor thing, does he suffer from anxiety too or just depression on it's own? The reason I ask is my 12 year old son has recently started having anxiety attacks and when looking into it I saw that they were connected so just curious on your experiences, if you don't mind my asking. I have no idea how to help my boy. Currently just trying to build his confidence up and reassure him so that he is open and honest about how he's feeling and to try and understand his perspective. It is such a worry :(

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Very well put. I had to learn not to argue or retaliate when my OH tried to help. I knew I was saying things that were not what I would say if well. I could flash back some terribly hurtful things if pushed.

The thing that really started my understanding (and this was years after benefiting from medication) was reading a book I found in Singapore of all places. It's a BMA Family Doctor Guide called 'Depression' by Dr Greg Wilkinson.
Both me and my OH could completely identify with the way he describes symptoms and reactions. OH kept saying 'You do that!' as he was reading it. Things neither of us had associated with depression.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

The world is ridiculously stressful these days. Life has become astronomically more complex and fast paced and for many people it is just too much, problems mount up and it seems too hard to get out of it. This is often where depression and anxiety starts.

Many people are forced to spend too much time devoted to work to earn enough money to live well and then when they are not working they have to deal with the myriad of stresses in their lives that are typical of modern life. Technology seems to run our lives and most people are overwhelmed by it in the sense that it affects day to day life.

Living in cities these days is akin to completely removing and alienating yourself from the natural world and also alienates you from the basic concepts of community, which is an unnatural way to live, yet urbanisation is becoming more and more rampant, especially in Australia where in my opinion it is out of control.

Life in country towns and villages tends to be a lot more functional, but this is not the way most people live these days. Everyone needs to be close to a city because that's where all the work is and where everything 'happens'. In cities there is a genuine 'everyone for themselves' feeling compared to out in the country communities. It is an unhealthy environment basically and it contributes to many people becoming depressed and anxious.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Mostly irrelevant IMHO. It's chemicals in your head, not a lifestyle thing.

Farmers are very prone to depression.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Are you trying to infer there's something wrong with being a dyke?

Speaking of dykes did you hear they've found a gay dinosaur... It's being named lickalottapus

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

I know I said no drugs but you might want to investigate 5-HTP, I have used it successfully to get over bouts of insomnia and it is said to improve mood.

Totally natural too.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

If it's chemicals, then chemicals are the fix...booze...

Seems that as humans we are like lab rats and are prone...

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Alcohol is a depressant and should be avoided for anyone suffering depression, clearly.

For some people it is a chemical imbalence which will not be helped by sending them off into the country to raise chickens.

There are chemicals and then there are chemicals ... Adding booze vs Adding a medication designed to allievate specific imbalences are completely different things.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Something I have had limited success with (and would recommend for people with anxiety to try) is the Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT.

If you haven't heard of it, it is worth a google.

The tapping looks weird but, for whatever reason, I do think it can make you feel better.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

I have been doing this today on weight loss. :thumbsup:

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Isn't that a technique that Paul McKenna uses?

Has anyone tried mindfulness? The research that I've done on the subject suggests that it's very effective.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Buddhism works for me,and trust me i have some demons:thumbdown:

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Mindfulness is based on Budhist meditation, following on from studies of the physical changes that were recorded in the monks bodies during meditation.

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

Just like Belladonna

Re: Depression / anxiety
 

The results of studies on it make it compelling.

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...-better-brain/

There's some very good perspectives on mindfulness here