NFT: Speaking of depression and anxiety

a lot of "depression" and "anxiety" could be driven by diet. We over consume processed foods and sugars unlike any generation before us. I think a lot of people are consuming things that aren't good for their body. I went through it and had to cut certain things out, and everything else kind of fell into place.

never heard of it til Phil's thread. quick google shows reviews of mixed results.

Since the body has a very complicated electric system, there very well could be (probably is) scientific merit to stimulating/adjusting the system. Whether the F/W device is a scientifically driven application, or just a higher tech version of wearing copper/quartz/etc is another question.

electrically messing with the body could possibly be just as beneficial, or harmful, as messing with it chemically, so I would be wary of blithely assuming there are no risks, including the possibility you could be avoiding real treatment in favor of a hokey sales pitch (if that's what F/W turns out to be)
maybe good, maybe not link - ( New Window )

diet is certainly an aspect of mental wellness. mental health is a complex thing, though, so no one method of addressing it is going to work for all. but, a good diet is a sensible, no risk, start, and should be practiced by all, even if you don't have depression/anxiety issues.

exercise and proper sleep are the cornerstone

ECT is highly effective for severe depression as well.

Ketamine is an interesting new direction as well

I take a holistic approach. My family history is dominated by alcoholism, depression, and anxiety. And lots of people who died very, very young.

One, no alcohol. Duh.

Exercise, diet, rest. All critical, as already mentioned on this thread.

Also a key component - meditation. Regular, not intermittent.

Not to be forgotten - regular, planned FUN. Have some fun! Plan a vacation and go. I do glassblowing these days. Love it! And I'll make a second trip to Iceland this spring. This past summer, four long weekends at the beach.

And, repressed/suppressed emotion is deadly. It goes somewhere, it doesn't vanish. For me, it goes to depression first, then anxiety. So, I have to be emotionally open and honest. Or deal with the alternative, which sucks.

I think it all begins with a decision, an attitude. I have one life and this shit is not going to mess it up! Then, I take the actions that back up the attitude.

Be careful about watching the Giants, too. Especially this year. That could really fuck you up!

the results can not be as easily monitored or predicted as with medication (and proper therapy and supervision). Greatest efficacy rate is combo of meds and therapy by far. Ive seen it and lived it very close to me

but I wonder if it is the way one thinks that is the crux. Lets say that your mind develops a pattern in the way it thinks: dark thoughts. Is it possible to catch that first though and stop it dead in its tracks before you go down that dark slope? Make your thoughts go in a different direction ; compartmentalize better? This is a learned practice

there are absolutely behavioral skills that can help tremendously with depression (google DBT). That said, they cannot fix a chemical imbalance in the brain. Its a combo

Fisher Wallace has FDA approval

A lot of wishful thinking on this thread and good advice for everyone, including those with mental illness.

But important to remember there is incontrovertible scientific evidence many mental health issues are biochemical issues and no level of health living and good thoughts will fix real health issues.

Therapeutic practices and medicines have improved greatly in your life time and save lives every day.

at the age of 23 when dad arranged for a prefrontal lobotomy. So in the 1940s (not that long ago) doctors were willing to remove portions of the brain "just for the fuck of it" without any clue what they were doing.

It seems not much has changed.