Posted by Kai on February 18, 2002, at 14:09:59
In reply to Diet/Lifestyle change that REALLY help depression, posted by spike4848 on February 18, 2002, at 9:43:55
I really believe that what you eat affects your mental health.
I never ate breakfast, just coffee and something later. When your body crashes from not being fueled properly, you just end up more tired and more depressed. I eat very carefully now. I don't eat junk food, I don't drink sodas. Lot's of water, fruit, vegetables, and lean protein.
I allow myself one cup of coffee in the morning and then I switch to water.
I used to drink a lot of alcohol. I never wanted to listen to the advice that it just made everything worse. When I was (yet again) so depressed that I could not function at all. Something clicked, I do not drink at all anymore. I have no desire to. Alcohol works against everything the medication is trying to do. It is like pouring gasoline on a fire.
I am having very good results with effexor xr, this is the first time in almost 30 years that I am not trying to "control" my depression. I am learning to live without a fight (and self medicating).
When you are depressed you don't care about what you eat (or drink). It is tough because it really does make a difference. My Dr. gave me a "prescription" to exercise at least half an hour every day when I first started effexor. I went for a walk at first. Now I am swimming, running, and going to the gym. I don't let myself take naps. Effexor does affect my sleep. I have lots of dreams and I do not always get enough sleep(then one night I'll sleep 14 hours to make up for it). My life is very different now for the better.
poster:Kai
thread:94489
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020215/msgs/94503.html