Posted by papillon2 on February 22, 2012, at 22:13:49
In reply to Re: music better than meds?, posted by JohnLA on February 22, 2012, at 17:14:48
> so very true sigi. i also taught music history for over 25 years. a true test of anhedonia is not 'feeling' the music you once loved. it's a double-edged sword for me. i also cry a lot more because music was my life in many ways and i cannot emotionally connect to it now. if i separate my lack of emotional response i find it absolutely bizarre that something that once touched me so very deeply makes me feel nothing except a longing that seems to have disappeared. i'm not crying due to the sadness, but due to the emptiness that has replaced something i loved so much.
>
> i have read that it's not 'depression' unless you have anhedonia. well, i got it and it sucks.
>
> johnI played the piano for many years and was reasonably accomplished. I have barely touched it since my first episode of major depression in 2004. Brain's too slow, I have zero interest, and it makes me more painfully aware of all I have lost. Strangely enough, I regained interest in piano and ballet dancing (another life-long pleasure) for a short period of time while on Remeron. But that discussion is for a different thread. ;-)
So in answer to Lou's question:
- exercise
- sunlight
- psychotherapy
- forcing yourself to do things you aren't interested in but ordinarily would be (e.g. getting out of bed or out of the house, spending time with friends)
- nutritious diet
- supplements such as omega 3
- meditation, unless it makes you more depressed or anxious (possible!)I believe in chucking everything at depression.
Ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in
~ Leonard Cohen
poster:papillon2
thread:1011122
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120221/msgs/1011254.html