I've written before about depression being natural, and tried to convey in a short story what it's like.
There are those that believe it's a disease that can be treated, and
they may be right, though we're a long, long way from doing so. I
believe that everyone has the right to treat it, or nor treat it, as
they choose, and I believe everyone has the right to take their own
life if it becomes too much to bear. If you can't imagine this, you
just don't know.
I'm skeptical about psychotherapy, and about drugs & herbs, though
I know some people who swear by one or both. Here are some other
therapies that may also work for some people. If you know of others,
let me know.
- Eat Well:
A good balance of foods, nutritional stuff, avoid excess sugar, alcohol
and caffeine, eat regularly and moderately, ensure you get your
vitamins and minerals.
- Light Up Your Life: Turn up the lights, walk in the sun, enjoy candles and lanterns and other exotic lights.
- Listen: To music, happy or sad, whatever transports you, and sing if you want to.
- Talk: To someone you trust, or care about, or love; yelling and crying are OK too if you feel like it.
- Exercise: Get your heart and adrenaline pumping; sex counts too.
- Learn Something New: What TH White said.
- Travel: Go somewhere you've never been, or someway you've rarely travelled. Walking, trains, go-karts, bicycles, whatever you like.
- Spend Time with Animals: Unconditional love, undemanding company.
- Write: No rules, no editing, just writing.
- Be Good to Yourself:
Don't beat yourself up. There's nothing to be guilty for. It's not your
fault. Yeah, I know you've heard this, and to some extent it's crap,
but there's no point punishing yourself for things beyond your control.
Give yourself a break. Do what you want to do. Don't do what you don't
want to do. Give yourself time. Get angry if you feel like it. If
you're up to it, treat yourself to something special. You're good,
important, lovable, even if you (and others) don't believe it right
now. Love yourself as soon and as much as you can. You deserve to be happy, peaceful, free of the demons and the darkness.
Notice that I didn't include 'avoid stress' on this list. I didn't want to insult your intelligence. Now I'm off to walk Chelsea, with the sad and uplifting music of Procol Harum and Blue Rodeo still rattling around my head:
I sat me down to write a simple story which maybe in the end became a song
In trying to find the words which might begin it I found these were the thoughts I brought along
At first I took my weight to be an anchor qnd gathered up my fears to guide me round
But then I clearly saw my own delusion and found my struggles further brought me down
In starting out I thought to go exploring and set my foot upon the nearest road
In vain I looked to find the promised turning, but only saw how far I was from home
In searching I forsook the paths of learning, and sought instead to find some pirate's gold
In fighting I did hurt those dearest to me, and still no hidden truths could I unfold
I sat me down to write a simple story which maybe in the end became a song
The words have all been writ by one before me. We're taking turns in trying to pass them on.
Now I think I know why you sounded so strange on the telephone
It’s hard when you discover what keeps you going keeps you all alone
Dreams so real you thought the smoke might never clear
Now you hide it all behind endless cigarettes and tears
Somebody waits for the time I know will never come
You get yourself so high, then you fall down feeling blue
One day you’ll wake up and realize you’ve had enough
There’s a thousand shining moments waiting just to happen to you
Wait until you’re stronger -- there’s no sense leaving when you’re down so low
Well it takes the heart a little longer to see the point in finally letting go
You lose your touch out there standing in the rain
When it’s all too much you feel like slipping down again
Somebody waits for the time I know will never come
You get yourself so high, then you fall down feeling blue
One day you’ll wake up and realize you’ve had enough
There’s a thousand shining moments waiting just to happen to you
And in two days I leave for Paris. The food there's pretty good, I think.
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MADE IN CANADA
trust your
instincts 
