For the longest time I have wondered if depression is an inherited trait or is it something chemically wrong with the wiring in your brain.
I have come to some conclusion (non scientific) that I believe its an inherited trait. I have always felt like I have been combating depression since I was a child. I always felt odd and different from everyone else. While I believe my depression was situational and based on something that happened I also believe I was a bit more prone to it because its just in my genes.
I believe my maternal grandmother suffered from depression. She was ill most of her life and I think that caused a lot of it. I also believe my mother has that same depressive gene because she is now on medication for it as well. What is strange is it seems to have passed my sister and my brother. I know one does not follow the other but while depression may have passed her she has my mother's high blood pressure and I don't have it.
I am not fond of drugs. I mentioned I have been on Zoloft for 10 years and off it for at least 5 years. I suffered a heart attack one year ago and was supposed to be on a slew of medication but I've opted for Asprin as a blood thinner. I exercise my heart rigorously twice a week (indoor cycling) and it seems to help a great deal. I have found a cardiologist and not looking forward to hear him say I have to be on meds again.
I know you probably think I'm stupid for playing Russian Roulette with my life but I mean honestly, we're all going to die one day. My heart used to beat funny after my heart attack and since getting back to indoor cycling it doesn't beat strange anymore.
I know people who were insulin dependent diabetics with renal failure who lost weight and cured themselves completely. Doctors told them they would be on the medicine the rest of their lives.
If anyone is not feeling well for any reason, unless it is life threatening or rapidly progressing, I believe that if a person assesses their lifestyle and considers unhealthy habits before considering medication, they would find that at least 50% of their symptoms, whether physical or mental, would disappear.
High fat, High sugar, High carbohydrate diets comprised of fried foods, prepackaged food or preserved foods that contain more chemicals than nutrients can cause terrible symptoms. This habit alone can cause diabetes, fatty liver, diverticulitis, colon cancer, obesity, chronic constipation, depression, muscle and bone aches, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, disturbed sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating.
If a person wants to treat symptoms they could end up with a bathroom cabinet filled with different medications, and still be ill. Along with all those pills come a bunch of side effects.
Lack of physical activity causes chronic fatigue, and poor attention span, and chronic aches and pains.
Smoking and drinking hurt every organ in the body.
I think people should do everything they can to eliminate these bad habits in their lifestyle before considering medication.
If you still feel bad after that, then go ahead and take a medication if your doctor thinks it will help.
Exercise does wonders for the mood! Especially yoga.
I myself am feeling depressed lately, but i know it is mostly because of all the things I mentioned here.
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude
I agree with you. My father is depressed as well as my brother. I do not understand why depression hasn't struck my brother or me yet( but we are all nervous and anxious which is from our mother)
It has been known for a while that anxiety is past down through family http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2008/03.06/12-anxiety.html
indeed passed down through the family, but that could be simply because living with depressed people makes people depressed. Parents are like God to children. Whatever a parent feels or does impacts the child.
How many children who have been raised by depressed adults, family or otherwise, would not manifest signs of depression?
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude