Coping with depression

I received news of the unexpected demise of a friend whom I had not seen for some time. It was truly a shock because I did not know he was sick. I would see his pretty wife every now and then in the beauty salon and she was always in high spirits, smiling and in good shape. She did not give me the impression that anything was amiss with her husband whenever I asked about him. I knew him as an athletic person, always into sports, whether it was tennis, basketball or golf, and was working for the family business.

All was well in their world. Or so it seemed when I spoke to her last. But, come to think of it, more than a year has passed since my last encounter with her. Their situation must have changed because I heard that the cause of his death was a severe case of depression.

I never thought that depression could be as fatal as this. Now, I know that it should not be taken lightly.

Some psychiatrists treat depression with antidepressants and they are right in doing so, but the treatment should not stop there. If a person suffers a heart attack, his cardiologist would not only prescribe pills for cholesterol and blood pressure, and leave it at that. The doctor should give him advice, like to stop smoking, eat less fat, get more exercise, and learn how to cope with stress better.

So, why can’t people with depression be given better treatment? There’s more to curing depression than shoving those antidepressants down their throats.

In his book The Chemistry of Joy, Henry Emmons, MD, a general and holistic psychiatrist in Minneapolis, writes: "Even well-meaning psychiatrists tend to see depressed patients as brain chemistry gone awry rather than as a complex integration of mind, body, and spirit. They are unaware that depression requires a brain-healthy diet and lifestyle."

The chemistry of joy, Emmons says, is built on a foundation of specific nutrients-like B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that affect brain chemicals involved in depression. It is the cornerstone of the three-part program he prescribes in his book.

East Meets West

From western medicine, we have gained great insights into brain chemistry – the balance of chemicals in the brain that determine, to a great extent, our mood, energy level, even our outlook on life. An imbalance of these brain chemicals – serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine – result in depression. Taking supplements (B-6, B-12, folate, omega-3, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and multi-minerals, calcium, magnesium, chromium, copper, zinc, and the right diet) could give a good balance to the brain. These supplements have no downside if taken in reasonable doses.

"When people are under stress, people need more of these nutrients than they ordinarily do. The worst that will happen is their general health is likely to improve."

Through Eastern medicine, specifically Ayurvedic medicine and Buddhist philosophy, "we discover our specific mind-body type, which offers clues to finding balance in our lives. We learn how to rein in thoughts, quell our fears, open our hearts, and practice forgiveness, which provides the path to joy," Emmons explains.

James Gordon, MD, psychiatrist and founder of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC, says, "Depression is more than a brain chemical crisis – it is very much a spiritual crisis. It develops from how one feels and looks at the world, at one’s own life. Treating depression isn’t just about getting it under control with anti-depressants. It is often a matter of transforming your whole life. As we deal with any difficulty in our lives, we can look at depression as an opportunity for profound change."

In his book, Emmons says that depression is a sign, a signal, and it is important to take heed of what it is trying to tell us. It often means we need to change our diet, get more exercise. But it could also be pinpointing toward deeper spiritual and relationship issues that need to be addressed. Unless you recognize the reasons why you are depressed, chances are you will be depressed again and again if you don’t address the different issues, the root cause of your depression.

Life isn’t easy. There are what Emmons calls, "the enemies of joy – factors in our lives that literally depress us. One of these is the problem of ‘mind run rampant’ which causes endless worry. Worries about everything, finances, health, broken friendships, lost loves – so one is endlessly depressed. Another reason is a feeling of isolation that we are going through life alone. Without the sense that the universe is a friendly place to belong as a family, we have great difficulty not becoming depressed."

Psychologists often turn to cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients change their thought patterns. Emmons recommends "mindfulness practice," a Buddhist practice of addressing mind and thought. Mindfulness involves honing the ability to focus on the present moment. It is a way of controlling our thoughts, an opportunity to settle the mind so our thoughts aren’t so active. Even beyond that, mindfulness gives us a means to work more skillfully with whatever problems we are faced with and take them on without feeling overwhelmed.

Creating a "circle of trust, a soul community" of like-minded spirits can help a depressed person feel less isolated in this very scary world.

"As much as anything, depression is a call to community, a stark reminder that we cannot do it alone," Emmons writes. "Any person facing depression can emerge from it a larger person. We can be more than what we were before. We need not be weakened or diminished by depression."

I believe that a depressed person needs many loving shoulders to cry on in order to heal herself/himself and belonging to a community is just as important to our well- being as the inner journey of coming to know ourselves.

Joining organizations, like Couples (or Singles) for Christ, a church group like the one in San Antonio, Forbes Park, or Christian Life Fellowship Center, Victory Church at the Fort, are some suggestions of great support systems that could help heal a person out of his depression.