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Trackerdoc
Join Date: 3/15/2008
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6/24/2012 8:59:11 AM depression
so what if things get bad and off you go into a bout of depression. maybe you get hopeless, lose interest, get apathetic and lose energy or some other combo of the myriad depressive symptoms. what could you do in a post apocolyptic, survival, off grid no access to pharmaceutical or professional help? let mejustsay that there is nothing that we will discuss here that might replace a professional therapist or psychiatrist and dont stop your current treatment! what works?
light?
yes in most studies looking at light therapy there is a positive association with depression improvement independant of vitamin D. getting outside in the sun or using a light box daily seems to help. do it in the morning though and maybe not the best idea if you are bipolar and prone to mania. so o to your sit spot or get outside and work, take a walk without sunglasses, sit in the solarium,something.
SAM E:
most of the studies are small, but on the whole it looks promising. adding it to antidepressants seems to work well and monotherapy may. it actually did as well as tricyclic antidepressants in small studies, but again they were small. its expensive and hard to store outside of blister packs and light, so long term wont be available.
St Johns wort:
its everywhere practically as an herb in the field, but getting it standardized to a consistant dose is pretty hard outside of the lab. its promising, most studies run 50/50, but then again so do most antidepressants. Dont mix it with other antidepressants, it is a mild MAOI and generates some potential for severe hypertensive crisis if used with the wrong meds. i think it stores pretty well.
Exercise:
Kinda hard to avoid this in a grid down situation of any kind. it has been shown to be as good as an SSRI antidepressant and therapy. combining it with either made them work better. again, get outside and for most, it will drive up testosterone and for guys over 40, that may be a huge plus in releiving depressive symptoms
testosterone:
yes, anything to get it up in most men will help. physical activity, sexual activity both help. depression likely drops it in most people. dont take the off label anabolic stuff. i have not problem with the test boosters for most men if OTC and herbal. there is just not alot of good science here to recommend those.
Therapy:
it really doesnt seem to matter what kind of therapy, but talking with a buddy may not be enough. picking an elder, someone with some experience and skill likely is a better choice. take a look at most forms of native culture and what do you see, most practice some form of narative therapy. stories, heros, archtypes, group meals, rights of passage, ritual. even most religions have some for of confession or group work. its an arguement for community.
folate;
not a lot of evidence here, but if you just eat meat, this wont be the only vitamin deficiency with some association with depression you are gonna lack. you need sprouts, green veggies, beans and fruit to thrive here in most cases. i know atkins guys with point to alaskan natives, but i doubt most of us will have access to the sea like they did.
Vitamin D:
Yes it think this is good, and i am storing it just like i do most other suppliments. is the science great, no. i know its in vogue right now and i am all over taking it, but if you have a fairly balanced diet and you get outside enough, you will likely sailing here. if you have kidney disease talk to you doctor.
Kava Kava:
not too bad for anxiety in the short run, but not for depression
Old valium, xanax and other benzo's:
for depression this is stupid. it doesnt help depression. all evidence points toward increased suicide and depression. as a short term aid for sleep or a serious panic attack maybe, but not in a survival situation. very limitted use for this and the withdrawls include seizures. bottom line is get off and stay off.
Old antidepressants.
I use these in my practice every day. they are effective regardless of what scientologists say. Placebo is good too and if you can use it effectively ithas few side effects. these antidepressants though are prescription for a reason. they carry some serious risks and if you dont know how to monitor for mania, arrythmias, suicide and drug interactions you are asking for trouble. I wouldkeep them, but only use them with the help of someone who is trained with them. not my first choice.
thyroid meds:
I use them to augment antidepressants in my practice rarely, but they would have a limitted role without real hypothyroidism in a grid-down situation. keep it, you may need it after the bomb goes off and fries your thyroid or something, but let it be supervised by a doctor. the risk for arrythmia and the like is too high and dosing is too hard to do accurately without lab.
Alcohol
generally its a depressant and I would say avoid it if depressed. if not depressed then in modertion. its dehydrating and sense dulling and you will have an accident or wont be able to fight with I come and take your stuff for my camp :)
Anyway take this stuff as an opening salvo on a discussion. I dont have all the answers but depression is common. better to have thought about it some. Oh and dont forget meditation. Getting into that now,following kamana and learning to use a sit spot, I truly think will help with depression. what other thoughts on grid down depression? Links?
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Trackerdoc
Join Date: 3/15/2008
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6/24/2012 12:40:55 PM
I must mention that one of the best ways I have found to counter depression is compassion. Just a small act of kindness to another has been shoe to alter serotonin levels. I don't have a lot of research to back up this, just experience. It argues for community, sharing, generosity. Not selfishness. In my reasoning on most mental illness it is quite self focused. Changing to an externally focused behavior might help
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DistantThunder
Join Date: 7/31/2008
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6/25/2012 12:15:17 PM Change Your Playlist, Change Your Life
This is a great survival topic. I would add listening to music, maybe not heavy metal, grunge curt Cobain I wanna die stuff. I was intrigued by this book:
Change Your Playlist, Change Your Life: 10 Proven Ways Your Favorite Music Can Revolutionize Your Health, Memory, Organization, Alertness and More
I haven't read it yet, but it's written by professionals and there maybe science to back it up.
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Playlist-Change-Life-Revolutionize/dp/1402260245
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DistantThunder
Join Date: 7/31/2008
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6/25/2012 12:24:26 PM Survival dance
Dancing has a positive effect on the brain, and dancing has been part of primitive cultures as well as modern cultures almost universally. I know that after an evening of dancing I sleep like a log, and poor sleep is often part of the cycle of depression - bad mood, poor sleep, worse mood, worse sleep, and on and on. This article applies mostly to dementia, but we now know there is a connection between ongoing depression and an earlier onset of dementia.
http://www.jewishaustralia.com/benefitsofdancing.htm
I'll look for other links too.
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Trackerdoc
Join Date: 3/15/2008
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6/26/2012 5:32:24 AM
I would have to add in fish oils and high EPA omega 3's as well. Several good studies looking at it. Mostly meta analysis of smaller studies but still look real good. B12 for me is questionable, but has played a part in dementia for a while. I am encouraged by many patients that it helps. We have done a previous thread on where to get it I think before.
Chia seeds are an interesting source for omega 3 as well as fish and game. Even range raised chickens and hogs. Not sure I can think of a lot more sources this am.
I am a big fan of movement and dance. When we went to Africa and spent time with the bushmen,they danced at night and it was so joyous. Jon young was with us, and he is any example along with his wilderness awareness school elders that went, they danced and sang and told stories with great laughter.
Maybe that's another, laughter.
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