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----- Original Message ----- From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 10:57 PM Subject: Re: depression > Friends-- I received this from a friend on another list, and because I > liked the suggestions of the counselor, I got her permission to post it > here---FWIW to anyone of either list: > ******* > S.T. wrote: > >i just got back from seeing the counselor about depression prevention. > >This guy has specialized in depression, and I really like him. I got more > >ideas in one hour than some counselors have offered over months of > >appointments! > > > >1) Treat depression like diabetes: something you have and need to manage, > >but if managed it needn't be life-threatening or limiting. > > >2) Keep a schedule. He said what I've discovered on my own--I don't do > >well with a completely fluid schedule. > > >3) Eat regularly and well. > > >4) Make a plan with/for your support system. Ask > >friend(s)/family/co-workers to do something if they notice your behavior > >moving toward a depressed pattern. I'm a little fuzzy on this one. I > >don't know that there is anyone in my life who notices unless I tell them > >how I'm feeling, and when I'm depressed enough to 'fess up about it it's > >too late. I just look too damned competent and I cover well, I guess. Any > >ideas? Did anyone notice my depression before I mentioned being suicidal > >last winter? > > >5) Go back up on my dosage of Zoloft before I feel a need for it. (I cut > >down for summer.) > > >6) Use the light box --he's going to do some research on exactly how to use > >it & e-mail it to me. > (She suffers from SAD--Seasonal Affective Disorder --in winter, and light > therapy seems to help her.) > > >7) Give my husband something he can do to help me, even if it's the > >equivalent of > >boiling water during childbirth. I think I'll come up with some meals he > >can prepare when I'm down - hopefully something equally simple but a little > >better than his usual frozen pot pies. > ********* > I think it's good to have ideas for things we cxn do to help ourselves, > that don't depend on meds. > Perhapos others would add some tips from their experience? > > Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter 82/70/55 > Oxford, Ohio > <[log in to unmask]> > > on PDWebring at > http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm > > "Ask me about the CARE list for > Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " > And visit the CARE webring at > http://www.crosswinds.net/~caregivers/index.html > >