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Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Candombera — Sun, 21 May 2017 09:56:46 GMT

Hi,
I'm new here and I’d like to contribute to your journey by telling my story.

I was diagnosed with severe depression when my son was 9 months old. Hospitalised four times with heaps of medication. Professionals,
family and friends took care of me. I tried everything: group therapy, mindfulness, art therapy, meditation, reiki and electroshock therapy. Nothing was enough to lift me up.

I eventually got a bit better and was sent home. The hospital was after all, a safe place. Being home alone with my tortured brain wasn’t
easy. The cloud got bigger and the days and nights endless.

Months went by…. I had to get a job, get my life back. Do things, pretend to be well and happy. The cloud on my head was still there, on and
off. My medication, therapy, breathing techniques, walks in nature.. weren’t doing much for my recovery. I wondered If I was ever going
to get back to my old self.

 One day, a meditation teacher suggested I should call an ayurvedic doctor for a consult. I had vaguely heard about Ayurveda, the Indian science of life. Hesitant and sceptical, I decided to give it a go. I had a Skype session with the most amazing practitioner.
She suggested drastic changes on my lifestyle and my diet. Getting up at 5.30am, going for a walk, getting home, doing yoga and meditation. No red meat, no most carbohydrates, no sweets, no alcohol.

I was overwhelmed and grumpy, but I embraced the challenge. I put all my energy into this, and I started to feel much better in a couple of
months.  My ayurvedic doctor told me on the first session that the purpose of this treatment, long term, was that I would stop taking my
medication. I told the news to my psychiatrist. He laughed at me. He said I would be on my meds at least for five years.

 It’s been a year since I started my ayurvedic journey. I lost ten kilos and haven’t been sick since (not even a cold). I’m now on the minimum dose of my medication, before getting off it forever. It’s been an incredible ride. My life gave a 180 degrees turn. I’m happy and grateful to be alive .

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

ro63 — Sun, 21 May 2017 10:17:07 GMT

Hi Candombera, Firstly welcome and what a journey you've had ,and thank you for sharing your story with everyone it's alway's nice to hear what works for people and may work for others too.I am a big fan of yoga and have been to a couple of Ayurveda workshops and it makes perfect sense to me if your dosha's are out of alinement then health issues come up ,good on you for taking on this and Im glad it worked for you ,and once again thanks for sharing.All my best Ross.

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

geoff — Sun, 21 May 2017 22:04:12 GMT

hi Candombera, I haven't been in contact with any professional who uses Ayurveda, but it's always helpful for other people to think about doing if nothing else seems to be working.
I don't believe that any technique you use is not worthwhile, because everyone reacts to certain types of medication and therapy, and if this has done the job for you, then I am so proud of you, because you had so much to struggle with.
Please keep in touch with us as others maybe still interested in your progress, and thanks for letting us know. Geoff.

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Doolhof — Sun, 21 May 2017 22:46:29 GMT

Hi Candombera,

My questions is, how did you manage to stick to this and commit yourself to it? I start up a more healthy routine only to forget a week later that is what I had planned to do?

Congratulations to you. I admire your staying power!

Cheers from Mrs. D.

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Candombera — Mon, 22 May 2017 09:40:27 GMT

Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for your replies and support!
Yes, I'm planning to keep in touch to see if I can be of any help for others.

@Mrs. D.
It was hard at the beginning, but once you start to notice that you feel a lot better, that's enough motivation to keep going. And there's a point when your body gets used to the healthy lifestyle, and there's no turning back from that. This doesn't mean that you can have a treat every now and then! 😉

Unfortunately, Ayurveda is not that well-known here. I believe that the combination of the diet and meditation transformed the chemistry of my brain.

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Doolhof — Wed, 24 May 2017 06:27:40 GMT

Hi Candombera,

I've read in many different places and heard people say that when you do something for 6 weeks then it becomes a habit and you will keep at it.

That doesn't seem to work for me. I can go swimming say for three days a week for months, then suddenly stop and forget that I had ever been swimming.

Same with walking. Every day of the week I went for a walk. One morning I just woke up and it was like I had never been walking at all and it took me months to get back into it again.

I've tried discussing this with my Dr. but he can't understand it. Nor do I. Makes no sense at all and confuses me at times.

Guess I just have to keep trying!

Cheers from Mrs. D.

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

demonblaster — Sun, 28 May 2017 07:04:19 GMT

Congrats, what a relief, I don't doubt that diet plays a strong part in our mental abilities.
Interesting learning about Ayurveda so is it basically the new eating you mentioned and meditation?

Question about the depression though I think you've answered it on op but did you have times when the depression lifted but majority down? or all the time.

I have Bipolar and it's before and after cycles.
I'm completely dedicated to beating this though a psychiatrist was getting a bit hacked off with me lol, saying I'm gunna beat it (Realised he's heard that soooo often, but I say cause it hasn't been done doesn't mean it can't).
I'm going at it differently though have lost 50kgs and another 30ish to go so am starting to do the vegie and salad stuff, (whoop whoop, nah it's not bad actually) and doing it by insight, untold thinking, searching for why I'm so low and working on fixing from there, huge progress so far over past 10 yrs but it's now I'm really getting stuck in.

Great hearing of someone that is back to happy, stoked for ya and healthy, did you have to replace think it's some B vitamins from red meat with nuts or other foods?

cya, well done

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

demonblaster — Sun, 28 May 2017 07:07:27 GMT

yeah know what you mean about the bursts then zooooom nada re motivation, think I'll stick with walking hills, very stimulating, tighten up da blubba, core strength, people contact with smiles or chats with ones ya know.
looking around, loven it.

low motivation is major to push through aye.

All best

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Candombera — Sun, 28 May 2017 21:09:33 GMT

Hi Mrs. D,

Sorry for late response. Yes I wonder why you wake up one day and decide you're no longer interested in the activities you've been doing regularly. Do you enjoy doing these things? Because enjoying them is the best way to keep going.

I feel good after a walk every morning, and I'm sure you too. I'm not a swimmer but I imagine doing it 3 times a week will bring lots of benefits to your health, lift your mood etc
Don't you get a sense of achievement when you do stuff that's good for you? I agree with you on the yes, keep going! May be try different things until you find something that you can really enjoy.

Have a great day!

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Candombera — Sun, 28 May 2017 21:51:46 GMT

Hi demonblaster,

Congratulations on being so committed to beating your illness! I think that's huge.
Ayurveda is very complex to explain. But it's ultimate goal is to create balance. If you want a more detailed explanation you can Google: Deepak Chopra on Ayurveda.

For me it was mostly diet, yoga, meditation but also changing the times I wake up and go to bed, because that would affect my balance too. So now I get up at 5-5.30am and go to bed before 10pm if I can. But it could be different for others as the treatment is tailored to individual needs.

In regards to my depression, there had been moments of feeling a bit better, but most of the time I felt really down.

In regards to red meat, last time I did a blood test (few weeks ago) my GP told me my iron levels were as high as ever! Not sure where it's coming from. May be lentils, salmon etc

Wish you all the best on your recovery journey and looking forward to hearing more about it!

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

demonblaster — Mon, 29 May 2017 00:14:05 GMT

Thanks Candom
yeah I've been thinking about the Ayurveda, so glad it's helped you, it's interesting. One day I will learn more about it. Good hearing success stories.

Good diet makes sense, we get so much for our bodies from different foods.

Yes a clinical Psyhcologist a while back gave me stuff on sleep studies and they were saying same to try and keep bed times around the same too. In BP sleeps all over the shop but I do get some with not a sleeper but it turns my brain off usually so get a few hours but the exhaustion at the other end from not enough and charged brain activity is phenomenal though I've over the yrs through a kinda meditation learnt to bring down the highs somewhat so the brains turned ON more now than in super charge.

I've been thinking too about balance, during a high there's all the stuff happening for success in what ever you wanna do, motivation, ideas, energy, (abundance) happy, vision, etc and in the between times after recovery nada, thinking if I can push through the nadas, will create more balance.

Best to you too Candom 🙂

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

demonblaster — Mon, 29 May 2017 21:44:17 GMT

Candom I've started looking into Deepak Chopra (heard of him before) & Ayurveda. Thanks
Liking and I've only seen tiny bit so far, they're working from within, (our conciousness) as well as other parts of our body Hollistic healing (whole body) which I'm dedicated too.
Correct me if I'm wrong anywhere 🙂

Struggling atm, am sure this is going to help.

Was it costly, I'm not financial at all.
If it is I'll keep looking at vids you tube reading, actually I'll go library today

You're an aspiration
You must feel so good, and you've been through so much without success.
Power to you

I'll definately be back here.

Thanks for putting this up.

How are you feeling majority of time now?
Do you have bad times still or able to control before spiralling
Health?

It all makes sense, eating properly, working through our minds, excercise

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Candombera — Tue, 30 May 2017 10:36:41 GMT

Hi demonblaster,

Thanks for your kind words 😉 Yes, you're right about Ayurveda being a holistic healing that not only works on the mind but also heart, senses and soul.

I'm sure that Ayurveda can help you too! It's affordable. In Sydney a face to face consultation is around $70 and some clinics have Skype sessions for $55. Plus the cost of tablets/supplements recommended by the practitioner. At the beginning, I was having a session per month, and now every 2-3 months.

At the moment I'm feeling great, better than ever I dare to say. And no, I didn't have any bad times since I started with Ayurveda. My health is in perfect conditions and most important, my brain is too. I have lots of energy, more confidence, more concentration and enjoying life.

Happy to share this knowledge to help anyone on their journey.
Cheers

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Doolhof — Tue, 30 May 2017 21:49:33 GMT

Hi Candombera,

You have made some good points in your reply. I have no idea why I suddenly stop doing things and seem to forget I had been doing them for months. I do enjoy going for a walk, I do also seem to forget that I had been out walking in the first place sometimes.

While walking for example I do try to connect to all that is around me, activating my senses where possible.

I'm going to write out your thoughts and ponder them later so I can find ways to become more grounded, connected and in the moment.

Maybe I have shut myself down so much over the years I have forgotten how to be in the present moment! There! Maybe I have just answered my own quandary! Thanks again for your suggestions and comments.

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

demonblaster — Tue, 30 May 2017 22:16:41 GMT

Yes Doolhof walking is great for stimulation

It pulled me outta really bad downs yesday, thought I wasn't gunna beat them mind you I got stuck into serious hills but worked Phew

Yeah I re read posts too, helpful

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Doolhof — Wed, 31 May 2017 21:49:00 GMT

Hi demonblaster,

Walking is great on so many levels isn't it. I'm from a small town with a highway running through the middle of it. I try to avoid the highway as much as possible and try to walk along the less busy roads.

There is a waking trail not far away, so I hope to explore more of that. I do find some times I need the motivation to get out the door and go for a walk.

We have some National Parks near us as well, I hope to explore more of those as well. One has lots of kangaroos in it. Might be a nice time of year to return there.

Wishing you well with your health!

Cheers from Doolhof

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

demonblaster — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 00:48:59 GMT

Hey Dool 🙂

yeah true on so many levels, it's also being out and around people even if there's no acknowledgement which though there usually is a quick Hi or smile that in itself is warming.
I've noticed people usually if they're going to make contact, wait until they're within a metre or so before saying G'day. Nice living in a place where people do say hi and smile.
Lived untold places in Oz and this is one of the top ones for beauty and friendly, people are happy here mostly. Paradise

Sounds lovely where you are, I love walking bush but scared of the nasties and if someone could be around with bad intent, sounds bit paranoid I know but is reality too. On saying that where I met my love that passed with leukaemia over 2yrs ago I met in the thick of Aussie bush cutting Tea tree, boy was that an experience, usually in knee deep water amongst the nasties. (some people included lol) The worst & MY GOD was painful, a spider got my toe, wow something so small can inflict maximum pain, would have been less pain to chop it off.
Love trees esp dead ones lol they've got history and character. Vines & grandfathers beard & other hanging stuff lovely. So much to see

I too live in a magic place, lot of beauty

Yeah the motivation, when it's low is the times I guess we need to push through, when I'm completely zapped (exhausted which usually comes on down BP (Bipolar) side) I don't worry or put stress on myself to push through but I'm goin to keep it mind that it REALLY helped the other day.
God it was rough but it seems I made the endorphines work for me. Phew

Enjoy as I"m sure you will your exploring. Fun isn't it.

take good care Dool 🙂

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Doolhof — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 07:04:19 GMT

Forums / Staying well / Walking Shoes - walking group

Hi Demonblaster,

If you haven't done so already, you might like to read some of the posts in the above thread. People share their walks and exercise experiences and encourage each other on this thread.

Today I volunteered in an Op Shop for the day so have not been for a walk. When I returned home I made a cup of tea and sat out in the sun for a while. It is so cold out there I have returned inside to thaw out again!

I'm reading a book called "the Reality Slap" that my psychologist recommended about accepting thoughts and allowing them room to exist. I don't really like the title much. Some of the book is helping. I'm also trying to do some Pilates exercises every day for my back.

If I can reduce the night pain, I sleep better, than my mental health improves as well usually.

Tomorrow I will encourage myself to go for a walk somewhere different.

Cheers for now from Dools

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

demonblaster — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:47:56 GMT

Thx Dools, no haven't been there yet but WILL sometime have a gander at that section.

Yes excercise definately helps with mental health I have no doubt, didn't anyway that it releases endorphines.
I don't feel any different while doing hills or flat but when I've recooped & home after about half hr I start to feel better.
Invaluable for stress release, I think apart from above also the heavy breathing is a good stress release in itself.

I don't mind that book title but get where you're coming from, I like that it's easy to remember, (well, atm anyway lol, the slap part I think I'll remember and being about reality.
Good you're getting some benefit out of it.

I'll keep an eye out or library it.

Psychologist said once and they're constantly doing brain studies, have to, we know so little about it, very complex, what an amazing thing it is and what it's capable of.
He said all those crap thoughts, the brain has to be allowed to think them, any thoughts.
Think it came about when I was saying I can block some.
Ruminative thinking I've heard recently when we go over and over stuff, then I read here someone that could be right, maybe it happens cause we have to deal with it, then maybe they'll go to sleep.

Breaking barriers: How I overcame depression

Doolhof — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 23:25:03 GMT

Hi demonblaster,

The books I have been reading were from the library. The library staff were able to get them in for me after I made enquiries at the counter. The author is Dr. Ross Harris. He has written a number of books. Yes, the mind is very complex and people seem to come up with different theories and strategies as to how to help us deal with our thoughts and feelings.

Putting these theories into practise is a bit like exercise, we know it is good for us, we don't always do it though! Or at least I don't always.

Hope you have a day where you can encourage yourself!

Cheers from Mrs. D.

It was only through reading to the very last bit of the book that I was able to put the theories altogether. Reading book and articles does help us to better understand what is going on in our brains.