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Well I am in an odd situation.

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jackbus01
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12 Mar 2011, 7:50 am

purchase wrote:
...
Here is a reputable-looking not-too-long scientific editorial article about how to raise serotonin levels without drugs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2077351/
Basically it names four ways:


Article somewhat interesting, I'll have to comment

purchase wrote:
1. Inducing positive thoughts patterns in oneself (this seems obvious, but it's saying that when test subjects were exposed to positive stimuli, it measurably raised their serotonin levels). SO I know this one might be hard but maybe if you try to expose yourself to more positive things (pleasant music/books/reading material/artwork) and avoid negative things whenever possible, that could help.

Umm, yeah a little simplistic. Think positive thoughts-yeah. This is actually one of the things Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used for though. It can be hard and is only sometimes helpful.

purchase wrote:
2. Exposure to bright light. It also mentions that serotonin is highest during the light part of the light-dark cycle (i.e. the day), so I guess this is why you (anyone) should try to sleep at night rather than keep odd hours.

Yes, sleep cycles are actually very important for bipolar and depression problems. Sigh, and I work night shift and have bipolar, damn. I actually had a doctor talk to me about this though. I have practical reasons for the job I have. This is something that sounds silly but is actually somewhat critical for mood management.

purchase wrote:
3. Exercise (this is mentioned a lot I know and I know how hard it can be do to when you're depressed, but maybe you could get a jump rope or something kind of fun and use it. Not sure if you are living in a dorm or what but I don't think your roommates would find it too weird, and if they do, so what? You could also jump rope outside and ignore anyone who might be walking past - people see interesting stuff all the time)

Yes, your entire body just works better with some moderate exercise. In fact I had to reduce my medication (good thing) because my activity level increased. This job I have now is a lot more physically demanding than my last job. I really noticed a big health benefit.

purchase wrote:
4. Diet. I am not sure if this is saying it could make a significant change, but it says that things like milk and chickpeas contain high levels of tryptophan, which increases serotonin.

Umm, this tryptophan thing is negligible. Of course having a healthy diet is good.

Anyway hard to go wrong with that advice if you have depression or bipolar.
This could be helpful for anyone with depression or bipolar problems.



Sweetleaf
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12 Mar 2011, 3:37 pm

jackbus01 wrote:
Sweetleaf wrote:
Jonsi wrote:
If only you could just break that depression for good, you'd be able to get better. D:
At least that's my theory.


I think its too late for me to ever find any true enjoyment in life, eventually the virtual wall I seem to be building up around myself will be too high for me to climb over......I've gotten so tired of trying to pretending like I'm enjoying life.


I am really trying to think of something other than "depression" or "medication" to say. I will say I really know how you feel. Your info says you are 21.
When I was 21 I was in almost the exact same position. Your posts really hit close to home because that was almost exactly the way I was writing things years ago. In fact about a month ago I had a letter that I wrote to a former friend explaining my hopelessness. I did destroy that letter now though. People seem to think that life is best when you are in your twenties but that is not always the case. I had dropped out of school and was working a dead-end job. Anyway I won't bore you, I somehow survived and am 38 now. I will say that if you take it one day at a time and work through your problems things will get better. They did for me at least, eventually.
Hang in there.


Well i am doing my best but hell if things don't start looking up in the next couple months I don't know what I will do, my mom and her boyfriend are driving me freaking insane. My mom is being ridiculous about this whole aspergers thing...I can just picture it her going to church or hanging out with other family and blurting out that I have aspergers like its some sort of accomplishment. I don't want freaking attention for it.......why doesn't she understand that? And her boyfriend just pisses me off. Also she keeps acting like she thinks Im going to end up living with her for another five years......Well I'm not if me and my sister don't get an apartment I will figure something out myself, hopefully there will be something other then death.