Tag Archives: mental

Define: Depression

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Happy Monday amigos,

I want to go out on a limb with today’s post and tackle the topic of De-press-she-own. I will be simplifying the hell out of depression. I will probably piss some people off. I will probably leave some things out. I will probably not be right on some claims… but that doesn’t mean that I’m wrong. I will be focusing on depression’s possible cause… because depression… is a symptom… a result… of something greater… of something underneath it all.

via Pub Med…

Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods.

True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or longer.

The exact cause of depression is not known. Many researchers believe it is caused by chemical changes in the brain. This may be due to a problem with your genes, or triggered by certain stressful events. More likely, it’s a combination of both. Some types of depression run in families. But depression can also occur if you have no family history of the illness. Anyone can develop depression, even kids.

via WebMD…

Most people have felt sad or depressed at times. Feeling depressed can be a normal reaction to loss, life’s struggles, or an injured self-esteem.

But when feelings of intense sadness — including feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless — last for many days to weeks and keep you from functioning normally, your depression may be something more than sadness. It may very well be clinical depression — a treatable medical condition.

According to the DSM-IV, a manual used to diagnose mental disorders, depression occurs when you have at least five of the following symptoms at the same time:

  • A depressed mood during most of the day, particularly in the morning
  • Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day
  • Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
  • Insomnia (an inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day
  • Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day
  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death)
  • A sense of restlessness or being slowed down
  • Significant weight loss or weight gain

A key sign of depression is either depressed mood or loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. For a diagnosis of depression, these signs should be present most of the day either daily or nearly daily for at least two weeks. In addition, the depressive symptoms need to cause clinically significant distress or impairment. They cannot be due to the direct effects of a substance, for example, a drug or medication. Nor can they be the result of a medical condition such as hypothyroidism. Finally, symptoms that occur within two months of the loss of a loved one are not considered to be clinical depression.

Ok. Let’s see here. Apparently for “true clinical depression,” one must have a “mood disorder.” I have come across a lot of selfish assholes in my time on this earth and I would certainly throw them into the mix of a “mood disorder,” but does that make them depressed? Well, it’s possible. We tend to correlate “sad, blue, unhappy, and miserable” to people who are depressed, but what about the assholes, the bastards, the pricks of this world that simply manifest their sadness in a different manner? According to these definitions, an asshole is just an asshole but a very, very sad person is labeled and put on medication. And why do we have to label it as a “mood disorder”? Why the labels? That just promotes seclusion and finger-pointing. Just because someone is sad, angry, or annoyed all of the time doesn’t mean they have a “disorder.” They have real-life problems and either manifest it differently than others, have a different way of handling it than others, cannot come to terms with their situation, or are completely unaware of their situation.

“The exact cause of depression is not known.” That’s the medical community’s excuse for, “Here, this medication should help.” Drugs make money. And doctor’s make money by writing prescriptions. I really do not believe that “anti-depressants” are necessary (have you SEEN the side effects on these tranquilizers?!). This is not medical advice and I am not telling anyone to stop taking their medication if they are prescribed such. This is my opinion. So, what causes depression? I can think of two generalized possibilities… 1) Traumas, shames, blames, comparisons, boundaries, expectations, let-downs, hard-times, abuse, illness, failure, pressure, stress… you know, all of the mental and emotional experiences throughout one’s lifetime that could manifest into a “disorder;” i.e., a person’s thoughts have been affected by something(s) throughout their lifetime and they are still dealing with that experience (because thoughts never die… only people do). 2) Another route could be the physical aspect of life: malnourished diet, over exercise or exertion, poor digestion, leaky-gut syndrome, constipation/slow bowel-transit time or elimination, gut bacteria imbalance or parasite/bacterial infection, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, blood-sugar mishandling, hormone imbalance, stress hormone responses, or poor/improper sleeping patterns.

Now, we’re all familiar with the first, mental/emotional, approach and I don’t think I’m too out of left field on the second, physical, approach. We produce a good amount of hormones within our digestive system. If I recall it’s around 60%+ of the hormones are born and raised in our small intestine, which is also the main site for nutrient absorption and the home of millions of digestive bacteria (that have minds and manipulations of their own). And, around 90%+ of our Serotonin (5-HTP) is made there, too. You know, that stuff that apparently makes us “feel good” and all sleepy-like. The thing about Serotonin (and SSRI’s) is that it’s not the problem… it’s the symptom. If a person has an imbalanced Serotonin count, why the hell do we think… “Ok, let’s provide them a platform for more Serotonin and all will be well!”? IT’S A SYMPTOM, peoples. And Serotonin doesn’t work alone. NONE of the hormones in our body work alone nor does anything produced by, ingested in, or applied to our body; it’s a system of systems! That’s like prescribing

I poked enough at PubMed. Now, WebMD’s take… to requote…

For a diagnosis of depression, these signs should be present most of the day either daily or nearly daily for at least two weeks. In addition, the depressive symptoms need to cause clinically significant distress or impairment. They cannot be due to the direct effects of a substance, for example, a drug or medication. Nor can they be the result of a medical condition such as hypothyroidism. Finally, symptoms that occur within two months of the loss of a loved one are not considered to be clinical depression.

MUST BE DAILY or DAILY for AT LEAST two weeks to be clinically “sad.” [Symptoms] cannot be due to the direct effects of a substance… so then my food theory is out of the question? And that other medical drugs can’t fuck you up, either? NOR CAN THEY BE A RESULT OF A MEDICAL CONDITION SUCH AS HYPOTHYROIDISM... Um, do you not understand how the body and mind work together? Do you not think that perhaps ezcema… a skin-disorder “medical condition”… can’t affect a kid’s ability to be happy and healthy while walking down the middle school hallways with funky looking arms that could possibly lead to verbal abuse by ignorant kids? Finally, symptoms that occur within two months of the loss of a lvoed one are not considered to be clinical depression. HEY, you… the one who just lost their loved one… you’re not sad… you’re making that shit up… so suck it up because medical science says there’s nothing wrong with you! Oh, you cry all the time, your bowel movements are off, you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, you have no appetite, you’ve gone into reclusion, and you sleep all of the time? You’re fine… trust me.

If you are dealing with depression, please, please, please get it in your head that there is nothing “wrong” with you. No, it’s not a “chemical imbalance”! I freaking HATE that dumb-ass reasoning. Yes, people’s “chemicals” may be “abnormal” but it’s a symptom. I can sit in front of the TV to watch 9/11 videos all day and I can guarantee you that my “brain chemicals” would follow a path towards “clinical depression.” No, you don’t have to fit a molded standard to be “sad.” No, you aren’t alone. Yes, you are normal. Yes, you are allowed to be sad.

My approach to depression: Learn everything about you, your life, who you are, why you are, how you get here, why you got here, and all of the factors that make you… you: Your past, your family, your friends, your diet, your lifestyle, your sleeping patterns, your bowel patterns, and so on. I shit you not, a person can be “depressed” simply by being chronically dehydrated. WHY would the body work properly if it cannot get what it needs to operate? And all of those past experiences people tend to bury because it’s not acceptable by society to be sad? Yeah, those can last a life-time and manifest in countless ways until peace is made between you and your scars.

I had a chat with an old friend the other weekend where he told me how sick, sad, and unhappy he used to be because he really hated his job. He switched jobs to one he likes and boom – he doesn’t get sick anymore, he sleeps through the night, and he has a reason to smile every day. How about them apples??

So, yeah. That’s my take. I’ve scapegoated two “credible” medical sources because a simple google search lists those two first and people like to believe everything that they hear from “experts”… especially since it’s been impaled into our brains for decades. I want to put it out there that there are other explanations, other perspectives, and, perhaps, better answers than the 21st century cycle of there’s-something-wrong-with-you-medication-heals-all.

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jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Unhealthy symptoms and causes

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Originally, I started this post geared towards headache-prevention and my thoughts as to what could be its various causes. For some reason I always get the headache question from my friends – hey, I’ve had a headache all day and I don’t know why so I figured to ask you - and most of the time it just requires a small effort on their end to reflect, gain perspective, and put the pieces together themselves. Headaches (amongst other dis-eases) are always the symptom to a greater cause: they just don’t happen, there’s a reason why they occur and it’s good to pay attention because your body is trying to tell you something important. So, as I got more involved with writing I realized that my perspectives and suggestions are really geared towards all types of “symptoms” – headaches, stomach aches, sleeplessness, restless leg, fatigue, swelling, muscle spasms, constipation, weight gain, muscle loss, dizziness, fainting, brain fog, forgetfulness, etc. – and that a universal post would make more sense.

Of course, it’s better to take the steps to prevent symptoms before they occur (awareness, priorities, responsibility), but sometimes it takes the experience of discomfort to help put comfort into perspective and how it can be achieved. Below are a few simple thoughts as to what could be causing various “dis-eases”…

  • Hydration is usually my first thought: What/how much have you had to drink today/in the past few days? Were you dehydrated a few days ago and never caught up? How frequently do you urinate? What color was your urine? Dark yellow urine = dehydrated. Clear urine = over-hydration. Light yellow = hydrated. Do you consume Salt regularly or do you limit its intake? Dietary Salt can provide potassium and magnesium; all three are big factors in hydration and cellular function (add salt to drinks or food). Epsom Salt baths can also provide hydration through skin absorption (just make sure they’re not overwhelmingly hot and long because that situation can create a stress hormone reaction, encourage hypoglycemia and use up all stored sugar = light headed, dizzy, faintness, shaky hands, muscle atrophy, cortisol/adrenaline rush).
  • Nutrition is next: What/how much have you eaten today or in the past few days? Are you eating proper meals or just picking on things? I come across many people who don’t eat breakfast or will “forget” to eat dinner the previous night or may go a whole day without eating because they were “busy.” My thought: What fuel does the body to be busy, to operate, to expend and create energy? Food! Make time or get into the habit of putting it on your daily schedule. Yeah, it’s important to eat the right food, in the right ratio and at the right time but for energy’s sake just make sure that you’re providing yourself with some calories.
  • Sleep: How much have you slept in the past few days? Did you experience a restful night’s sleep or was it tossing, turning, and waking up intermittently? Ok, so sleeping is one thing, sleeping enough is another, sleeping at the right times is next, and sleeping well ties it all together. Hydration and nutrition affect sleeping patterns, too: dehydration or malnourishment (not enough caloric energy) can disrupt sleeping patterns because the body also needs energy to rest effectively. I’d like to see people take sleep more seriously and not just write it off as a lazy-man’s game.
  • Exercise: How much and how often do you exercise? Are you overtraining? Are you staying hydrated, nourished, and sleep enough (all energy input) to compliment your energy output? Exercise is a major stressor on the body – it breaks down muscle and depletes energy. Without a complimentary diet and lifestyle, exercise can be an extremely hindering activity in achieving health. 
  • Digestion: Are your bowel movements like clockwork? Do you go regularly (1-3x daily) and eliminate fully? Are they healthy BM’s? Do you experience bloating, gas, fatigue, or mood swings after eating certain foods? It is important to eat right. It is even more important that you are able to digest, utilize, and eliminate food properly. What good does food do if the body cannot even absorb it or if it becomes “stuck” within the intestinal tract? You are what you eat. You are what you digest and absorb. You are what you don’t eliminate. 
  • Posture: Do you sit up straight? Do you look down when you walk? Are you shoulders rounded? Is your spine straight? Does your neck align with your back to align with your pelvis? Do you wear restricting clothing that doesn’t allow for proper movement or circulation? Posture is important for all bodily functions: breathing, thinking, drinking, eating, digestion, eliminating, moving, and sleeping. Any sort of imbalance or “kink” can throw one or more things off and can cause the body to find other round-about ways to function.
  • Mental/Emotional Stressors: What’s on your mind lately? Do you have work, school, family, social, relationship, or self-image on your mind? Are you happy? The mind-body connection is real and it’s an important factor. Non-physical stress can very well lead to physical dis-ease.

So, those are some of my thoughts without going too in depth or in great detail as to what may be the “simple” causes to many of life’s unhealthy symptoms. Bring some awareness into your thoughts simply by taking perspective and reflecting on the symptoms to find the underlying cause. We all know why our body may be out of balance, in pain, tired, aching, or sore. It is a matter of looking within to find the answer from self.

The answer is within the question.

jdperryhealth.com
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jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Question: Healing the past and regrets?

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Do you have any advice for moving past something you regret? This situation is so stupid, but despite knowing for years that I can do nothing to change it, I still fret over it.

Perspective:

No situation is ever “stupid” (“wrong” or a “mistake”). That is your judgment and opinion of yourself – be kind! It’s easy to get caught up in self-shame because it makes the “pain” seem less bearable (“I’ll put myself down so no one else will”), but you are only creating more pain in the end. It’s Ok – this is a part of the learning, growing, and healing process.

Whatever the situation or moment in the past, at that time you did the very best that you could and it was exactly what you “wanted.” Obviously, you have grown emotionally and mentally since that occurrence and now you have the perspective, “if I could do it over again, I’d do it better.” What’s wrong with that? I think it is better to realize that you could have done things differently rather than being completely unaware of how you came to be. Appreciate self for reflecting on the past and understanding that you have grown. It’s not easy to revisit regrets, but it is a step towards self-awareness and self-discovery.

If the situation involved others, consider that they, too, did the very best that they could and may have a different way of acting/reacting to an experience. Your experience of yourself is unique, your experience of someone else is unique, their experience of themselves is unique, and their experience of you is unique. It’s easy to get caught up in right and wrong when everyone has a different definition of those two ego-driven words. Also, just as you had certain reasons for your actions/reactions, so did that other person…

  • Appreciate them for being a part of your experience.
  • Appreciate them for providing an opportunity for self-growth and self-awareness.
  • Appreciate them for sharing a moment in your life.

Take responsibility for your past self and your past experiences. You can only “blame” yourself. Yes, another person may have had an influence on your situation, but you are the only one who determines how you react/act to an experience. By taking responsibility for your past you can allow an acceptance, a forgiveness, and an understanding of who you are today.

Take time to understand and forgive the situation – then and now. The longer the situation goes unaddressed (is run away from), the longer it will be a factor (influence present day). That’s not to say dwell on it, but it is important to take time, emotion, and effort to reflect on the past so you can move on in the present.

Write down your experience of the situation. Our thoughts and emotions are real, but it may help to make them physically real by putting a pen to paper…

  • What happened?
  • When did it happen?
  • How did I feel before it happened?
  • How did I feel when it happened?
  • How did I feel after it happened?
  • Why do I think it happened?
  • Why did I react or act the way that I did?
  • Was this situation a symptom/result of a larger personal issue/cause?
  • What is the root cause/issue of my reaction or action?
  • What were my assumptions and judgements of the situation then?
  • What are my assumptions and judgments of the situation now?
  • What is the true situation? Not just my truth.
  • What can I learn from my past experience?
  • How much does my past experience affect my present day? (thinking about it and/or running away from it)
  • Why does it affect me?
  • What will it take for me to be happy now?
  • Can I forgive others in the situation?
  • Can I forgive myself?
  • Can I appreciate and be thankful for my experience?

There is a progression in healing old wounds. Be open to that progression. Be open to your feelings, your thoughts, and your emotions. Take time and make an effort to understand why they exist. Take responsibility for yourself and only yourself. Forgive yourself and forgive others. Appreciate your experiences then and now because you wouldn’t be who you are today without them.

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Question: Part 1: Self-Esteem Advice?

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In recent months, I’ve realized how much self-hate I have been dealing with from a young age. As a result, I have little self-esteem and I was wondering if you had any advice?

Perspective:

First off, thank you for sharing this with me (and with those who are reading this). It takes courage to admit that you are unhappy with yourself, and it takes even more to express that unhappiness to others. So, please understand and appreciate how profound of a leap you are taking just by being aware of and open with yourself.

We all have troubled pasts and very often past experiences can still have an impact years or decades later in our lives. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this instance because there are no wrongs in life – there are only moments and our reactions to those moments. It is up to each of one of us to take our current situations into perspective by asking:

  • Who am I?
  • How do I define myself?
  • Who do I want to be?
  • Why do I want to be?
  • Who was I?
  • How did I get here?
  • Why am I here?
  • Where do I want to be?

All-too-often people will run away from their past or bury it deep within themselves because what they experienced at a younger age was traumatizing. With each day that pain is not addressed, it only amplifies the original experience that much more. Yet, there’s something more “comforting” about acquiring new pain than facing an old one because it gives us a sense of existence, attention, or feeling (whether we want to be noticed or unnoticed – our ego’s goal is to draw an outside awareness in our direction).

I believe that you are already on your way towards accepting your past so you can be fully present with your current self. Here are some more perspectives that may help…

Your past experiences were necessary for you to be who you are today

Each and every single experience is necessary for your path. For example, I would not be here providing you with my perspective if I did not experience my share of hardships and internal battles. They were not easy to experience at a young age, but I’ve come to realize that those experiences are part of who I am – they helped shape who I am today and who I desire to be tomorrow.

Address your self-esteem

Ask yourself why you have low self-esteem and try to trace that pattern back to its original source/your first (or several) experience(s). It may be hard because the mind has the ability to block out traumatizing experiences for the sake of survival, yet the journey back in time to find that hurt, inner child is possible (and often necessary).

Overcome your fears

Fear is an illusion that we build up within our thoughts. Children are scared of the dark because they believe that their imagination can become real… but what’s real, anyway? Our thoughts, emotions, and reactions create illusions of a [physical] reality. So, in essence, fear is not real.

Have patience

Time is only a factor when you make it one. Do not force yourself to grow, heal, or find freedom. Adopt “the law of least effort” in this case – a tight muscle cannot be forced to stretch to a ego-desired length otherwise it may pull, but a tight muscle that is allowed to elongate at its own pace through a minimal/slow-paced effort will always achieve progress.

Do not have expectations

Expectations are a self-made boundary system. We predict outcomes before they even occur through our own definitions of “right” and “wrong.” When those outcomes do not develop in our favor or are not “right,” then we experience a set back that can truly effect our well-being. Be open and detach yourself from every experience. That’s not to say you shouldn’t care or put forth an effort, but to not become too attached to a desired outcome in the case that it may not come true on your expectation’s watch.

Trust in yourself

Learn to trust in your efforts and trust that they will be met accordingly. Good will return good and bad will return bad – Karma!

Unconditionally accept yourself because you are who you are 

You are an accumulation of your past and present self. You cannot change the past, you can only influence the present, and you can put trust in your future. Take one step at a time towards a path that you wish to travel. It will truly be the road less traveled, but understand that you have been destined from day one to travel that road – to experience and learn from those experiences solely for your gain.

Love yourself and love others

Thank you for your question!

 

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jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Judgements

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A judgement is an experience of oneself. When I judge someone’s looks, I am really judging my own looks in comparison (if I’m better, equal, or worse as I define those judgement platforms). Judgements will always be an inner battle of Needs (Intuition) Vs. Wants (Ego), but it can become an outward battle when we physically act upon those judgements (when they are projected upon ourselves or upon others).

When we judge ourselves in mind (thought, emotion), we influence ourselves in body (physical reality). It is important to be aware of our judgements because they can hold consequences, both good and bad. However, it is easy to get stuck within our judgements and hold ourselves in a spot where we feel as though we cannot get out (or cannot see a need to get out no matter how much our peers may encourage that path). The problem with this situation is that we feel more comfortable being stuck than being free (comfort in chaos) - this would require us to face a hidden pain that brought on these judgements of ourselves in the first place.

Can you reach deep within [your past self] and find the hurt child or teenager that has caused you to judge yourself and others?

Judgements are necessary to help us take a wider perspective, to grow, and, ultimately, to learn about ourselves. When you have an opinion about something, whether inward or outward, ask “Why do I have that opinion?” Is that thought an unbiased opinion or a biased judgement? Who is speaking? Your Intuition or your Ego?

Your Intuition - Full awareness of your actions and their consequences, ever-present in the moment, and a complete acceptance of self. Intuition encourages the choice of what is Needed to achieve peace in the present by trusting in the future. Needs are often based on all experiences of the past (good or bad), an ability to be present/conscious within the moment, and a faith/understanding that one cannot control the future (only their present actions and reactions can encourage a future of their desires).

Your Ego - Unawareness of your actions and their consequences, imprisonment in the past, and an un-acceptance of self. Ego encourages the choice of what is Wanted to achieve an illusion of peace from moment-to-moment. Wants are often based on past negative experiences, an inability to be present/conscious within the moment, and a lack of faith that the future will work in one’s favor (because of a stuck past).

The next time you judge someone about their looks, their weight, their body, their diet, their mannerisms, their personality, their family, their friends, their past, their present, their future, their attitude, their self-destruction, their accomplishments, their drive, their talents, their inabilities, and your own experiences of them…

Consider what judgements others may have of themselves that influence their thoughts & emotions, their mentality, and their physicality (just as you do of yourself).

Nobody’s perfect, and we need to be aware and accepting of that fact.

 

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jdperryhealth@gmail.com


Question: Cravings?

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Question:

“I love sweets. I love chocolate. I can eat so much chocolate in one sitting and I crave it basically every day. Could my body be lacking something and that’s why I crave sweets so much?”

Perspective:

I think the answer lies within the question…

crave

What are you lacking emotionally that had manifested itself into a craving for chocolate; specifically, a craving for self-satisfaction, for self-gratification, or for self-fulfillment? A craving is a physical action from a non-physical desire.

Cravings, no matter what they may be (chocolate, sex, money, drugs, power, etc.), result from a mental and emotional void that must be filled. There’s nothing wrong with a craving, but they can be dangerous when they result in self-descruction (physically and non-physically).

Try to understand your craving from an non-physical level: Why do you crave? What feelings do you get when you fulfill your craving (before, during, and after)? Does your craving make the void go away or enhance it? When did your craving occur? What events lead up to your craving? And the most important question(s): Are you happy with yourself, your life, your body, your mind, your reality?

Before anyone goes diagnosing themselves with physical ailments, I encourage you to address your non-physical self first – understand the cause of an issue, not its symptoms.

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jdperryhealth@gmail.com