When Depression Strikes

There can be many causes of depression and this is often what makes treating it so difficult at times.  Many people believe it's a simple case of needing more Serotonin but that is a myth.  Oftentimes, the circumstances that ebb and flow in our life can cause periods of high stress, along with depression.  It is these situations that can be resistant, or so it seems, to pharmaceutical interventions because it isn't a chemical imbalance...it's a life imbalance.  There are other times when depression or anxiety are caused by a nutrient deficiency or as a secondary problem to a more serious health condition.

So, first things first.  Come in and see us!  Rule out any health conditions that may be contributing to your poor or declining mental health.  As we discussed previously, the gut is the core of mental and physical health.   Diseases like insulin resistance, diabetes, ulcers, adrenal fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome can rob you of precious nutrients that feed your gut microbiome and even your brain.  It is critical to determine the root cause of depression, not just recognize the symptoms.

If your depression is due to a rough set of life circumstances, focus on supportive health measures.  Each little thing you do for the better, adds up so don't get discouraged at the seemingly slow pace.

Here are our top four favorites for supporting good mental health.

1. Sleep- Optimal sleep means optimal healing.  Your body resets, recovers and rejuvenates during the 7-9 hours we are getting good quality sleep.  You know you can't be a happy person when you are continually running short on sleep. 
2. Exercise- I'm not talking about heavy lifting or an hour on the treadmill.  I'm suggesting you just move your body...in any way you can!  Ideally, a simple walk around the block with a heavy dose of fresh air will do wonders for your outlook on life.  I know, it seems too simple.  It's not the fix all but it certainly helps.  Depression can make us feel stuck.  Movement can be the thing that propels us forward from those stuck patterns of thinking. 
3. Elimination- Clean up your world.  There is something to be said about the weight of clutter and chaos in our life, both physically and mentally.  Often, the condition in which we live, directly correlates to the state of our mind.  Create order in your physical world.  It's a small investment for greater dividends.   Our body and mind thrives in order and routine, so start there.   While you are cleaning house, get rid of bad habits that don't serve your good health like smoking, drinking, drugs, too much sugar...you know the drill! 
4. Nutrition- Instead of focusing on all the things you shouldn't have, like junk food, refined carbs, etc. focus on the good food that will feed your body nutrients, rather than calories.   Choosing nutrient dense food will improve not only your gut health but your brain as well.  

At Madison Women's clinic, we want to help you be your best self.  We would love to help you find the right path back to optimal mental and physical health.  There are many approaches in dealing with depression so let us help you find the best way for you.  Give us a call today.