Me And This Depression Isn't Doing Good Together...

[Ashley]

My days are up and down. My school classes are horrible, I know hardly anyone in my classes except for one. I'm taking my medication like I'm suppose and talk to a therapist. A lot of the times, nothing triggers it. I'm just plain out miserable and I don't why. I just don't know what to do...

-Ash

[Guest southgoingzax]

Hi Ashley,

try to remember how heavily your body's been affected by this disease and go easy on yourself - I had some really bad times and am still experienceing depression - vitamin and mineral deficiencies can actually cause depression, so hang in there! The longer you are gluten-free, the better you will feel. Remember to take your vitamins too!

I hope things get better,

zax

[CarlaB]

Are you taking meds for the depression? If not, talk to your parents/doctor about taking something else that might help with it. I take St. John's Wort, but being on medication you would definately need to talk to someone before you started taking it. It seems that a large percentage of us suffer depression as a symptom. Hang in there!

[queenofhearts]

Hang in there Ashley, I know it's tough, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. As your body becomes healthier, your mind will too.

We're pulling for you!

Leah

[eleep]

I can only offer up my sympathy and experience here -- know that you are not alone!

Sublingual vitamin B complex and really good gluten-free multivitamins help me quite a bit as does regular exercise and sunshine -- even if I just go for a short walk in the dang Florida heat, I feel quite a bit better, I sleep better and my moods are significantly better. Yoga and meditation are especially good.

I don't know what kind of meds you're on, but I am finding that St. John's Wort helps me quite a bit and I actually just added a bottle of Ativan (temporary anti-anxiety med) to my glutening kit because it's the insomnia, stress and run-downness of getting glutened that sometimes threatens to throw me into a downward spiral.

Above all else, in my darker moments it has helped me to know that this is a temporary thing -- that it's bodily and that I'm not going nuts -- that I don't have to feel this way forever.

[DingoGirl]

Hi Ashley,

Have you been very strictly gluten-free since April of '05? Are you eating a healthy and pure diet - lots of fresh produce, lean meats/chicken/fish, enough protein, minimal sugar, etc? It probably is difficult, with your schedule. I find that eating processed foods, even though they're gluten-free, makes me feel worse - I can get depressed and generally feel awful, so I cut almost everything processed. Trader Joe's has really helped me - do you have one nearby?

what meds are you on, and how long? maybe a medication switch is something to try?

Are you sleeping well? Getting any exercise? Do you have any good friends there, anyone to laugh and be silly with? this makes a difference. Do you feel part of any community there - - church, social group, etc.? Sometimes, when you're so depressed, it's impossible to do any of these things, I know.

God bless. Let us know what's going on.....

[Judyin Philly]

Ashley,

I wrote you a long email 2 nites ago ..did you get it?

Judy in Philly?

Should have done a PM but you were off line. I have found some of the emails through the forum don't go through for me.

Hang in there kido...

Will try to catch up tomorrow.

let me know if you got my email.

Judy in Philly

[jerseyangel]

Hi Ashley,

I am sorry that you're feeling like this

I also was depressed and had anxiety before I was diagnosed. After I was gluten-free for a while I started taking vitamin B6 and B12 daily. Slowly, the depression began to lift--it took time, and I still get anxious, but not as often or as severly.

I wish I had more to offer--you know you can PM me anytime if you just want to talk to someone.