Advice Please!: Leo/Anyone have good techniques/supplements for strong depression?

[Matt23]

Just today I got into a state which I've finally realized is probably something like clinical/deep depression.

It's not that I necessarily notice I feel really sad (though my heart does feel pain and whenever I try to do "action" things or force things or be "productive" etc., I feel bad about it and so lethargic, numb-like, etc.) --> 

--> I liken it to this weighty type of feeling (much over my chest area).  It's like i'm wearing this heavy suit of armor that muffles the outter world.  This suit also has a spike or strap over my chest/heart area, so whenever I'm supposed to do something (like work, or someone asks me to do something, or I try to run, get "over it", or be happier, etc.) it tightens or stabs my chest and I feel worse (like hopeless, down, shutdown, distant, withdrawn, lack of awareness, dissociative fosho, not really "there" or paying attention to the present in any meaningful or effective way).

Does anyone have any advice?  

Or even supplements or diets I can try?

I'm hesitant to start or take pharmaceuticals and want to pretty much exhaust all other approaches first.  Unless it gets really bad.

In the past I think I've had this a lot. --> like at jobs, I've often had the experience of feeling to heavy (my muscles barely could lift or do anything), and doing things others told me to do was so hard and it was just a drag and soooo tiring.

Even sharing experiences helps.  

I think a perspective I have now that I didn't before was that I thought I was faking it or could just "get over it" with my mind and attitude.  I think I'm seeing that it's not something that easy as a attitude change.  I'm starting to notice it's probably physiological and perhaps chemical.  

This new theory I've been exploring (polyvagal theory) seems to explain it quite well in terms of physiology and using different exercises (like breathing etc.) to change your body to change your brain. --> the body affects the brain as much as the brain affects the body type of deal.

 

[Matt23]

Even tips about how to manage it (like exercise, diet, cold showers, breathing, humming, etc.).

[Ananta]

Sorry you aren't feel well ❤

You can try Omega-3 fish oil supplements. I linked an article from Harvard if interested.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/omega-3-fatty-acids-for-mood-disorders-2018080314414

 

[Enlightenment]

@Matt23 https://examine.com/supplements/curcumin/

https://examine.com/supplements/zinc/

Only 2 supplements I know that make any notable difference on clinical depression (I've tried a lot)

SNRI'S are stronger and work much better

 

Edit: oh and anti-inflammatory meds like Advil work as well

Edited May 12, 2020 by Enlightenment

[Nahm]

@Matt23

How do you feel when you think about what you want to do, in comparison with how you feel when you think about what you have to, or are supposed to do?

[Elton]

@Matt23 that is the feeling of emptiness or the void probably? 

I felt that similar effect when my family and myself shifted from one place to another when I was younger.

Also I experienced it when I was going to a break up.

Actually now just before speaking to you I got a msg from my manager and was experiencing it, I'm focusing on this post and on rendering good advice to you to overcome it right now.

So try concentration/meditation and see if it helps you. As when you focus on something outer than your feeling all your energy and focus  is directed towards that other thing and you won't feel the feeling inside.

Also you could focus on body relaxation and letting go of those physical sensations. You will notice that it's not permanent and the sensations will change or pass. 

Accept impermanence.

Edited May 13, 2020 by Elton

[Matt23]

@Elton I understand.  This happened about a month after my college ended.  Thanks for the tips, hopefully you'll be able to pass through your period with as much ease as possible.  

@Nahm Definintely better.  But I think this acts like a bandaid.  Though, not saying bandaids aren't helpful.  I still notice my general psychology going low --> I would differentiate this from a mood/attitude.

Thanks Everyone Else!   

[Nahm]

@Matt23

Is there an underlying core vision of where you’re headed, of creating the life you’re wanting, & a seeing how the ‘pieces fit together’, if you will? That tends to positively change mood / attitude, and inspire. 

How is you sleep schedule, diet, fitness, practices, & relationships? 

Have you ‘sat with it’ and wrote down what the feeling is telling you about thoughts?

[Moon]

In the past when I had severe depression - it wasn't a chemical or phsyiological thing but one based mostly on mindset and negative thought cycles on top of past psychological trauma and Leo's videos on emotional mastery and that kind of thing really helped me. 

From the little I gather from your post it seems more about the physiological/chemicals driving it than the negative thoughts, but I could be wrong and perhaps there is an underlying mindset you aren't aware of.  (Though it sounds like you've maybe tried to work on your mindset which may not be the main issue anyway, and you don't seem to have a very negative victim complex...) 

I know a guy who had depression for about a year and the main cause was low testosterone and he has now fully recovered and is on TRT, so that's something you could look into it. 

 

Edited May 16, 2020 by Moon

[Hugo Oliveira]

SOMA breath gave me almost instant relief. It's free and worth trying. I suggest visiting their website.

Edited May 16, 2020 by Hugo Oliveira

[Espaim]

Are you getting enough sunlight?

Edited May 16, 2020 by Espaim

[mandyjw]

Search youtube for heart opening yoga. 

[Kensho]

Do a check-up on your vitamin D and B12 levels. Vitamin D levels has to do with sunlight, Espaim mentioned it above.

About supplements, 5-HTP and SAMe have substantial positive effects on depression. Make your research and use them responsibly.

Edited May 18, 2020 by Kensho

[Stef19]

You should check out "The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross. In this book Julia has identified 4 different reasons for "mood issues" and different supplements to help you with that. This book helped me 10000 x more then 12 different (heavy) pharmaceuticals my doctors had tried on me, while being clinically depressed for 4 years. This is a big reason I was able to turn my life around. When you start taking them and noticing the effects, it would be a good idea to start improving other areas in your life like getting good sleep every night, eating healthy, start exercising, and meditation.

[legendary]

A friend of mine had serious depression issues. He even tried hurting himself and has contemplated suicide.

These are some of the things that helped him:

• Getting a dog, cat, or any pet. It makes you responsible and gives you a taste of non-judgemental love and caring.
• Pick up a hobby in your free time, like painting, dancing, music. There should be no pressure to get better; this should be purely for fun.
• Talk with at least one friend very honestly and openly about the problems.
• Cut out all content that causes anxiety and sadness: Social media, TV, News. At least for a few weeks.

Cheers!

[Espaim]

On 12/05/2020 at 7:49 PM, Matt23 said:

Or even supplements or diets I can try?

Another one: microdosing psychedelics.

Also, check r/nootropics and r/microdosing on Reddit!!

Edited May 26, 2020 by Espaim