Posted by laima on October 9, 2006, at 10:52:36
In reply to Re: quick fixes for depression, posted by warmthinthecold on October 9, 2006, at 6:15:49
> Yes that is true.Accomplishing something tangible.I remember quitting smoking and running and feeling so good.I also remember being out doing this really physically hard job,and the feeling of exhaustion mixed with feeling so good at the end of each day.The bummer is it's not easy to keep up that kind of stamina and commitment! But I suppose doing a reasonable job of it could only contribute to a longer term feeling of staisfaction.
I read something interesting once which I think about from time to time- that several decades ago "psychiatric hospitals" in California had patients doing quite a bit of farm work instead of sitting around in group therapy all day long. They then prepared their own healthy meals from the foods they themselves grew and harvested, and discussed nutrition and savoring moments. The snippet was by a retired psychiatrist who was expressing regret that this was no longer the practice. Laws changed, as some people decided this physical work amounted to exploitation of mental health patients. The writer felt that getting people absorbed into concrete, absorbing, and meaningful tasks that were measurable and even had palpable results was the way to go sometimes. He advocated several hours each day of this sort of activity for anyone suffering from anxiety or depression, and talked about developing a sense of satisfaction, self-sufficiency, belonging, and meaning in addition to giving the troubled mind something manageable to focus on other than only troubles. Like a break or rest for the mind. Sure, classical meditation can do that- but maybe not so easy or realistic for someone very troubled or agitated. Certainly not for someone suffering from an episode of psychosis. It was also supposed to be practice for developing a sense that one can set an intention, and follow through--and hopefully inspiring that confidence of having reasonable control to spread wider into one's life. Also of course, the wholesome work resulted in that good kind of tired you refer too- so sleep was aided. Interestingly, he noted that fewer medications were used in that setting- but I can't remember if he said anything as to whether that was because fewer meds were used then period- or if fewer meds were deemd necessary. It all made a lot of sense... He also wrote about how so many people now are stuck in jobs slogging paper about, involved with only a piece of the process, that they feel alienated from the big picture of their work, are typically chronically behind, sometimes to the point that they feel that there is nothing they could possibly do to be appreciated or caught up, no end in sight, and they are physically inactive, etc. (It was depressing to even read his description.) Shame I can't remember where I saw this or who wrote it.
In any case, in my worst spells, I try to design a couple tasks with this in mind, and I usually do find I experience more relief this way than from, say, calling everyone I know and rehashing over and over whatever is bugging me or how my mood is from one minute to the next. (After a certain point, those conversations just go in circles and seem to magnify problems.) I think there really is something to be said for distraction and physical activity. But it's not the easy route that I wish it was. (Ie- would love to have a drug that I could take for an instant vacation of shere relief--though how long can that keep up, and those sorts of drugs seem to come with many problems and crashes. Oh well. If anyone knows otherwise, do tell!)
poster:laima
thread:692631
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060817/msgs/693312.html