Therese Borchard author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes has lived with depression for 43 years, and is alive to talk about it. She offers helpful hints to get you through the depression you’re struggling with. Here are some shared tips to help if your depression is not getting better:
- A physical is a must. Many times, your symptoms are linked to a physical problem and not a chemical problem in your brain. Make sure your doctor checks for vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies, anemia, blood sugar imbalance, and insulin resistance.
- Get your thyroid checked. This may seem redundant but, the truth is, many doctors don’t check everything they should. They may check the TSH levels, but not run a complete panel. Even endocrinologists may not do a complete workup to find hypothyroidism. However, every single person the author knows who has chronic depression has a problem with his or her thyroid.
- Seriously, up your vitamins B12 and D. Numerous studies have shown a link between vitamins B12 and D deficiencies and depression. It’s a fact that Americans don’t normally get enough of these vitamins.
- Change your diet. Yes, it’s a frustrating suggestion, but it makes a difference. The author tried it. She cut out sugar, caffeine, processed flour, and dairy — cold turkey. Even though she was eating healthy by American standards, the insulin rush from supposedly healthy foods was still affecting her moods. Unfortunately, the improvements don’t happen right away. The author said it took about nine months before she really felt better: a “no death thoughts” better.
- Go to a teaching hospital. There are many differences between “just anyone” and a teaching hospital. One really big difference you’ll find in a teaching hospital is you have the benefit of doctors who are there to learn — they want to find out what’s really wrong. They also don’t have deals with pharmaceutical companies, so they will more likely prescribe older drugs that are proven to work. They will treat you like the individual you are, and not just as another dollar sign.
Read the full article here: 8 Things to Consider When Your Depression is Not Getting Better
