Insidious Depression

Copyright (c) 2008 Mary Ann CopsonHowever you spin it, depression (and other mood
Depression is awful � in whatever formimbalances, too) becomes a closed system that
you may experience it. You would think thatlocks you within the system. Insidious, crazy, and
something that feels so bad would propel you toperverse.
do anything to get rid of it. You know- like aHere is a little bit of the physiology about that:
noxious substance that we accidentally eat andThe thing about mood imbalances is that the
then get violent spasms to vomit.biochemistry in your brain always seeks its
You�d think that if you are feelingcurrent baseline - which means that it is designed
depressed you would be hightailing it to engage into stay the way it is. Your brain chemistry always
some of the known effective strategies forseeks its neurotransmitter baseline and this
getting rid of depression. You might visit yourbaseline is kept in place by certain enzymatic
doctor for an anti-depressant or your localprocesses in the body. It can take 6 months or
therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy.more of consistent, regular input to change those
You�d start exercising. You�d bebiochemical enzymatic processes and thus your
getting out in the sunlight more. You�dneurotransmitter baseline.
change your diet. You�d learn toYour brain chemistry drives you to think and do
meditate and develop a mindful approach to life.things that will keep your brain chemistry just the
You�d take some nutritional supplementsway it is. Your current brain chemistry is driving
like 5HTP or St. John�s Wort.you to avoid thinking or doing things that would
But when you are depressed most of the timeshift your biochemistry and provide a physiological
you find yourself avoiding any and all of thoseopportunity to shift your moods.
things.In order to find your way out of depression and
The insidious thing about depression (and for thatother mood imbalances you have to reach deeply
matter most mood imbalances) is this �inside yourself and pull out a life spark of yourself
depression has inherent in itself a hidden pull to� a piece of your inner spirit or your life
stay depressed. When you are depressed, thereessence -and take the first step away from
is a part of the depression that feels goodimbalance. And every day you have to reach
because it is familiar- as illogical as that mayinside of yourself again and find that life spark
sound. In some subtle way, there is a tendencyagain and take the next step toward balance
to keep yourself feeling depressed.again � and again, and again.
Rationally you�d want to stop beingAs each step fans that life spark, it also gradually
depressed because it feels so bad. But anythingand over time changes your physiology and shifts
that will help you move out of depression alsoyour neurotransmitter baseline.
comes with this heavy internal responseChanging your physiology is important because it
�It�s just too hard� orloosens the grip of that perverse biochemical
some similar variation such as:tendency to keep things the way they are.
I can�t do that.Changing your physiology opens up a whole new
I tried that and it didn�t work.world of thoughts, emotions, actions, and
I don�t see how that would work.perceptions that weren�t readily available
I can�t remember to do that.at the old biochemical baseline.
I�m too busy, tired, overwhelmed, etc toHand in hand life spark and physiology work
do that.together and nurture each other toward a new
That doesn�t seem like something thatlevel of balance.
would work � something that would be"Where the spirit does not work with the hand
fun or something I want to do, etc.there is no art.