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Some days are better than others. I am visiting friends and my "house" is parked near where we used to live before my wife died. I expected a flood of memories and it came, but thankfully the memories were of the good times. My doctor tells me that I am overdue for a serious episode of depression (the diagnosis was bipolar2), but so far I've been lucky.
Friends are important. I am lucky to have friends who happen to be Sufis. If I am nearby, I can make a phone call and a group of people wearing "interesting" costumes are available to dance and sing and celebrate life. It is very difficult to feel down in their midst.
Some researchers are exploring the kinetic link to depression a little further. We know that when in the pit of depression we don't want to move and that movement can even be painful. Some think that the link is bi-directional. They have been doing experiments where they take depression patients to an all day gospel festival, for example. Jumping around, clapping, and otherwise getting into the flow of the music seems to have a positive impact. I can think of a few rock concerts they might want to try too.
I'm a little strange, so I like my walks in the woods or by the ocean to bring me back to the present and away from the edge of the abyss. I have come close to the edge, a few times recently, but have been able to fight back. I don't want meds that will make me feel blah and have resisted taking them. Life is just so damned fascinating to dull the experience with drugs.
Although my doctor once told me that she could refer me to a doctor who would write me a prescription for medical marijuana to fight depression.....
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If ignorance is bliss then why are the ignorant so angry? - Shannon Wheeler
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