Seasonal depression

AmIhealthyyet
AmIhealthyyet Posts: 361 Member
edited January 5 in Social Groups
I suffer from seasonal depression! It is worse this year then it has ever been before. I read that eating Paleo/primal could greatly improve the depression and anxiety I suffer from. My big question is for those who have suffered from depression, did you see a real benefit to eating this way. I would love to hear people's personal experiences and not just repeat what you have read the diet can do (I have read those same statements) HELP PLEASE!!! thank you Much

Replies

  • Zeromilediet
    Zeromilediet Posts: 787 Member
    I used to regularly experience chronic depression or dysthemia and just figured there was nothing could be done beyond trying psych-tricks on myself (smile, laugh, walk, music etc ... would still feel bleah). So yeah, I noticed a change in that respect since changing my way of eating to paleo. I've since learned there is a real evidenced connection between not only your brain on sugar, but a mind-gut connection with proteins in grains and dairy. If you keep at this, slowly you'll notice a difference although I expect the results will vary by person. Be sure to get lots of light in the early part of the day (get a SAD lamp if necessary) and take fermented cod liver oil and take in the morning. It's not called the sunshine supplement ONLY because it gives you vitamin D, but because it also improves your mood.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    I have had HUGE improvements in my depression and anxiety since changing to a paleo/primal/low carb lifestyle. I also get SAD and I get my worst depression in the spring so I'll see how it is next year. I live in the Arctic and take a high dosage Vitamin D supplement too; however, I was taking the same dosage BEFORE changing my diet so the diet is responsible for the change. Though I still deal with some effects of social anxiety and PTSD, it is SO much more managable. Perhaps as I get my diet even more paleo over time, I might have even more improvement.

    My health improvements, physical and psychological, have been so profound that my lifestyle change is permanent. In fact, because of the improvements in my psychological issues, it makes me think that they were indeed PHYSICAL symptoms after all. Apparently there are neurons in our intestines (have to research this further) and that intestinal health affects our total well being, not just physically. Anyway, I have to give thought about what the psychiatrists told me regarding "chemical imbalance" and "heriditary" and the fancy psychological illness diagnoses that were given me that can only be treated with drug a, b or c or a combination... I think that there is a lot of people being hurt with drugs when they could likely get much relief from changing what they eat and do.
  • primalkiwi
    primalkiwi Posts: 164 Member
    I also get SAD but have noticed a huge change since changing to primal eating at the beginning of the year.
    This last winter (I'm in the Southern hemisphere) has been the easiest for me in terms of SAD and winter seemed to just fly by. I made sure I had plenty of sunshine but other than that the only difference from other years has been the change in the way I eat. I've also noticed that I no longer wake at night with anxiety etc. Even though I have a weight loss goal the changes I've experienced in relation to the above are enough to make me see this as a lifestyle not a diet.
  • AmIhealthyyet
    AmIhealthyyet Posts: 361 Member
    Thanks for the help folks! I started today after another horrible weekend! I also made a list of all my other symptoms! Wow, I am excited to see how things change for me!
  • I get mild SAD symptoms, living in the frozen tundra of the mid-west. :) I take 1000iu of Vitamin D from ~Sept-May and 500 ~June-Aug, if needed. It definitely helps!

    And I echo what others have shared... eating clean improves my mood. And exercise definitely helps!

    I try to do some gentle stretching (sometimes foam rolling, myofascial release) before bed. Take a hot bubble bath. Drink some Sleepytime Tea...

    Whenever it's a sunny day, I try to soak that in.

    That's how I cope, since we can't just hibernate like bears. :)
  • Merci444
    Merci444 Posts: 222 Member
    I've been in a major funk and it has been affecting everything (including my healthy habits) and I JUST put it together that is=t is SADD. I tend to get it in the Fall, and we have just had a good run of overcast, and dark days :(

    This gives me even more incentive to eat clean, but it is hard for me when I am so far off track.

    Thanks for posting.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    yes i started paleo 8 weeks ago, my anxiety has gone way down, my depression is less, I wouldn't say completely gone, but definitely not as bad as it was...but overall I would say that the paleo diet is making a huge difference in my overall mood. :flowerforyou:
  • girliegrrrl
    girliegrrrl Posts: 10 Member
    I've suffered from SAD for many years. It's kept in check with an anti-depressant (I have a very severe case of SAD) and lightbox therapy. Even with that, I still felt so sluggish in the dark part of the year.

    Changing my diet, I have noticed WAY more energy and less of my usual cravings for heavy, starchy foods this time of year. One of my big triggers for "hibernation" was to eat mashed potatoes like they were going out of style! LOL! Then I would literally curl up in my bed for a day or two. I have not had that craving for the potatoes nor have I spent any days in my bed this fall and winter.

    I think you will find that this helps. I take Vitamin D3 as well - 10,000IUs every day. My doc keeps an eye on my D3 level, and when I started taking it I was at 20,000 IU/day. Wheee! You can get your levels checked out and see if 1000IU would even be theraputic for you. YOu may need more - you may need less. :)
  • AmIhealthyyet
    AmIhealthyyet Posts: 361 Member
    I plan to start Whole 30 starting today! I am hoping it helps, it can't hurt! I think I will start up again with my antidepressant but from what I have been reading it is all this sugar that has caused havoc on my serotonin levels! 35 years of poor eating isn't going to get cleaned up instantly in my body! Thanks for all the post
  • amandavanvels
    amandavanvels Posts: 7 Member
    i definitely think it helps. i've always been noticeably sadder/sleepy/in hibernation mode in winter, but last year i had my real first taste of SAD. i was so depressed all winter. i saw a councilor and everything. i started paleo before winter this year and so far, no signs of depression. this is the happiest i've ever felt during the cold season. it even snowed today for the first time and usually that makes me cringe and crawl into bed, but i actually went outside and enjoyed it.
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