Living Without Depression and Manic Depression - How to Relieve Depression Symptoms

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

dekam20: Do you believe that people with mental health problems are at high risk of abusing drugs and alcohol?

Mary Ellen Copeland: I believe they are. Mental health problems are very painful. Alcohol and other substances, will make you feel better at first. They relive the pain, but then, it is so easy to become dependent on them. They often cause depression and other severe side-effects. I believe using these substances are not worth it.

Joelle: Do you have suggestions for networking with other manic depressive people who have worked through lifestyle changes and no longer take medication (or take a lower dose than medically recommended)?

Mary Ellen Copeland: Being in touch with people through internet groups and groups in your community are very good ways. A few ways to connect with a group in your community is to call your county mental health department, a local psychiatric hospital, or look for therapists who work with depression and manic depression. They may be able to refer you to a group. Please call around.

PennyP: I am struggling with depression. Medications prescribed have no benefit. What can you suggest? I am upset with my therapist after 5+ years. She is recently writing my prescriptions. I don't trust her anymore, but I really feel lost without her. ANY ADVISE?

Mary Ellen Copeland: I suggest you develop for yourself a Wellness Recovery Action Plan. It involves:

1. Discovering the things you need to do for yourself every day to keep yourself feeling well;
2. Which triggers and early warning signs to watch for;
3. What to do when these things come up, to help yourself feel better;
4. How to know when things are getting really bad and what to do to help yourself then; and
5. A crisis plan that tells others how they can help you, when your symptoms are very severe.

It is the best way I know to manage. And many people are doing this.

lithless: What sort of diet should a person with manic depression, bipolar disorder be on? Should caffeine intake be limited or totally taken out of the diet?

Mary Ellen Copeland: I think each person needs to find out for themselves, what foods make them feel better and what foods to avoid. For instance, I have found that dairy foods make me feel worse. But many people find them to be helpful. Most people say that sugar makes them feel much worse.

I suggest a diet that consists of at least five servings a day of vegetables and fruit, six or seven servings of whole grain foods (i.e. cereal, bread or pasta) along with a bit of chicken or fish. That's what I try to do, but it is hard sometimes. Also avoid caffeine as much as possible. It causes anxiety.

PoohBearHugz: What are your thought's on electric shock therapy (ECT)?

Mary Ellen Copeland: If you are considering electric shock therapy, learn all you can about it before you consent. I personally do not want it. I think there are many simple, safe, and effective ways to relieve symptoms without resorting to this treatment.

David: By the way, we are arranging a chat conference on ECT in October. We are going to have some people on, who have undergone ECT to talk about their experiences. One was not positive, the other is very happy with the result. So stay tuned for that.

scooby: If you could imagine a pie, and divide that pie into pieces, I wonder what size, and thus importance, you would place medication, exercise, diet, support groups, therapy as pieces? Is it okay to take one piece and the next in excess? Just playing with your concepts in my thinker-ticker.

Mary Ellen Copeland: I think this is the kind of thing you have to sort out for yourself. It is different for each of us. However, I personally believe in working with the less invasive kinds of remedies as much as possible. Figure out what works for you, and then do it.

David: Here's the link to the HealthyPlace.com Depression Community and the Bipolar Community. Click on the links to sign up for the mail list at the top of the pages.

For Mary Ellen's website at HealthyPlace.com click here or go to www.mentalhealthrecovery.com. You can view and purchase Mary Ellen Copeland's books about dealing with different aspects of depression and manic depression.

Mary Ellen, thank you for coming tonight and being our guest. It was very enlightening and informative.

Mary Ellen Copeland: It has been a pleasure to be here. Thanks for inviting me.

David: And thank you to everyone in the audience for coming and participating.

Disclaimer: That we are not recommending or endorsing any of the suggestions of our guest. In fact, we strongly encourage you to talk over any therapies, remedies or suggestions with your doctor BEFORE you implement them or make any changes in your treatment.

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