Episode 42: "Elementally You" — Depression & Mormon Women Part III

Right click here to download the mp3. Art by Jarosław Kubick In the final segment of our discussion, we talk about ways we hid our depression or magnified our depression (what made things worse) and ways we helped our depression (what made things better). The panelists will be watching the comments to respond to questions. Here is a summary of the resources and other things that helped us. Process: Name the problem Identify root causes (often things from the past) and work through them Figure out what triggers depressive episodes Remove triggers (get out of situations that make things worse) Build relationship spaces where you can find happiness and peace and emotional strength ("family" by choice) Choose your spirituality and interaction with the church Get out of overly-stressful or abusive situations and take care of yourself Become an advocate, speak up Techniques: Journal writing and blogging Writing in supportive communities (online forums) Creating: Art, music (eg. playing piano), dance (eg. choreography), crochet, etc. Therapy, working through the past Movement Breathing Focusing on sensory input from the five senses to come to the present moment Yoga Energy healing: BodyTalk Getting out to the things that are "elementally you" (eg. hike the petroglyphs) Spend time outdoors, get outside when the spiral down starts Using prayer as contemplative reflection Identifying the good and the beautiful Massage and chiropractic Hot showers Light therapy and vitamin D Reading books on topics that pertain to your hurt Food Related GAPS diet Candida Cleanse Eating potatoes before bed (with no protein) to help to raise serotonin levels Books, Audio, and Online Resources "The Soul in Depression" from On Being with Krista Tippett (audio) Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner The Dance of Intimacy by Harriet Lerner Mood Cure by Julia Ross The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen Come to Your Senses by Stanley Block and Carolyn Block Move Your Body Tone Your Mood by Kate F. Hays Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnston Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon Women who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés  Solace for Mothers online forum