Hello, I have an answer for you quite different than the others. I have 22yrs of medical experience to fall back on. This is fact. Those people that live closest to the equator have never heard of psychiatry. There are no hospitals for the mentally ill. Depression is unheard of. The farther away from the equator you live the more prevalence of depression and mental illness. You live a few hours from me, so I know your climate. An extremely high percentage of North Americans are Vitamin D deficient. We simply don't and could never get enough sun with such short summers.
Please do some research about this. most people need 4000 IU - 6000 IU daily.
Vitamin D deficiency causes many many illnesses and the governments made it illegal to sell Vitamin D about a hundred years ago. This is due to the lost revenue in medicine when people where healthy. I recommend everyone take this if they experience a cold climate, we deserve our health and we deserve happiness and joy.
It of course will have to be taken for a little while before you feel well. If you are depleted there is always time needed to rejuvenate.
Good Luck!

^ That's only valid with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Most mental disorders don't disappear with the presence of sunlight. Also, "There are no hospitals for the mentally ill"? Brazil, and Kenya both have mental health programs (although sub-par). Whereas Indonesia, Ecuador, and numerous other countries in the area have shown need for it, it's just they are too poor or priorities are elsewhere. These countries have never heard of psychiatry because they're developing or third-world countries. Similarly, more developed countries close, but not on the equator, such as Singapore, still have enough incidents of depression and other mental illness to not only have programs but hospitals.

Although, let me tell you, I wish my MDD and BPD would disappear in the sunlight.

i would just like to add a little note for people in the uk.
there is a FREE organisation called IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) to help people with anxiety and depression.
you can be referred by your gp OR in some regions you can self-refer.

if any uk residents feel they could benefit from this free service google IAPT and where you live.

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just being me :p !

^ kali

Psychiatry in the third world is at the early stages of understanding the nature and consequences of mental disorders.

maybe you should google "3rd World Congress of Asian Psychiatry" and read some more.

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just being me :p !

It has been several months since I've been able to join in the conversations (and work on my courses) here at Magicka. I've missed everyone very much. In revisiting some of the older threads I ran across this one and I'd like to share a recent post I wrote called: "Depression and Magic: 13 Steps to Finding Balance"

I wrote this - essentially as a guide for myself - and thought it might be helpful in some way for others.

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Pagan by Design Blog

AWWWW! That's so sweet! *wipes away a little tear*

Proper diet, exercise, sunshine, keeping a 'therapy' journal, talking to friends/hubby, watching funny TV, occasional prayer and a little dose of dark chocolate helps keep most of my demons at bay. Medications seem to be the first resort with the mental health facilities around where I live--like they get commission for them or something--so I have been avoiding the local professionals and trying to function on my own with a little help from my loved ones and I have healed quite a bit over the last few years. If you can find a doctor/MH specialist that cares enough to work with you in using the least intrusive methods first that is worth their weight in gold.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and welcome back, Green Witch

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"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a Communist." - Dom Helder Camara

"On the internet, no one knows you're a cat." >^.^<

If it is a small case depression the first thing you need to do is to get more sleep for people with less sleep seem to get depressed really easy as funny as it sounds it is true. Being stressed out or over working can lead to depression maybe you are overworking, and need time to yourself ( if you need to get away from society itself try to find a desolated area anywhere you find the most relaxing and let your mind flow with any happy (funny) thoughts you have and live those moments you will be suprised). That is how I deal with my depression, and it works pretty well for me since I always come out victorious. Not saying you have to do this just a suggestion. You can also do things you like alot to get your mind off of depression for how long the affects last I do not know. I think your best bet though is to try different things, and find one that works best for you becuase there really are lots of methods that work for some poeple and not others. I do have to point out though if your depression doesn't decrease (gets worse) you might need medical help before it turns into something much worse like bipolar depression not very fun. Not saying you have to though it is your dicision.
Nice article greenwitch love it!!!!!

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Thank you Swankeeper, Frodo and LadyHawke

I've suffered from Major Depressive Disorder and General Anxiety Disorder for decades now. I enjoy helping others if I can in some way.

Swankeeper, I am just practicing Tarot readings for others and just tried a one-card reading for you in another thread - please let me know if I'm way off (be honest). I want to learn to read accurately.

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Pagan by Design Blog

Hi Pathwalker!
Some very good advice has been given here.
I guess a summary:

1. Continue to work with your Therapist/Doctor and take his/her advice on the medication.

2. It really depends on the type of depression you are dealing with, as to how each of us can relate our individual experiences in order to give advice.

and 3. This is where your 'Health Craft' comes in. The work you do, to heal, grow, develop, change and maybe come off meds.

For me, I abandoned the nihistic atheistic mechanical world view I had when I embraced Wicca last year, and ever since then my mental health has grown in leaps in bounds. I discovered that this Wiccan path is a 'Craft', and that I would do work. I did not have to wait for scraps from a Middle Eastern God. I could connect with my Lord and Lady, and work the Magick of life.

Bringing more joy into your life. More Art, more music, more love, More Goddess. All this helps in your journey!

Blessed Be!

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Krad's Magicka Journal
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