Nature vs Nurture

What are the key factors that contribute to "depression"?  One might say genetics because "my dad has depression" or "my Uncle Bob was a sad and angry guy."  Or you might say, "I've heard of these so called 'chemical imbalances' in the brain, so I think I need medication to correct it."  Genetics and chemical imbalances do play a big role in depression and other "psychological issues," but far too often we see these factors as being permanent and irreversible.  "This is who I am and there is nothing that I can do about it!"  This could not be further from the truth!  The expression of your genetic makeup and the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain are far more fluid and changeable than you might think.  With the right diet, consistent exercise routine, healthy sleep pattern, nurturing social connection, healthy coping strategies for stress, etc. etc. the problems of genetics and neurophysiology can be reduced, if not eliminated all together.

I am all for antidepressants and psychotherapy, but you are selling yourself short in a huge way if you do not take an honest look at your overall health.  An example would be a man who struggles with depression which he suspects is a chemical balance past down through his family tree, so he starts Prozac everyday and has weekly psychotherapy sessions.  Thinking this will suffice, he continues to eat horrible foods, he does not exercise, he smokes cigarettes and drinks alcohol regularly, and he has an erratic sleep pattern.  Shockingly, his depression does not dramatically improve, so he asks his psychiatrist to up his Prozac dosage and he asks his therapist for more "tools" to help deal with his depression.  This is the danger of getting stuck on the idea that depression is a genetic or chemical imbalance issue, it leads to medication dependence as opposed to the better alternative which is diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle dependence.

I have had my own struggles with depression through the years and in the last six months I have been bothered by symptoms that could be included in the depressive spectrum: feeling tired or sleepy, lack of focus, feeling foggy, lack of mental energy, etc., so I have decided to do something about these symptoms (and I don't mean medication and psychotherapy).  With the help of my chiropractor I have focused primarily on my diet.  I have removed all dairy products from my diet, which has been a huge help, and I am on about day five of a no meat diet.  I can already tell that removing meat is a really good idea for me.  All of these "depressive symptoms" that I just mentioned have been eliminated.  I'm bright, alert, energetic, and mentally sharp. 

So if you are struggling with "depression," examine your diet and remove foods that may be causing adverse reactions, or in other words, allergic reactions.  I am allergic to nuts because when I eat them, my throat closes and I die.  This allergy is obvious and violent.  When I eat meat, I feel tired, foggy, and "depressed."  This allergy is a little more subtle and not as violent, but it is destructive none the less.  So what foods are you allergic too?  And are you willing to remove them from your diet?  What unhealthy behaviors make up your lifestyle?  Are you willing to remove them as well?...