Yes.
You are reading this so right. I want to talk about depression itself after reading such an amazing book by Stephen S Ilardi 'The depression cure'. I want as well to look at the depression from slightly different way.
I am under profound impression of the book of Ilardi 'The depression cure' as he seems like he knows what he is talking about. He is focus on profound mismatch between the genes human carry, the bodies and the brains that they are building, and the world that people find ourselves in. He said 'we were never designed for the sedentary, indoor, socially isolated, fast food leaden, sleep- deprived frenzied pace of modern life'
As much as he claim that depression is a civilization disease, product of the modern not adjusted society, is caused by high stress, industrialization, modern lifestyle that is not compatible with human genetic evolution. He claims that depression is is a result of prolonged stress - response, if you get scared you jump, run away, the issue rise to the status of problem or disease when human is exposed to the same stress response for days, weeks, months and even a year. It is like a modern trap. You want to run away from the stress but you can't and this situation become toxic. Why? This lead to chaos of the homeostasis of the neuro transmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which if they are abused they can lead to sleep damage, immune dysregulations, and inflammation. It is the brain run away stress response.
As much as the expansion of the surrounding environment is obvious human brain in terms of human genome remain essentially the same. There is not enough time in terms of 200 years, since the industrial revolution for such a significant genetic adaptation. And even so, human brain resist the change because it is a strong reason for it. Any deviation from the status quo create a strong risk for the survival of the human species.
The thing what I love about Ilardi is that he give you literally the cure for depression! Yes.
I deeply love his stand point in terms of depression drugs. I will use his own words 'we can throw all the drugs in the world at the depression epidemic, and it want make a dent!' Anti depressant use has gone up 300 % in the last 20 years, but the rate of depression has continue to increase.
The answer for depression is in change in lifestyle!!!
YES CHANGING LIFESTYLE. He introduced the SIX STEP PROGRAM and have exceeded his wildest dreams.
- EXCERCISE EVERY DAY.
- EAT FOOD RICH IN MEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS.
- SUNLIGHT IS GREAT FOR YOU.
- HEALTHY SLEEP, MAKE SURE YOU GO TO BED AFTER 9P.M.
- ANTI-RUMINATIVE ACTIVITY.
- SOCIAL CONNECTION.
Yes. I know what you are thinking now. How on Earth you are going to fit this six steps( Thanks God not 22 steps !) into your already overstretch day schedule.
I will tell you something if you do not want any longer depression in your life, you will find the ways to do it, if you are on the other hand to used to to be depressed you will find excuses to stay were you are. Unfortunately of fortunately you can't have both; results and excuses. The choice indeed is yours.
Here is video of Depression as Disease of Civilization.” by professor Stephen Ilardi advances the thesis that depression is a disease of our modern lifestyle.
Yes. You can be cured and go for depression free lifestyle. You are worth to be happy.
Lots of love
from Margo