Seeing as how it's all related... physical/mental/spiritual... well, not just related, but ALL ONE, then of course you'd find physical symptoms as well, especially if your belief system (I'm powerless here, there's something outside me that's causing this) promotes that view.
I have experienced many, many years of very severe depression, suicidal at times - and yet, when I write that, it's as if it happened to someone else. I almost don't *remember* those years of my life. What changed? Well - I did! I did take medication for about a year, then tapered off. That was my intention when I started taking it - I wanted to learn how *not* to be depressed, and medication allowed me to experience that. But, ultimately, I wanted the change to be internal, long-lasting, a lifelong change.
It did start by taking walks. I got a dog, and I committed to walking him twice a day, no matter the weather. I also began hearing the word "responsibility" a LOT in my head. I had kinda lived up to that point, like a feather on a stream, not consciously. I was a victim of a lot of things, but when I realized *I* am responsible for my life, no matter my past, no matter my present, it's up to ME - that's when things switched for me. I stopped using the word depression - it made me feel like a victim. I started honoring the times I was lower energy, and everything I did -- everything -- was my choice. I now don't do anything I don't absolutely *choose* to do, from work to brushing my teeth.
It took a lot of looking within, a lot of asking myself what I want. I haven't been depressed for several years now. I'm creating a life of joy and freedom and connection. My diet is still crappy, the only exercise I get is those two walks a day, I experience self-doubt and inertia at times. But I'm not depressed any more, and I won't ever be again.
On some level, I *was* choosing depression. It meant I didn't have to take responsibility for my life, I could lie on my back like a flipped turtle, moaning how life was unfair. Now, I know my life is my creation. Yours is your creation.
OH! I almost forgot - I remember a moment of absolute clarity. I was very, very down, feeling suicidal yet again 'It's never going to work out for me! Here I am again!' -- and I remember something clicked, and I thought, "Ya know? If I'm willing to *die*, then what have I got to lose? I mean, if I'm going to give up, why not DO my BEST before that? I've got *nothing* to lose!" And I laughed and laughed and laughed. That right there is what kick-started the whole process.  |