Today, we’re featuring a very personal story – a testimonial that we believe will resonate with so many readers for both the topic and the struggle. Depression affects 15 million American adults, and affects women twice as often as men. In fact, as many as 1 in 8 women suffer from clinical depression. Depression is also known to weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to other medical conditions – creating a vicious cycle of depression and illness. Some estimate that by the year 2020, depression will be the 2nd most common health problem in the world.
Despite the number affected by clinical depression, many people just don’t want to talk about their condition. In one recent survey, 43% of adults wouldn’t even talk to their primary care physician about their feelings or symptoms. Why is there such a stigma related to clinical depression? Many cited embarrassment or fear of “losing face” as their main reason for keeping quiet about their condition. Others worry about privacy and losing emotional control. Some are worried about being referred to a psychiatrist or being treated with medication. And finally, many people don’t want to talk about depression because they think they should be able to handle it on their own, or don’t want to burden others.
Jane F. was brave enough to send us her story of depression and the Whole30 (although she requested we not use photos with her write-up). Jane wrote, “People just tend to get weird around the topic of depression, so I prefer to keep public discussions about mine to a minimum.” We are grateful to Jane for sharing her story, and hope to use her testimonial to bring this condition out into the light.
We are sure there are other readers who are also suffering quietly, and hope Jane’s story brings hope, and the motivation to share your story with someone – anyone – and seek the treatment you need. And perhaps, one step in that comprehensive treatment plan includes a short-term healthy eating jump-start like the Whole30.
Jane’s Story
It’s August 31 and I’ve just completed my Whole30. At the end of July I was depressed and exhausted and told my husband that I was going to do this “weird diet” and if that didn’t help then I would be going to a doctor. I really didn’t want to take medication, but when you wake up from a nap wondering how long it is before you can reasonably take another one, it’s time to acknowledge that you need some help.
I was afraid of doing the Whole30 – I thought I was going to be curled up in the fetal position weeping for toast. But I told myself that I couldn’t feel any worse on the diet than I felt off of it, so I should give it a try. I also found myself wondering if I would be able to do it – and then I thought: “Whether you complete this isn’t something you discover, it’s something you decide.” And I decided I would do it.
You know what comes next:
- Losing 12 pounds
- Better sleeping
- More energy
- Less anxiety
I hadn’t been exercising much – just walking a lot and riding my bike – but I’ve been accomplishing tasks with little trouble. (Translation: I’m no longer completely demoralized by getting a couple of emails.) Some more interesting stuff:
- I had pneumonia in January and February of this year and it was bad. I’ve had a minor but persistent productive cough since then. Doctors have assured me that the infection is gone and said my coughing would end eventually. It’s gone now. I was still coughing in July but about two weeks into the Whole30, I realized I wasn’t.
- My hair is softer and it’s getting curly again!
- My face has returned! What I mean is–when I look in the mirror I see me, not some bloated caricature of me. My cheekbones are back and my husband keeps remarking that my eyes are clearer. We don’t know how to describe it any better than that–but the change is significant.
I won’t be going to the doctor right now because things are getting better. However, my attitude toward seeking help has changed. In July, asking for medical help seemed like the end of the road – I would just be on drugs forever. Now, I can look at my life and health more clearly. Although not everything is under my control – you don’t get rid of a lifetime’s tendency toward depression in a month – I am more of an active agent in my health, rather than a passive sufferer. And if I do choose seek medical help, it will be a proactive move after considering all my options.
Thank you so much for the program!
Jane
The Whole30 and Depression
Now, we’re not doctors, and we’re not promising that the Whole30 will magically cure depression. But there are a lot of links between food choices and clinical depression, and many people have reported an improvement in symptoms after implementing a Whole30-style healthy eating program. Dr. Emily Deans has written extensively on diet and depression, and Robb Wolf recently posted his own testimonial on the subject. So while we can’t promise any miracles, we think eating well and taking good care of your body (and your immune system) through diet is a great place to start.
If you or a loved one has suffered (or recovered) from depression, share your experience with us in comments. We encourage your participation in our community (even anonymously), and believe that you never know who you might inspire or help by sharing a bit of yourself here.
For more information about depression, visit one of these helpful sources:
- Help Guide: Dealing With Depression
- Psych Central: Where to Get Help for Depression
- Healthy Place: If You Know Someone Who’s Depressed
- Health Central: Talking to Someone With Depression
Sources:
Alan Manevitz, MD, psychiatrist Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City.
Bell, R.A. Annals of Family Medicine, 2011.
PBS.org, “Depression, Out of the Shadows: <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/pdf/dep_stats.pdf>
A very profound post. In Canada, the number of individuals who suffer from depression are just as high. In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 4 teenagers suffer from some sort of depression. I have no doubt that food choices is linked to depression – it may be one of the several causes.
Depression is very close to my heart. My father suffers from chronic depression and you would never know it to meet him. He is kind and sweet with a great sense of humour. But, he also has this “thing” as he describes it, that always comes back into his life. The last 10 years he has been in remission, with the help of therapy and medication. However, this ‘thing’ has recently returned. It is hard to describe and understand the depth of sadness that someone with depression suffers. My father and mom (his rock) are incredibly open about my father’s condition. They WANT to talk to people and share their story. And you know what? every time they do, 9 times out of 10, another family member or friend confides that they too have been feeling the same way. When talking about health and wellness, we tend to focus on the physical aspects and not the mental and emotional facets of ourselves. Our mental health is just as important and I am so happy that Whole9 has become a conduit for discussion on this topic.
Just a side note, in terms of diet, my family is Greek so my father sticks to a rather Mediterranean diet but bread is certainly a staple in my parent’s home. Exercise is not a part of my father’s routine (at the moment anyways – it was when he was healthier) simply because the motivation is not there. The positive thing in my father’s situation is that he surrounded by family and friends that accept his condition but do not enable it. What I mean is, we don’t tell him to ‘snap out of it’. We encourage him to go for walks with us, to go to work (my parents own a small business), to go out for coffee, cook (his favourite past time) – basically to continue living his life while speaking to a therapist and in my father’s
case, continuing with his medication.
If you know someone who is suffering from depression, talk to them. They want to share their feelings and they want to know that they are not ‘weird’ or ‘crazy’ and most often then not, they will really need your encouragement and support to help pull them out of their sadness.
This is wonderful, really, in the full sense of the word. Wonderful.
Congratulations on your decision, Jane. I hope things continue to spiral upwards for you!
Sandi, thank you for sharing your Dad’s experience. That’s one of the things I learned in my research (and from my own personal experiences dealing with those suffering from depression) – these kinds of things grow in the darkness, but shrink with light. Bringing the subject out into the open, talking about it, and being supportive goes such a long way to help. And it’s a lot like the stress addicts we wrote about last month – often, taking the first step towards help (whether it’s making a doctor’s appointment, starting a healthy eating plan or confiding in a loved one) takes a giant burden off your shoulders.
Adam, always nice to see you in front of the curtain around here.
Melissa
Wonderful for Jane that she has taken this step. I hope she continues to improve. I have a sister who suffers from depression. I wish she would consider this method od approaching life.
Best
Linda
I have been struggling with anxiety, self esteem issues and depression for over year and have been paleo for over six months, But Ultimately has ended up in a eating disorder it really is a struggle and pretty draining And stressful plus I’m 23
James,
I’m so sorry to hear that. There is the capacity for any focus on food (whether it’s about quality or amount) to go too far, and turn a healthy habit into an unhealthy practice. Seeking professional help is the best way to start to understand some of your issues and where they are coming from, so that you can change your mindset and your habits.
Changing your environment and finding a support network can also be helpful. Perhaps seeking out a support group, a comfortable exercise environment or a food-related group with a healthy, balanced focus would help.
We wish you the best of luck. If posting here or participating in our Whole30 FB discussions would help you in any way, even just in sharing your feelings, we welcome you to our community.
Best,
Melissa
Thank you for this post. I too have suffered from depression and was put on prozac after the birth of my first child. It helped at the time and I was off after 9 months. When I had my second child the doctor put me on it again, this time for only 6 months. Well, my kids are 10 and 12 now and I never went back on the medication.
I started “playing” with paleo about 2 1/2 years ago, I really think it has helped me in many ways. My depression may be less apparent but my anxiety levels still flair up. When this happens I take the time to meet with the therapist at my church. She helps me by using cognative reprogramming. We make up a short “mantra” that I can say to myself when I feel anxiety coming on. It is nice to know I can call her whenever I need to and sometimes I only see her once or maybe we meet on and off for a couple of weeks. Either way, finding someone you trust to talk to and for me using prayer and reading helpful books (Dr. Wayne Dyer is a good place to start), I feel I have made a huge improvement in my life.
Jane, I wish you lots of luck with your health journey and I hope some of these posts help you and anyone else effected by depression.
And one more thing: I love your new website!!
Thank you melissa for the swift reply I do appreaciate it.
Wonderful insightful post. As someone who has suffered severe depression, I know how hard it is to talk about- bravo to Jane! Medications do not treat the soul & made me feel like I was in a fog. Eating well, moving my body & weaning off meds was a pivotal point in my journey to now. It’s very hard to take care of yourself when everyhing seems bleak but even one meal at a time makes a huge difference
I just started the whole30 yesterday with my husband and our two year old daughter, and my sister and her husband. I have a LOOONG personal and family history of depression including hospitalizations and other awful stuff. I’m currently on 1/4 the dose of antidepressant that I have on in the past but I would love to come off of it someday. I went off of it a couple years ago for about six months and did alright but when stress increased, depressed returned. Maybe healthy eating will be the push my mind needs to make it back into the happy zone
Best of luck to everyone who needs it, and thanks to everyone who shares their stories!
Patty, always lovely to see you here. Thanks, as always, for sharing a bit of yourself with the community. We’re lucky to have you as an Envoy!
Jess, so happy to have you on board. Please keep me posted as to how you’re doing – I really hope this program is the jump-start you need.
Melissa
Hi, I was wondering if you’ve ever heard of someone becoming MORE depressed while on the Whole30? I’m normally not a big mood-swing person, but both times I’ve done the Whole30, the last week or two I start to feel more emotional…short with my kids…and feeling depressed? I know it’s normal to have mood swings, but this is more like a continual sadness. Not sure why? Just wanted to see if it’s just me, or if anyone else has experienced this before?
I’ve been in my own battle with depression recently, and doing a paleo challenge with one of my long time friends. Overall I’ve felt great! But I do see how you can become obsessed with diet/food, and great physical results turning into an addiction/eating disorder- (yay abs! don’t stop eating to see them more though;). I have noticed mood swings being worse, but these are from my ‘hangries’ (the term I used to say that I’m super angry because I’m hungry). It takes a little longer for them to go away, I presume because its not a sugar shock to my system anymore and takes longer to digest. Either way, it seems to be helping.
For anyone out there in a similar situation, I would totally ENCOURAGE going to talk therapy. If you don’t want drugs, they won’t force them on you (if they try to, go to a different doctor- its your treatment, they should facilitate your needs). It is the only way to see what your patterns are, why they are there and how to break the trend.
Paleo challenge has been just one part of my transformation with wellness. And its been fun learning experience as well.
Also, Shanti, how long into the challenge are you? I think those are normal ‘detox’ symptoms: http://www.paleoplan.com/2011/03-02/the-dreaded-detox/
Thank you for sharing your comments, Kari. I’m glad you’re feeling better, and glad that you’re aware of the psychological effects of your paleo challenge. Sounds like you’re really getting the “awareness” piece!
Shanti, I’m not sure how common your reaction to the Whole30 may be, but I really hate the word “detox.” You are not detoxing from the Whole30 – you’re healing. (Detox has a very specific definition, and I hate when it’s misused in the Paleo community.) I suspect that by the end of your program, you’re annoyed with the “rules” and looking forward to getting back to a more relaxed relationship with food. Ask yourself whether that’s because you’re in the last throes of your “five stages of food grief” (per our recent post), as that’s a distinct possibility.
You may want to post this on our W30 FB page, to see if others have had a similar experience. I bet you’d get some answers there.
Melissa
Perhaps this has been discussed, but this article reminds me of Dr. Mike Eades’ observation that over the last 30 years there’s been an interesting correlation on bookstore shelves between the rise in popularity of both low-fat, low-cholesterol diet books and depression self-help books. Coincidence?
I’ve been taking paxil for 13 years now. That medication has changed my life. When I started paleo, I had high hopes of being able to get off my meds. I spent 4 months gradually lowering my dose to 50% of original, when my family had an intervention with me and encouraged me to go back up. I couldn’t see how bad my depression had become until I was back on the full dose. I don’t think I’ll try that again for another few years, regardless of how I feel after this whole30 (day 8!).
But I have a brother. He is so much like me, but he won’t go on the meds. And it is almost impossible to have a calm conversation with him about any of this. I am dedicating this whole30 to him. I hope he can see the improvement in my health so that he might want to try it. I miss him so much.
@Kathy – I hope your brother comes around eventually. It is so sad to grieve the loss of a family member when you technically still have them. Hang in there… and keep taking good care of yourself – you should be very proud of the progress you’ve made!!
Kathy,
While many have reported being able to come off their antidepressants after a dietary intervention, it’s certainly not a cure-all for everyone. I think you’re smart to continue with your healthy eating and lifestyle while working through your feelings and staying on the medication that helps you cope and move forward. I wish you, and your brother, the best in health.
Melissa
Hello – great post. I have suffered with depression and addiction for many, many years of my life. About 4 months ago, I drastically changed my diet (how about ALMOST Paleo – with a little cheese?) and added 1500 milligrams of niacin per day to my diet. I heard about that in the movie, Food Matters, and I figured I had nothing to lose (please read my post at my blog called “My Experience with Niacin and Depression, July 2012 for more details). In about 3 days, I was feeling very, very different. Niacin is just vitamin B3 – you can get it at Costco, folks. Niacin and cleaner eating have changed my life. I am now off of other pharamceuticals and feeling great. It was as if I was deficient in the niacin and when I added it, BOOM, no more depression. Not saying it is for everyone or that people should go off their meds – Just telling you what worked for me. I hope others try it. Really – it’s made a huge difference for me.
I am very excited to be starting a “Whole 30″ with some girls in my fitness bootcamp class. We start on September 1. The cheese has to go, I guess.
Thanks to Hartwigs for the great book and this website.
Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your perspective, and we’re very happy that you’re feeling better. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can contribute to depression, so it stands to reason that supplementation with something you in particular are deficient in would improve your condition.
Best of luck on your Whole30!
Melissa
Thank you for this post. I am a mental health professional, and have also struggled with depression and anxiety for many years. I recently tried to come off of my medication and my depression was soaring within a month. My colleagues and therapist tell me to remember that it is a chemical imbalance in my brain, but I really struggle accept that I will have to take the medication FOREVER.
I am heeding the advice from the forums about waiting until after the holidays to start my first Whole 30, but fully have plans to start in January (Plus, I am still reading ISWF and want to finish it before I start). I am really looking forward to seeing if perhaps my diet plays a bigger role in my mental health than I have previously thought.
Dallas and Melissa, thank you for taking the time to share the knowledge that you two have (you’re so smart!:P). I am eating pretty strict paleo right now, an “almost whole 30″ and am very much looking forward to the health benefits that lie ahead when I dive into the full program! Thanks for being will to experiment on yourselves to create this awesome program
Nicole
Nicole, I certainly hope the Whole30 helps you with your quest to recover from depression. While many have experienced much relief, remember that the Whole30 may not be a cure for you – and you may still need to stay on your medication while you continue this process (and make other important lifestyle changes). And that’s okay! You need to continue to get the support you need, in whatever form that may come in, to ensure you have the capacity to make these difficult changes in your life. I do believe that it starts with food, however, and I wish you the best of luck with your Whole30.
Melissa