> > Psychotherapy and/or drugs aren't the only help out there!
>
> Forgive me for asking a silly question- What else is there?
> Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Maybe you missed my posting in response to the one you quote, about how
self-help groups are as effective as traditional therapies (LactNet Jan
9). "What else there is" are friendships (especially woman-to-woman),
taking in appropriate  balanced nutrition, getting at least 30 minutes
of sunlight every day (important for pineal gland functioning to counter
depression), getting sufficient sleep, reducing stress, practicing
relaxation exercises (like those taught in Childbirth classes), walking
or other forms of gentle exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week
(get those endorphins flowing!), getting involved in the world outside
of one's own world (ie help someone else out), working on a hobby on a
regular basis, laughing - regularly and hard, prayer, meditation,
singing, listening to happy music, writing a journal (becasuse the
depressed feelings need to be expressed and validated), keeping to a
routine, getting dressed every day no matter what - there are lots of
antidotes to depression that don't include psychotherapy or drugs. Our
society doesn't emphasize the things we can do for ourselves, so I don't
think it was a silly question at all.

Katharine West, BSN, MPH
Sherman Oaks, CA