22. HEAL DEPRESSION A NATURAL WAY

A young woman I know, Tonya, wants to know what she can do to get off Prozac, a drug her Dr. prescribed to treat her depression. She struggles with negative thoughts so much that she has trouble keeping a job. 

Tonya is another victim among the 70 million Americans who take mind-altering drugs. The really bad news, according to World Net Daily  (WND), is that ten million of that number are children and the fastest growing group being prescribed antidepressants is children under five.

CCHR International, the Mental Health Watchdog, names many possible side effects of mind-altering drugs: cardiovascular problems, mania/psychosis, hallucinations, depression, violence, seizures, agitation, addiction, death and suicide. Negative feelings drive people to these drugs, then the drugs drive them to take their own lives. Plus, WND also reports there are 27,000 unintentional overdose drug deaths yearly.

In 2012, a 15-year-old who was taking Prozac, stabbed and killed a close friend. Mercola had this report, plus the fact that eleven of the school shootings were committed by kids documented to be on or in withdrawal from psychiatric drugs. This information makes us know we need to pursue every avenue to help Tonya and many others like her overcome without drugs.

A major cause of mental problems is our high-fat, low-fiber, refined and chemically-laden food. Most doctors seem unaware of the big part food consumption has on our thinking ability. Dr. Neil Nedley, a well-known mental health physician who conducts depression seminars, promotes a 100 percent plant-food diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts for those who suffer with negative thinking. From those four food groups, he states that there are four nutrients that specifically encourage positive thinking: 

The first named is serotonin, which comes from brown rice, blackeyed cowpeas, black walnuts, tofu and almonds. The second nutrient is omega-3 fat, which is found in ground flaxseed, flaxseed/linseed oil, walnuts and frozen green soybeans. Folic acid is the third nutrient needed, which is easily obtained in chickpeas, cowpeas, lentils, kidney beans and navy beans. Last, he named vitamin B12, which is not available in plant foods unless they are fortified with B12, so he recommends taking a supplement.

Daily exercise must be added to the list of necessary steps to overcome depression. A good example of this is Amanda, who at age 16 lost her mother and her father. She was mentally down, then she heard a jogger say, “Running saved my life.” Amanda started jogging and soon began running marathons. Her depression ended. Tonya doesn’t need to run marathons, but walking daily in the outdoor air will bring healing to her mind. It is also important to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.

Dr. Harold Koenig, a professor at Duke University Medical Center, gives another valuable prescription to heal downheartedness. Arise early every morning. Choose a book of the Bible or the Psalms and read for 15 minutes. Highlight helpful verses, then turn them into a prayer. Talk to God about everything. Repeat the same procedure before you go to bed at night.

A gratitude list is a great way to encourage positive thinking. Throughout every day, write on a list every blessing you can call to mind. Hold that list before the throne to thank your Heavenly Father for His wonderful work in your life.

Tonya also needs to know that there is healing in reaching out to others. Jolene was totally obsessed with her sorrow over an ended relationship. She felt impressed to visit her friend who had suffered a stroke, which left her partially paralyzed. Her friend’s weakened condition made Jolene realize that her problems were small.

If Tonya will eat a plant-food diet, drink plenty of water, exercise outdoors daily, practice a regular devotional life, write a gratitude list and reach out to others, her Dr. should be able to wean her off Prozac. INSTEAD OF BEING A VICTIM, SHE WILL BE A VICTOR! 

LENTIL BURGER
3 c cooked lentils
1 c shredded carrots
1/2 c finely chopped onion
1 c shredded zucchini
1 c diced celery
2 c quick oats
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 c tomato sauce
1 T Italian seasoning
1 t salt
2 T chicken seasoning
1/2 c chopped pecans
4 T ground flaxseed
Mix all ingredients together. Use 1/3 cup to place batter on a
sprayed cookie sheet and form a burger with a spoon. Bake for
20 minutes at 350 degrees. Flip and bake 15 minutes more.
Serve on a bun with all the burger fixings.