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lynn09 · Oct 25, 2010, 01:08 PM

Hello, Lonely in VA. I think madisgram made some very good suggestions. Any kind of aerobic exercise that increases your heart and respiration rates causes the brain to release endorphins (feel-good hormones) and adrenaline into your system, and provides your brain with increased oxygen, as well. Even though your physical activity is limited due to your knee pain, there are exercises you can do sitting or even lying down that will increase your heart and respiration rates (upper body exercises using little hand weights, yoga, and other stretching and relaxation exercises).

Laughing does the same thing, as well as doing anything that you find pleasurable - reading, listening to music, watching TV programs and movies that you enjoy. Watching comedies usually helps; however, I know that sometimes when I'm really depressed watching comedies just irritates me more, so I switch to other genres that I like (art, science, sci-fi, etc.). It doesn't matter what you do as long as it's something you have an interest in and you find uplifting that can disrupt the negative thought stream and get your brain manufacturing and releasing endorphins, etc., into your system. On the other hand, negative thoughts cause the brain and body to release stress hormones into your system inducing the "fight or flight" feelings, increasing anxiety, etc. Your thoughts actually do have a physical impact on your body's functions.

Your frustration with the healthcare system is shared by most people these days. Unfortunately, it is really imperative that patients advocate for themselves - but sometimes that is just more than we can handle, so it's equally imperative that we construct a support team of healthcare professionals who are willing and able to advocate for us - certainly a simple concept, but simple does not necessarily mean easy. I'm sure you've heard the old expression, "You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the Prince." In other words, you may have to go through a few doctors, Pdeocs, and therapists before you find the ones who "fit" with you and will advocate for you. Even though this is a frustrating and time-consuming process, we're talking about quality of life here - the quality of your life and the lives of those around you.

If you give up at this point, there is no possibility of any facet of your life improving, and the quality of your life and the lives of those around you can only be impacted negatively; keep trying despite the obstacles you encounter and the opportunities and possibilities for positive outcomes for everyone are endless. Even though I concede that realistically the risks of further hardships also exist, those risks are inherent in the lives of every living creature. There's just too much to lose by giving up and too much to gain by persevering - and it is in persevering that you gain the strength to push on further.

Just like a muscle is made stronger by constant exposure to a resisting force, so your will and determination are made stronger by exposure to the resisting obstacles you encounter. In this same way, you can also reprogram your thoughts and retrain your mind to a certain extent by resisting the negative thought patterns and replacing them with more positive thought patterns. Again, simple, but not necessarily easy - especially with chronic depression. It takes time and practice, but the more you do it the easier it gets to impose your will on your own thought processes.

Try this - every time a negative thought comes into your mind, stop and deliberately come up with a positive thought to counteract it (whether you believe it or not) - exerting your will on yourself is self-discipline which takes time and practice to develop. Just keep at it and eventually you may see the balance shift. Anything that brings about positive progress is still progress.

Please keep posting and let us know what measures your Pdoc is taking to advocate for you. lynn09