I agree with most of this. Miss Belle, it is possible that diet changes do affect the
degree of depression in some people, so it's important, IMHO, that foks understand that, while depression is a chemical imbalance, we do have some control over the imbalance by the diet we live with in our daily lives.

I would agree that depression should have medical treatment to restore a chemical imbalance; in almost all cases that seems to be one helpful and practical way to go. And bipolar illness does become worse without treatment and long-term care for oneself. Psychotherapy is an invaluable tool, as well.

I would disagree that diet plays no part in restoration of mental health. I've lived through bipolar illness long enough to understand that, for me, (and a few others whom I have met along the way) changes in the diet have a profound effect on the wellness of the mind and body in bipolar and depressive illnesses.

When people are able to reduce strong psychotripic medications because of major improvements in diet and lifestyle and use only small dosages of medications to maintain sufficient neurotransmitters, that's enough to convince me and others who know that these changes are effective.

Reliance on psychotropic medications alone is not the answer for many. There are
strong negative side effects to these drugs and it's the side effects that many of us have had to learn to manage effectively by making changes in our lives.

I do not disapprove of medications at all; I think it's in one's best interests, however,
to assist the self rather than to work against the self--meaning that medications are not the only beneficial condition for treatment. The pharmaceutical field would disagree strongly, undoubtedly.

I'm sure this is going to raise some objections. Nevertheless, much information is
out there about drugs, diet, and all the other things that affect depression and bipolar illness.

And as for Diabetes, the diet is the single most profound change to assist with the improvement and even remission of it in some. Both that, depression, and bipolar illness
may have roots in an inherited genetic coding. The same is true for alcoholism.

Years from now, some will laugh at our thoughts regarding this, because gene replacement therapy will be the route to follow for sustained health in these illnesses.

You're all right about the nonsense that one must lift oneself up by the boot straps.
That's ignorance and deserves to be enlightened as many are trying to do here.

I know; so what else is new?