Thursday, October 25, 2007
I couldn't sleep because I was crying in bed. I'd like to get my anti-depressant dosage increased, but the medication as it is makes me nauseous, tired (and incessantly yawny), and unable to focus like I used to. Anyway, I got up and decided to try distraction therapy (the uber-simple idea of rebooting your brain by doing something fun - psychologists just have to give it a fancy name).
I ended up doing some random research on Google about depression. I came across some stuff on VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) which I had heard about before. It is a therapy for both epilepsy and depression where a pacemaker is inserted deep into the brain to provide electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. That of course, is a very drastic measure (not to mention expensive). If VNS stimulates the vagus nerve electrically, then I reasoned it could be stimulated by engaging the muscles and organs it controls.
I looked up what the vagus nerve controls: peristalsis, some heart rhythm, the lungs, and some of the muscles in the nose, throat, and voice box. Aha! Could the yawning I've been experienced be related? How about the nausea (peristalsis related)? I've also had a mild arrhythmia my entire life (which coughing alleviates). Okay, okay, so maybe I shouldn't be self-diagnosing.
The vagus nerve also releases neurotransmitters - which is why stimulating it helps alleviate depression. Then I found out that mild VNS can be achieved through breathing exercises! There has also been some research linking the yoga practice of pranayama (mindful breathing essentially) with vagus stimulation (Sam, any thoughts on this one?)
Since pranayama is so close to what I was taught in karate for meditation (which really helped me as a teenager), I think I'll give it a shot. It's just breathing, so it can't hurt right? The only drawback is that if it does work, it will take several weeks at least. Also, I won't be able to know whether or not it has helped, since so many factors are involved (the medical industry should do more research into this, but you can't sell breathing pills!) At least I will have another tool in my toolbox. Anyway, next time I see my psychologist, I'll bring up the topic with her.
On a related note, one of the writers in my group gave me a ride home earlier. We really have nothing in common but she suddenly warmed up to me in the group a few weeks ago. I was wondering why, and I found out on the ride home. A few weeks ago I told the group that I had depression, and that Wednesdays were ironically really stressful because I had both group therapy and the writing group. Well, it turned out that this other writer has been dealing with depression as well. We talked meds, and how people who have never had depression just don't understand what it's like, and you just can't "snap out of it" (I find the diabetes metaphor pretty useful in explaining it - where serotonin substitutes for insulin). So I guess we do have something in common. Actually, it amazes me how many people have been dealing with it. It's like it's this big secret, and everyone is very hushhush, but when you find another with it, you could take about it for hours. It really annoys me that depression has such a stigma. Frankly, it's really stupid that any disease has a stigma, but the survival tactic of ostrasization of the sick doesn't really translate to a disease like depression since it isn't contagious.
I ended up doing some random research on Google about depression. I came across some stuff on VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) which I had heard about before. It is a therapy for both epilepsy and depression where a pacemaker is inserted deep into the brain to provide electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. That of course, is a very drastic measure (not to mention expensive). If VNS stimulates the vagus nerve electrically, then I reasoned it could be stimulated by engaging the muscles and organs it controls.
I looked up what the vagus nerve controls: peristalsis, some heart rhythm, the lungs, and some of the muscles in the nose, throat, and voice box. Aha! Could the yawning I've been experienced be related? How about the nausea (peristalsis related)? I've also had a mild arrhythmia my entire life (which coughing alleviates). Okay, okay, so maybe I shouldn't be self-diagnosing.
The vagus nerve also releases neurotransmitters - which is why stimulating it helps alleviate depression. Then I found out that mild VNS can be achieved through breathing exercises! There has also been some research linking the yoga practice of pranayama (mindful breathing essentially) with vagus stimulation (Sam, any thoughts on this one?)
Since pranayama is so close to what I was taught in karate for meditation (which really helped me as a teenager), I think I'll give it a shot. It's just breathing, so it can't hurt right? The only drawback is that if it does work, it will take several weeks at least. Also, I won't be able to know whether or not it has helped, since so many factors are involved (the medical industry should do more research into this, but you can't sell breathing pills!) At least I will have another tool in my toolbox. Anyway, next time I see my psychologist, I'll bring up the topic with her.
On a related note, one of the writers in my group gave me a ride home earlier. We really have nothing in common but she suddenly warmed up to me in the group a few weeks ago. I was wondering why, and I found out on the ride home. A few weeks ago I told the group that I had depression, and that Wednesdays were ironically really stressful because I had both group therapy and the writing group. Well, it turned out that this other writer has been dealing with depression as well. We talked meds, and how people who have never had depression just don't understand what it's like, and you just can't "snap out of it" (I find the diabetes metaphor pretty useful in explaining it - where serotonin substitutes for insulin). So I guess we do have something in common. Actually, it amazes me how many people have been dealing with it. It's like it's this big secret, and everyone is very hushhush, but when you find another with it, you could take about it for hours. It really annoys me that depression has such a stigma. Frankly, it's really stupid that any disease has a stigma, but the survival tactic of ostrasization of the sick doesn't really translate to a disease like depression since it isn't contagious.
posted by KaOs at
10/25/2007 03:59:00 AM
1 Comments:
I like the way that you deduced the problem- great critical thinkin'- when i read your post on the Vagus nerve connection, i was reminded of how I began my way back from the emotional trauma-through bodywork,which includes breathing.
I use the Pilates contraction of the core abs and then with the inhale, 'allow' the muscles to contract in my neck,shoulders and jaw....
I am aware of tightness and pain-and do not contract the mucles till it hurts,but gently notice the "lines of tension". then exhale-
yeah, by letting go of the contraction when i exhale, the tightness reduces.
Then when i inhale again, i feel and sense that improvement, that space that had pain and tightness is filled with somthing els-what isit? ease? delight? like I am feeling my own creamy center. keep breathing slowly
Thenwhen I'mready, i take another deep breath and ignite the ab.core muscles,a la Pilate, and again extend that contraction gently tomy neck, shoulders and jaw muscles.
The bigger deeper breath can extend this window-
and i am much more sensitive to the set of muslce which are tight.
Again, I feel and am aware of what is left from the first part of the exercise, and then, conciously, exhale with my mind and body knowing the feeling of letting go....
To finish this I yawn =that gives me a point of reference to remember for the next time and it's like a mind photograph so I can measure my improvement.
Then I inhale with a feeling of the energy of the collective consiousness or universal energy entering my head from above, filling my heart ...on the inhale....
then exhale and giving thanks.
I want to continue to heal myself and your post was inspiring.
kudrasperfumes@gmail.com
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