In the movie “Patch Adams,” Robin Williams portrayed an extraordinary doctor who prescribed laughter as medicine.
The actor later said off-cam he wanted to be a doctor because he wished to serve humanity.
At that time, an observer already aware of his battle with depression that led to his eventual suicide would have noticed that his gaze indicated a man who walked the tightrope between joy and sadness.
The eyes will tell you.
It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and to the body, mind and heart as well.
Any iridologist will tell you that just about every health challenge, whether existing or impending, can be gleaned from the eyes.
Whether you are overcome with joy or grief, no matter how good an actor you may be, the whole range of emotions is reflected in those eyes, despite all efforts to hide these from the rest of the world.
Humans have the instinctive, indestructible capability to overcome obstacles and be victorious in the end. This has been true since time immemorial.
At what point then does one find oneself at the crossroads of life and death?
Unless fate intervenes with a fatal accident, the powerful gift to live and breathe, move and act, sleep and awaken is in our hands. And the decision to live or die is up to us.
Which brings us to ask, at some point, the factors that motivate a person to end his life.
Watching the world news on CNN or BBC, the tragedy of war has never been more real. But have we not stopped for a moment to realize that there is a war going on inside our very minds and hearts and bodies?
And if there is a war between good and bad bacteria, disease and the immune system, negative emotion and positive feelings, fear and love, good and evil, hope and despair, the question we need to ask is, “Am I winning my inner battles?”
More importantly: “Do I want to win over my inner struggles?”
Sad vs depressed
The word “depressed” is so commonly used today in casual conversations like, “I am depressed because: it’s raining; there’s heavy traffic; my boss reprimanded me; my husband’s in a bad mood; it’s a bad hair day; my favorite high heels broke…”
Dr. Harold Bloomfield, coauthor of “How to Heal Depression,” says that to be sad or discouraged isn’t the same as being depressed.
Depression is a far serious matter. It is not the same as feeling blue. It is a severe state of hopelessness and sadness which makes everyday normal activities almost impossible to bear.
The symptoms:
Suicidal thoughts
Loss of interest in friends or hobbies
A sense of guilt at not being able to snap out of the feeling
A sense of powerlessness
Unusual sleeping habits
Problems in concentration
Just like diabetes and high blood pressure, depression may run in the family. A family history of depression puts anyone at risk.
Depression surfaces during times of transition—teenage years, midlife and retirement period.
Nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalance may also have a dramatic impact on one’s mental predisposition.
How to cope:
1) Consult a family elder if you suspect that you are undergoing depression. Family support is important.
2) See a therapist or a doctor.
3) Be surrounded by loving and supportive relatives and friends.
4) Cut back on sugar. It has been noted that depressed patients may have sensitivity to sugar.
5) Beware the caffeine crash. Avoid anything with caffeine like chocolates, coffee and black tea.
6) A low-fat diet may help stabilize one’s mood. Avoid fried foods and choose low-fat drinks and cheeses.
7) Take note that exercise is the best mood stabilizer.
Prevention magazine ran an article on healing with vitamins, so one may consider vitamin/mineral therapy to cope.
Folic acid—100 micrograms
Riboflavin—10 mg
Thiamin—10 mg
Vitamin B6—10 mg
Vitamin C—1,000-4,000 mg
Selenium—70 micrograms (for men)
Like love, happiness is a choice.
Now if only there were a pill to chase away one’s inner demons. Unfortunately, there is none. There is only you.
In Williams’ movie, Dr. Adams recommended small doses of “extreme happiness.”
Unfortunately, the actor, like many before him who had committed suicide, needed more than a small dose.
This week’s affirmation:
“I choose to live!”
Love and light!
Reference: Prevention’s “Healing with Vitamins” (Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books); edited by Alice Feinstein
E-mail the author at coryquirino1@yahoo.com