In 2020 I had a mild stroke. In 2021... I got Shingles.... and all during the Covid-19 Pandemic. I used to jokingly ask, "What's next 2022?"
Be careful what you ask.
The last time I remember really feeling good about myself was in 2019. Things were going very well with my blog and I was genuinely happy, both with my business and my personal life.
But then came 2020, and the stroke, and then covid, and the beginning of the decline of my blog. Somehow we pushed through to the end of that horrible year, and then came 2021 with more covid, one of the worst heatwaves in Oregon's history, and then a case of shingles.
To top it all off - the number of people viewing my blog, which is my sole source of income, had declined even more, and by the end of the year had dropped nearly 40%.
I was beginning to get this horrible feeling of dread.
Dread, despair, sadness, anxiety, depression - you name it, I was feeling it.
And by January of this year, 2022, it had all come to a peak. I simply could not take it anymore. I felt horrible, was gaining weight, probably due to my self-medication of nightly alcohol, and my blood pressure had gone back up to levels that were definitely not healthy.
And then by chance, I watched a YouTube video talking about ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) - and it all clicked.
I mean every single symptom they described, I would find myself nodding in agreement. My fidgetiness, my lack of motivation, my bouts of sadness and despair, my inability to finish things I had started (remember my Lose 21 Pounds in 21 Challenge? or my Podcast? or my YouTube vids?)
I had my wife watch it and I said, "Tell me if you recognize any of these things in me." When it finished she turned to me, wide-eyed, and said "Oh my GOD! That's YOU!"
My Story So Far
First off - I never had suicidal thoughts. But if YOU do, or know someone who is - PLEASE call the number above. There will ALWAYS be someone there to talk to you!
On January 24, 2022, I made my first doctor's appointment. I was hoping for a referral to a therapist to get tested for ADHD - that's all I wanted. Instead....I got a diagnosis of depression and anxiety and was given an SSRI Antidepressant called Paxil.
One pill made me sicker than I have ever felt in my life!
I woke up to my skin crawling off my body, eyes super dilated, my GI tract was NOT happy, and I felt clammy while also shivering with cold. Scared my wife for sure! I called my doc the next day and he switched me over to an NDRI Antidepressant (norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitor) called Wellbutrin, which I have been on ever since.
Until yesterday.
I have completely stopped the Wellbutrin and do not intend to ever take it again. Why? I haven't slept more than 3 hours at a time in over a week.
I'm done with pills. DONE.
I realized I was slowly entering "the system", where they treat your symptoms instead of even looking for a root cause, and before you know it you're taking another pill for this side-effect and another pill for that side-effect....
NO - THANK - YOU!
And I also realize that thanks to Covid - finding ANY kind of therapist, let alone a local one, is going to take a while, maybe a long while, so unless I want to be on this medicine for the rest of my life - I need to do something different.
So this is my new challenge:
Treating my anxiety, depression, and possible ADHD - NATURALLY.
Since Wellbutrin works by keeping the neurotransmitters Norepinephrine and Dopamine in your system longer, I started searching for ways I can boost these mood chemicals myself.
And you are NOT going to believe what I found....
- Exercise
- Sunshine for Vitamin D
- Nature Therapy (Walking Wednesday ?)
- Good SLEEP
- Drinking Enough WATER
- Music
- Meditation
- Vitamin B12
- Omega 3 like Flaxseed and Walnuts
- LOTS of Fruits and Veggies (a lot more than I eat now!)
- A HIGH FIBER Diet
- Probiotic Foods
- GOOD protein from beans, legumes, and soy
- NO alcohol
- NO processed foods
- NO refined grains
- NO gluten
- NO junk food
Wait....what?!
Isn't this what I teach already? That a good Diet and Exercise can fix almost anything?
I KNOW THIS!
Now, I just have to put together a plan, a DAILY plan, to incorporate as much of the above as possible. Yes, I eat healthy already, but I can always improve. ALWAYS.
And now that I know that a good diet and exercise not only affects your physical health but can also affect your MENTAL health.... it should make it easier to stick to, whether I have ADD or not.
Another plus is I was just at the doctor so I have a fresh lipid panel to use as a baseline.
So I'm off.
This is my new 2022 Challenge.
My new journey.
Better Mental Health through Diet and Exercise.
You're more than welcome to join me, and as soon as I have a solid plan in place, I will share it with you.
Thanks for always being so supportive.
David
Just reading this now, for the first time on Sept. 25. I'm sorry to hear about what you are going through. From an outsiders POV, after what you shared about your mental health( so similar to mine), I'm amazed at what you've accomplished. Know it or not, you are a strong person Chuck. I know that doesn't instantly make everything better. I also know that what you've created and what you've shared as your vision for this community IS the path I need to take.As I mentioned, I too have a tendency(perhaps exacerbated by my food choices) towards anxiety and depression. For me, a great deal of my anxiety is brought on by not getting things done and then feeling guilty about it. The EXPECTATIONS of my perfectionist self image versus the reality of being a PERFECTLY IMPERFECT human being that is on a journey and can't do everything at once. It'll get done when it's time. Thank you for sharing your feelings and Thank you again for sharing your vision. God bless you Chuck.
Trish
I didn’t even realize I was depressed. I just kinda looked around one day and said “Wait..this isn’t me… something’s not right” I had pretty much isolated myself (except for work). Hadn’t listened to music that much. Hadn’t laughed as much as I used to.. which is really unlike me. I’m on a different path now and feeing MUCH better!! I look forward to hearing about your journey
Vivian Hill
Exercise, walking outdoors, preferably in the woods, and no alcohol are key. Rooting for you, Chuck!
Tracey
Chuck, this sounds good. Think I'll join you in this.
Wishing you a wonderful 2022
Carolyn
Chuck search for Trudy Scott. She works with people with neurotransmitters. They are muchbetter than drugs. Vest if luck to you.
Nancy
Same damn boat, Chuck. I look forward to your perspective and advice. I’ve been on different meds and don’t want the side effects or disappointment. I am all eats!
Pam Griffith
Depression, anxiety and mental illness are real! Thanks for putting a spotlight on them! You set a great example of how to deal with them. Although, some people and illnesses require medication and other therapies, it’s so nice when we are able to treat them naturally! Thanks again!
Jennifer Santeler
Thank you for sharing--I can't wait to see what you come up with for your 2022 plan; I'm definitely planning to follow along! Good health to you--and thank you for all of the amazing recipes.
Shelley
Sounds great Chuck! I can't wait to join you on your 2022 challenge!
in2insight
Thank you for sharing what must have been a challenging post.
Good on you for taking back control.
As you well know, mind body and soul all work together and are best when all 3 are in harmony and in sync.
It a journey and it sounds like you are on solid footing for the trek ahead.
Pam
I have followed you for quite a while! I will take your challenge too and look forward to progress together! Thank you for creating these amazing recipes Gide us to enjoy! Praying die your health to improve!
Wilma
I love your recioes.
YOU GO GUY with.ficusing on mental health.
We have MINDS BODIES and SOULS and each if us is unique - no one else has the same finger print as you- USE that knowledge to listen to your own voice as each day is a new adventure.
Huge hugs to you and your wife and family
I LOVE group hugs
Jesn
Watch Chef AJ with Robert Whitaker. He wrote Anatomy of an Epidemic. An interesting and I opening read.
Christine
Best wishes and thanks for sharing!
Stacey
Hi Chuck, ADD meds have worked for me 25+ years (I am 53). SSRI’s, etc were awful for me, too. Yoga helped me tremendously in many ways. Be sure to start with a beginner class. It helps so much with energy and focus!