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Thread: Do we have a set point

  1. #11
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    I think that there is some part of it that has nothing to do with circumstance. It is just life with my chronic brain illness. Through the day i tend to feel better, also less sick feeling, by evening I can usually eat well.

  2. #12
    Senior Member lhamo's Avatar
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    I was listening to this interview today with a woman who host a podcast about depression -- you might find it (the interview, but also the podcast) interesting:

    https://www.jordanharbinger.com/kris...ur-own-battle/

    Another thing that comes up for a lot of people this time of year is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and Vitamin D deficiency. I know I suffer from the former. Probably from the latter.
    "Seek out habits that help you overcome fear or inertia. Destroy those that do the opposite." Seth Godin

  3. #13
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    I will check that out lhamo, in Colorado we generally are good on vitamin D but with all the high sunscreen levels it can affect it. I took the kids outside yesterday and took a walk in the morning but it was cloudy, still it helped a lot to stay active, I actually really loved being out when it was 20.

  4. #14
    Senior Member Gardenarian's Avatar
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    I was really unhappy growing up, a very sad kid and young adult. Now I'm very happy. My circumstances have been kind of extreme, though.

  5. #15
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    I think there is a set point of sorts. I also believe we can move the dial with concerted effort. Reducing stress and/or removing oneself from a very stressful life (job, family or whatever), does wonders for the happiness set point and the effects of a depressive personality. I've done it myself.

    ZG, I would think your set point has moved positively having removed yourself from the overtly negative job of the past?

  6. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gardnr View Post
    I think there is a set point of sorts. I also believe we can move the dial with concerted effort. Reducing stress and/or removing oneself from a very stressful life (job, family or whatever), does wonders for the happiness set point and the effects of a depressive personality. I've done it myself.

    ZG, I would think your set point has moved positively having removed yourself from the overtly negative job of the past?
    I think this is very true. When I got out of my incredibly negative full time gig, I was instantly happier. When I work part time for them, I feel the stress immediately and am less happy.

    But I have dealt with depression all my life, as has my father, my cousin, his mother, his uncle, etc. etc. I am pretty sure it is brain chemistry and hard wired into us.

  7. #17
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    I was also thinking that, and my stress and anxiety are VERY much less. I think that is what people are noticing in me. So that does make me happier or at least more content overall.

    As far as depression i learned a long time ago to separate it from circumstances. My brain does this, sometimes there are factors that can affect it, but I really can't take it personally. I used tontry and find causes, spent hours writing in journals, talking to people, etc. And then I saw that during the times I had what I had worked for it happened, and times when things went very wrong I was also depressed.

    Taking away the hypomanic is hard, my medication has done a good job of mellowing me out. I didn't realize I was nutty and hyper, just thought i was very smart and fun. I need to watch my mood, my food, my sleep and meditation, and my exercise daily.just that could be tiring!

    Thanks for the discussion all

  8. #18
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zoe Girl View Post
    ...
    Taking away the hypomanic is hard, my medication has done a good job of mellowing me out. I didn't realize I was nutty and hyper, just thought i was very smart and fun. I need to watch my mood, my food, my sleep and meditation, and my exercise daily.just that could be tiring!
    Thanks for the discussion all
    I have a friend who laments that she always meets potential mates during her hypomanic states, and then loses them when the inevitable depression sets in. I think her current medication has fixed that.

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