What perfect timing -- I just read a short article in <I>Allure</I> magazine last night which addresses this subject, and I'm going to copy it here:
"There might be a connection between sadness and sweets, according to a Baylor College of Medicine study. Psychiatrists Arthur N. Westover and Lauren B. Marangell researched the annual rate of severe depression and the annual per capita intake of refined sugar for six countries. The data revealed a direct correlation. Rates of both were highest in New Zealand, followed by Canada, Germany, France, the United States, and Korea. The striking correlation does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, the psychiatrists note. However, since sugar increases the body's level of mood-lifting chemicals, it's possible that depressed people crave it for that reason. Or, over time, large doses of sugar could cause the brain to cut back on production of these chemicals, leading to depression." (<I>Allure</I> magazine, April 2003, p. 150.)
I've taken mood-lifting meds twice -- once in 1992 for panic & anxiety disorder (drugs did nothing, finally kicked that one myself with a good book and some coping techniques), and again in 2001 for depression (drugs made me feel numb ... no more lows, no more highs, no desire for intimate affection, just a flat line). When I started LCing, I decided that I wanted to come off the anti-depressant, and I did. Do I ever feel low? Sure. But damn, now when things are going good, I feel that natural high again -- I missed that!! -- and after the first month, when the drugs finally were flushed out of my system, I felt the return of desire. Being off the meds made me feel human again.
I've noticed that I'm still moody, and a lot of my "depressed" moments now are reactions to specific stressful situations, as opposed to the utter hopelessness and lack of expectation I experienced when I was depressed. I truly believe, if I can find the right balance in my life of food, exercise, fun and quiet time, I can fight back against depression, the same way I kicked the PAD -- knowledge, faith, and one day at a time.
Of course, that includes figuring out how to de-stress my workplace (or de-sensitize myself to the stress!).
I realize that what seems to be working for me isn't for everyone. Listen to <B>your</B> body, and <B>your</B> brain ... and do what's best for <B>you</B>, that's my motto now!