Friday, January 21

Changes

Category:

Sometimes life is tough, huh? 

I just wrote a huge blog about anxiety and depression. And then I deleted it. It was all about the yucky misfortune in my life and it was completely negative.

Bottom line is, I've suffered with it over the past 4 years. Off and on. It sucks.

When I'm down I search the internet for answers. It's comforting. And, when I'm down I'll take what I can get! :)

So, I've been on the downside this week and in my internet perusing, I came across this post, from a blog I frequently read. #9 on her list hit me. Hard. 

"9. decreased serotonin. several studies show that consumption of aspartame can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine (an amino acid that is safe in small doses). that means decreased levels of serotonin in the brain which can lead to depression, anxiety or panic attacks."

I drink excess amounts of Diet Dr. Pepper. Way more than I'm sure I should. Rarely do you ever see me without a drink in my hand. Just look at my about me page. I honestly didn't think twice about the amount of aspartame I was consuming. Seeing Bonnie's blog post gave me a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe this has something to do with the way I'm feeling. 

So, 2 days ago, I made a change. I quit DDP. Cold turkey. The hope of possibly eliminating these feelings was enough for me. I do realize that caffeine withdraw can be quite terrible, so I'll have an occasional coffee with real sugar or a 1/2 sweet, 1/2 unsweet tea... but eventually I'd like to cut those out as well. 

I want to take care of my body & mind. It deserves it.
Yay for changes :)

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2 note(s) from my friends:

  1. when i was a teen i had severe depression....this change is a good change for you :)
    if you ever want to chat let me know!!
    Keeping you in prayer,
    -Your Friend-

    ReplyDelete

  2. Hello Amy, I found your blog through Twitter this morning and am glad I did because this post really speaks to me. I have also suffered with a mixture of anxiety and depression, ending up with a panic disorder a couple of years ago when my life almost fell apart. Fortunately it's all behind me now and life is back to normal!

    One of the key things I learned on my way to getting better was how very important diet is to stable mental health. I had no idea that what we eat & drink can be so connected to things like anxiety & depression!

    I think you are very right to give up the excess Dr Pepper! The caffeine withdrawal will be difficult, but in the long run it will make you feel much better. Caffeine is actually really bad for those of us who are sensitive to things like anxiety, it puts your nervous system on edge, and if you were drinking so much of it all the time I can just imagine that your nervous system was feeling very frazzled indeed! It's best to keep tea & coffee to a minimum too, especially if you're mixing sugar in with them.

    I really hope you'll feel a good bit better when you give the Dr Pepper up! I have tons of info on things you can do with diet & lifestyle to help with anxiety, so if you want to get in touch you should be able to reply to this comment by email :)

    I hope I haven't overstepped the mark here, it's just that I know how bad anxiety can be and my heart reaches out to any one else who suffers in the same way that I used to x

    ReplyDelete

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