| I've got a bit of a problem with depression | | | | many optimistic perspectives or treatments |
| and anxiety. I've been tackling these | | | | expressed on some sites). |
| problems for several years without the use of | | | | |
| modern medicine. Tai Chi, meditation, martial | | | | Look for sites that look at things in a |
| arts (exercise), and positive interaction | | | | positive light. Maybe search out some |
| with other people seem to keep a lid on my | | | | alternative therapies as well so you can get |
| illnesses most of the time. I don't like the | | | | all the possible different approaches that |
| idea of medication's side effects, and I | | | | can be taken to tackle your illness. Some |
| don't believe the answers in life are often | | | | websites can be very helpful with interactive |
| found in the easy path (E.G. taking a pill), | | | | features like ‘Ask the doctor", on-line |
| but rather on the hard path of effort and | | | | questionnaires, and question and answer |
| determination. This is not to say that I | | | | archives that give you an idea of what others |
| don't feel medicine is not effective, not at | | | | have asked and the solutions they were |
| all, I just feel all the options should be | | | | presented with. There is heaps of information |
| looked at before making big decisions to do | | | | on both prescription and over-the counter |
| with one's health. | | | | medicines so you can make your choices in an |
| | | | informed manner. You can often find |
| Health of body and mind has always been one | | | | information specific to groups, like |
| of the most important issues in life for us | | | | children, the elderly, men and women. |
| humans. Seeing a doctor is usually the best | | | | |
| option when one comes down with an illness or | | | | Just remember your body is your temple and |
| ailment, but people have always tried | | | | you must be wary of many variables not often |
| alternative routes to recovery: E. G. the | | | | foretold in literature. Beware of medicines |
| ‘home doctor' books of old. Maybe you | | | | from other countries as they may be different |
| don't like sitting in a room waiting with a | | | | or have different names. Keep in mind only |
| bunch of other sick people-you might catch | | | | you know your personal history, all people |
| something there! You could be housebound, or | | | | are different, and always get several |
| maybe you feel like hearing several opinions | | | | opinions. Watch out for sites with grandiose |
| as you've found past experiences with some | | | | claims as miracles come from higher powers |
| doctors have been tainted by poor judgments. | | | | and not from companies who might just want to |
| Well, the Internet is here with a multitude | | | | get rich quick! |
| of options to help you get better. | | | | |
| | | | I do acknowledge the fitness and diet sites |
| Medical advice and data abounds on this | | | | as being very useful as well. You can devise |
| household tool in the form of self-help | | | | your own fitness plan derived from lifestyle |
| sites, searchable medical encyclopedias, | | | | information, and forums and newsgroups give |
| support groups, live chats with doctors, and | | | | you many opinions on which road to take. You |
| you can even have professional consultations | | | | can have your diet analyzed by on-line |
| on-line (for a fee). My advice is to just be | | | | trainers, some of which send free newsletters |
| wary of the type of language that the site is | | | | and even send you emails of encouragement to |
| expressing. Many sites will have extensive | | | | help you towards your goal. |
| lists telling you of all the symptoms in the | | | | |
| Universe: everybody on Earth could be | | | | So, there's a whole new world of on-line |
| construed as being ill in some way! This can | | | | health advice and information for humanity to |
| cause people with a propensity for | | | | access right from home. Get all your options |
| hypochondria to start diagnosing themselves | | | | and remember your attitude is often the first |
| with all sorts of diseases. In my case, | | | | real step to overcoming physical, mental, and |
| reading about all the symptoms of depression | | | | spiritual adversity! |
| actually made me feel more depressed as it | | | | |
| made me focus on my weaknesses (without too | | | | . |