Etienne A. Gibbs, Internet Safety Advocate and Educator  

Overcoming Depression without the Use of Drugs

Depression is one of the most debilitating illnesses that affect millions of people worldwide every year. People who have never had depression do not always understand it. It is easy to say, “get over it” or “pull yourself together” when you are in the depression state, but it is very difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel. 

Some forms of depression do require medication. It is difficult for the family members to cope with and understand how to deal with someone who is suffering with depression and it is possible to have panic attacks and anxiety that accompany the depression. It can also be as a side effect, caused by some of the medication that is given.

Depression may start at an early stage of our lives and as we get older it is compounded and later on in life it appears as the stresses of today’s lifestyle get to be unmanageable to the point of a nervous breakdown or totals burnout which may cause physical illnesses.

Sometimes, one may become preoccupied, with other things as not to face up to the problem or the responsibilities hoping that it will all go away. This may be as a result of Depression, one tends to get very absorbed in working longer hours, so as not to spend too much time at home, or you don’t want to get out of bed to go to work because you hate the job, or the people that you are working with, or you get involved with computer games, excessive drinking of alcohol or over eating or not eating. Everything is done to the extreme, hoping that the problems will go away.

In today’s hectic lifestyle, Depression is very high on the list of illnesses along with Heart disease and Cancer.

Some of the Causes of Depression:

● Peer and parent pressure in teenagers

● Empty nest syndrome

● Death in the family

● Financial pressures

● Marital problems

● Retrenchment (downsizing)

● Divorce

● Trauma

● Fear

The list goes on and on, it is different for every one as each person sees the situation in various ways that pertain to them.

How to recognize Depression.

The Three Warning Stages may be:

• 1. The Alarm Stage:

● Very emotional tearful

● Lack of Self-esteem

● Sensitivity

● Anger

• 2. Resistance Stage:

● Feeling of rejection

● Aloneness

● Irritability

● Denial

• 3. Exhaustion Stage

● Nervous breakdown

● Erratic behaviors

● Sleeplessness

● Burnout

● Illness

Now there is light at the end of the tunnel. Depression, anxiety and panic attacks may be rectified, by the use of alternative therapies such as Reflexology and without the use of any drugs.

How, you ask?

1. The first step is that you need to acknowledge the fact that you have a problem and honestly want to get back to your normal happy self.

2. Second step is to take full responsibility for your health.

3. Third step is to find someone to help you identify the cause, as this is not easy as it might be something that happened to you as a child and over the years has compounded and a trigger has set it off now, or it could be because of a recent event that has occurred in your life.

Reflexology works in that it helps you to relax. This creates a better bloodflow and, by stimulating the nerve endings, impulses are sent via the spinal cord to the brain and onward to all organs and tissues. Over a period of time the body returns to normal and the person feels energized and happier about who they are.

• ● a Psychologist who helped her come off the drugs and
  

• ● a Reflexologist who taught her how to relax and to bring her body back into a balance

Pat has been drug-free since 1995.  Pat now lives a very happy and fulfilling life. She believes that all of what happened to her was meant to be, as it was experiences and challenges she had to go through to be able to help others by understanding where they are and where they need to be.

Twelve years ago Pat left her full-time employment as a Personal/Asst to a financial director in the corporate world. Now a registered Therapeutic Reflexologist, Pat has been in full time practice since 1995. She also ran the West Rand Depression and Anxiety support Group.

Besides being interviewed on ITV and Radio 702 and SA-FM Pat has written articles for the Citizen and Caxton newspapers, magazines such as Woman and Home, Living and Loving, Longevity, Destiny, SA Reflexology Society Journal, Shape, and Life and on the following websites:

·        www.health24.co.za ,

·        www.woman24.co.za , and

·        www.selfgrowth.com .

Pat was Chairperson for the North/West Branch of the South African Reflexology Society for five years where she served for four years on the Executive Committee.

Because Pat is extremely passionate about assisting people to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life, she now embraces all her achievements and successes. 

Besides her workshop on Overcoming Depression and Anxiety, Pat also runs a workshop entitled Be Successful and Live a Fulfilling Life. This helps people to find your Purpose in every area of your life. These workshops are run countrywide for individuals or for companies who have their ‘employees’ wellbeing at heart.

Pat does talks to enlighten people and attends seminars overseas. This keeps her up-to-date with what is going on around the world.