Depression/Menstruation?

[RawFoodieCutie]

I've heard miraculous cures of how the raw food diet cures people of bipolar disorder and other mental ailments. I've been raw since December after about a month of crash dieting, a year of SI, and about three years of being depressed when I decided enough was enough.

I've had cooked food on less then five occasions, and got sick everytime. The few things that aren't raw in my diet are cocoa powder (still looking for an inexpensive raw cacao brand I can buy) and spices are iffy. I'll have larabars on occasion but they aren't a staple. My tahini I doubt is raw, but only use it occasionally in mylk. Other then that I only eat raw.

I'll admit my depression moods have gotten better, but at least three days before my period I have severe PMS? to the point of becoming suicidle. I get upset over things I know I wouldn't otherwise and will cry over things I know aren't true. I try to go back to my old lifestyle. Then I get my period and I have no desire to go back to that.

Is it because I'm a teenager? Or is something still off balance? I was reading about a woman who stopped getting her periods, and once she ate cooked food got them back violently, so I know some people believe menstruating is a form of detox-I'm just not sure what I'm detoxing. Is there anything I can incorporate into my lifestyle that can help even more? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, I appreciate it. I really hope I put this in the right section....Any help or advice is welcome.
Thank you,
Marah

[christinajade]

I think everyone is different. Everyone is affected differently. I also know that thousands of years ago there was menstration before there was even junk in our foods and processed crap. A time when most people ate pure and raw foods. I wouldn't necessarilly say that all menstration is toxin release but I'm sure that some can be to an extent. As far as being depressed and have those thoughts, I would definitely get some counseling and not wait. Raw foods does heal but it is not th 100% answer for everything in the entire universe. Sometimes we go through things and you can still go through issues when on raw. It is very important to have someone to talk to and support you, not just a friend or family member but someone who has no side that they are supporting. Someone who deals with and has knoweledge with these things. I hope this helps a little.:)

[nadien alexandra]

I've struggled with severe depression and pre-menstrual dysmorphic disorder for a big portion of my life.

I know things didn't get better for me until I confronted myself head on. I told myself that I was the only one that could heal me.

I started spending more time trying to find peace. I'd go for runs late at night, and I'd bike everyday, just to be by myself, in silence.

I ate high raw and then all raw, but that's not what healed me. It helped, but what really did it for me was just being comfortable alone and being creative, and productive in a way that means personal growth and self satisfaction.

I don't know if that's helps, but I truly hope you can overcome what you're feeling. I know how hard it can be to battle your emotions.

[RawFoodieCutie]

Thank you both so much for your advice. I've talked to my mother about it, I've seen the school counselor, but it's not exactly consistent yet so I need to find a way to deal with this with or without help from others. Thank you:)

[margoss]

glad you're feeling better. I have an emotional crash just b4 I start. It's amazing how I change, just like that. It's better the past 10months...some months better than others. Keep a record/journal if you can. I feel that life can be swinging sometimes no matter how much we try to remove somethings from our life...it's just life and we have to make the best we can to keep those times from making us worse. Glad your M's on this with you.

[nadien alexandra]

http://documentaryheaven.com/nutrition-and-behavior-aspartame-lecture/

I wholeheartedly believe that what you eat affects your mental well being.

I know you've already stated that you think so as well, but hopefully this provides you with even more insight into the theory!

[RawFoodieCutie]

Thank you all for the advice and the help. Also the link:)

[petercheck12]

In the long term, if the problems are not resolved, depression lowers the immune system, leaving you prone to a spiral of worstening mental and physical health.Depression is a psychological condition that changes how you think and feel, and also affects your social behavior and sense of physical well-being. Regular exercise is a powerful depression fighter. Not only does it boost serotonin, endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals, it triggers the growth of new brain cells and connections, just like antidepressants do.

[annabella]

I feel you! I have noticed that during times of immense stress or during times of big life changes, I have incredibly painful and emotional periods and PMS, passing out, throwing up, you name it. I believe that this is because menstruation is the special cleansing process we go through as women, which is more emotional, I believe that it is meant to cleanse us emotionally AND physically from things we have stored up the previous month, with sexual energy as well. I believe that if you are having this hard of a time, you are being thoroughly cleansed, so this is definitely a good thing!

My first month raw my period was horrible. The next was a little better. I think it was detox, emotionally and physically. I found it really really helped to spend some time outdoors during this time by myself. If you have somewhere you can go to be in nature, spend some time in a cave or near a body of water, wherever you feel more connected to the earth. Allow yourself to go through this discomfort and know that you will feel better in the long run. Make sure you're getting plenty of water and fats (coconut oil is best for me) and just relax. You'll get through this better on the other side!

I feel for you though and send you lots of love and support, as we all do!! Hang in there...

[annabella]

Also, would like to reiterate other people's comments that this can be an incredibly creative and enlightening time for you.. whatever your creative outlet is, try spending some time with it reflecting, journaling, just getting all those thoughts and emotions OUT of you in some way which you find beautiful and therapeutic. But if you feel that you also need someone to talk to, by all means seek other forms of help. This can help a lot.