I had seen some information about akasthisia on-line once when researching RLS, and I was struck by the definition, just like the one you posted. Pretty wild, isn't it???
As for diet and depression, the more I read, the more I'm convinced of the important links between food and mood, even for people with clinical chronic brain chemistry problems like the one I have. Diet affects everyone, but evidently if it's coupled with a genetic predisposition to under-producing needed brain chemicals, the problems can be much worse.
As we've discussed, depression and anxiety are somewhat different "beasts", and there can be a number of different cause and effect patterns for them each. I did a little searching, and found a few suggestions of simple things you might try, while you're working on medical and psychological avenues as well. I don't know your personal habits, Jumpy, so if any of this is not relevant, I trust you'll excuse it.
--- Potential protein malnutrition. Eggs, fish, chicken in the skin, red meat, nuts, seeds, cottage cheese, cheese, avocado and "good" oils are among the high-protein foods that many people limit due to concerns about fat intake. According to Julia Ross, M.A. in her book, The Diet Cure. " Protein malnutrition causes brain-power outage. As the activity of the brain shrinks with dieting [low-fat, low-protein diet], the brain's mental and emotional stability can falter--- even fail. (You can recognize brain chemistry deficiency by its very specific symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, obsessiveness, and low self-esteem.) ... The four brain chemicals that dictate your moods are all derived from the amino acids in protein foods. Even non-dieters who tend not to eat enough protein can suffer from low-protein brain drain." Average adults need between 50 and 100 grams of protein daily... more when under stress or if they have a high drain on nutrients through heavy exercise, etc.
--- Tryptophan deficiency. Trypthophan is one of the first nutrients we become deficient in when our diets are not adequate. Low levels lead to depression, low self-esteem, obsessive thoughts, etc. Tryptophan levels are also affected by other chemicals in our bodies, like aspartame (Nutrasweet) which actually competes with tryptophan in our bodies. It blocks it's conversion into serotonin. Tryptophan also is necessary for our bodies to manufacture melatonin which of course helps our brains maintain a healthy body clock and good sleep patterns. Complete proteins (meats, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs) provide natural tryptophan. Turkey is well-known as a high-tryptophan food.
--- Caffiene can contribute to depression. It depletes your vitaimin and mineral levles, overstimulates and weakens your organs, and overacidifies your pH. Even relatively small amounts of caffiene can start these negative effects.
--- Essential fatty acid deficiency. Jumpy, aren't you from eastern European heritage? That's not a specific background that red flags for fat deficiency, but a lack of "good" oils in the diet can be a cause of depression, alcoholism, and many diseases. Fats are vital for energy, overall health,and cell structure. Fatty fish, extra virgin olive oil, flax oil, dark leafy vegetables, walnuts and brazil nuts, sunflower seeds are all good for you. Foods with or supplements of vitamins A, E and C, as well ast B, lecithin and selenium help your body use the good oils you do take in. Sugar or alcohol can prevent our bodies from utilizing good fats. We don't need a lot of these essential fatty acids, but we desperately need "enough."
--- Adrenal or thyroid problems. This is more complicated, but can sometimes be related to depression.
Jumpy, when I was first alerted to this sort of mood-food connection, I got IMMEDIATE improvement in both brain chemical and hormonal problems just by increasing my daily protein proportions and replacing some simple carbohydrates with complex ones. Friends who have both anxiety and depression have seen improvements as well. I have no idea if any of this would help you or not.
But in general, healthier eating seems to have all benefits and no drawbacks. It doesn't interfere with (and CAN sometimes enhance) both prescription and psychological treatments. And it can give us greater energy and strength to deal with emotional problems, stress and illness.
BIG hugs, and hopes for a much healthier, happier 2005, Jumpy!!!
Sara
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