I posted this first in the vegetarian section but thought I might be able to get advice here as well from others maybe who have gone through similar problems with depression etc.. If its a problem for the double post let me know... Thanks! Ok, so heres my problem. I have been dealing with chemical depression and anxiety for years.. Tried the medication route in the beginning only to feel worse and decide on trying to heal myself more naturally. After being a vegetarian for over a decade I decided to give fish oil a try after much research on natural ways to combat severe depression and mood swings.. Also, I switched the rest of my diet over to vegan (other than the fish oil) and also taking other multivitamin vegan supplements.. I cut all wheat/gluten out of my diet as well.. Within about a week of this change I was pulled up from a really dark depression and was feeling and looking better than I had in years.. For some people fish oil seems to be a miracle for those who don't respond to medications or want to treat naturally.. esp in those w mood disorders and bipolar disorder. Still though I couldnt shake the guilty feeling for using the fish oil.. so I decided to try flax seed oil even though I had read in cases similar to mine it didn't seem to be as effective.. I have read all about the different absorbtions etc.. within days of the switch i crashed and started feeling really low again.. Was having a really hard time dragging myself to get excercise.. my skin started breaking out again and my over all energy is zilch.. What would you do? I am debating on giving the fish oil a try again but ever time I think about it I get this terrible guilty feeling about it.. I want so bad to feel well and healthy but I am not sure if I am wrong by taking the fish oil.. I kinda feel like who am I to say my life is higher than another creature on this earth.. like what gives me the right to support a company that does endorce the killing of any living creature. At the same time Im wanting to survive myself and live a happy life.. I just don't know what to do.. Would you take this fish oil or not? I'm feeling pretty crummy here and needing advice. Much Love and Light..
As a vegan I can understand how hard a decision this is for you. But I also know how dark life is when you're truly depressed. You shouldn't have to suffer that if there's something that works for you. Please don't feel guilty about taking the oil if you have to. I don't think it's wrong at all if it can help, and it doesn't mean you think your life is worth more than any other creature. If that was me I would take the oil and live by as much of a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle as was possible. At the end of the day you have tried alternatives already. You deserve to live as happy and guilt-free a life as you possibly can. Peace and love.
Wow. Thats so much for the encouragement and reassurance.. Im sure people have mixed opinions on what I should do.. I still feel pretty guilty about it but Im going to keep the rest of my lifestyle vegan and at least this way Im trying to tell myself that the fish died at least for a worthy cause. I picked up some more fish oil tonight at earthfare and Im going to experiment around with it and see if my mood improves once again and that it is the fish oil for sure responsible for it.. We, shall see. Thanks again for such a heartfelt reply.. I needed that. Much love and light, Julia
