James's story

I had a bout of severe clinical depression about 10 years ago. Once the pain subsided it left me with a difficult and painful mood disorder that over time got worse despite tablets and talking therapies.

After 4 years of emotional struggle, I was about to go off long term sick because I felt ill all the time.

Then I had a breakthrough; my mum told me about a female lawyer who had recovered from a breakdown using a book called Potatoes Not Prozac by Dr K DesMaisons, I bought the book not expecting much but it made biological sense and the author's story sounded very familiar, I put the seven step programme into my lifestyle and much to my joy and amazement I recovered, and started to feel normal again, it was like moving from Winter to Summer, the mood swings and low self esteem went and I was able to continue in my job. I worked on my self with a mentally healthy life style and I lost weight and my health improved further. The book essentially converts the reader from a western diet back to a healthy mediterranean diet. I had to stick to the diet to stay well. I noted alcohol, sugar, refined carbohydrates and caffeine gave me crazy thoughts but was able to work and support my family.

My next discovery came later when I read the evidence for EPA Omega 3 and mental health. There are two international double blind clinical trials demonstrating the mood stabilising and anti depressant action of this natural structural fat. Some psychiatrists are using EPA clinically for mood disorders. Prof Basant Puri has produced a book "A Natural Way to Beat Depression", explaining the science behind the antidepressant properties of EPA. After a month, I noted a further improvement in my moods and really felt I was getting back to normal and able to have a couple of beers on a Saturday night without a moody hangover.

I am now well and earning a good living. I work freelance which means I am my own boss and have a job I control. If I have another bout of depression I have a back door and am not letting anybody down. Depression in my experience is a nightmare but I have been lucky, I still have my house, career, excellant loving wife and three children. My journey to full health and function has been hard work but worth every effort. I do realise I have a relapsing condition and have to be careful to take care of myself and not over work.

It could all have been so different.