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Barbara Tuchman's well-known <i>A Distant Mirror</i> characterized the
13th Century as a time likewise very high in rate of change. Generally,
human societies often change rapidly, and the notion that we change
more than others is probably a mistake. That said, it is possible that
the structure of belief in the 13th Century did buffer the stress from
the changes. Clearly, a belief in God is empirically related to better
coping, lower stress, and so forth.<br>
Lynn <br>
<br>
Christian Rauh wrote:<br>
<blockquote type="cite" cite="mid42669129.4020201@uconn.edu">Could it
be that a less predictable future have more to do than the belief in
God? Maybe things are changing too fast for us to cope.
<br>
<br>
Christian
<br>
<br>
Lynn D. Johnson, Ph.D. wrote:
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">Diet: This is a good point, and one I have
considered. However, the history of a rise in depression pre-dates the
low fat fad. In the 1960s the trend was already appearing, with people
of my generation being at higher risk of depression than my own
grandparents. Therefore, Seligman argues more in favor of changing
values. I think you are correct that diet may also play a role, but it
is not the whole picture.
<br>
<br>
I put in the Horatius at the gate segments because the notion is that
if nothing is worth dying for, then nothing is worth living for. One's
willingness to give one's life in service of a higher value is a source
of great strength and happiness. This appears to be an empirical
finding, and illustrates the role of values and social norms in
reducing depression.
<br>
<br>
"and how can man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of
his fathers and the temples of his gods . . ." The man / woman who
deeply believes this has something great to live for, knows his/her
position in life, and feels a deep connection with forebearers /
posterity ('child upon her breast'). This seems to immunize against
depression.
<br>
<br>
Lynn
<br>
<br>
Steve Hovland wrote:
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">Lipids, depression and suicide
<br>
by
<br>
Colin A, Reggers J, Castronovo V, Ansseau M.
<br>
Assistante Clinique, Universite de Liege,
<br>
CUP La Clairiere, Bertrix.
<br>
Encephale 2003 Feb;29(Pt 1):49-58
<br>
<br>
ABSTRACT
<br>
Polyunsatured fatty acids are made out of a hydrocarbonated chain of
variable length with several double bonds. The position of the first
double bond (w; omega) differentiates polyunsatured w3 fatty acids (for
example: alpha-linolenic acid or a-LNA) and polyunsatured w6 fatty
acids (for example: linoleic acid or LA). These two classes of fatty
acids are said to be essential because they cannot be synthetised by
the organism and have to be taken from alimentation. The w3 are present
in linseed oil, nuts, soya beans, wheat and cold water fish whereas w6
are present in maize, sunflower and sesame oil. Fatty acids are part of
phospholipids and, consequently, of all biological membranes. The
membrane fluidity, of crucial importance for its functionning, depends
on its lipidic components. Phospholipids composed of chains of
polyunsatured fatty acids
<br>
<br>
<br>
The rest of the story: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.biopsychiatry.com/lipidsmood.htm">http://www.biopsychiatry.com/lipidsmood.htm</a>
<br>
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<br>
</blockquote>
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</blockquote>
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