Depression from Pollution
 

I have a problem which goes back many years. When I am in a location and weather conditions prevail which concentrate auto exhaust, it messes up all my body systems and I can become severly depressed. Has any one else experienced this and is there any treatment other than moving? :grouphug:

I also have Bipolar II and when both factors are going it is practically unbearable. The interestning fact is that smoke from brush or forest fires usually does not bother me. So it is probably not lung impairment.

I have never heard of this before, but in this big community, I bet it won't be long before somebody comes along that can help you.

Thanks for the support Julie:) I posted on the old BT as well. It appears that my problem is rare. This is consistent with the reactions from coworkers, family, friends etc. down through the years.:thud:

I live in Reno which like Denver is a high altitude bowl, experiencing rapid growth. So moving may be my only senseble course.:rolleyes:

I haven't had a problem exactly like you describe, but on three occasions over the past two years I have gone through periods when any type of pollution, especially something like auto exhaust, was very distressing to me. It was like having a super sense of smell for certain things, and the result was so powerful that the inside of my nose, sinuses and lungs actually felt chemically burned by the pollutant.

During these times I did experience increased depression, but that was likely due to the physical suffering.

This doesn't surprise me. I hope that you get feeling better soon though. I know it's not fun being depressed or anything but you will get better. You may have to move but it would be worth it if it helps you to feel better! Hang in there!
Wish

move to a samller town

I have a similar situation with the change in the weather and pollution and smells. I just started last week dealing with cronic fatigue, depression, runny nose and feeling funny in my head and eyes. I just went today and got an allergy shot, you might try that.

Ada

I realize this is a really old thread but I sure hope you can still see my reply. I wanted to totally validate how you felt in Reno or feel if you are still there. I have been living in Denver on and off and over the last few years my depression has increased terrifically here along with severe chronic fatigue. I started to think the altitude is a problem for me as I get older.

I went to Bozeman, MT where it is only about 460 feet lower but a lot less pollution and I felt better. I was there a little over a month. I still got tired and had some days of depression and had to rest whole days, but when I got back to Denver, my problems worsened substantially.

I started doing some research and Denver is 8th on the top 15th list of towns having a high suicide rate. Colorado Springs is #2 on the list. Las Vegas is #1. Anyway, the research done by a university in Utah suggests there is a correlation between high suicide rates and the Interwestern Mountain regions. Many other factors came into play, but they think there is a strong correlation with altitude. They also mentioned pollution combined can be a factor as it eats up more available oxygen and the stress on the body can be harder for those with depression.

I have never had anything anywhere else like the severe "depression headaches" I get when in Denver. I got depressed in Montana a few times but no severe headache accompanying.

In my research, I came across some articles that talked about how pollution alone can cause an inflammatory response in the brain for some that can trigger depression.

Overall, I have decided I need to move somewhere else - lower elevation and/or less pollution. I am totally drained in Denver and can't enjoy anything here anymore. A walk with my dog will wipe me out for an hour later sometimes. I didn't feel that bad living in Akron, OH, Bozeman, MT, or even Los Angeles.

I also have a lot of suicidal thoughts here and for the last two-three years, I have seriously considered getting ECT treatments, especially during the seasonal affective disorder types months.

So I am wondering if you are still on this board if you ever got to move somewhere else and if you felt at least somewhat better? It is hard to make a big move, but I am not happy in Denver at all. I hate it here and the pollution just gets worse as it gets more crowded. The summers are getting so hot and dry as well.

Good luck to you!