[drumdance]

Off the top of my head:

* Therapy off and on for about 20 years. I got something from all of it but the last five years in particular has been great. Currently I only go a few times a year, but for about a year I went once a week. $135 per session.

* Various prescription drugs, the most impactful of which has been Zoloft. Bit also Chantix to quite tobacco and Antabuse to help me with alcoholism

* Membership in mastermind groups - some business-oriented, others geared toward personal development. Usually there is at least one meetup/retreat involved. In 2013-15 I did one retreat per quarter. That group cost me about $10,000 a year in dues plus travel.

* Fitness classes - $150/month for the last five years or so

* Quality of life stuff like owning a luxury car, living in a beautiful place, international travel at least once a year, and so on.

[quickpost]

Great list of stuff and makes think I need to do more of that, with the only possible exception being the prescription drugs.

How did Zoloft have such a great impact on you? Can you describe what you felt like off of it vs on it and how it changes you in a positive way? I'm very curious (and curious to know if it would benefit me long term).

[drumdance]

I had tried Effexor, Proxac and Wellbutrin over the years with modest success. About five years ago, when I was going through a super-bad depression, my sister mentioned that she had tried and liked Zoloft. So I asked for that and have been off and on with it (currently on) since then.

It makes a huge difference. My mind doesn't wander into dark places as much, and when it does I'm able to redirect my thoughts somewhere else.

Also, with Zoloft I don't feel like I'm "on" something. I just feel normal.

The downside is it pretty much makes orgasm impossible, though I can temporarily get that back if I go off it for a couple days. This year I resolved to stay on it for all of 2015, because in the past I would often do it for 7-8 months, think "I feel great!" and wean myself off. I'll re-evaluate next spring.

Also, some supplements I take make a significant difference in energy levels. I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue around the same time I started Zoloft. I did a saliva test and it turns out my cortisol is very low in the morning, making it hard to get out of bed and get going. The biggest impacts there seem to be from Rhodiola Rosea and DHEA, but I also take fish oil, B vitamins (see below) and a couple other things.

I also got a genetic test and found that I have the [heterozygous MTHFR mutation[(http://doccarnahan.blogspot.com/2013/05/mthfr-gene-mutation-...), and I take Deplin for that, though I believe non-prescription forms are available. That also seems to help with energy levels.

And I also do an annual-ish [SpectraCell](http://www.spectracell.com/) test through a local practitioner. From that we discovered that my B vitamins and testosterone were low (I'm in my late 40s so the testosterone change is not a surprise). I actually just completed another test and will get the results next week.

Finally, in the last three weeks I cut out all sugar and simple carbs. I've done that in the past but allowed a weekly "cheat day" that inevitably led me to fall off the wagon. This time I am very strict and I feel as energetic as I ever have in my life.

I don't thing cutting out sugar all by itself is the answer. Rather it's a combination of all these things that helps me develop the discipline and willpower around diet and exercise. Cutting out sugar does seem to prevent afternoon fatigue and general mood swings.