Let's Talk About Depression

I love Bell's Let's Talk initiative for a bunch of reasons. The first is that throughout the day, Bell contributes five cents from every long-distance call, text and official retweet from their customers toward mental health. The second is because Bell actually accomplishes its other goal - to get people talking about mental health. The third is because they focus on the "health" part of this condition, not the illness part. It's about starting a conversation, creating awareness and getting rid of the stigma associated with the condition.

I've posted before about depression as an integral part of the atopic-allergic triad (World Mental Health Day, Mental Health Week). Whatever the link, it's not something to be ignored. As a child, teenager or adult with multiple atopic and allergic conditions, it's almost unfathomable that one wouldn't experience some dark times and some dark thoughts. However, how many times is depression really discussed as part of medical treatment? It should be and if you or someone you care for has multiple allergic or atopic conditions, I encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.

Today is a great day to start having that conversation with others. If you're the one suffering silently, don't. You are certainly not alone and there is nothing wrong with having depression. There is something wrong with not getting help. If you are the parent, partner or friend of someone with allergies and atopy and you think that they're depressed, start this discussion. Let them know you're there to talk and offer support if they decide to seek professional treatment.

No one who understands atopic conditions or allergies would tell someone with either (or both) to "buck up and get over it". Allergies and atopy don't work that way. Neither does depression. Allergies and atopy can require medication, treatment and in the case of eczema even behavioural modification. Depression is no different. It requires care, treatment and understanding.

So, start talking.

10 Allergy- & Atopy-Friendly Gift Giving Ideas

I'll be honest. The best stuff I've ever received during Christmas or for birthdays has had nothing to do with my allergies. In fact, I can't think of a single present I have ever received that has been allergy-related. I have a received a couple of nice items related to skin care though. But, other than that, while I dub myself "AtopicGirl", that's only part of my life and I don't primarily define myself as an allergic/atopic person.

So, I always told myself I would never make one of these lists. However, there are some absolutely amazing allergy- and atopy-related items out this year that I wouldn't mind seeing beneath the tree. So, you'll have to forgive me.


My list is mostly geared towards adults (A) and teens (T), but some are certainly for the children (C) on your list.

1. MedicAlert bracelets: MedicAlert has totally outdone themselves this year. The understated, army-look silver bands are out. What's in are Swarovski Element bracelets and Roots leather bands. Pearls, crystals, silver links - they've literally got a style to suit everyone. (A,T,C) Range of prices CDN

2. Allergy Apparel skull t-shirts: Allergy Apparel has the coolest and cutest skull t-shirts for kids. If you haven't seen these yet, take a look. My only problem is that they don't have bigger sizes. Great gift for that mischievous little boy or girl on your shopping list. (C only, but wish it were A and T) Range of prices USD

3. OneSpot Allergy Lip Balm: This is an easy and brilliant stocking stuffer. It's an allergy-friendly, petroleum-free, scent-free and irritant-free lipbalm which is more difficult to find than one would think. Great product for any age. (A,T,C) $7.50 CDN

4.Monkey Balm: Another fab stocking stuffer. I'm a big fan of petrochemical-free, natural products for eczema and this is it. (A,T,C) $15.62 CDN

5. Don't Kill the Birthday Girl by Sandra Beasley and Allergic Girl: Adventures in Living Well with Food Allergies by Sloane Miller: As a teen or adult with food allergies, your life starts to include a lot more than just what to eat and not sharing lunches. Dating, parties and a whole host of situations where one's parents aren't around come into play. These are also great resources for the newly-diagnosed allergic adult or the adult with an allergic child on your list. I figured it out firsthand, but there are now some great books by well-known allergy advocates. I think these are key for anyone making their way through life with allergies. (A, T) $17.12 & $18.77 CDN respectively. Both at reduced prices on Chapters.Indigo.ca as of 07-Dec-11

6. Fresh Restaurant cookbooks by Ruth Tal (Fresh at Home, Fresh, reFresh) and Veganomicon: I'll be honest again. I don't actually own any allergy-free cookbooks. My mother tried a couple when I was very young and they were horrible. So, she figured out what would work and as I got older I did, too. So, while things have changed for the better on the allergy-cookbook front, my go to cookbooks are still usually vegan and I use regular cookbooks and substitute accordingly. While the books I've recommended include nuts, there are plenty of recipes which work without the use of them or don't have them at all. (A,T) $17.16 - $23.80 CDN. Reduced prices on Chapters.Indigo.ca as of 07-Dec-11

7. Argan oil: While argan oil abounds, finding a pure source is a little less easy and it's expensive. A regular sized bottle is easily in the $80-$100 CDN range. However, for those with eczema, the price can certainly be worth it and it's something they might not buy for themselves. As with anything skincare related, save this for someone you know very well. (A,T) $98 CDN at Oresta: Organic Confectionery

8. Scotch Naturals nail polish: During my teens and early adult years, I was allergic to nail polish. As the years went by, I started using -free nail polishes - nail polishes that were free of the worst chemicals like formaldehyde and toluene. Recently, even better options have come out. Scotch Naturals is water-based and not only are there 30 amazing colours (I'm in love with Flying Scotsman), but they have a cute kids' line, Hopscotch, with 13 vibrant colours like Red Rover, Red Rover and Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater. (A,T,C) $14.99 USD adults and $11.99 USD children

9. Allergic Living: This falls in the "figuring it out" category. Especially if you have atopy and allergies, pretty much every page has something relevant. Plus, the recipes are always amazing. This is a staple item for anyone with allergies or atopic conditions. (A,T) 1 Year/4 issues $17.69 +tax or 2 Years/8 issues $26.54+tax CDN

10. Epi-Essentials Handbags & Accessory Cases: Epi-Essentials has cute "Grab-and-Go" handbags in cuter colours that can carry your injectors, inhaler, credit cards, keys and more! For people like me who switch between purses, briefcases and totes, they also have accessory cosmetic cases with room for your injectors, inhaler and cosmetics. Great gift for that stylish teen or adult on your list. (A,T) $118 handbag & $68 accessory case USD

Happy Holiday Shopping! Thank goodness mine is done.

World Mental Health Day - October 10, 2011

There isn't a lot of advice I can give regarding mental health. It's not like giving advice about how to eat at a restaurant or find natural treatments. However, the reason I talk about it frequently is because it's often seen as part of an atopic-allergic-depression triad. Basically, allergic and atopic individuals often suffer from depression as well. While, it's not difficult to understand why this is the case, there is no medical consensus on whether depression is caused by the effects of being allergic/atopic or if there is some deeper correlation.

Presently, it doesn't really matter whether it's an effect or another symptom. The fact is that it happens and while there is a lot discussion about how to physically protect and treat allergic/atopic individuals, there is very little said on how to mentally help them. Depression isn't always about being suicidal, but it can still be very debilitating in its silence.

If you are an atopic and/or allergic person or if you are the parent of one, please think about how this might impact you or the person you care for. If it does, talk to your family doctor. Just as you would request an allergist, immunologist or dermatologist, ask to consult with a psychiatrist or certified therapist.

For more information, please speak with your family doctor or contact your local mental health organisation. In Canada:
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Canadian Mental Health Association 
Health Canada - Mental Health