<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Dear friends - I can't thank you enough for all of your thoughtful and kindhearted responses. I guess I hit a nerve because I was swamped with emails. I'll try to summarize: First, most everyone seems to think that the CD probably preceded the depression (don't we all wish we knew how long we've actually had this disease - if it preceded the depression then I've had it a long, long time.) Secondly, most everyone agreed that CD is triggered by "something" - most often an emotional event (my mother's death in 1996 - that's obvious to me.) I had SEVERAL recommendations: A. "Its been my experience that high levels of CORTISOL cause my depression. The adrenals get worn down and this doesn't help fatigue any. The cortisol is released to help your bodys immune system fight the "gluten" invader.You might want to be careful if you take cortisone or hydrocortisone in creams or pills (A cortisol like substance) it can worsen depression in some people." B. Anti-depressants, particulary Paxil, causes weight gain. C. The advantages of anti-depressants far outweigh the side-effects. This writer also suggested that we be careful of what we read in the press...."treat with GREAT scepticism any reportage of medical stories. Things are very strongly weighted to "make" a story; and usually distort things quite badly. If the press in the US are making connections between long-term anti-depressant usage and consequent problems, the first thing to do is find out the journal where such research is published. It has to be reputable. Then get on to the author of the article, and find out what their agenda really is...." Point well taken. D. Regarding my point about extra fat, from the Chairperson of the Gluten Intolerant/Celiac Support Group in Durban, S. Africa " Why do you have to cook with a lot more fat? I know Vit A is a fat soluble vitamin which you need to be absorbed to improve your skin,but the normal fat in food (and we only need 3 tsp a day you know!) would be sufficient. The reason being that once you go gluten-free the body is now able to absorb the fat. You dont need a lot extra?" Again, point well-taken. E. "Your story could be me!! Go to www.neanderthin.com and www.paleodiet.com You will find that you have some other foods that are causing the depression: sugar, corn, other grains, beans, etc. Once you remove these culprits, you will be fine. Also, I itch with grain fed meats so I have to buy wild or grass fed meats. Neanderthin saved my sanity and my life. I know it will work for you!" F. "Its more likely that the CD brought on the depression. In a lot of literature on the disease, there are indications that the body's reaction to gluten produces opiods (drug like herion), which has a narcotic effect on the individual. Likely there are cycles of withdrawal from these opiods when the body's system increases/decreases reaction to the amount of gluten ingested" G. And from Vance...." it's known that people on anti-depressants often have gastrointestinal disorders. And think what might be happening to cells in the immune system that also have these same receptors on their surfaces. We could be inadvertently affecting the ability of our natural killer cells to attack mutated cells....But no one's doing the research to explore these kinds of effects." Well that does it. I'm sorry this is so long but I wanted to make sure that everyone on the list received the helpful comments I received. Stay healthy friends.... Linda PS - My therapist has also recommended another author (for what it's worth). Her name is Caroline Myss and she's written several books among them: Creation of health and Anatomy of the spirit. She is very much "into" the body/mind connection. She also has a website:www.myss.com. She comes very highly recommended if you're interested in the spiritual side of healing. Again....for what it's worth. (BY the way, I am in NO way suggesting that CD can be healed via this approach. I'm just hoping to gain some peace.....)