fighting depression how can I without drugs?

Answer 1

Ever wonder why sometimes you feel better and sometimes worse? It has alot to do with how you eat and how much stress you're under. B vitamins ( B1, B2, B6, B12, etc.) are very important in maintaining the right brain chemistry. When you are under stress your body uses alot of B vitamins. Try a B-50 complex ( contains 50mg each of B1, B2, B6, B12, etc.) twice aday. If it bothers your stomach take it with a meal that contains protein (which all meals should). As long as you aren't using any prescription drugs you can add 1000mg of an amino acid called Tyrosine 3-4 time aday (take 1 hour away from meals for best results). When you feel better use the Tyrosine on an as needed basis.
High starch/low protein or high sugar meals and snacks will cause your blood sugar to drop about 1/2 - 1 hr after eating causing worsening mood. Try to eat several high protein meals and snacks every day. Protein contains the amino acids that make your brain and body work right.
B vitamins and Tyrosine are cheap and available in most drug/food or health stores or online.
Count your blessings everyday. You have more to be grateful for than you think.

Answer 2

Bill,

I agree with bamahotT and CJ, meds are a good thing, nothing at all wrong with them. Depression is a bona fide illness, not a character defect or weakness. It can't be controlled by willpower, or no one would be depressed.

Imagine you have a neurological illness that prevents you from moving your left arm. Your brain sends messages to your arm to move but the messages get interrupted somewhere along the line. No matter how much you will your arm to move, it ain't gonna move. Same principle with depression. If you're depressed because of a chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters, then you can't will it away. "Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" doesn't work with depression, that's a cruel piece of advice. It's like telling the diabetic to will him/herself well without insulin, to "will" themselves well.

See a psychiatrist, s/he is a medical doctor who approaches psychology from a medical standpoint. S/he can advise you if you need meds.

The treatment of depression is holistic, you need several ways to get better. Relief doesn't lie in just one method. You can try cognitive therapy, an excellent book to read is The Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns, MD. You can see a therapist, take meds, write in a journal, exercise, get sunlight, eat well, drink enough water, rest well, pray/meditate - develop spiritually, talk to friends and family, read, play (see a movie, shop, cook, whatever), etc.

I'm on meds, been taking Lexapro for a year and it's been a Godsend. Meds aren't the only thing that helps me, but I tell you, meds take that EDGE off so that I can deal with my problems in a healthy way. Meds aren't scary, they won't change you into someone you aren't, they will only clear your clouded depressed feelings.

I hope this helps..

Answer 3

It is said that depression is anger turned inward. Otherwise, when there are things that make someone very angry and they fail to respond to them externally, they may take out their anger on themselves by being depressed. Perhaps some of your thoughts revolve around, "Whats the point of me even trying", "I am so pathetic", "My life is not worth anything". If this is not your specific problem it should at least be in the same ballpark, just stop the negative thoughts. Stop such thoughts and redirect you emotions to a positive outlet other than yourself. Painting, Poetry, Music or anything will help you express your emotions in a way that won't damage your self esteem, self image or self worth. Next, find the source of such feelings and find a way of coping with it. Nip the problem in the bud so to speak. Give yourself a goal and work towards it. Start simple, clean my house today, excersize twice this week. Work your way up to more gratifying things that will improve your attitude and sense of accomplishement. Read and expand you awareness of the world around you. A healthy, informed perspective lessens the impact of your own dilimma. I could go on and on but you get the hang of it after a while and you can come up with your own plan of attack. IT IS A LOT OF WORK, make no mistake of that but ask yourself if you want to spend the rest of your life being depressed. That should motivate you. Get a counselor if you cannot manage it by yourself. Friends and family can help, too. Best of luck and DON'T GIVE UP. I'll be rooting for you.

Answer 4

One of the best ways to fight depression is actually to reminisce about good times you've had. A recent study showed that people who thought about "the good times" for about 20 minutes total a day had elevated moods. Beyond that, just get out and do something. Sunlight has a lot to do with being in a good mood, as well as breaking normal routines. Make a list of new things you want to try, places you want to go, etc and start doing them. Anything to break the routine of what you're doing now will help break the depression, especially outdoors activities.

Answer 5

Make sure you get to bed at a reasonable hour, and do your best to get 8 hours of sleep. Stop eating sugar and white flour. Light to moderate exercise is good, especially walking. If your social circle is limited, do things to meet more people, especially service. Prayer and reading scriptures or uplifting books helps. Stay away from dark, negative TV shows or movies. Double the wattage of the lightbulbs in your house, get out in the sunlight. Sometimes depression means you have a change coming up, or someone close to you is going through mourning or a hard time as well. You might want to check up on family members and friends and see if someone else is struggling. If you are miserable to the point of having your heart hurt, you might need to go see a doctor because it could be related to heart disease. Good luck.

Answer 6

One of the most important things is light. If you stay where it is dark all the time and dreary you will tend to become more depressed. Bright cheerful clors have been know to stimulate phermones which are released in your brain.
Having a support group is an excellent thing too. Many good ones are found on Yahoo groups.
Yes having frineds and having someone to talk to can make a huge difference.
Best Wishes,Mare

Answer 7

I've also dealt with depression, and although anti-anxiety/depression medication (Lexapro) did help me, I've learned to manage without it for the past 2 years. Mainly, for me, it's been about understanding where my depression comes from so that I can take measures to prevent it. For example my sources of depression come from the "what-if" syndrome (and then feeling overwhelmed) and occasional bouts of lonliness brought on after periods of working too much or being (unconsciously) anti-social. Now that I know what triggers depression, I learned some techniques to head it off, and that has helped me. So I try to break things down into small steps, stop myself from thinking too far ahead, stay organized to avoid feeling overwhelmed, try to always have something to look forward to (even if it's just coffee with a friend), etc.

Talking to someone, whether it's a friend, relative, or counselor does help. I've never been in therapy or to a counselor, but I have talked to family members and my primary care doctor, which has helped in the past.

Exercise has had a tremendous impact, but when you're already depressed, it's sometimes hard to physically get yourself moving. But even a stroll around the block can help. My bouts of depression have decreased dramatically since I started working out regularly.

Some good advice from NIMH:

* Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.
* Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.
* Try to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.
* Participate in activities that may make you feel better.
* Mild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help.
* Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.
* It is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition change jobs, get married or divorced discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.
* People rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day.
* Remember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.
* Let your family and friends help you.

Answer 8

KEEP you mind busy learn a new trade, take lessons, join a club or a church group to help others. Focus on some one or something else besides your feelings. I read some where that kintting even if you are a men or women has helped a lot of people it takes concentration to count and follow the instructions and it real works. The Lady I read about said that it saved her life, that after she joined a group to learn she felt a lot better and did it without medication.

Answer 9

I was diagnosed with depression last year. I started counseling, i stopped turning to drinking for my problems, i opened up to my family and friends. Sitting and reflecting to yourself your life and your problems is also effective. Go for a run. Call someone you havent called for a long time and spend 2 hours on the phone. Take a bubble bath. Try meditation or yoga. Just enjoy life. Its too short to be wasted. Good luck.

Answer 10

something called "cognitive therapy" has as good as results a drugs. Also exercise getting out in nature. I think 12 step programs are great and there are programs that relate to depression. Good luck!