How do you handle depression without medication?

Question

How do you handle depresson without medication? I don't have any friends to talk to, cant afford therapy and walk almost every day.

Answer 1

I had to get medication, even so my depression was mild. I could not get out of it. Now I am fine.

Answer 2

There are clinics that offer therapy by how much you make. Call your local crisis center, they can give you that information.
It also depends on the level of depression. Some of it cannot be helped without medication.
For me, I keep my mind and body busy. Eat better, get your fluids, and take some B-complex vitamins and C. Depression depletes these from your body which is why depressed people are tired.
I think you are on the right track walking, perhaps you can try some audio or self help books at your local library. I did that when I found out I was having panic attacks. It helped me understand it better and I was more prepared to deal with it.
There are chat rooms where you can talk with people, to be less orientated on your train of thought about the things that are making you depressed. Perhaps some changes need to be made. Your best bet is to try and find a therapist, and hit the library. I wish you the best!

Answer 3

You can't! I tried as I too couldn't afford therapy, and having to keep buying the meds. I lost control at home, work, school, any where. My boss told me to take a day or 2 to figure out what I needed to do to be myself again. Dr. gave me more samples and I had to start all over again. Now, if I miss a day or two then I cannot function as I get very dizzy like the room is spinning so fast. i have to keep my eyes very still or I lose my balance.
There should be a hotline you can call. Call them but whatever you do, do not stop taking them. You will be out of control if you can't control your limitations. I know my limits because I have an 8 yr old so I do what I need to do to make things back to the way it was. Good Luck and please call if you do not have any trusted family member or friends. If you're in school there should be a counselor for you and should be for free.

Answer 4

Your depression is because you don't have any true friends. Some cannot do the medication free, 12 step recovering for depression. One must be able to leave friends and family until stronger. Try to talk to a new friend for an unbiased response. Avoid doctors and admit that you are an outsider. Think on this seriously. You will have to learn the second vocabulary and how the aura works electrically to produce all our emotions. Your problems can be solved but it is going to take a long time to undo the chemical changes that took place when your brain found you had beliefs and expectations that were not reality.

Answer 5

First realize that you are one step toward your goal. That is that you recognize there is something you need or want to do. Also start working on ways to appreciate your self. Too many times we humans try and define ourselves in the eyes of others. In other words we try and always please others or conform to expectations that we PERCEIVE others want from us when that may or may not be true at all. Try and find ways to be confident in yourself without the need of approval of others. Next make a list of the things in your life that depress you and cause you anxiety or problems. Once you establish that list then order them by the things you have the most control over and then the things you have least control or no control over. Once you do this then take one of the items from the top of the list of things you have most control over and try and change that thing. Work on one thing at once and don't let the others bum you out just because you aren't working on them. As you win the small battles over the things you have most control over and which are easier to overcome then you start getting self confidence in yourself and building self esteem. Later you work on the things you have less control over and yes finally tackle the really hard ones. Also realize this is life and there will be failures but keep fighting. Find a friend, online or in person that you can talk to or feel comfortable talking to about the things that bother you. Feel free to consider me a friend and write me if you have no one else but there are plenty of people in the world that will be a good friend and also plenty that will take advantage of you. You have a goal and work on that list then see if it starts getting better. Good Luck

Answer 6

What i can see between other things is that your depression is because you dont have any friends. If you are shy try to get involve on something that you really like to do. Try to talk about anything with somebody. Sometimes the people confuse the word shy with depressed. Maybe you feel you can not do things that you would like to do. Think on this seriously: if your problem can not be solve, why you get worried? If your problem can be solved, then why you get worried.
The other thing that i can see is: The emptyness is inside you. Try to fill it up yourself with something. Look around you, look the stars, look the people walking, Look everything around you, and you'll see you are not alone. Listen this song with Petula Clark "downtown". Listen the birds chirping.
You dont need medication, get up and say: i can do it. Wake up to a world full of beautiful things. If you want i can be your friend, the people call me "the solve anything". I can be your confident, no problem. If you want email me, click my name to contact me and i will try to help you.

Answer 7

Eat a healthy balanced diet. Don't take/use anything that acts as a depressant, specifically don't consume alcohol. Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

Get some form of vigorous exercise, not just walking. That will stimulate endorphin production. Smiling, laughing, exposure to sunshine, and meditation are also known to stimulate endorphin production. Endorphin release will keep you in a better mood.

As for your social life, join clubs or support groups. Get out and meet people.

Answer 8

Well my bestfriend suffered with depression for years. He was in such a bad shape that he couldnt get out of bed.He tried medication but it didn't work, it just made him sluggish.He tried Jesus. He now healed. Find a church, and there should be plenty of people to help, but if you would rather look into it some more, go buy a bible.

Answer 9

look for the department of human services in your area, they offer help based on income. therapy,meds, hospitalization. this is a serious condition that is very hard to deal with on your own. that`s why this is so great you can ask all sorts of questions and get to communicate with actual people. keep up the walks that is a very important part of dealing with depression. be strong and take charge of this problem, good luck to you.

Answer 10

You may want to search Yahoo!Answers for this topic, as it is asked regularly, and has gotten some great answers.

It could be that the depression has its roots in low blood sugar - something that happens to everybody every day, but for some it can hang around. For basic information on hypoglycemia, check out www.hufa.org. For information on its precursor condition – hyperinsulinemia – check out www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperinsulinemia/.

Answer 11

Exercise more, try some herbal remedies, join some social groups (even online). You need to try to build a support system. It's hard to do, but you have to get yourself involved with people and make friends.