Alternative Medications????

Question

My doctor has diagnosed me with depression and wants me to take a prescription. Aren't there some holistic meds/vitamins out there that would be just as good (if not better) than the prescription?

Answer 1

Do you think you have depression?

If you are clinically depressed then holistic medicine and victimins will not help you much.

It has been consistently proven that anti-depressants are effective in the treatment of depression and other conditions asociated with the mind.

Answer 2

Well, here are a few suggestions. I've used all of these at one point or another. I'll list them from weakest to strongest.

St. John's Wort:

This is a natural version of Prozac. Start by taking two in the morning with breakfast, and two in the evening with dinner. For people who are just a little depressed, I'd say start w/ one at each time, but since you've been diagnosed by a doctor, start with two. Take it for a week and see how you feel. You can always add one or two at lunch and move the night dose to bedtime if you find you need more in the afternoon.

It has a mild effect and it's not habit-forming. You won't feel stoned or out of it, it just makes it easier to get through the day. Don't mix it with alcohol and drive, though. This is the one I keep around the house for days when I'm really stressed out. I take one or two, and an hour or so later I feel calmer, more together, more able to handle life.

Valarian Root:

This is a natural version of Valium. It's stronger. I'd say start with one capsule three times a day.

This is stronger. I took it to counter-act the effects of a Rx drug that caused depression as a side effect. It works, but it will make you groggy. Don't take this one and drive. I keep these around the house and give two to my husband in the evening if he's particularly stressed out and having trouble sleeping.

KavaKava:

This one was used by the Aztecs in a tea form. If St John's Wort isn't strong enough, I'd suggest this. As with St John's, take two with breakfast and two with dinner amd add one mid-day if needed.

This is stronger. It will not just level you out, but can even make you feel cheerful and smiley. Don't take this if you or your family have a history of liver problems.

St. Johns Wort and Valerian Root can be found anywhere: Target, WalMart, a local drug store or grocery store. KavaKava is harder to find. You'll need to find a small natural foods/ natural healing store.

I'd say start light and move to heavy if necessary. None of these is addictive, but it's never good to overmedicate. Give each medicine at least 2 weeks of use before deciding whether to change it. Don't mix them. And don't buy name-brand combo supplements. Now that you know what's what, you're educated enough to buy the purest form you can get. You don't need the fillers.

And since it's difficult to trace one's own changes in mental state, I strongly suggest keeping a journal stating what's going on in your days, how it made you feel, and how you reacted to it, and note what you're taking and how much. Then, every couple of weeks, look back through the journal and see if you feel that you've improved from where you were.

Answer 3

Although you may find it will take a while for the alternative meds to work, they are your best bet. Check with your nearest health food store. Most of them are very knowledgable

Answer 4

A friend of mine had much success with his depression using St. John's Wort, an herbal remedy.

Answer 5

melatonin sometimes helps people. Valerian root is good to help you sleep these can be found at some department stores or at a health food store

Answer 6

Absolutely yes!!! Email me

Answer 7

yes...

http://www.labelmesane.com/

the program supplements will help you whether you have taken medication or not...definetly check it out and email them ...they are all sweethearts there and treat you like you are their only contact.

Answer 8

yes... see a holistic nutritionist... also try chiropractic and accupuncture.