how do I deal with depression and anxiety with out medication?

Question

I was recently diagnoised with both Depression and Anxiety and I want to find REAL ways to deal with them without medication.

ok got alot of answers saying to walk excersise etc. Thats another problem because I had a failed back surgery and can't. Main reason for depression.

Answer 1

U could try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy I'm trying that. Also I'm trying Emotional Freedom Technique. I been trying both and they're both very good. I'm taking medication to that is actually working quite well.

Answer 2

Well, yoga, meditation and other efforts at conscious stress reduction can help. It depends somewhat on what are are depressed and anxious about. If you usually don't exercise, some people say a vigorous exercise program has helped them pull out of a depressed state. Some people find that not watching TV within an hour or so before bed helps them be less stressed so they can sleep. Talking to a therapist about what your concerns are may help, and it could help you avoid medication. The bottom line, though is this, if your doctor thinks you need to be medicated, please listen to him or her and don't worry about the stigma or whatever else you may worry about with taking meds. The main thing is to get yourself healthy. Some times only medication will do that. If that's the case, there is no shame in that. You can be clear to the doctor that you prefer not to be medicated and only want the least amount possible for the minimal amount of time necessary. Good luck.

Answer 3

Anxiety stems from not being in control of a situation you may find yourself it. Like going or doing somethingout out of obligation. This can be handled by examining your life and when you have the anxiety, some changes to your lifestyle will handle that.

Depression is best controlled with regular physical activity; exercise, yoga, dancing, karate, etc and doing things that you enjoy. Keeping a "no-pressure journal" just for you! to write your thoughts when you are feeling anxious or depressed and especially when you are happy will help a great deal. You will be surprised what you find yourself writing about once you start. and how healthy it is to read old entries. You will able to see if there are consistencies or a pattern to your moods; therefore identify causes.
Keeping a balanced diet and a regualr sleep pattern will only help, as will some form of spiritual practice/prayer.


Keep Busy!

Answer 4

Medication IS a real way of dealing with it. Depression and Anxiety are likely caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Medication restores chemical balance.

I too, have depression. I started taking anti-depressants about 5 years ago. I'll tell you what, I wish I had been diagnosed 20 years ago. What a difference they make! I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Better living through chemistry is not such a bad thing, you know.

Answer 5

I am diagnosed with ADD, and as your question asks, how to treat it without medication. I do take medication, however, I noticed many people are wrong to think that ADD affects people in all situations. Even with my medication, I find that sometimes I cannot concentrate at all. This is because of either my lack of interest, or I didn't remember taking my medicine (placebo). When I don't take my medication, and I know it, I feel quite more social, hungry, and distracted. If I don't take my medication, but I think I did, I am still hungry, but I am social and concentrated. So the main effect of the pill is to make me concentrated, but sometimes I can concentrate just fine without it. I can also concentrate off the pill on some subjects, like math in school. Interest is a very important aspect of attention for people with ADD and ADHD. Try something that makes you think you will pay attention better, weather it actually works or not. For me, getting an app that plays certain sounds works.

Answer 6

I agree with you that you do not want to go to an Allopathic Psychiatrist. You'll be put on medications that will further hamper your life, not improve it.

My suggestions for depression:
** 5-HTP 100 mg up-to- 2 times a day. Don't mix with RX's especially SSRIs.
** St. Johns Wart 300 mg 2 times a day. Don't mix with RX's.
** Fish Oil or if you can't find it, Flax Oil or both. 2 to 3 tablespoons per day. Omega 3's are critical in depression, and can be safely taken with other RX's.
Read this article for saftey concerns:
http://www.newyorkcityvoices.org/2004fall/20041040.html

Boost your serotonin naturally:
* walk in park
* jog, excersize
* tennis
* hanging with friends
* prayer
* meditation
* yoga
* volunteer
* talk with elderly
* bring a recipe or salad to a neighbor

Anxiety:
A little GABA around 6 pm. 100 mg. Most of us are deficient in it. It is ok to supplement with it. My doctor gives it to me, and its in many supplement formulas. Its the element that tells your brain and body to calm down.

Get more nutrients from your food. Become a vegetarian: http://www.pcrm.org/

Answer 7

Well I was going to suggest yoga. But seeing you have a back problem...
Then...that dwindles down options.
Try getting into religion. Im not religous myself but a lot of people find it very helpful.
Or go see a therapist. They can help with a lot of stuff.
I dont know if I could survive without the meds. Im on. They're a life saver!
You should look into medication. Just a suggestion. If its not a chemical imbalance though Im sure there are plenty of ways you can fix it.
Good luck. =\
my thoughts are with you.

Answer 8

Get out and do things like walking or some kind of exercise. Get yourself some hobbies to keep you occupied. Some depression has to be treated with medication. I cannot deal with mine without meds. I have tried numerous times to do so but to no avail. I wish you good luck.

Answer 9

For me, medication was the real way. It was the only way.
Depression is a chemical inbalance in your brain that can only be solved by medication. You can put a bandaid on it by having psychotherapy, etc, to help you effectively deal with it, but the only way of "curing" it is through medication. Paxil did more good for me than all the shrinks and counselors combined. Before my medication kicked in and started working, my brain was so muddled that I couldn't dig myself out of the hole mentally. But once the medication started taking effect, it cleared my brain so that I could think more clearly, deal with my problems.

Answer 10

Affirmations can help with both problems (http://www.mjbovo.com/Affirmations.htm) and meditation can help with the anxiety (http://yogajournal.com and http://www.beliefnet.com ) Good luck. I know how hard it can be trying to combat it without the use of meds. I tried up until last week. I'm still going to try the meditation, though. You won't be able to combat it using just one method. You should also seek counseling.