is there any form of non-drug/natural help for depression?

Answer 1

St John's Wart (anti-depressant) and Valerian Root.... works as an anti anxiety, May be habit forming avasilable over the counter at walgreens, wal-mart, most drug stores, GNC, and other vitamin stores

Answer 2

Cognitive behavioral therapy is very useful, as is getting out, forcing yourself to to things you usually like even if you don`t want to. Activity generally works! Chocolate often work instantly, but only for a short time. But good for crisis! :)

With deep depression, with toughs of self-destruction, I would really consider drug-therapy - its very hard to get over without (I`ve tried..). There is a natural drug called Johannes-something (Johannesurt in Norwegian. It work the same way as SSRI, one of the types of antidep.drugs. But its not so strong, so it generally has no effect on deep depression.

Answer 3

Yes, see this under depression with MD advice on how diet makes a huge difference. Plus inspirational story.

http://phifoundation.org/heal.html

Answer 4

Believe it or not, talking to reasonable friends and family. You need to find someone who can be sympathetic, and not judgemental. Someone who won't try to "solve" the problem by telling you what you are doing wrong, or telling you what to do. Someone who will listen. Often, just talking about things helps more than you might believe.

Also, that old standby - volunteer. Helping others does two things: shows you that you are not alone in having problems, and makes you feel better about yourself.

Answer 5

I've heard that St. Johns Wort works well with some people, but has not been approved bt the FDA.

Answer 6

Well many have suggested St. John's Wort, but I never found it to be much help. One guy nailed it with cognitive behavior therapy. I was depressed and suicidal up to last Spring when I was introduced to CBT. Please feel free to read my story on how I got out. Email me if you have any questions:

http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html

Answer 7

St. John's Wort

Answer 8

Can there be harmony in conflict? By approaching conflict in harmony, you can resolve it. And harmony comes with an attitude of wonderment and open-mindedness. Buddha took a flower and looked at his students silently.

He asked them to respond. Each student interpreted it according to his own philosophy. Mahakashap got up and smiled. Buddha gave the flower to him and said, "You have interpreted it correctly".

In his smile every cell of his being was in a state of wonder. In every moment of our life why can't we see with totality and not in a partial way? Just by looking at things with appreciation, we can avoid conflict altogether.

What is the essence of the Bhagavad Gita? The Gita teaches us the art of being total. Use your actions in an attitude of karma yoga, use your feelings in devotion in bhakti yoga, use your intellect for right understanding in jnana yoga and use your being in silence in dhyana yoga.

When there is conflict we tend to counter it with conflict. War is conflict and Gita presents a harmony that could lead to inner tuning. The Gita's message is: "Create harmony in conflict".

In the art of archery, "losing the arrow" is the most important aspect... Archery is only a preparation for the final "let go" of the arrow. Similarly, in life it is the "let go" of the ego which is most important.

Like in archery the anxiety to hit the shot dilutes and pollutes one's effort to hit the target. In life the anxiety to reach one's goals ravages one's life.

In the context of war the value of spiritual lessons is more, as one experiences tension... In martial art if someone twists your wrist and if you resist it, you may break your wrist.

But if you go with the flow rather than go against the flow, you are in a state of harmony. As you go with the flow then you counter-attack your opponent in the flow. This is creating harmony in conflict.

Most difficulties in dealing with conflict arises out of stress and tension. When you are in great tension, don't fight with it, just flow with it and then see the cause of the tension and handle it.

You see, there is a sharp distinction between worrying and worrying effectively. I feel like a sheep and I want to be strong. Has the Gita got something to say about this? Arjuna wanted to leave the battlefield.

Krishna tells Arjuna to face life and not run away from the conflict. Our conflicts exist because of our unconscious. Our prison habits created by the unconscious is making us live like sheep.

A lion lives alone and has the courage to face the dangers of life. A sheep lives in a crowd and has an illusion that the crowd will protect it. The sheep represents a part of our society and the lion represents our pure inner state.

The Bhagavad Gita helps us to tune to our inner pure state and denounce the illusion of security. Life is insecure, so face it courageously, says the Gita.

Clarity, courage and wisdom are true security. Learn to draw energy from that state and not from illusion. Then you will see the difference.

Answer 9

Working out
Finding a hobby that you enjoy
Massage
Keeping yourself busy
Writing a book

Anything that can make you happier, things that you enjoy doing, and things that keep your mind busy.

Answer 10

Try:
Homeopathy with a good homeopath.
Acupuncture and herbs.
Ayurveda
Cognitive therapy
EXERCISE!

Find a good therapist and find the root issues for you and work with them.