how do you battle depression without drugs?

Question

i'm in a continuos battle against depression, and I just don't know how to get out of it ...

Answer 1

i don't know how you do it.

i was on effexor for years---finally got so tired of the side effects i went off it. i tapered off and never did have any of the negative side effects of effexor withdrawal.

but now the anger and depression are back. working at fighting them off on my own---with spotty success.

i'm thinking better to be unmedicated and depressed/angry than medicated and a zombie.

but hey, what do i know? LOL

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

First off, as other people have answered, it's sometimes impossible to not use meds, because of a chemical imbalance in the brain that just makes you naturally depressed. However, this is not always the case.

1: Exercise. It does help. A lot. I used to suffer from depression, and still do occasionally, but I've found that exercise keeps it at bay. Plus it gets you in shape. ;)

2: Eat well. This sort of goes with the whole exercise thing, but even on its own it helps. Fruits, veggies, all that stuff makes you feel better. Make sure you're getting enough protein, complex carbs and healthy fats. Also, drink plenty of water.

3: Get out! Make new friends, try to get to some parties, anything social like that. I've found that when I'm around friends, or just a social group in general I'm a lot less depressed. Having people you can talk to works wonders.

Hope that helped.

Answer 4

Depression is serious and if it is a long ongoing battle obviously your body doesn't make enough chemicals in the brain so you need the antidepressant. I learned fast you must except your brain works just a little different and there is nothing to be ashamed of. More people have depression than you know they wont talk about it because of the stigma society has put on the condition. I was a stay at home mom so I started with a part time job it boosted my self esteem and self worth. I started making friends and having play dates for my kids the adult interaction also helped. I also went to a physiologist and got therapy to find the root of my depression. Once I figured out what caused my feelings and accepted you only need to care about what people you care and love think it changed my word. I did use antidepressants for a six month period and then a year the second time sometimes they help get you through until your brain works correctly. Also my major break through was at the age of 37 I got diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and guess what all along that was one of my triggers to depression. I take medication for that and I am so much happier. Talk to your doctor there are tons of things out there to help you.

Answer 5

Sometimes depression can be caused by a chemical inbalance in the brain, other times it is an emotional response to stress and other factors. Exercise is good as it releases endorphins, as do sex and other activities, that bring you to a natural high and can make you feel good, although temporarily, you can of course get this "hit" whenever you want.
As suggested the support of your family and friends is paramount, but you can do it yourself.
Depending on the type of depression, and you would need a doctor to diagnose you properly. If it emotional depression you can fight it a beat it. Think of the times when a you have just been a little down and something you have done, or friends and family have been able to pick you back up?
Sometimes just forcing yourself through the depression and doing something, anything, even vaguely constructive can help. If you can action anything that may be casuing the depression do so.
Anything that gives you a sense of achievement will help.
You really need to avoid any drugs that are not proscribed to you, even alcohol and other legal drugs, as habits and addictions are easily formed, depression is a major cause of alcoholism.
If the balance is chemical as has been suggested, the endorhpins may help, the other suggestion here may also help, but I believe that drug therapy may be the best answer.
You really need to discuss this properly with a qualified medical practitionar, they should consider your wants when dealing with drugs etc and advise something helpful as they will know better what to do.
Courses of therapy, activities you can do, even herbal or homeopathic remedies may be suggested that may help.
My best advice is to not let depression beat you and to consult with your doctor about your concerns ASAP!

Answer 6

First, you are not alone in this battle! Second, I understand why you don't want the drugs. I felt that it was a band-aid that I needed at first, but not a permanent solution. Lots of others have already said it, but I wanted to say it clearly:
1. Talk to a professional to make sure you stay on track, and work on the issues that triggered the depression. There are always situations and (sadly) people who seem to make things worse. Upside is that there are also situations and people who can make things better.
2. Develop a regular exercise plan and a healthy diet. Those endorphins feel great, and make you healthier, unlike chemicals that stress your liver. You can literally detoxify your body with good exercise, good food, water, and enough rest.
3. Find small things to do that give you a feeling of accomplishment, even if it's only cleaning out your sock drawer or tossing the old magazines and newspapers in your living room.
4. Edit out of your life any toxic people or toxic situations. Don't let people bring you down, and don't let them tell you can't have a better life, because you can. This has a positive spiral effect. The fewer negative people and thoughts you entertain, the lighter you will feel. The lighter you will feel, the more positive, upbeat people you will attract, and the more good feelings you will experience.
5. Listen to happy music--music in a major key, with positive lyrics if it's vocal. Watch comedies, not sad or violent movies. If you are spiritual, get in touch with that part of you that is drawn to the positive life forces in the world, not the negative, guilt-ridden part.

Answer 7

There is a process called "the Sudharshan Kriya" which involves some very simple breathing routines. The scientific analysis of this excercise would reveal the body being pumped with enormous amounts of oxygen, at various speeds, and at various invervals.

Its a very simple process and can be learned very easily. However, the person who created this process, wants you to have access to this knowledge only after you participate in a basic course. Its like, when you go for a major plastic surgery and they want you to seek some therepy first. Because they want to make sure that you are mentally ready for it. So this Sudharshan Kriya in a way is the same thing.

The person who came up with this brilliant process is the founder of The Art of Living foundation ( www.artofliving.org ) His name is Sri Sri Ravi Shanker (No, not the famous sitar player).

They strongly reccommend that you sign up for the basic course of Art of Living, where they teach you this process in small steps. The course usually consists of five short sessions. During this course, you will master the Shudharshan Kriya, which you can then make into part of your daily routine at home. It usually takes about 20 minutes a day.

Now what does all of this have to do with depression?

Well, that's the best part. Studies shows that the best manner of combating depression is via a healthy dose of oxygen and some simple excercises. Usually when we are down and out, the last thing we want to do is excercise or think about getting well. This process gets you to do both without much thinking or much effort. And the best part is that it works instantly.

Not sure where you live, but chances are no matter where ever you are, there is an Art of Living center near-by. They are everywhere and all over the world. Try to find one. It can't harm you.

Answer 8

I am no psychologist, but here is my 2 cents as someone who battled it himself in his youth. Depression's main symptom was withdrawal from the world. It is only by keeping yourself in it that you can see how life changes for both the good and the bad. I feel into a deep depression over my first love. It has been 15 years and I still love her to this day, even though I am married and have a child with someone else. I was messed up for many years, and probably clinically depressed for at last 2. When I started dating again, and I mean really dating, and not just seeing someone until my ex would break up with a boyfriend, only when I started realizing what new things I was experiences within new relationship did I realize that being depressed over her may have been normal for a short while, but there was so much more out there. no matter what is getting someone down, there is so much more out there, and they need to live life to see it.

Answer 9

there are some simple strategies for those who want to fight depression without drugs. you can use as an alternative to drug treatment, especially if you’re dealing with a passing case of the blues or a simple depression triggered by life circumstances. Raise your activity level. * Even a few minutes of physical activity a day will help reduce anxiety and negative thinking, break the cycle of fatigue that accompanies depression and produce natural endorphins that lift mood. * Walk, run, dance, bike, swim or do anything physical that you enjoy. Exercising outdoors brings the added benefits of fresh air and sunlight, which can help lift depressive symptoms caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder or vitamin D deficiency. * Yoga can be particularly helpful, because it incorporates exercise, relaxation and breathing. * Engage in a favorite hobby, or pick up a new one. Choose activities that occupy both your mind and your body. Change your lifestyle, a little at a time. * Depression often goes hand-in-hand with negative life circumstances. You can’t change everything at once, but if you practice small steps toward improvement, such as applying for two jobs a day or making an appointment with a debt counselor, you may feel less overwhelmed. Chart your progress in writing, and reward yourself for each step taken. Talk to someone. There’s strong evidence that talk therapy, particularly cognitive therapy that concentrates on changing negative thought patterns, can be an effective treatment for depression, either alone or when combined with drugs. good luck

For the best answers, search on this site https://smarturl.im/aDAfu

Answer 10

Depression is a horrible syndrome that holds people in limbo and doesn't let go. Knowing what the root cause of the depression is the first step towards dealing with it. There are herbal remedies to help with this that act the similar as prescription medications you may want to consider this option. Also speak to a professional regarding your issues and start facing them head on. Take small steps to change from this rut. Make a list of things that you want to do but are held back due to the depression. Examples for the list could be, take a short walk each day for about 15 minutes, exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good. Secondly call a good friend or relative that you care about and see how they are. Another excellent practice that is cathartic is keeping a daily journal. As you start changing in little ways you will notice in your writing that your attitude is also changing. That is what conquering depression is about. I know that the medication works very well, you may want to reconsider that option.....

Answer 11

I managed to get out of depression the first time with drugs, but I keep myself out of it in a variety of ways....

There's a good book called "Depression for Dummies" - if you're up to it have a read, although I do realise that when you're feeling bad you just can't do it.

Also, have a look at the site www.patrickholford.co.uk - this guy is a nutritionist and has formed the "Brain Bio Centre". He's big on the link between good nutrition and mental health. Again, given that at times all I could manage was a cheese sandwich while I had depression, I do understand that some days eating well is just going to be beyond you. Eat bananas, they contain tryptophan, which is good for your brain. Make sure you get enough Essential Fatty Acids, they are also supposed to be very good for the brain.

Even if you're feeling really awful, try to do some exercise. It's really good for you, releasing happy chemicals into the brain.

Deal with the issues surrounding your depression. Maybe seeing a counsellor would help, as the reasons we think we are depressed are not necessarily the real reasons - we're all very good at lying to ourselves to avoid feeling real pain over the real problems. It's essential to confront the reasons straight on if you are going to get better though.

Particularly as you get better remember that you are always going to have good and bad days. Take time out to relax and do something you enjoy every day. Make sure that you leave yourself time just to think, and to sift through the things that have happened during the day.

When I was at my worst, a work colleague asked me "So what do you do for fun? I don't mean things that you enjoy, I mean "fun". Pure fun." I couldn't answer, I had no idea. Nothing was fun. It is now, and I can think of several things. That's not to say that I don't have times when I feel absolutely awful, because I do and I think that maybe I always will. But mostly I feel really happy and content.

I really hope that you manage to get yourself better. Keep strong and remember that life does have so much to offer and so much to get better for. Good luck...