How do you combat depression without anti-depressants?

Question

Is it possible? Any advice? I've heard about acupuncture working but I have a terrible fear of needles and can't do it.

It's so awesome to see so many people try to inspire someone with this illness. Thanks to all for really great advice. I'm going to look into many of these options.

Answer 1

Talking with others, getting out into the sunshine. Don't feel sorry for yourself and change your attitude. Things may not be so good right now or perhaps you feel down because your alone. Look on the brighter side, imagine yourself somewhere peaceful, where you would like to go and just enjoy yourself.

I found that by just meeting people or be more upbeat and chatting up women I met made a big difference. I felt more confident and learned that being down or blue is not a permanent condition. Seek counseling if your really down and out. Get out wth friends, go for walks, don't shut your self in or tell yourself you can't go out or do something.

It is always hard when you feel like your not noticed or no one cares - you have made a big step, you asked for help and advice and you know what everyone who responds cares, they care about you. In fact if you need to chat, drop me a note. Remember the things tha taffect your mindare chemical in nature and messing with the brains chemistry through external drugs is not always a good idea.
(I do not sibscribe to better living through chemistry.)
Get a massage, if you have good friend with a hot tub, go for a soak.

Matt

Answer 2

ONE amazing product called : Em-Balance

http://www.nutrachem.com/

Read the site. It's not a drug, not even herbs, it's targeted brain FOOD. And it's completely natural. Make sure you take it first thing in the AM on an empty stomach. Over time, it's supposed to help your brain heal and make the proper chemicals for itself. Recovering drug addicts use it as well as sufferers of stress, depression, PMS, post-natal emotional problems, ADD, bi-polar disorder, and more.

It has changed the lives of 2 of my clients, literally taking one from suicidal and sleep-deprived to healthy and rested with a positive outlook. It can cost as much as $60 a month if you take the high amount, but you should be able to drop to 4 capsules a day (25 day-supply) within 6-8 weeks.

It can really change lives. I'd sell it to you, but you can visit the site and order it yourself -- there's even a free sample...

Obviously, this is assuming you are already physically fit and eat a healthy diet. If those factors are not true, a regular workout and stretching program combined with superior nutrition might be all that's missing. Additionally, this is assuming that you don't have a real reason to be depressed, it's just happening without any specific reason that you can name, in which case this brain-food is PERFECT for you...

Good Luck... :)

Answer 3

The first thing I recommend you do is to make an appointment with a good medical doctor (but not a psychiatrist) to do a complete medical workup on you and a full panel of blood tests. The tests may reveal a root cause of your depression -- perhaps you have a vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, lack of certain amino acids or a low-functioning thyroid. All of these things can be tested for and treated. If, for example, you're deficient in vitamin B12 you may start taking B12 and feel much better. Perhaps, once you have any physiological problems corrected you won't need to take anything for your depression because the underlying cause will no longer be there. Safe Harbor runs a website with a directory of holistic medical practitioners who will help you find the root cause of your depression: http://www.alternativementalhealth.com

If you do that, and your doctor finds all of your tests came back normal or if you start taking some supplements prescribed by your doctor but still don't feel markedly better then you may want to consider talking to your doctor about taking some herbs. Here are some herbs that you may find helpful:

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a member of the pepper family that has been cultivated by Pacific Islanders for over 3000 years for use as a social and ceremonial drink. The first description of kava came to the west with Captain James Cook, who traveled through the South Seas in a number of celebrated voyages. To this day, when village elders or others in the Pacific Islands come together for a significant meeting, they begin with an elaborate kava ceremony. Currently, kava is used in Europe and increasingly in the United States to treat stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

Valerian: Nature's valium. Another favorite for the treatment of anxiety is valerian. Derived from the dried rhizomes and roots of this tall plant, which grows in wet soil in many countries, valerian has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy. As a natural relaxant, it is useful for several disorders including restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, menstural problems, and "nervous" stomach. Valerian acts on the brain's GABA receptors to produce a tranquilizing action that is similar to Valium-type drugs, but without the same side effects.

St. John's Wort: Wonder Weed. Imagine an antidepressant that is as effective as prescription drugs but has mild side effects, if any, and even boosts libido. Sound like a fantasy? It's not. You've just met St. John's Wort, an herb taken by many thousands of people every day. In fact, in Europe, Hypericum perforatum is prescribed by doctors five times as often as Prozac.

You can take herbs on your own without discussing it with your doctor or herbalist (herbal supplements are available even at the corner drug store as well as on the internet and in health food store) But I recommend taking herbs under the supervision of a doctor or herbalist to make sure that you're taking the herbs and dosages that are right for you. I'll give you the website for the American Herbalists Guild: http://www.americanherbalistsguild.com Or if you really would like to see a psychiatrist, there aren't a lot of good ones but one who's awesome is located in Pacific Palisades California and I believe you can get medical advice from her by email. Dr. Cass's website is listed below. Dr. Cass, unlike most psychiatrists, is an orthomolecular psychiatrist who has extensive knowledge of herbal remedies and who treats depression naturally.

Answer 4

chemical in brains could be hereditary but in all scenarios proven tyrosine a natural amino acid lacking in the brain of depressed people is needed. u can get this from gnc. 500 mg a day 2 -3 times to start excercise( but never before bed) yes that ! do walking simple swimming -interacting with a support group or people who are UP not down..reiki classes- acupuncture aint gonna do it .. pills mask it seriously dope ya up to be mellow and ya fall asleep and them ur kidneys wear out .. I am a reiki practitioner try tyrosine a veggie diet no sugars.. it makes us ill and get cancer and up people no negativity and b- 50 complex or sublingual b vitamins.. to absorb better..

Answer 5

St. Johns Wort helps some people. I find that going to the tanning booth when I'm really down helps. There are Homeopathic supplements available through either a Homeopath (which I reccomend), or the health food store.

Answer 6

Exercise! It gets your heart pumping and gets you to focus more on something else other than yourself. I ran and played pickup basketball along with counseling to help overcome depression. I also go out to the gym as a pick-me-up when I'm otherwise feeling down, like after getting bad scores on a test or breaking up. A good work out will make you feel like you've accomplished something--a truly good feeling to have.

Answer 7

Try finding a good psychologist, a good therapist can give you ways to work on what triggers your moods and way to deal with depression when it hits.

Also meditation and exercise help with the moods. Having something you like to do like drawing or even playing a video game, something that will make you feel better is good.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I have heard the falicy of St. John's Wart. But the word of caution
is that you CANNOT take it with an antidepressant - it causes a
reaction. I don't think you can lick depression without an
antidepressant myself. I know, I've been on them for 20 yrs now
and I can't deal with things unless I have my meds.

Hope this helps...

Oh, I never tried accupuncture either - I doubt it will help.

Answer 9

I get busy doing something else, unless I want to feel sorry for myself, and need a real good cry. I shake it off, think of other things, and get busy. Sometimes I go and sit by a lake and listen to the water running. I have manic depression, yes it can be done, if you are willing to really get it together.

Answer 10

The best way is to talk to someone and have a strong support group. If you really need medication, then you should take it. However having a positive person on your side can work wonders.