what's the best way to cure depresion without drugs?

Question

please
dont involve any higher power.

Answer 1

I'll do my best to provide a fair but realistic answer to this question. The problem with answering the question lies in the very nature and mindset found in depression. It's not hard to imagine how exercise, "forcing" oneself to go out, thinking "happy" or positive thoughts, "realizing" how fortunate one is, etc can lead out of depression. The propblem TRULY is in how impossible, as in really undoable, these things seem and feel to the depressed person. An important distinction is between depression as a mood and depression as an illness. We all have minutes, hours, even half or full days of depression. Those are fairly easy to deal with (as unpleasant as they feel) by virtue of being time-limited and because they tend to respond well to common-sense approaches.

Thus, the real challenge is in how to deal with the illness known as depression (aka "clinical depression" to differentiate it from just a passing mood). If you can "push" youself to do something positive against the unpleasant mood, by all means do it: physical exercise, breathing exercises, meditation (which usually involves concentrating on breathing, mantras, or other things, spirituality (religion or otherwise), self-help books (but be prepared for noticing a remarkable absence of a spiritual ingredient unless you're truly agnostic or atheist), etc. I believe that, for anyone finding her/himself with depression as an illness (it's persistent and hard to 'beat' thru means involving solely common sense) the best thing is to put oneself thru a course of psychotherapy initially. There are many therapists doing "brief therapies" these days involving just weeks to months at a t ime. They sort of coach you regarding the nature of the illness, what to expect, what helps and what doesn't, how to think positively, etc. Then, if you find that with just a brief trial of this you do well, you can then take off on your own and do commonsensical stuff like exercise, etc (see above); then you should consider yourself fortunate because it means the depression was mild to only moderate. If you find you CAN'T do stuff on your own despite a trial of brief therapy, then between your therapist and you a decision could be made to be referred for consideration of possible medication treatment. A first or even second episode of depression responds to antidepressant meds in about 65% of cases (35% will be out of the loop and go on to require multiple meds or more ellaborate, or creative treatments). An episode of clinical depression "stays around" for up to a year or slightly over a year. In the best of cases, you'd be on ONE med for that time, and then be able to do without meds for depression and/or get to the point of doing stuff just on your own without meds. This will continue being the case as long as the depression doesn't recur (it does recur in 50% of cases; then cycle would start all over again).

The above might not provide as rosy a scenario as we'd all like to see, but it is realistic. I should know. I'm both a mental health professional and a patient with clinical depression.

Answer 2

"Gosh J.C., your question brought up some old memories. I'll give you some facts about understanding the "self" based upon years of therapy. I'm no professional, but, I have had an ongoing battle with depression for years.
In my middle 30's I got severly depressed about every 3 or 4 years. I had these "epiphanies." I would wake up and have an understanding, about myself, much deaper than ever before. I remember being a pretty greedy fellow. After the "epiphany" I understood that I was motivated by severe greed. I was able, somehow, to let go of the greedy "self" and evolve into a person that was no longer motivated by avarice. I actually got rid of avarice. After the wonderous understanding, I entered weeks of deep depression. It was difficult to find reasons for further depression when I stumbled upon a friendly professional therapist who offered some opinions of my internal dynamics. He advised that depression often accompanys those who acheive a higher level of consciousness. The depression is caused by the 'awakening' of a new "self" to replace the old "self." I had found the old "self" very comfortable and I didn't want to give it up. So, he concluded and advised me that the depression wouldn't last very long because I was acclimating myself into a new "paradigm." He was right! Along with better understanding of myself, I was getting rid of some of those things which generally held me back from successes.
After a few more years I had another "epiphany." This time I was given understanding about lust. The new "self" I developed was no longer motivated by lust. After a short bout with depression, I evolved into a new "self." I healed even more. I experienced "epiphaniess" during the next 20 years and got almost completely rid of many vices I had suffered from as a young adult. I dealt with covetousness, and the most difficult for me, pride. Again I evolved into a new "self." Again I suffered mild depression for a short while.
I'm actually getting more excited about waking to each new day. I can't wait to understand more about myself and my fellow man. I feel sad because I only have a finite existence and my "epiphanies" will stop. I know the sadness won't last long, there are too many great people to meet and things to do. From where I am now I need not evolve, although I will. I feel relatively happy with my life. I'm motivated in all my endeavors. I want to talk with old and new friends since there is no more need of depression for me. I hope you can come to some conclusions about your "self," that will propel you past your short depressive learning period into some excitement for a change.
Yours and best wishes!"

Answer 3

You define depression as if it was an illness; in some cases, it is just a circumstance that has evolved based upon a lifestyle. First, if you find yourself doing the same thing every day, such as the internet or tv, try varying your life schedule. Get out, do something different and be around people. Act like you are not depressed--sometimes the feeling follows the behavior--it's a cognitive technique and it works. Become behaviorally activated--get out of the house, go to a fun movie and stop acting like you're depressed (because you'll feel depressed too).

Answer 4

Exercise is indeed one of the best ways to treat depression without drugs. Unfortunately, that is the root of the problem with depression. You don't have any interest in getting out of bed, forget about going jogging. If you want to go this route though, exercise is very effective, try to push yourself to at least go for a walk. This will be a start and make you feel a little better, maybe give you the push to actually try running or some more vigorous exercise.

Also, cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be more effective (in the long run) than drugs alone. Find a good therapist that is knowlegable in this school of psychology. Another good place to start is to read "Feeling Good" by David Burns. In this book, you will learn some things that will permanently "burn away some of the fog of depression." That sounds a little silly, but I swear it can work.
Check out the Amazon.com link for the book:

Answer 5

First, you have to find something to take your mind off how crappy you feel. Second, you have to get in the habit of feeling good.

A few people have suggested exercise, that is an excellent start. Good physical health is half the battle. It will also give you some little victories to celebrate, running a mile without stopping, increasing your weight, etc.

Find things you like to do and are good at. Throw yourself into those activities and reward yourself when things go well. Before long, you'll break the habit of feeling bad.

Answer 6

Depends on what type of depression it is. If it is anger turned inside out, then, talking about what has made you angry. If it is a chemical imbalance, then you really need a Dr. for that. Then there is the depression that can be treated with flourscent light. But I would strongly suggest medical and mental attention before doing anything on your own.

Answer 7

hi. something that can transform your experience of depression is questioning all your thoughts. write them down on paper and be wild, petty and childish. go through your list and ask yourself. Is this true and can I absolutely know this is true? Sit quietly and wait for Your answer. how do I react when i Believe this thought? Who would I be if I didn't or couldn't believe this thought. Then turn the thought around to it's opposite.
For example the thought, "I shouldn't feel this way" turns around to "I should feel this way (why, because I Do feel this way and believing the thought I shouldn't feel this way makes me feel worse"). Is this as true as your original thought or truer?
Try this for yourself and check out The Work of Byron Katie (www.thework.org). Her four questions and a turnaround are very amazing and free and available to anyone who wants to know the truth for themselves.You can still get some exercise, eat well, take herbal preparations or see a doctor,etc. In fact you might have more energy to take care of yourself through questioning your thinking!.

Answer 8

i'll tell you about myself. it's not advice, it is what had worked with me.
stop crying without pause: bach flowers, personalized recipes
therapist: once a week, after two weeks, twice a week, after two months, once a week.
relationships, and physical contact: after eight months
activities, stop lossing my hair, stop lossing weigth, start feeling ok: a year.

the first two things: bach flowers, and a therapist: i did them just for making someone else happy. i've had no faith at all, not trusting anyone, even if a bing bang explodes just in front of me, i would remain apatic and eventually crying "unwillingly", there was nothing i could do to stop crying, slow, imperceptebly way.

so, in conclusion, i think two things needed:
- a strong will to force the first step
- a person with that will near and close the ill person.

the rest just eventually happen.
i was very lucky with my therapist. she was specialized in addictions. i do not trust any dumb talking about nonsense.
i've never have a problem of addiction myself, but i was involved in a relationship with a person who did, and the stress of that, drove me down, completely down and ran out of all energy, faith and hope.

Answer 9

Not necessarily specific to ‘a higher power’ but faith in ones self, knowledge of others, expectancy of a positive attitude, and perseverance to see things through. The three components of faith… Knowledge, Expectancy, and Perseverance… can overcome depression, be it applied spiritually or not. However this path may not be pleasant and it takes considerable time. I commend you for the question. Drugs are the easier route, but not the ultimate cure. It is possible to learn much from working out depression without pharmacology.

Answer 10

I've been depressed before, the way that worked for me is to just sit there and think. Take a whole day off from anything and everything. Just sit on the floor, bed, or chair and just think about what's wrong and if necessary, cry about it. Get it all out of your system. Take breathing exercises, or go out and do some physical exercise like many have suggested. Just get everything on your mind out of your mind and just clear it up. In the long run, even if you do it repeatedly, just do it, it will help afterwhile.