how can a person deal with depression without taking medication?

Question

i know that he or she is very depressed- but the person is in denial. and they dont want to go to counseling?

Answer 1

Medication and counseling are your best options.

The kind of counseling that I had was very good.

It's cognitive behavioral therapy. As they name implies it teaches you how to change thinking and behavior that keeps the depressed person in the cycle of depression. I honestly think that even people who are not clinically depressed could benefit from this therapy.

I also need, and still take, medication for my depression and anxiety, but some people can be treated without.

If it is you that are depressed, feel free to contact me if you need to. If it is a friend, I encourage you to research treatment options, and talk to your friend about your concerns. I recommend starting at WebMD.

If I can help, E-mail or IM

Answer 2

exercise, meditation, vitamin b6, changing lightbulbs to full spectrum (helps with seasonal depression), getting a pet, volunteering, spending more time with family and friends(assuming they aren't causing the depression), taking a vacation, finding a new job, taking up a new hobby (sports or something artsy), ect...

Exercise and mediation are really helpful. But, if the person really cannot stop being depressed, they SHOULD seek help. And not everyone who's depressed needs medication - some people just need someone to talk to, and to have a healthier and more productive lifestyle.

Answer 3

Exercise, proper nutrition and extra vitamin D (get it from sunshine). Exercise increases your uptake of seratonin, which regulates your mood. Antidepressants are supposed to do the same thing, but have nasty side-effects. I had a friend once who was on antidepressants that were not cotrolling her depression and the psychiatrist told her that either she could take a larger dose or she could start exercising regularly, as they would have the same effect. She started running 3-5 days a week and it really seemed to help. Good nutrition will keep your blood sugar level stable, which will help prevent mood swings, and getting plenty of water will help as well. All the best to your friend.

Answer 4

I wouldn't think there is to much you can do for them. Try suggesting a vitamin course. Like B's, E's, maybe some SAM-e or St johns wort. As a nutritionist or a pharmacy about some good supplements. A balanced diet and sleep. Have her check her hormones, like p/c pills, or if menopause, testosterone levels or maybe the adrenal glands or thyroid gland.

Answer 5

Being near a lot of water (the beach, a lake, etc. ) helps because there's more free oxygen in the air and it acutally makes you feel happier!

Sometimes your life sucks. Medication masks the problem but doesn't get rid of it--try helping him solve the problem thats making him depressed.

If you don't get enough sleep it can make you tired and depressed--see that he gets enough sleep (and doesnt' stay up all night on the computer!)

Answer 6

well, one, you can't force another person to seek treatment...and since that person is in denial, even without medication, it's not gonna work...it's the same with AA right, first step is to admit you have a problem......oh, the best thing you can do is to stay with the person, provide a structured environment and oh, put the patient on suicide precaution

Answer 7

urge you to seek medical attention asap.and to please take medications as prescribed by a doctor also you have to work hard to get through yourdepression dont look for it to be gone over night IT WILL TAKE TIME !you are olny humantry to understand your triggers things that set you off so you can try to remove your self or reprogram yourself so you can cope try to talk about it as much as you can no matter how hardit is and it will be hard sometimes push yourself you deserve to be healthy and happy but remember normal is just a term not a standard to live by one day at a time one step at a time and try to journal your thoughts get into the habit of in a sense giving bad thoughts away in your journal close it and try tostart with a new thoughtas positive as you can just come up with one even if you cant do it at that time just get in the habit of replacing bad thoughts with something else,music journaling,talking,walking whatever makes you fell different at that moment i dont know if these suggestions will help i still in my process of healing myself but these are some of the things i do and they do help iwish you well ,take care of yourself you deserve it!

Answer 8

Talk with them and try to help them figure out what triggers the depression. Common ones are fatigue and stress. See if you can help them to relieve these triggers or find new ways to cope with them. Depression sometimes is nothing more than not being able to find a solution to a current problem. If you help them find the solution you can also help them up out of the depression.

Answer 9

You can take Kira or St John's Wart. Try repenting, going to church every week, serving others, getting an education, accomplishing things, getting out into the sun more often, no more sad movies or books, etc., join a sports team, swim, etc.

Answer 10

unfortunately no one can make her. the best thing you can do is be there for encouragement, but speaking as someone who sufferes from depression, she can and most likely will push you away. she needs to face the problem whatever it is medication is not the only answer but it helps. tell her to talk to me if she doesn't wanna see a counselor :) i'm always good for a laugh