Depression Treatment?

Question

Anyone here who is or has been depressed, dissatisfied with drugs given for treatment and overcome depression without drugs or therapy? I am fairly smart and definitely a person who doesn’t like to sit and share with a stranger who’s values or don’t know or trust as you have to with therapy. I have taken many antidepressants, but I find they all have some uncomfortable side effect beside alleviating depression (too wired, too exhausted, too sweaty, too emotionally dead). I stopped searching for a solution for a while, but now depression is ruining my relationships, work and causing me to become alcoholic. I don’t want a group or drugs. I am just wondering if someone has tried to deal with this on their own and how successful they have been.

Answer 1

I was first diagnosed with depression back in 1973. I tried various anti-depressants with little or no success and ended up with a severe drinking problem.

Therapists helped a little for a little while, when I could afford it. I finally quit drinking in 2001, but the depression hung on until two years ago when I quit taking medications and switched to an over-the-counter supplement, St. John's wort.

It's given me a whole new lease on life, but I'm upset that none of the professionals I' ve seen through the years ever suggested it. It's consider the first line of defense in Europe.

Answer 2

I've been off my meds for awhile, I just take Kolonapin when I need it. I still have my really bad days, but I do ok most of the time. I know I will always have depression, but I just try to do the best I can.

Answer 3

i have been depressed for more than 3 years now and if i don't take the meds i am okay for usaully 4 months then it starts hitting me again. Dealing with it without meds is really hard, i have no insurance now and have to go without. I can't tell you how to do it , you just have to find a place in yourself that calms you. If not, it is going to be a long road ahead. Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

Alcohol is a depressant. Stop drinking and you should feel a lot better. Good Luck

Answer 5

Ive tried treatments for years and years. I went cause other people told me I should stick with it and things would get beter. All I think I got out of it was a HUGE amount of debt.

Answer 6

it took me a long time to find the right med... I ended up on Serequel as the last med which is actually an anti-psychotic(don't let the word scare you it isn't that bad)

When I lost my insurance I was worried that I wouldn't be able to cope but I ok... I was only on meds for a couple of years but it was enough to get me out of my slump...

If you need someone to talk to I am online a lot...

Answer 7

would a good support network & forcing yourself through things you like to do work? The problem is that it's so pervasive through your whole life & sometimes there just aren't any clear cut reasons to act as a 'fix' for it. People who haven't been there can't understand so that may take out most of your family.

Hindsight has made my mind feel that what i experienced was mild but at the time it was an all consuming animal though yours does sound more serious. i took no medication, if i was forced to i'd say curiosity about the future & an awareness of how selfish suicide would be for my dependants are what got me where i am. i think just as the illness is, it's solution will also be personal & tailored to you, so i'd work on lifestyle related things that you might prefer or wish to avoid. you probably already know all the spiel about diet & excercise & music & sleep & whatnot so i won't bore you only to say that they provided me with some alleviation & i couldn't have made my way out of it without them.

Answer 8

I too will not take the meds due to the many side effects that I cannot tolerate

I "think" I cope well well... but;..............
then again I 've been divorced 2 times and am presently alone at age 50

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Answer 9

Hi

I really don't understand what is it you are looking for. You say you've tried meds, and therapy and don't like either one.

I can only tell you, that for the first time in 40 yrs I am functioning to a comfortable level, and actually knowing what i am doing, where I am going, and trying my best to raise a grandchild.

At this point I have been in therapy 13 yrs this time, and on the same meds KLONOPIN, (FOR ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACKS ETC), ZOLOFT FOR DEPRESSION WHICH I DIDN'T KNEW WAS RELATED TO MY OTHER PROBLEM). I am also going to therapy once a week, and have been with this therapist for 2 years, and believe me, she has helped me a lot. You see for the first time I have been able to stand up for my rights! from my mother, my brother, my two children, and anyone else who had been trying to keep me down.

I am the type of person who helps everyone who needs my help, and I was giving more than I could handle, and in the process, I was destroying myself. She has made me see the wrongs I was doing, and gain my self steem back.
A therapist can look at your problems with the understanding of having seeing many times before, and her experience with the different cases, she is able to counsel you, but looking from the outside, with no pression, prejudice, or judgment. The three things have come together to work for me.

Answer 10

you just wrote my life story,,,,,,,only problem is i'm with you and i don't have an answer,,,but i too started to drink more on meds,,,answer me in details with your e-mail,,i don't have one right now,,well an alternate one anyway,,,i hate therapy i think it is a joke