what are other treatment options for depression/anxiety...other than medication and/or therapy?

Question

i've had serious depression/anxiety for many years...i've tried many medications and none have worked and they all have terrible side effects, also my husband and i would like to have a baby and none of the medicaitons are safe for pregnancy.....i've also tried therapy for years and it doesn't seem to help.....
i'm wondering if there are any other options for me....????

Answer 1

Everything that has been mentioned so far is some form of behavioural therapy.

However, they are reasonable things you could explore.

Other than medication and various therapies (which are the mainstay of treatment for depression) the only other thing is ElectroConvulsive Therapy (Shock Treatment)

This is not something you'd go into lightly. From the way you've written your question (and the fact that you have enough curiousity to ask the question) I would suggest that this is not a suitable alternative for you.

However, have a read of the wiki page.

Answer 2

Not successful ones. Most home remedies aren't successful on extreme disorders like the ones you suggest. I'm sure there are some that have had some sucess but I don't think any are as successful as medications or therapy is found to be. There are many different types of therapy and medication though, for all different disorders, so it's not as simple as just 'medication or therapy or both'. There's cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapies (such as dream analysis, free association, transference etc), behavioural therapies, humanistic therapies, socioculteral therapies etc. There's also the different medications, and there's ECT but that's always a contraversial topic! This probably isn't the sort of answer you want, but thought it might be a bit helpful, as a lot of people think it's pretty much either therapy or medication and if one type of therapy or medication doesn't work then none will. Which isn't the case at all. Mental health problems are similar to 'physical' health problems, allthough people don't seem to think so! If you had a 'biological' illness (infection or something like cancer), you would likely take the recommended medications. You could use 'home remedies', like you could with a mental disorder, but they are usually not as effective, or unable to help at all. Proper medication (or therapy) is usually the best and most effective option. It is the same with mental health problems as it is with 'physical' health problems.

Answer 3

I know the feeling but can't say any medications has resolved my fears, anxiety and paranoia.

What brings me peace is prayer and meditation. I also do yoga which is great! and I walk. Exercise really makes a difference! Take a look at the site:
http://www.churchofgodeveninglight.com/updates.htm
It has some excellent sermons, not all of them are good, but listen to them. Play soothing music such as smooth jazz, classical or marching music.
Most important, do not tolerate any negative people in your life. No matter what!

Answer 4

Drugs don't work. Taking drugs for anxiety is like taking drugs to learn to ride a bike. You need to change the way you think, and develop new thought patterns. Overcoming anxiety is like learning a new language-- you train your brain how to respond.
Therapy doesn't work because you're constantly talking about your anxiety, giving it importance, rather than diminishing it. You need to learn how to stop thinking about it.
It's a learned condition- you can be over it in about 4 months if you know how to approach it.
As for depression... many people simply become fed-up, rather than clinically depressed. You get so sick and tired of everything causing you anxiety and feeling abnormal, you become hopeless and feel like a loser.

http://www.panic-anxiety.com/

Answer 5

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 6

I read recently that exercizing for as little as 20 minutes a day- even something simple like a brisk walk, can help relieve depression and anxiety. Had to do with the release of seratonin, and other hormones, due to the physical exertion.

Answer 7

unfortunately the only thing that can make you feel better is you. i know you didn't think therapy worked, but it's not something that is just going to make you feel better and the therapist will make you feel better...you have to put in the work to make yourself feel better. you have to work on your self talk. i have tried many meds and i am going back on them now. are you sure you have given them time?? maybe you should see a different doc. the problem when you feel really bad is that you want a quicky fix and it just doesn't work that way. i have suffered from depression for years and nothing has gotten better, it has only gotten worse. i gave up on drugs and therapy and just recently decided to go back because i developed panic disorder. i know now i wasn't really making the effort to make things better for myself. i wasn't exercising, eating well, or taking part in activities. you really have to try everything. it's hard work, but you can't sit back and expect it to fade away or to be cured immediately. you really have to put in the work, which sucks and it's really unfair that you have to when you feel so bad, but it gives you hope and makes you feel more in control. you can do it. you can do the work. you can get through this.

Answer 8

Work out! Working out releases endorphins so it makes you happy. It also makes you happy about your self appearance. Also try changing your sleeping habits. Don't let yourself sleep past 11:00 and make 6:00 a normal time to wake up and you'll feel much better. Worked for me except I wake up a about 5:20.

Answer 9

have you tried group therapy?

Also remember certain vitamins can help your mood, i also suggest herbal teas that help with mood, an all natual remedy try republic of tea, you can buy them at high end stores like whole foods ora t www.republicoftea.com then look under there mood teas, also certain vitamins will help, and group therapy can help boost your esteem it's what you need!

Answer 10

Omega 3 supplements. I once had to do a psychology research project on fish oil, and there are studies that prove it to be useful with mood disorders, even severe ones.