How do you get help without medications?

Question

If I experience some sort of depression and I have some anxiety when in social events, how do I help myself? Are there other alternatives besides medications? And if so, like what?

Answer 1

self help and mutual support groups can work wonders - check with your local Mental Health Association... at first I was extremely resistant to the notion of sharing my shtuff in public but I challenged myself to committing to a month of meetings to give it a fair shot... I was welcomed warmly and when I declined to participate the first two times, I was not made to feel uncomfortable... as I listened to folks talk, I realized that many were experiencing the same angsts as I was and slowly, slowly, I started to speak and then after the meeting part, people started to come over to me during the socialization part and give me a high five for taking the risk to speak...

my first group was about 10 years ago and now I am still in touch/friends with many folks that I met... I don't go as frequently anymore but one of my wellness tools, one of the resources I tap into when I see my color starting to take on the slightest of blue hues, I check in with a group for however long it takes me to get back on track

and speaking of wellness tools, seek to create for yourself a "wellness toolkit"... for me I have a sketch pad and watercolors, a coloring book and crayons, a bottle of bubbles, a kite, a crochet hook and yarn, a couple of CDs I keep for such times, extra batteries, a copy of my phone book, a copy of Psalms...

another thought is to develop a hobby or two that you can do with others... ceramics, knitting club, book club... keep your mind and your body occupied

I would also suggest checking out the site below... the entire site is a blessing but particularly the Wellness Recovery Action Plan... created when you are feeling well, it can act as an insurance policy for when you are feeling less than well

Answer 2

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Answer 3

yes, I used to suffer from depression 15 years ago, I adopted a healthy way of living, I go alternative now, and has been, never ever suffered from depression again. Now I am a very happy happy mom, and I try to help others, although, I have an extensive knowledge in psychology, I would rather adopt the alternative way.
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Depression is manifested both physically and emotionally. The classic physical signs of depression are headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, hyperactivity, sleeping disorders, loss of concentration, and distorted eating patterns.
Chemicals imbalances in the brain can also be either the cause or effect of depression. Dopamine is the chemical that produces anxiety, stress, nervousness, and aggression. When the level of dopamine is ELEVATED, a person may develop feelings of insecurity, paranoia, and fear. Serotonin is another important chemical in the brain that can affect a person's mental well-being.
A person with LOW serotonin levels displays mood swings, and some sort of compulsion, such as alcoholism, overeating, or being a workaholic, perfectionist, or procrastinator.

Best ways to beat depression is Diet, Exercise, Supplements or Therapy.

Its essential to get the B-complex vitamins, since they work together to balance proper brain functioning.
Fatty acids, such Omega-6, Omega-3.
Magnesium and herbal extracts such:
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum in Latin) is a long-living plant with yellow flowers. It contains many chemical compounds. Some are believed to be the active ingredients that produce the herb's effects, including the compounds hypericin and hyperforin.
Chinese schizandra berry, wild oats, and calamus root.

Answer 4

The way that you think has a lot to do with how you feel. I suffer from depression and social anxiety, and have learned to cope with it by altering my bad thoughts. Usually they start out with a core belief, such as, "I'm not good enough." Prove this thought wrong. Why don't you want medications? I think that it is so dumb not to go on them if you are suffering. I suffered for years until I got on Zoloft, and now I am the person that I want to be and social anxiety isn't even an issue. I encourage you to get on some meds. They really help a ton. Good luck!

Answer 5

All cases of depression can be treated by kempenaturaltherapies without medication - the treatment of body mind soul and spirit
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excercise stretch upper neck - summerault - head turning
swimming - receive complete n o t neuro organisation treatment
readjusting spine -
soul and spirit treatment - religion church singing play instrument keyboard -
mind treatetment for instance care of other persons and children -
body treatment kempenatural therapies involves special excercises and thrird party treatments which you partner may learn to some extent during the treatment - and apply to you -

depression is caused by drug abuse - psycho abuse -
not enough chi flow and a distorted flow of cerebela fluid and
spine fluid and connection at the medibula oblongata once the bad memories are erased - the body mind and soul can recognise appreciate heal itsself again - sing laugh - appreciate to be alive - possible causes
A nutritional deficiencies are lack of viamin c
calcium ( compensate by eating apples and cellery )
lack of zinc ( caused by drugs or drug abuse ) buy supplement
many other deficiencies are possible
B traumatic experience ( any third party takes over body mind or soul control - part or all together - can be caused by drugs,chemicals,medicine,stress caused by wrong focus,accident,anesthesia,operation) - must be recoordinated so the body mind soul spirit equilibrium is achieved again and the
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Answer 6

I wrote a number of papers on the functions of the immune system (depression maybe in part due to inflammation of the neurons combined with impaired Nuerotransmission due to the that inflammation) and how Eicosapentaenoic Acid helps to stop the inflammatory cycle and repair the neuron membranes.

This is a substance found in Fish Oil. Country life (a vitamin company) makes a supplement based upon this research (its called Mood - something er other and has Omega in the name as well). Another brand that I recommend is Carlson. If you decide to take it, let your doctor know, because taking large amounts of this effects your platelet levels - meaning, you'll bruise easier, as well as other possible interactions given your personal history.

Answer 7

Most depressed people can give reasons why they are unhappy. Psychiatrists have to say its just defective chemicals, or else it wouldn't make sense to give out drugs (or ect), and they would have to spend a lot of time talking to you. Try to find the real reason you are depressed.

Answer 8

yes there are alternatives to medication your Doctor should be able to tell you about them there are a variety of therapy options.
most of them involve you taking an active roll in modifying the way you think to help you deal with stress full situations. hypnosis can also help but you need to find someone who will use a variety of different complimentary approaches.

Answer 9

You can look into an herbalist. Check in a local "Chinatown" near you. Might also try accupuncture, meditation and biofeedback.

Course why bother when you can pop a few Vicodin and float through the party.

Crap Im sorry thats my alter ego popping up again. He gets me into so much trouble.

Good luck
Eddie

Answer 10

there really aren't any. most of the time depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that needs to be corrected. however, you may try to seek some counseling. that might help.