Is there any effective way to cure clinical depression without any professional or medical help?

Question

...I want to know!

Answer 1

Well...people have been getting depressed for as long as people have been around...and medical science has only started to address it recently, so I'd say yes.
I, personally, have overcome what I believe was clinical depression on more than one occasion without help, here's what I recommend:

Eat healthy, plenty of fruits and veges, good lean protiens, avoid fatty and sugary foods. Drink plenty of water. Don't smoke or use drugs or alchol. Limit caffiene from any source. Take vitamins. Exercise regularly, even if it's just a half hour of walking every day. Keep your house and car clean, it's amazing how much better you feel in a clean environment. Surround yourself with people who are postive and supportive, this may mean finding new friends. Join clubs or groups that do things you are interested in.

The above is the foundation for the real work. The real work is to conciously direct your thoughts toward postive things. This is much harder than it sounds, and it is the way to true happiness. Feeling immediately follows thought, so if you think about sad, upsetting things, you will feel sad and upset. When you find yourself thinking of negative things conciously redirect your thoughts to positive things. It helped me to have a default positive thought I would automatically turn to (my beautiful furry friends and how much we love each other) to get me started on a postive path. Do this EVERY TIME you think of negative things. You will have setbacks and you will backslide. Get up, dust yourself off and get back on the happy horse. It will take several weeks or a few months to start to get new patterns of thought established and you will always have to work on it but the longer you do this the easier it gets.

I've been on the positive thought train for 10 years now, and am happier than I have ever been. It sounds like a little thing, to think positively, but it will truly change your life.

Someone told a joke here on answers lately that I just loved.
Two kids wake up in their rooms on Christmas morning, the pessimist kid wakes up to a room full of toys and is upset because of all the batteries to buy and the manuals to read.
The optomist kid wakes up to a room full of horse **** and is estatic because 'there's got to be a pony around here somewhere'. We might not be able to control all the events in our lives, but we do have control over our attitudes and reactions. You can take control of your feelings, I know, because I did. I still have to work on it, but it gets easier, and I get happier, every single day.

Good luck!

Answer 2

If you wish to fight your depression without the side-effects and expense of psychiatric medications, there are many things your can do to control your moods naturally.
http://depression.about.com/cs/altmedsjw/ht/Naturally.htm
Sleep and mood are intimately related. Keep a regular schedule and get adequate rest.
Avoid caffeine and other stimulants. Although they give temporary energy, they can deplete your serotonin levels in the long-run.
Take a multi-vitamin regularly if you do not eat well. Several vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to depression symptoms.
For mild to moderate depression, some find that St. John's Wort, SAMe or 5-HTP can be helpful and may have fewer side-effects. These remedies cost less than prescription medications and help put you in control of your own treatment.
Get in touch with your spiritual side through prayer or meditation. Remember, spirituality is not the same thing as religiosity. You may be spiritual without ever setting foot in a church, synagogue or mosque.
Get more exercise. This doesn't mean you have to start up a vigorous daily workout. Even a walk around the block can be energizing.
Avoid excess alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a depressant and toxic to your body as well.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Your thoughts have a direct bearing on your mood. Learning about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, either through a therapist or self-help books, can help you stop the negative thoughts that bring you down.
Stress can be physically draining. Learn to control your stress levels through time management, meditation, biofeedback training, etc.
Combat feelings of loneliness by reaching out to others who are less fortunate.
Tips:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be aware of your mood and take remedial steps when you first feel your mood begin to slip.
Don't feel like a failure if you need prescription medication. Depression is an illness just like diabetes or any other other. It is not always within your control.

Answer 3

I'm really sorry if you suffer from clinical depression, it is very very difficult disease. It's a real hard disease to deal with and unfortunately it carries a stigma. Since you used the word "clinical" you know what to expect. I really don't understand the antipathy some groups and people have in having clinical depression treated. If you had malaria or tuberculosis would you not have it treated?

Clinical depression is no different from any other disease and it can be just as deadly and just as debilitating if not treated. Anti-depression medication and psychotherapy or psychoanalysis help cure a deadly and malignant disease that is by no means your fault just as getting tuberculosis would not be your fault.

Answer 4

Perhaps there are some self-help groups available in your area. Did a medical professional say that you are clinical depressed? I know you don't want to see a Dr but you should find out for sure. Then they would be able to tell you what alternatives there are

Answer 5

NO!! Don't even think there is and don't even try to live through the depression alone. Depression is an ugly thing and it needs to be delt with by ppl who know how to do that.....i.e. professional and medical. Clinical depression is a physical illness of the brain! You can do other things though by doing all of your favorite stuff....make time every day to do this. But by all means GO TO YOUR DR. ! ! ! ! !

Answer 6

I would suggest a vigorous physical exercise program balanced between cardio/ weights. and moderate tanning as sunlight is a big mood influence. Social life is a must, family/ friends. Take control of your life. Tidy your enviroment, pay the bills, etc more rightteous control of your life the better you will feel. Serve others who can't do it for themselve- even small things. Avoid alcahol, recreational drugs. Go to bed early, arise early with a plan for the day. If these don't help medical proffesion is a must. Should see change within 3 weeks

Answer 7

Without professional help how do you get a diagnosis of "Clinical depression" Depression doesn't have to be permanent so you could "outgrow it" or make other changes that end the depression. You will have the capability of returning to depression but there is HOPE!

Answer 8

Depending on what causes it. certain physical conditions cause clinical depression and should be dealt with professionally. But, getting busy. exercising and dealing with things whether you want to or not can help a lot in pulling out of it.

Answer 9

I think that depression is a feeling, not a disease. Eat right, sleep right, do things that make YOU feel happy. Take a day or two off of work or school or whatever, and make some time for yourself. Maybe get a notebook and start a journal to get any depressing thoughts out of your system. Keep in mind that YOU are in control of your depression. :D Good luck!

Answer 10

I've cured 2 girlfriends and lived with them happy for years. The medical profession sold them the lots of drugs etc beforehand. The psychiatrists can have a go but I believe genuine esteem building and possibly needing them more than they need you periodically can work wonders. Some basic understanding of psychology, nutrition, and excercise helps.