How can I handle depression without drugs?

Question

OK, I am coming to terms with the fact that I am indeed depressed. I need to make some changes, but don't want to take anti-depressants. I am already on meds for migraines, and don't want to take more. I sleep a lot, have lost interest in just about everything, have gained weight, lost self esteem, lost motivation to do anything. I don't want to work, don't want to shop, don't want to do anything except lay there like a log. I can hardly get myself up on the weekends.

What can I do to stop this cycle before it gets worse, and demands medical attention? I want ways that are alternatives to prescription drugs. Or illegal ones.

I am going to be 35 next month, female, married, no kids.

Answer 1

Exercise, meditation, and a good night's sleep.

You can also try herbal supplements like St. John's Wort. Valerian root and melatonin can help you sleep.

Exercise and a healthy diet are key. Don't forget to drink plenty of water.

Another important thing is to change your thought patterns. You have now taught yourself to think of things in a negative way. Be sure to interrupt your negative thoughts and come up with something more positive. Eventually, you will teach yourself to think positively from the start.

And it's okay to be depressed, even if your life isn't that bad. Remember, it's not necessarily that you have a reason to be depressed, but that your body is out of whack.

BTW - Perhaps your migraine meds are the problem?

Answer 2

My 17 year old daughter was diagnosed with depression this past year. Mainly, I think it comes from a hormone balance in her case - - - which can be determined by some blood tests done by your doctor or GYN. She does have polycystic ovaries, which the treatment for that is to be on the birth control pill. I think the BCP is what has worsened her moodswings/depression/anxiety.

I wanted to get her help so badly that I agreed for her to be put on Paxil - - an antidepressant. It worked for a few months and then stopped, and actually caused other bad side affects. After that experience, I decided to wean her off Paxil and try other alternative ways to help her.

Right now I give her 5-HTP (found in vitamin section) - which is an amino acid supplement. I've gradually increased her dosage to about 300 mg. per day, given in 3 different dosages. I have also been giving her B-complex (should help with energy level). And recently, I added Fish Oil (Omega-3) and I bought the kind that doesn't have an aftertaste.

She has also started going to the tanning bed 3 times a week for short periods of time. This not only helps her acne, but I think the artificial "light therapy" helps her mood also. Like you, she doesn't feel like getting up to do an exercise routine, but she can find other ways to be active - - - - taking short walks or like this weekend, she went roller skating with friends.

I've only been trying this for a month and I'm still holding my breath to see if her chronic depression comes back, but so far, I have seen positive results. Life's not perfect, but at least I can see some difference. It's a beginning and I'm encouraged.

Maybe you can do something similar. Diet also has a lot to do with it. You may be sugar sensitive. There's a book called "Potatoes, Not Prozac" which you might find in your local library. Check it out. Adjusting your diet, especially cutting carbs, may help you feel better so that you can find the will to start exercising some.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I've been there, done that and only 22. I write everything done now. I keep a very detailed diary of what happened that day, what's going on in my head, what I've eaten, etc. So many things can effect your mood and you just don't realize it yet. Also, look at your lifestyle. Most depression is because someone is not happy with their life and not a clinical depression. You can change your lifestyle if that is the cause. You are married but no kids?? Could this be a reason? Is your relationship good with your husband? You need to be open-minded about what is going on in your life. All that you can change if you want to. Good luck!

Answer 4

Holoistic treatments are a waste of money. St. Johns Wort is an maoi-inhibitor and can interfere with other perscription drugs. And estrogen/progeterin can significantly increase your chance for breast-cancer and are usually not recommened anymore.

Best advice if you don't want to turn to anti-depressants just yet would be this: diet and regular exercise.

Cut back on sugars and fatty foods. And get a regemented exercise routine and stick to it. Sometimes joining a class at a gym or even seeking out a personal trainer can help for a while until you get a solid routine down.

Anti-depressants are nothing to be afraid of, but I can understand your reluctance. Diet and exercise can help a great deal.

Answer 5

Do you have many of these problems: depression, fatigue and anxiety, weight gain, water retention and bloating, PMS, migraine headaches, dizziness and foggy thinking, lack motivation, feel fed-up and can't find the energy or desire to do much...? Do you look around your house and know you should do some chores but don't seem to give a crap, which makes you feel worse? Do you look in the mirror and feel old, dried up and useless? Do you find you don't care about your hair, clothes or make-up anymore? Do you often ask yourself "who the hell cares and what's the point?"

Hormonal imbalance. You certainly don't need drugs, you need a blood scan to determine your hormone levels and probably some DHEA, a bit of testosterone, a lot of progesterone (especially if you're had kids), and possibly a thyroid medication. Your headaches will go away and you'll feel like a totally new woman within 10 days. But you'll need a specialist- most doctors just fob you off with anti-depressants if you tell them your symptoms.

Answer 6

Well I was once depressed but not as bad as you. You know there's something better you can do then taking any anti-depression and I try it. If you believe in prayer and believe in Jesus. He can help you a lot with the depression. All you have to do is call on him for help and he'll help you over come this depression. He's better then any anti-depression out there. I've seen it. My mother in law used to be depressed and she did all the things you did and now she's doing much better. She prayed and asked God for help. Also you can look at what you have that's good and just know that with prayer you can over come this depression and if you have faith in the lord he'll help you. He's the best thing for depression.

Answer 7

There may be some natural ways to deal with ur depression, perhaps talking to someone in a vitamin and mineral store. Although i do have to tell u that the meds they have on the market right now r pretty good. If u begin taking them, it doesnt necessarily mean that u will be on them for a life time. It depends on ur depression, is it seasonal? situational? or is it clinical which would mean that u would have to be on meds for sometime. Again though, there may come a time when u dont need the meds and r able to get off of them. 1 in 5 Canadians (those r the numbers i know) get depressed at some point in their lives. Some of them r able to let nature take its course and they pull themselves out of it and others need meds to get back on track. Then after talking to their doctor r able to go off of the meds. I do know that some ppl have tried St. Johns Wart for depression and im sure u could find some literature on the net about it. Do some research and see what u come up with since meds rnt necessarily the way u want to go. Keep ur chin up.. Good luck! FYI.. all mental illnesses r a chemical imbalance of the brain.

Answer 8

You are very wise to stay away from drugs as much as possible. I can relate to how you are feeling. I know for myself, I need to keep things as simple as possible when I'm feeling depressed. As hard as it is to do when I'm suffering from depression, I try to go for a walk if I can. Even a short one. It always seems to help. Also, as crazy as it might seem, drinking plenty of water helps me to feel better too. Once I start feeling better, then if I want, I am more in the mood to tackle other things. Good luck, and take care.

Answer 9

Go on-line and look up some groups in your area and make some friends. Keeping your self busy is the best way to beat this condition. Usually friends can also help. get out and visit, do things to stay busy. Exercise, go to a gym and meet new people. Change your diet. Remember not all Doctors use drugs to help cure depression. Get a pet that needs attention. Talk to your family.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

is there any groups locally that you could go to?

Do you have a best friend? Anyone to talk to? If not, there are many hotlines for you to call just to have someone to talk to.

It sounds like you want to take initiative to get better, so try making it a point to get out of bed. Even if it is just for housecleaning or taking a short walk. Try to limit bedtime to either nighttime or if it's a rainy day and there's nothing else to do. Anytime other than those, don't get into bed.

I sincerely wish you good luck. Heck, if you have to, email me!