Are there any alternatives ( other than medication) to treat depression?

Question

I have tried every medication for depression over the past 20 years and nothing has worked. Currently I am on 7 medications to try and help me. They include Paxil, Welbutrin, Lamictal, Straterra, Provigal, Suboxone and Trazadone. I dont know anything else to do and I feel helpless.

Answer 1

I have to agree with everyone who has said to see a new doctor. Go see a Psychologist...not a Psychiatrist. (Psychologist = PhD, Psychiatrist = MD) They can begin therapy and slowly begin taking you off some of the meds. You may not be able to eliminate all of them right away. Some may still be necessary to lessen the effects of your symptoms in your day-to-day life.

Many emotional problems, like depression, root from some deep down disturbance in the sub-conscious mind. This may be something bad that has happened in your life that you have "locked away" in order to try and "forget" that it ever happened. If this is the case, it may have festered and will not go away until it is addressed...no matter how many medications you are on.

Don't think that you are the only one with this problem. Many people have been going to Psychiatrists for years with minimal success. Most of the people that I have recommended the services of a Psychologist to have received great results. The truth is, medicinal therapy was never meant as more than a bandage over the wound. Today's society has turned it into a miracle cure that it simply is not...and today's doctors have turned it in to a cash crop of endless proportions.

I hope this helps.

~M

Answer 2

I was put on Cymbalta for depression, and after the first day, I was DONE with meds for it, lol. I'd recommend getting a notebook and writing down your thoughts each day, as an outlet to get any depressing thoughts out of your head. Try to eat healthier, take a daily vitamin, and exercise some if you have the time. Make some time for yourself to just spend a day or so in your pajamas and get some relaxation time in. If you feel really stressed, maybe go see a massage therapist or something? I've been seeing a psychologist, and that's helping a bit.

Answer 3

Sometimes improving ones diet and getting regular exercise can help reduce depression, but ask your doctor if your diet is adequate or not. Some people write what ever they think and feel into a notebook that they never show anyone else. They say it makes them feel a lot better, especially over time. None of these will harm but can be used to supplement treatment with medicine.

Answer 4

OMG!!! See a new doctor!! No one should be on this many meds at once and it's very irresponsible of your doctor! If this is over 20 years and nothing has helped, you probably have something other than or in addition to depression that is not being treated. If you can, try to see a naturopath or someone other than an MD.

Answer 5

First off you need to get off all that medicine...you need to see if its a chemical imbalance of your system...you need better help than who ever is giving you this stuff your not getting better but will end up worse... you need to be around people that care and can help you ...seek a doctor that can search out what is wrong..maybe its just something your body needs and is not getting... chemical imbalances in the brain. I've had problems and with this vitamin B's have found a improvement but I never got on any strong medication as you have ..seek out some one that can check into this for you ..or get on-line and look up health foods and treating depression ...going to give you a site to start you off with ...and with you wanting and understanding is your first step...to getting better

Answer 6

I think it is so sad some idiot doctor placed you on all of those and didn't once mention alternative medicine and talk therapy with a conselor.

I suggest those two things for you now. You need to work through why you are depressed.

Make sure you are taking good care of yourself by eating healthy, getting some exercise daily and staying away from depressants like sugar and alcohol and illegal drugs.

Answer 7

You should definitely try some non-medicine things as people suggested above, but there is one medicine that might be able to help you, as it is very different from most antidepressants. Ketamine is currently in experimental use for treatment-resistant depression, and it has a very high success rate and starts working in only a few hours. It's worked very well for me when nothing else has.

Answer 8

I was a guinne pig for a while with medications myself, for depression. I didn't find one that worked for me. I went into therapy, It helped me more than any other drug. I learned that you really need to take care of your body if you are suseptable to depression. That means taking vitamins, and minerals, and talking. Talking to someone who knows depression. Excersise, even if you don't want to go out, force yourself, go out with a friend or family member for coffee, or go for a jog, go for a long walk, ect. I think you are on a lot of meds, I don't recomend cutting them off cold turkey, you should see your Dr. and ask him if theres a professional in your area that deals with depression, without medication, if that's the route you are going for. Medication doesnt work for everyone. Maybe there is something bothering you that you don't even realize. Good Luck. I hope you find the answer you are looking for.

Answer 9

Traveling. Get out of your environment. You need a change in your life. Not medication. People have the self ability to become better. Do something out of the ordinary. Get a dramatic change in your look. Help people on yahoo answers. Time will heal. Did something traumatic happen to you, my friend? I hope you feel better.

Answer 10

Julie has the right idea even as she tells you to attempt mindfulness wondering. Mindfulness wondering is like meditating and it facilitates you locate your ecosystem and separate that out of your ideas. that is a discipline the position you already keep in mind that you've ideas, yet they are in basic terms ideas, and that is the way you react to those ideas which will result your existence. You wrote that you're searching for a therapist and kudos to you for that. keep in mind that usually you should bypass by ability of various therapists earlier you locate a robust one, or somewhat, the right one. treatment will maximum in all probability help and that i might want to also recommend getting some good workout familiar if plausible. workout retains you occupied and facilitates alleviate ideas that could want to in the different case hang-out you. also, workout will develop the point of endorphins (chemical compounds on your mind) which make you more effective alert and satisfied and excited, so as it truly is your organic drugs right there! desire this enables, e mail me in case you want.