A good way to defeat depression?

Question

I hve been dealing with depression for 5 years now...
Done everything i could to stop it.

My Girlfriend broke up with me the other day because shes having problems, i have been drinking and getting drunk to keep her off my mind.
I cant go on like this forever can someone please help me out...

I cant go to the doc or anything. I need a natural way, i cant get rid of it =(

Im not wanting to read any stupid answers so please be serious.

Answer 1

Sorry you've been having a tough time mate. I've had depression on/off for years and also had severe brain damage after a road traffic accident, which left me in a coma for over a month - result further deep depression.

1. Support - friends and family and unloading some of the emotional burden is a major source of 'relief'. It could also help you find other ways to recover better health.
2. Excercise - surveys prove this to be a major factor to overcome depression. I've been taken to gyms by psychologists over and over.
3 Managing your thoughts - notice what patterns of thinking and triggers lower your mood. Stop them as far as you are able and replace them with more uplifting patterns. Just creating interrupts to the downwards patterns installs and strengthens these to become habits. As with most habits, they eventually become hidden unconsciously.
4 Give yourself treats - this helps me alot
5. Break routines - this sends a signal to your mind that change is normal
6. Look for a self-help group, therapist or use help-lines, like Samaritans - who don't just help people at the point of suicide. Many services like this are free, and will allow you to direct any money to other professional services etc if - and I'm sure that you could benefit from them.
7. Take time to relax, however is good for you. Meditation, prayer, activity.
8. As some have said, St John's wort - a herb - is cheaper than medication but has been prescribed in some countries for depression, instead of medication. It could be worth a try.
9. Look for any books that might give more insights, particularly at the library, where you won't need to pay.
10. Remember, please don't try to do it all alone.

I'm at a better point in my life, moving away from depression. NLP - neuro linguistic programming/psychology, has proved a major way for me to break old patterns and create new uplifting ones.

Finally, please plan on seeing a doctor when you can. Depression is an illness which is treatable. Consider ways of raising some cash for this. I don't know where you live. In the UK health treatment is provided free for us, with reduced or free prescription costs, depending on income level. Perhaps people that you know could help raise some money for you, loans/gifts?

Good luck my dear friend. The responses on here show that there are people who care. Come back and ask more questions if you need more clarification, support etc.

Rob

Answer 2

about 5 years ago, I started to fall into a really depressive episode. At first I thought it was only because I had a bad break from a relationship but the feelings wouldn't go away even after I got a new girlfriend. It was wrecking my life until a point where it was seriously affecting my work and personal life.

She was very worried but at the same time couldn't understand why I was still sad and thought that I still couldn't let go of my previous relationship. Being the wonderful person that she is, she put aside her feelings and suggested I go for psychiatric evaluation. Many months later and even more anti-depressants, I was not coming close to being better at all.

After doing some research online, I found out the real cause as you described it really makes a lot of sense and purchased this program. The results were simply astonishing. I read this book over three times and put all words in action. Using this method, I've kept my depression at bay ever since. Up to date I'm still living happily with my girlfriend.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 3

Depression is a sod -and is not easy to live with at all. There are some things though that you can do to help yourself. For starters cut down on the drink big time- it has an overall depressant effect. There are no answers at the bottom of a bottle.

Get your diet sorted out - again avoid foods that give instant highs because they give toughs of depression as well. A good balanced diet with plenty of veg will help in the long run produce a better mood.

The quickest way of pumping natural anti depressant substances into your body is by taking vigorous exercise. Some go running - I dig the garden (it is also creative and gets you close to nature so it seems to help in other ways) or go for a good walk, swim, cycle ride - whatever. Take the exercise on a daily basis - preferably drag yourself out of bed before you do anything else in the morning and start the day with this natural release of endorphins.

Also - get yourself someone to work through your problems with - this helps. Finally engage with something as a creative past time, preferably with a group of people who will offer friendship. Sometimes it helps if you start helping others in some way - it can give another sense of purpose, achievement, self worth and the satisfaction you have done something good for someone else, maybe less fortunate than you.

Finally natural anti depressants can be good in the long run - some swear by St John's Wort (Hypericum) extract in tablet form.

What you will need to do is understand you are going to have to work at this - but if you do - you will probably beat your depression as long as you are not suffering from a severe clinical form, in which case you may need medical intervention.

Hope this helps and you are victorious :)

Answer 4

I haven't read anyone else answers so if my answer duplicates someone elses answer then just do it. Firstly you must try to stop drinking for a while, at least until you feel able to handle it without getting drunk, as drink will only make your depression worse, then look for something to do that you like, to help you stop thinking of all your troubles, maybe go to the gym, or take up a hobby, I don't know what interests you, so whatever does then enjoy it more. Keep yourself busy, surround yourself with things that are pleasing to the eye, check out breathing techniques, your local library will have books on this subject, try relaxation, think only positive thoughts like, " I AM GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS" " I CAN DO THIS" " I AM GOING TO GET BETTER" Put all negative thoughts out of your mind, think of the things that make you happy then do them, maybe decorate your room/flat in brighter happier colours. Listen to music that pleases you, though not songs that are a bit depressing as this can only make matters worse, don't sit about the place thinking poor me, poor me all the time, get up get out and do something that you like doing. There are always people worse off than yourself, the starving in Africa and Asia for instance. Be positive and good luck, I hope that you can overcome this, but if not then you must seek medical help. Always look on the bright side of life. Be happy and best wishes..

Answer 5

Stop drinking. Alcohol is a depressant, you're making it worse by drinking.

Tried going to church? Praying about it? I'm not big into religion and all that- but it works for some people.

On the Girl issue- If she was having problems, let her go-you have your own problems.

Get physical. Moving, playing, physical activity makes us happy. We were made to move. Take advantage of it. Take up a new sport. Maybe something with a tad of danger like skateboarding? snowboarding? surfing? The adrenaline rushes will help dull the depression. Go outside and work. Clean the yard, cut some lawns. When the weather warms up, get a job with a landscaper. Go join Habitat for Humanity. You can help others (which is a great feeling) and get that physical activity too!

I sincerely hope you get to feeling better.

Answer 6

First of all, stop drinking! Alcohol is a depressant. Exercize, sunshine, activity, and a healthy diet will help you a lot. If you still can't shake depression, you will need to see a doctor. There are some who work on sliding scale, or will find another way to work with you. Five years is too long to live with depression.

I don't know if you're suicidal or not, but a suicide hotline would be able to direct you to the right help. Good luck and hang in there!

Whatever you do, DON'T DO DIANETICS! Not unless you hate your money and really just want to get rid of it.

Answer 7

First, please stop drinking the booze-that is a depressant. You want to go the natural way? Your brain has "feel good" endorphines-that get released in your brain when you do something that feels good to your body. Walking 30 min. a day-even up to an hour a day (build up to it, of course), Other forms of exercise help there too. Or, if you have a list of tasks to do around the house or errands to run, each time you check the completed ones off, a little bit of endorphines get released. Do you have friends to "hang out with"? There is a natural anti-depressant, St John's Wort (or something like that)-it stinks like cow poop. Maybe go to a church? YMCA in your area? A counselor?Take care.

Answer 8

Two words: extreme sports. White water rafting, rock climbing, hang gliding, sky diving, and so on. It is not very expensive if you hire an instructor that has all the equipment already. Perhaps 100 dollars a day. Why? Adrenaline or norepinephrine.

Answer 9

Exercise, go out in the sun. Make your self do outdoors things during the day, it gets you moving. Most of all keep busy! Just make plans for everynight that dont invlolve a bar or drinking. Go to a movie, or play laser tag, or paint ball. go fishing with some fun loving buddies for a weekend.

Answer 10

Surround yourself with love and support. I have it too and therapy and medication don't seem to help. I feel miserable at times but you just have to stay hopeful. I think it's a great idea that you get a hobby and start going to church!. Just don't force yourself to do things when you don't want to or else you'll feel worst. I hope the best for you, good luck :)