My friend is autistic and has severe clinical depression unfortuanately just about everything his docs give him has caused really horrible side effects. They're still working on something safe but in the mean time he's dealing with some really serious depression. What are some safe natural inexpensive remedies for depression. I'm really worried about him and want to help. If you have any suggestions I'd really appriciate it.
2007-01-30 14:40:01 · 21 answers · asked by blood_drop2003 3 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
a few days ago; I wrote a blog entry on my 360 page about "the five mahalos" a technology from old hawai'i that helps change the way you think consciously and subconscoiously.
Feel free to read the blog entry. I would also recommend fetting two of the following crystals.
Agate, Anethyst, and Obsidian
Take one of each and place them under your pillow, then the other three carry them on your person 24/7
2007-01-31 04:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the cheapest and safest of all natural remedies. Exercise! Just have him walk, or ride a stationery bike. Anything to keep him moving. Exercise releases endorphins and that is the "feel good" hormone. He should exercise everyday. By the way, this will also help with autism. If he is unable to walk, just sitting him on the side of a personal trampoline, (I believe they call them rebounders), while you jump on it. This will help him to exercise mildly. This is also exceptional exercise for the heart! So everyone benefits!
If you need something more, get him into the sun. The sunshine has tremendous healing powers and they've proven now that full spectrum lights are essential to good health! So, get that light into him. If you live in a dreary place, buy some full spectrum lights and make sure that he's exposed to them for at least 2 hours a day.
I am a diabetic and exercise is my life saver. During the winter, when it snows, I get cabin fever and severe depression. My rebounder has been a godsend! Hope this helps.
2007-01-30 17:23:25 · answer #2 · answered by Janet C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's called the "Twelve Nerve Exercises", or possibly another exercise in this great book. It's based on Chinese/Taoist Medicine and attributes depression merely to a nerve imbalance. I would not recommend pumping drugs or pills into the body. St. John's Wort has some pretty intense side effects aswell in some cases, even though it's natural. I found this exercise in this really great book by Dr. Stephen T. Chang called "The Complete System of Self Healing- Internal Exercises". It's REALLY helpful with general exercises for everything. But I would highly recommend that you give this a try. Like I said, I'm not 100% sure about the exercise name because the book's not with me now, but have a browse through it and find the one that relates to depression. Good Luck.
2007-01-30 15:58:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how sever the autism is but I would be looking elsewhere than medications natural or otherwise. I would be wondering why he is depressed- what does he do during the day? Does he have social contacts? where/with whom does he live? What things does he enjoy doing and is he doing those? I don't know what services might be available to help- eg a support worker for social activities? At what level can he communicate about his wants/wishes? If he can, he might be able to tell you. He might like to have a spa once a week.
2007-01-31 12:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by merrygo9 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
With autism, you are not dealing with a normal person to begin with. Anything you give is likely to produce strange and unpredictable effects - this is not simple depression. I really get it that you want to help, but trying to medicate at home is not wise in this case. Herbs are no less powerful than drugs.
St . John's Wort is a herb for depression.
2007-01-30 15:06:46 · answer #5 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although prescribing apple cider vinegar for depression would be classed as extremely alternative, some Eastern medicines do believe that depression is the symptom of a "stagnant" or tired liver. If you believe in this philosophy, then apple cider vinegar would help to fight depression, since it is a great medium to help detoxify and clean the liver.
2007-01-30 17:32:13 · answer #6 · answered by §§ André §§ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teach your friend to meditate within their belief structure.. Start there.http://meditation.20m.com
OK, so exercise helps a lot with depression. Depression is believed to be anger and frustration turned inside.
Step up his or her protein. Good protein not fast food.
A good B complex vitamin with C like Emergenc (available Walmart) would help also.
That is a good start. Their are many other remedies for depression.
2007-01-30 18:58:20 · answer #7 · answered by dayakaur 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
lots of daylight and oxygen - it will not cure it, but help.
I would advise against you (as a non-medical person) recommending drugs (natural or synthetic), since you have no way of knowing all side-effects, but if you take your friend outdoors for activities during lunchbreak, you should see a slight improvement after about 2 weeks.
2007-01-30 14:56:49 · answer #8 · answered by carla 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This question just came up less than 5 days ago. I would look at those answers because there were some great answers.
2007-01-30 15:37:29 · answer #9 · answered by Curious George, C.Ac 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
St johns wort, but that probably wont work.If his depression is really serious he should do what his doctor tells him to do.
2007-01-30 15:23:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋