what besides medication is the best treatment for chronic depression?

Question

i have been on medication for several years but it doesn't seem as effective as it used to be.

Answer 1

Here are some suggestions:
1. A brisk walk everyday in the sun.
2. Eat healthy.
3. Sleep only at night.
4. Spend time in the morning thanking God for His blessings. List them, then ask Him to bless the whole day.
5. Purpose to do something kind for one person everyday.
6. Read a positive book 15 min every day
7. Play inspiring music
8. Go to church
9. Clean your house 15 min every day.
10. Take care of a pet.
11. Place positive notes around the house/apt that are easy to read.
12. Every night thank God for blessing your day. Name them. Then ask Him to solve every problem that has come up. If you have a friend to pray with, it will change your life.
13. Speak aloud positive things about yourself.
15. Follow your dreams

Answer 2

I tried therapy, etc, but the only thing I found that really helped me was Zoloft. Is there some religious reason that you have an aversion to medication?
Depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain, you need to set it straight. If this is against your religious principles, then perhaps someone from your place of worship could suggest another method, but the meds is what did it for me (and I am a strong Christian)
Best of luck to you, I know how miserable you feel right now.

Answer 3

Medication I do not know. However, the best treatment for chronic depression is still Electro-Shock Therapy, with an effective rate around 80%.

My personal view is that is fries your mind so bad, you do not remember why you were depressed in the first place so the cycle is broken.

Answer 4

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 5

There are alot of different things you can try. For me I had to change my thinking and quit sweating stuff. I haven't met many other people that can quit the thinking cycle though. Tanning in a tanning bed works well, being outside, or getting one of those UV lamps to sit under. Extended computer usage is linked to depression. When you feel the first signs of depression, getting out around people also helps. I live in Alaska, and SADS is pretty hard core here, so we are limited as to what we can do in the winter!

Answer 6

I don't think that medication is necessary.

As i understand there is not one thing but many things that make someone feel depressed..

Things to care about :

Physical condition is very important..Personally i feel very bad if i don't exercise regularly.
Try to exercise 2 or 3 times a week.

Press yourself to work hard and simultaneously overcome the obstacles..If you succeed you gain a super energy booster :)

Find some good motivation (e.g. to help others)

Quit boredom :) :)

thats all i can think right now

Answer 7

Unfortunately, when I was depressed I couldn't make myself do anything. You need to find that little bit of energy you have and go!! Take a walk out side, in the sun, even if its cold the sun does wonders. You need to stop, right now, eating out, eating processed foods, eating sugar (drinks, candy, donut,ect..) Look at what you are eating for breakfast. Breakfast is called that because you are breaking your fast. You eat 3 times in 12 hours then nothing for 12 hours. What are you eating for breakfast??? This is starting your day!!! Is it coco puffs? That’s full of sugar!! It makes you more depressed! Find foods that give you more nutrients. Fresh fruit ...raw vegetables. Don’t eat MSG's(mono-sodium glutamate) or aspartame!! These things kill you. Pick up your gum package and read the ingredients. If it has aspartame in it, trash it. Anything sugar free will most likely have aspartame in it!! Don’t eat it! This is a way for the drug companies to screw with YOUR body and cause you to need medicine and then make them rich!!
HERE IS A REASON NOT TO CONSUME PROCESSED OR FAST FOOD:
Poor diet is a serious cause of mental health disorders because of the nutritional deficiencies and imbalances it results in. In addition, certain foods can trigger allergies that can cause or worsen mental health problems. This is especially the case with diets devoid of fresh, organic fruits, vegetables and other organic whole foods. To make matters worse, diets neglecting whole foods are often high in commercially packaged and processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugars. Such a diet not only lacks the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients essential for good health, but it is also high in unhealthy food additives, preservatives, and other chemicals that can seriously impair mental health.

Aromatherapy: The following essential oils can promote calm and soothe stress: chamomile, clary sage, lavender, sandalwood, and ylang ylang.
For depression: bergamot, geranium, jasmine, melissa, neroli, and rose can be helpful, since they act as natural antidepressants.

Answer 8

Stay active, vent every chance you get, when your mind starts to wonder immediately make yourself get up & go away from the area you are in. I think it is pretty common this time of year. You are cooped up inside fo to long. Go outside, bundle up if you have too, when the sun comes out go let it shine on you!!! Do some yoga or stretches even if you are lying in bed!!! Somebody actually suggested sex and they are right. Sex with someone you love is good & healthy for the mind & body & soul. I don't mean prostituting!!! Get yourself a muscle stimulator you can do it at home. They are not expensive and a good tool to have around as well for you sore muscles, stiff neck, tension! Here is some on ebay I have one myself.
http://cgi.ebay.com/IGIA-Electro-Fit-Accusage-Portable-Muscle-Massager_W0QQitemZ150085471779QQihZ005QQcategoryZ117365QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Massager-Acupuncture-Pain-Reliever-pen-pads_W0QQitemZ190074456560QQihZ009QQcategoryZ67662QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/TENS-UNIT-MACHINE-NEW-WITH-8-UNUSED-PADS_W0QQitemZ250078952089QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3193QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Mostly I can tell you what not to do... Don't listen to sad country music. Don't stay idle to long, it gives you to much time to think about STUFF! Don't watch the news! Don't be afraid to ge get some Medication as a last resort. It would be better than being so miserable all the time. THAT'S NO WAY TO LIVE!!!!

Answer 9

Fresh air, sunshine and exercise every day. Elimination of processed foods and fast foods. Never skip a meal and drink a lot of water and take a multi-vitamin. Get up and get out, even when you have to force yourself. Start a Gratitude journal. Love yourself and face your demons. Ask the Lord to deliver you from this pit. God Bless.

Answer 10

Stay with the Dr but try exercise and meditation. Do not try stopping medication by yourself. You would need to step down slowly the strength of any medication....