Has anybody suffered from severe depression. What was the most effective treatment?

Question

In addition to antidepressants, what worked in terms of therapies? How long did it take for the depression to lift and what prevented a relapse?

Answer 1

Homeopathy can pull you out of depression.

Faith in a Sat Guru will heal anything and everything.

Answer 2

I can't concentrate long enough to read some of your answers. I am severely depressed and suffer from dysthymia. I think what you need to know is that everyone is different. Cognitive therapy is the best therapy that I have found and it starts working quickly. Meds take a minimum of 2 weeks and the depression still may not lift and no one can predict a relapse. If you are seeing a psychiatrist and he tells you that you have a chemical imbalance than it will probably be with you the rest of your life.
Take one day at a time and pat yourself on the back for the little things you accomplish. If you manage to get out of bed and have a shower, that is a good start for the day. Walking outside can lift your spirits.

Answer 3

The most important thing is to find an antidepressant that works for you, then stay on it even if you're feeling a lot better. You should work with a psychiatrist in finding the antidepressant, because they're are lots of choices, and you need to have someone who's very knowledgable about the side effects, etc.

Not to discourage you, but for some people, depression is really a life-long chronic problem. This is why working with a good psychotherapist for some length of time can be helpful

Answer 4

I was severely depressed and drug therapy WAS what worked for me, not going off meds is what prevented a relapse. Maybe what you need (if it is in fact you we are talking about) is to go on the RIGHT meds. It took a few stabs at different meds before my doctor and I found a coctail that worked for me.

Plain ol' indidividual psychotherapy is good too.. it helps to have someone to knock your seemingly crazy thoughts onto to let you know that you're actually healthier than you thought, and to guide you into better patterns.

Answer 5

I had severe depression. I took the drugs but the most effective help for me was counselling...I had long term counselling. I found that I needed to change the way I reacted to things.

Also, what helped me struggle through was trying to keep occupied even if it was just colouring or going for a coffee.

It's ironic that at the time your head feels at its weakest...you need it to be at its strongest to get through severe depression.

My depression was severe and deep rooted. The length of time depression lasts varies enormously from a couple of months to years. Finding the right therapy is crucial.

I hope that helps.

Answer 6

I am a patient of depression and still taking antidepressants ( 2 different antidepressants in full doses). Depression was not severe. initially I was given Imipramine and it had dramatic effect. My lethargy and sleepiness disappeared and memroy improved. Unfortunately I stopped it prematurely, depression recurred and since then nothing could give me same status as imipramine gave, but at that time newer antidepressants SSRI were not available which are preferred now a days. Yoga helped me control my sleepiness and lethargy.

Answer 7

I'm afraid you're looking for the one final truth to all life in that question and in this case there is none. As you can tell from my optomistic disposition, Im a barrell of hope!
Just tryin to be lite hearted. You know I have sufferred from severe disabling depression for 16 years now. Not always the worse. It comes and goes. I have other "disorders" that tag along with that one like panick disorder , anxiety disorder, mixed mood disturbances. But I think just depression and panic disorders is enuf to cover.Obviously, since I've sufferred from it so long, I probably am not your best source for finding out what works best.
However, It is my belief that depression is such a very personalized illness, it can't be said what worked for you will work for me and visa versa.
Both because of the tremendous book of possible causes and the complete uniqueness of how each person responds to any particular therapy.
I've tried it all. Well not ECT. But I did ask my psychiatris for it once after some research pointing to its effectiveness caught my eye. I was desperate. But he chuckled at me being a state employed Dr. at a state outpatient facility. We don't do that any more he said.
It is all individual. Some people are helped a lot by counseling. Especially if they lack insight to their own illness and behaviors. Or if there is underlying traumatic stress disorder or other major issues that are the root of the depression.
Some people swear by meds.
I can only speak for myself. I found the counseling totally useless and senseless. I had pretty much a fairy tale child hood and was raised by the two most magnificent parents I could ever ask for. My childhood memories came right out of the adventures of huckaberry fin.They poked and prodded surely there was a traumatic event there somewhere. But no. I did loose my father as a young adult and that certainly contributed but that is an eventuality we all must face and I don't think it was any more an issue than anything else. But eventually I just said enuf already. I don't care why. It doesn't matter. The past is the past. All I want is to not feel this way anymore. Digging into my past is not going to help me even if you did find something!So I just went through the motions of therapy enuf to be eligible for medication. There were times i could tell it really helped, at others I would have people tell me it was making me act odd.But most of the time, I couldn't tell i was even taking anything.My anxiety medication was and is the only medication that has given me any relief. But only for anxiety. I think and my physician concurrs my depression is caused from a genetic predisposition. And though my Dr is too kind to say it, my personality. I am a type A. A perfectionist, workaholic.I am extremely rigid in my moral values and very self critical. And I also believe it is in part a learned behavior or response to stressors in my life.You'd think a perfectionist wouldn't have any self esteem issues, after all they are perfect huh? Well no. I expect myself to be perfect. that is a perfectionist. And anything short of that is a character flaw I see.I don't have resources nor even know of such a place, but I do believe withall the years I've studied my illness,causes, effects and my medical and pschological education that cases like mine regardless of the originating cause become a normal pattern of behavior and the brain has grown pathways even that make treatment very difficult. but If there was a camp of sorts similar to basic training in the army where healthy coping skills and brain patterns could be reestablished, my illness could be controlled. But I think it would require months of basically relearning how to cope with life. Because that is how I feel. Completely helpless and hopeless. I feel like a victim and that is never a positive way to feel. I should be tho one asking the question on this one I think but best advice I can give is to realize it not only seems like a daily struggle, it is indeed a fight. A fight for your life. Make up your mind that you will never give up or give in and try anything and everything in your power to overcome.I pray you will be a lucky one and be well. I will probably live with my illness every daY for the rest of my life. But I fight it every single minute of every day. i may be a victim but I will never be a helples victim. I never give up hope. Every day that I wake up hoping it is a better day than the last is a good day to me.as long as I never give up hope there is hope.
God's peace to you. Faith

Answer 8

I suffered from severe depression during my teenage years. The most effective treatment was probably my therapy. I hardly ever took my anti-depressants (being my stubborn self). It took around 10 years and a lot of changes for me to finally feel better.

Answer 9

God faith and time!he is the only help you will ever need to get out of any circumstance. I had severe depression when i was like 18. To the point i was constantly having anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I didnt feel like i was worth nething. and i did nothing with my time, just sat in the house feeling sad. but after all the prayin and with a lil bit of time i eventually got over it.


good luck to you though!

Answer 10

Take up Tai Chi, regular exercise, and practice for 20 mins daily, and whenever the depression recurs, the meditation technique in www.healthyplace.com/communities/ (.com/communities). Several weeks. Continued meditation.

Answer 11

Consumption of a large amount fresh vegetables and fruits in one's diet will help in addition to antidepressants.