can i please have some suggestions for curing/coping/getting rid of depression?

Question

my girlfriend is depressed for some reason and we r out of ideas PLEASE HELP

OTHER THAN MEDS/GROUPS

Answer 1

Keeping extremely busy, work, hobbies so as to not have time to dwell on the depression may help.

If there is no real underlying problem, sometimes acting happy, going to a park and putting a smile on ones face when interacting with people may actually cause a change in the way one feels.

Depression usually has self reinforcing patterns that feed it. Thus the depressed person tends to withdraw from company etc. This only feeds the depression.

Music has great curative powers for lifting ones spirit. King Saul had David play for him when bad depressions hit him.

Play with a pet. Go together and have some coffee and apple pie or cake at a coffee shop - at a nice cheap coffee shop with refills. Take a walk in a park or forested area during daytime. Seeing the sun also is uplifting.

As stated, these suggestions are only valid if there is no profound reason environmentally enforced for the problem.

Hope your friend feels better soon. Tell her this.

Answer 2

there's only one hope for depression. That is an effective anti depressant medication. Depression comes from a checmical imbalance in the neurotransmitters and the brain and nothing in the world will alleviate unless you compensate for it. The right medication will do it. When you're depressed, you're unable to interact with a therapist by talking or be with or around anyone so talk therapy won't work. Being around people is a waste because the loss of interest makes it difficult to tolerate company and again, verbal interaction. You will have no desire for pets or taking care of animals as it's too labor intensive, too complex and your mind can't handle it. Excercise requires motivation which you have none. Until you can compensate for the chemical imbalance that's causing the depression and anxiety, none of these suggestions are useful.. Once you regain your sense of motivation and desire to do things, only then can any interaction or activity possibly help feel good.. There are ssri's, snri's mao inhibitors and trycyclic anti depressants. Some work better than others depending on the individdual. It is frustrating until you find one that works well with tolerable side effects. If none of these are ever an option, try ect (shock therapy)l

Answer 3

OK first of all meds are the only thing that works on certain types of depression.the doc should diagnose it first. the thing you need to understand is if she had a serious heart problem would you say no meds????depression can be life altering and should be seriously followed up with correct meds and counseling.better to be safe than sorry,i have seen the direct results of people letting it go and its not good,i hope you reconsider.if not at least go to counseling .sometimes the things from the past have to be gotten out of us like dumping the garbage so we can move on.good luck

Answer 4

What causes depression?
Although the exact causes of depression are unknown, it may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Serotonin and norepinephrine are 2 chemicals used by some nerve cells to communicate. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are thought to be linked to depression. Therefore, medications that affect these neurotransmitters may play a role in treating depression.

A person may experience symptoms of depression suddenly, for no apparent reason, or after a life-changing event or medical illness. Some types of depression run in families, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited.

Take action if you believe you suffer from depression
As with any medical condition, depression should be treated by a health care professional. The first step toward relieving depression symptoms is to speak with your doctor as soon as possible. By seeing your doctor at the first sign of depression symptoms, you increase your chances of getting over these symptoms and keeping them from returning. Even if you've sought treatment for depression in the past, it is not uncommon for symptoms to return and interfere with your life again. Whenever you start to notice depression symptoms, don't wait to talk with your doctor.

Answer 5

Try St. John's Wort, from health food and vitamin stores and some supermarkets (not for too long; a few weeks, maximum). Practice the following meditation for 20 mins. daily, and in times of adverse life events: Sit comfortably in a quiet, darkened room, gazing at a lighted candle. Focus all your attention on the feeling your breath makes, at the point where it enters and leaves the body, as you breathe regularly, preferably through the nose, in and out, in and out, in and out.............noting as mere distractions the various thoughts that come into your mind, as you return to the process. Eat a serve of beans, and one of peas, a serve of yellow/orange vegetable, and one of a green vegetable, like broccoli, spinach, or cabbage, and an orange or grapefruit, along with some dairy produce, daily. Exercise for 30 - 60 mins. daily. Keep occupied. Pass this information on to others, both here and elsewhere, once you have experienced the benefits. Exercise and meditate together, at least for a while, she should keep going with it, you make up your own mind, but what if she gives it up when you do?

Answer 6

more info could be helpful possibly. ie, age, health status, that kinda stuff.

other than that, curing and coping with depression are two pretty different areas. as far as curing goes, see a doctor. depression is something that i personally dealt with about 7 or 8 years ago. it took the better part of 2 years, and switching to about 4 different types of meds, but i was eventually cured. i dont have relapses, nor did i have to continue to take meds. there are tons of other options for 'treating' depression, but without more info, we'd be here all night.

as far as coping goes - this is also pretty vague. theres the part of her coping, you coping, and the two of you together coping. each of the 3 areas have different aspects to them. some years after getting through my own depression, i found myself engaged to a female who could, at times, become violently depressed. therapy or support groups can help in lots of situations, but there are times when that won't help at all.

i'd be happy to share any info i have if you'd like to contact me through here. pacodancer on yim.

Answer 7

it is important not to give into depression...you have to keep stimulated even when you just feel like hiding under the covers,,,,,get up and either exercise or go for a walk, bike ride ...something to keep stimulated...keep the bedroom lite...if you have dark shades or dark curtains , take them down and let the light come in...it helps to get you up and moving.... you dont really need a reason to get depressed, it is a chemistry thing and the activity sends the right chemicals to overcome the depression in the brain... light helps also by triggering the brain to become active.

Answer 8

Only read this if you are willing to accept it and not have a problem.

Counseling or a Psychiatrist is the best idea before she may commits suicide, you don't have much of a choice than these two, unless you want her to start going on Pain Killers like heroin, I'm sorry, talk to someone like a minister, rabbi, role model, someone that can help. Unless you are a counselor or a psychiatrist you are out of options. Depression doesn't heal itself, and you can't get anti-depressants just OTC. So you need to talk to someone unless you are a registered counselor/psychiatrist. If you don't your girlfriend may just be wept away from you. If you aren't going to listen to me and say, "we don't need a support group" fine then but when she starts going on alcohol, or morphine, or heroin, until her organs all fail and you won't have a girlfriend anymore. GET HELP FROM SOMEONE!

I was very depressed a few years ago, and my parents didn't believe me (they said stuff like, "Oh, stop, it'll pass", or "You just want attention"). until I decided to get drunk and swallow some opium pills, and then they believed me.

So get help for her before this gets out of control.

Answer 9

i suffered from post par tum depression. just remember to be a good listener. need to find out what the cause is if you don't already know. i know you said no medications but they really do help. also my doctor said to count 10 things i should be thankful for every night before i go to bed. she's going to have to try and solve the problem of the depression. good luck

Answer 10

There are like a million (and one) ways to end depression.
Its important for HER to decide on the right way for her
-you can assist her on that-
but it has to be her choice most of all.

You might want to consider counseling or religious activities as well as simple things like renovating the place, going on vacation or meditating.
The most important thing is for her to see the activites as not too stressing and something she would look forward to be doing.