How do you get rid of depression without seeing a doctor?

Question

I have been so depressed lately, and dont know why, but I dont want speak to anyone about it. It's interfering w/ my life, how can I get rid of it?

Answer 1

If your depression is so severe that you are virtually unable to do your work at a job school or home, then you probably do need professional help. I don't think people snap out of depression like that very often, and the longer you let that kind of depression go on without treatment, the more likely it is that it will become a chronic condition.

Here are my depression tips (but remember, you may NEED counseling or a doctor- I have both in addition to what I list below)

If your depression seems to be more of a problem in the winter or on overcast days, try to get more sun. You could have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, or your depression could have a seasonal component, meaning you can get depressed other times of the year, but you tend to have more trouble in the winter. A light box is really good if you can afford one (about $300 online, don't get it at a local store, they will charge more for a light less than 1/2 as bright). Since I will always have a mood disorder, I have put in extra windows, keep the drapes mounted so they don't cover them, make sure I spend a lot of time in southern exposure rooms, painted the walls peach and yellow, mostly. I even have a skylight, although that was here when I moved in (and I LOVE it, it helps a lot!!!!!) My seasonal problems are resolving now, especially with the daylight savings time change.

Try meditation tapes like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery. They may seem silly at first, but they work!! They help reduce stress, which makes depression worse.

***** #1 MOST HELPFUL TIP Go out with friends, and if you don't have any, find a club to join and MAKE yourself go until you actually look forward to it. Isolation makes depression worse. I'm an introvert, extremely so, and I still need to get out with others. Oh, and you dont' need to talk about your problems, just goof around and go to a happy movie or something, or play sports.

Exercise at least 1/2 hour a day, and anytime you feel really hyper or depressed. Exercise is a great mood stabilizer and cuts down on anxiety a lot.

If your depression makes it hard for you to sleep, here are some good "sleep hygeine" tips so you can sleep better. Like go to bed and get up about the same time each day, even weekends. Don't use your bedroom to watch TV and read and use the computer and all that-just use the room as a bedroom normally would be used. Don't do stuff that pumps you up right before bed, like exercising and using the computer. You want to use that last hour to wind down-Take a bath? Make the bedroom really dark, cover up the clock radio, even so the light doesn't shine at you. If you live in the rackety city, use a noise generator (makes wave sounds and the like) to cover up the city sounds. Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening.

Put a lot of colorful things around the house, happy type things, and keep the blinds open and let the sun in. Get yourself some flowers. Put on some nice clothes. Make a list of things that make you happy. Here's some things on my list: A basket full of fluffy kittens, bread fresh from the oven, Fireworks popping on a warm summer evening, The first fireflies of the season, the scent of Jergen's cherry almond lotion, The crisp sound of a saltine cracker breaking, fresh sheets on the bed, standing in the boat flicking topwater lures out onto the water, etc. Use all your senses and read that list when you are breaking down.

Make sure you aren't making things worse by listening to sad music and watching sad movies. It's sooooooooo easy to do that when you are depressed. You have to do the opposite.

Work on time management if being overwhelmed and late for things and too much to do is getting to you. Cut back on other responsibilities temporarily so you can spend more restorative time with friends and family.

You got a significant other? Extra physical touch is very helpful. Most people in the US or UK are touch deprived, so hold hands more, hug more, give shoulder rubs, etc. A pet is good to cuddle with, too, if your home situation allows you to get one. (I'm an animal lover, don't get one if you can't commit to it for 15 years)


I have really really severe psychiatric symptoms from bipolar disorder. And I am able to feel quite a bit better using some of these tricks, because the meds have only been partly effective for me. If I didn't do stuff like the above, I would be in an institution for sure. so please try some of these things, there is no harm in them, and they may provide some real relief for you. And if none of these things help after a couple weeks, you may have to try some medication. If you take aspirin for pain, why not an antidepressant for emotional pain? They are an appropriate treatment for long-term mood troubles that do not resolve with behavior changes like the ones I listed above.

I hope these tips help you, and you feel better!!! All the best to you!

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you get rid of depression without seeing a doctor?
I have been so depressed lately, and dont know why, but I dont want speak to anyone about it. It's interfering w/ my life, how can I get rid of it?

Answer 3

It's kinda like asking "How do I get rid of diabetes" or "How can I control my asthma symptoms without going to the doctor?" Some people might be able to do it sans a doctor but if you are having issues with daily functioning, it might be time to make an appt. Or locate what triggered it. Situational or clinical depression? How you deal with those two can be entirely different.

Answer 4

If you are under 25, there are risks that antidepressants would only make you worse.

Play music you like - sing, dance with it
Put on a comedy show or movie
Phone a friend with a great sense of humor
Check out the self-help book section at the library!!!
Check out St. John's Wort (it's over-the-counter, in the vitamin asile)
Your general MD can diagnose you, and tell you whether therapy or meds will help

Answer 5

Exercise is good because it will increase the serotonin in your brain - kind of a natural defense against depression, which is a chemical shortage of serotonin.

Even if you might not feel like exercising or going out with a couple close friends, these are things that might help you feel better and stop isolating yourself.

If at any point you begin thinking about suicide, death, or harming yourself, then you should probably try to reach out to somebody for help.

Answer 6

. you can search the Internet for self help, and possible groups that you can talk to. talking to someone is your first and best chance of feeling better. exercise, good eating and sleeping habits are also good. there is no way to "get rid of it" without some therapy that may, if talking does not do any good,include some medications, from a psychiatrist. some people say st. johns wart is good, but may only help for mild, not severe, depression hope this helps you.

Answer 7

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling depressed. It can have many causes, from chemical imbalances in the body, to actual medical reasons which means that you may have to get at least one doctor involved in order to eliminate medical causes for your state of mind.

Depression can be caused by hormonal changes or imbalances in the body. This can tie in with a woman's monthly cycle.

You may be suffering from SAD which is a light affective disorder. The simple explanation to this is that you need to have a lot of natural or natural matching produced light in order for your body to produce enough natural vitamin c and serotonin (a natural mood enhancer.)

Even though you said that you do not want to have a doctor involved, you may want to consider have a full check-up including blood work; in order to eliminate actual medical problems, such as blood pressure irregularities or diabetes.

I have had to deal with SAD for years, and have found that St. Johns Wort and using natural light simulating lights throughout the winter and rainy, gloomy days helps me a tremendous amount.

My mother suffered with clinical depression for years, and was put on a series of drugs, the typical grocery list style of treatment; which was frightening to witness while I was growing up.

This is not the way things are done today, and professionals do not just throw every drug in the book at a depressed person in hopes that something will work.

Make sure that you do a lot of research on your own, the computer is a wonderful tool for that, as well as your local library and bookstore. An educated person is a healthier person.

Do not shut yourself off from help, you need to face this head on and help yourself. Keeping a journal can help, keeping a list of the foods you consume and your moods and bodily reactions over the days following consuming those foods can help.

Keeping track of the stress in your life is also an important component.

Not to be a wise guy toward you, but you have already "spoken to someone about it," by posing this question on here. Do not let depression cut into your enjoyment of life, be positive and proactive.

This may mean you need to improve your diet and exercise, cut down on stress, learn to take little breaks in your day to take a walk outside and absorb some natural vitamin c from sunlight, read with a natural light (such as Ott-lite...happens to be the brand that I find helpful) DO IT.

Spending time with friends and family just doing the joyful things of life can help to build positive feelings which will help to break the cycle of depression. When I find myself slipping into a sad or depressed state, I work extra hard on finding positive things to do. This is the time to watch a totally comedy filled movie with friends or family, run and play on the beach, or go sledding...whatever you find really enjoyable.

I also have learned to spend time volunteering at local hospitals and nursing homes. Just bringing a smile to another persons face can be such a positive and life enhancing experience. It can bring you to a whole new mindset.

Take charge of your health and your life, and you can get back to a positive frame of mind in a very short time.

I wish you the best.

Living Life is the Best.

Answer 8

Well, there are a couple things. I am clinically depressed and i heard st. johns wart helps. Also, every mornin i talk to myself in the mirror, giving myself positive talk, doing that all day. If it gets worse, or you are having suicidal thoughts, call a doctor or talk to someone. it really helps

Answer 9

This is a Romany antidote:
Peel several cloves of garlic and place them in a saucer. Pour white vinegar over the cloves until they are partly immersed in it. Place the saucer beside your bed while you sleep.
The garlic is said to turn pink because of the negative energy it absorbs. So you dont want to keep it. Burry it the next morning and replace it with fresh cloves at night. :D

Answer 10

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