Hi, I am looking for a natural alternative to taking anti-depressants?

Question

I've been taking zoloft for approx 3 years and it's improved the quality of my life drastically. some of the downside is the usual no sex drive, I've gained about 30 lbs and the fact that now I feel like I need to be on Meds for the rest of my life, in order not to be a total phscho *****. Does anyone have any "serious" suggestions regarding meditations or free programs, something to help me work out my issues w/o meds. Money is tight so therapy really isn't an option. no jokes please, this is kind of important to me, thanks!

Answer 1

Homeopathic Treatment(s) for Anxiety/Stress/Depression :-

ANXIETY & STRESS :-

Sudden with restlessness and fear of death Aconite 30X or 200X,1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Prolonged with periodic and panic attacks Arsenic Alb.200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

With fainting spells; profuse sweating; worse in the morning Sulphur 30X or 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Makes patient walk fast; due to anticipation Argentum Nit 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Worse lying in bed and closing the eyes Carbo Veg 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (6 Doses)

Anxiety aggravated by upward or downward motion; going in an elevator; worse till 11 P.M, Borax 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxious about business even when seriously ill Bryonia Alba 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Full of apprehensions in the evening Causticum 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety and fears in the evening with restlessness and palpitation Calcarea Carb.200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety worse while lying still. Sad music ameliorates the complaints Manganum Acet 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety due to fright, fear,exciting news; stage fright; worse while appearing for examination or interview etc Gelsemium 30X or 200X 3 hourly (6 Doses)

Mood Swings, Anxiety due to grief or shock in the subconscious mind Ignatia 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety; better after eating Anacardium Or 30X 4 hourly

DEPRESSION & GRIEF(Bereavement) :-

Severe shock due to sudden death of loved ones; restlessness, anxiety and fear Aconite 200X. 10 min (3 Doses)

Prolonged mournings; cannot overcome the loss of loved ones Ignatia 1M or 10M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

When the grief is in the conscious mind; patient weeps; does not like sympathy Natrum Mur.200X or 1M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

For chronic grief and indignation Staphysagria 200X or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)

Depression with suicidal thoughts feeling of worthlessness, Aurum Met 30X, three times a day half hour before meals.

Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms.
No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.

Take Care and God Bless You !

Answer 2

I have read research that says 30 minutes of outdoor exercise a day has comparable effects to anti-depressants. I know when you are depressed it is difficult to motivate yourself to go out the door, much less walk for half an hour. Brisk walking for 30 minutes a day would help with your weight gain from the Zoloft, as well. Other benefits - it's free, you'll see other people (isolation makes depression worse) and you will feel a sense of accomplishment after you get home!

Reward yourself with a long shower after a walk using some nice smelling soap/body wash with an uplifting scent - I like citrus aromas - they cheer me up and give me energy.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

Take a walk daily, ride a bike, take a bath with a few candles lit,(that works wonders for me) also get a professional massage. If you can one day, have a 1/2 hr or longer massage. It is a proven fact that it helps with depression. ALSO, try, 5-HTP it works so great!! I can tell a big difference in myself when I stop taking it. It boosts your seratonin levels which helps with depression. Also I have heard that fish oil with omega 3 in it helps too?? But if you are serious, go for the 5-HTP!!!! I promise, it works!! Plus it is a natural herb. I know money is tight but you may have to spend a little here and there for mental wellness?!

Answer 4

There's a few natural things you can do, but might I suggest if the quality of your life has improved that much that you stick with what works? Perhaps decreasing your dosage a bit or changing to a similar medication without the sexual side effects would be just the ticket. Getting lots of sunshine, rest and exercise also can work wonders.

Answer 5

Take two teaspoons cod liver oil per day and three 300-milligram capsules of St. John's Wort. A healthy diet with butter and milk and meat instead of vegetable fats will also help. B vitamins. No sugar.

Answer 6

Meditation and yoga postures, help in finding the root cause of depression, increasing blood circulation and eliminating lethargy which is often associated with depression.

Answer 7

Number one I wouldn't just stop your meds toatly. If you do decide to go an alternative route I would slowy come off the meds. Meditation is one part of what would be a good treatment; it should greatly reduce your stress. Also depending on your job and the stress level of it you may want to consider a change of occupation. Another alternative you might considering trying is the LAW OF ATTRACTION it is based on quantium physics and energy theory. It basicaly states that the thoughts, emotions and feelings you put out create energy. The law of attraction means that the energy you put out attracts more of the same energy. So in short if you think bad thoughts they attract more bad thoughts, bad feelings bring more bad feelings so fourth and so on.

N-e ways I'm not no one special so don't just drop the meds cuz someone says "o well this would work better" this could majorly hurt you. well hope this helps

Answer 8

Have you tried switching to another antidepressant? Everyone's system is different, and while one may cause weight gain for you, another may not. Since you admit that it has drastically improved your life, I would investigate other meds in the same class before giving them up totally. The only other 'natural' remedy I can think of is vigourous, daily exercise - aerobic, such as jogging. This causes endorphins to be released which naturally calm the mind.

Answer 9

My brother is a certified nutrition consultant, I asked him for you and he said you should take essential fatty acids like Omega 3 (fish oil pills).
You should also reduce or cut out completely any coffee, sodas i.e. all caffiene.
Laslty, Magnesium supplements, a B complex, and Vitamin D3 (which you also get from sunlight) are all good to.
If you are 50+ years or older take DHEA.

Answer 10

There is a relatively new product that has been gaining a lot of popularity lately called 5HTP. It is the same thing that gives you the happy sensation after eating a bunch of turkey. It will boost your seratonin levels which will give you a more even happier feeling.

Answer 11

I got off anti-depressant meds after 5 years. There are some out there that do not decrease sex drive-ask the Dr. I started yoga , under great protest I may add, at my friends CONSTANT NAGGING. Well- 10 years later I am off the anti-depressants, as well as off the Xanax I took for anxiety. I am also a Certified Yoga Instructor, with specialized certification in Depression. It certainly did not happen overnight, but honestly, after my first class, I felt so so so good-energized, yet relaxed, happy and felt "lighter" all over, and in my mind.Like I felt when I was a child- no worries, tension, anxiety, etc.. It is hard work, takes commitment, and I AM NOT AN EXERCISE FREAK. However-I have lost 20 lbs., feel toned and in shape, did some other life changes, got off ciggs, coffee and sugars/heavy carbs. Yes, I still have my days, but the overall difference is nothing short of a miracle in my mind. Yoga helps our own "feel good" chemicals in our brains regroup, recharge and go into full throttle. If there is a clinical diagnosis of a major depressive disorder, then meds may need to continue-but hey, Yoga certainly cannot hurt. Please please please do not go off the medication by yourself . It needs to be lowered gradually and monitored. Best of luck to you. Namaste'