How to fight depression without Medication?

Answer 1

Stay active!
Stay around positive people (sense of humor)
Talk 2 someone u trust about it
Exercise is good 4 stress and depression
Meditation
Think positive
Laugh alot
Find out WHAT u are depressed about and
change the situation
Volunteer work/ helping others makes u feel better

Answer 2

You are on the right track. You are looking for the real answer. Don't beleive anyone who tells you that all depressed people need medication. Medication is simply there for people who need that crutch, something to support them while they are going through the healing process, but it cannot cure you. People who depend on meds alone will most likely have a relapse of the depression once the meds are stopped. It takes changing your thought patterns. There is a saying that "Neurons that fire together, wire together", and what this means is, our brains are not hard wired. The more often we think a certain way, the neurons within our brain will begin to actually reprogram themselves to accessing those parts of the brain more often. And the even more often we think those thoughts, the brain will become so programmed to this, that it will be done with almost no effort at all. That's why so many people are stuck in the viscious cycle of depression. They aren't aware of the fact that they CAN change their thought patterns. And if they are aware, they still find it extremely difficult, because the brain has been so programmed to access those parts of the brain on a continual basis. But there is hope, because your brain is not hard wired. All it takes is accessing the parts of your brain responsible for positive emotions, no matter how hard it may feel. The minute you begin to feel yourself slipping into a negative state, change your thought pattern. Turn your thoughts to something positive. If you embarrass yourself, and you feel the negative emotion start to rise, change that thought, laugh at yourself. Realize we all embarrass ourselves at one point, it's no big deal, and most likely no one else was thinking any differently of you, only you were. If you are having a bad day, where everything just is not going your way, look at what things HAVE gone your way, today. Not EVERYTHING has been bad. Look at what you have experienced today that has been good, and focus on that, and realize that just because you have an undesireable moment, your whole day has not been bad. These are just examples. Try to change those negative thoughts as often as possible, no matter how hard it may seem. Because over time, from accessing the parts of your brain that are responsible for positive emotions, the brain will become accustomed to doing this more and more often. And just like it can reprogram itself into a mostly negative state, it can program itself into a mostly positive state. It will definitely become easier and easier over time. Now keep in mind that this will not just happen overnight. It takes time and patience. But all it takes is the start, and there is no wrong time to start. If you ever get the chance, check out a movie called "What the Bleep do we Know?". It explains the workings of our brains, and how thought is responsible for the majority, if not all of today's illnesses, mental or otherwise. And I am speaking to you from experience, from dealing with depression for about 13 years, to finally coming out of it with no meds or therapy. Good luck, and contact me if you'd like to! :)

Answer 3

I can't recommend exercise enough! I've worked with a lot of people suffering depression and they almost always feel at least a little better when they exercise. For some, it's the major component in healing.

I know it's hard to start exercising when you're depressed, but try to find something you love - tennis, volleyball, running, walking, swimming, even gardening. It can also help you to just get out into the world.

And find a hobby - it doesn't have to be something you're passionate about or even interested in. It can just be something where you can be in the present moment. If working with children, planting flowers, doing pottery just helps you be present, it's enough to help you feel better.

Also, I agree with the cognitive-behavioral work. If you can change your thoughts from primarily negative to primarily positive it can really help.

Good luck!

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

Take a good look at your life and try to figure out what it is that's making you sad. And then think about what you can do to fix the problem.....and start taking steps towards doing that.

If it's something that is out of your control then try not to dwell on it.....and learn how to accept it.

This is the only thing that helps me when I'm fighting depression.

Answer 6

what are the causes of your depression? I ask that b/c I'm also trying to fight it w/o medication so my psychologist is trying to get to the root of the depression so that we can start fixing it.

Answer 7

1) Psychotherapy, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy if it's major depression
2) Structured, daily work-related and/or socially-based activities
3) Sleep hygiene (regular sleep schedule, 6-9 hrs./night)
4) Healthy diet (and no caffeine!)
5) Exercise

Answer 8

you can not.sadly you have to take some undesirable medication to take care of part of the brain that is the cause of depression.you got to be careful about these medications.if your depression presists for too long you got to change your environment completely.i have a personal experience on this.be watchful about who your doctor is.

Answer 9

How? I want to know myself for I am using medication to battle it.

Answer 10

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