how can you heal depression naturally?

Question

i'm a firm believer in prayer. i pray to God that he heals my wounds of all the pain and abuse i've been thru this past 7 years.
there are times when i get into a zone about my pass and i feel stuck in that moment. any ideas on how to stop thinking of my ex striking me?

Answer 1

There are several ways of overcoming depression. The first is to take medication prescribed by doctors to counter a shortfall in a substance called seratonin that occurs naturally within our bodies and helps to maintain good moods.

Another way is to use a naturally occuring substance found in a herb called St Johns Wort. However, there are some concerns that using this may result in some unpleasant side effects and also that it may not work as well as some people say.

In many cases, people will come out of depression over time without medication of any sort. The old adage that "Time heals all wounds," appears to hold true. I believe that this is often very true but also feel that it is best to beat depression as soon as practical so that we can enjoy life to the fullest as it is meant to be.

What I have found personally, is that taking active steps, just as you are by praying, to program my mind to look for positives, certainly helps a lot in beating depression.

I also put on soothing, pleasant, music and watch comedy TV shows or DVDs to encourage my body to produce another hormone called endorphines. Endorphines produce good moods and natural "highs".

Depression can be the result of a poor self image and so I look in the mirror in the mornings when doing my ablutions and tell myself, with a smile on my face, that I love myself. I then sing a small, 2 verse, ditty that brightens up my day and gets me off to a good start.

I would like to make a short comment on the manner in which you indulge in self talk. Always ensure that, even when you pray, you do so by focusing on positive outcomes rather than avoiding negative outcomes. I am a great believer in the Law of Attraction and that what you put out into the universe, either good or bad, manifests itself just as you think or talk about.

The easiest way to stop thinking about your ex striking you is EXACTLY that. Do not think about it! Think about more pleasant thoughts instead whenever the unpleasant thoughts start to creep in as they will from time to time until you become so adept at blocking them out that they will seldom bother you.

I cannot go on much longer here and so I suggest that you look at the post on "decisions" on the blog listed below.

All the best with your recovery!

Answer 2

First of all, get a firm diagnosis from a couple of mental health experts who really take time with you. Depression is far less common than it is made out to be and the diagnosis is a good basis for a doctor to sign somebody up to a lifetime of pills for treatment, risking side effects and dependency. Anti-depressants have many risks. It is not always the answer to be taking a drug for a problem that may have more to do with emotional problems, childhood, diet, the environment, health, drug use, stress, lack of sleep and other matters. Those problems have nothing to do with mental illness and the term depression is thrown around casually and used for anyone who does not walk in the room with a beaming smile and a glow from head-to-toe on a daily basis.

This doesn't mean you don't have it. You must research the diagnosis and insist on seeing a psychologist as well as a psychiatrist. Psychologists cannot give prescriptions, so their input is not based on a desire to front for pharmaceutical companies. Go see a naturopath and a sleeping disorder specialist as well. Some books on nutrition and diet may help. It could be the source of the problem. A medical doctor cannot make a firm diagnosis with a chart, a few questions and an assumption. Unhappiness doesn't require a shrink to solve the problem.

Answer 3

Also, try St. John's Wort. Its a herb that occurs naturally and has been shown to help with depression. I am the first person who would try things without pills, but there are some problems that need medication. If your depression is temporary then not taking the pills may be an option, but if its a synapses problem in your brain like in some of the more permanent depressions, the pills may be a necessity. Talk to your psychiatrist before doing anything permanently.

Answer 4

Talking with a counselor or minister could help you a great deal, if you won't see a psychiatrist. Some forms of depression can be healed naturally and some respond only to extensive medical treatment. Each case is different.

Answer 5

I have been in the exact same situation. I am proud of your love of God and that you have a firm belief in him. Without him I would probably be dead by my exs hands. I went through 10 years of therapy and from all of that I got that first you have to get in touch with yourself, your mind and learn to love you more. Tell yourself 20 or 100 times a day that you are a good person and that you love yourself. Trust me, you won't become conceited, just more in touch with you. Meditate, and when you get in the zone think of something positive. Push the bad thoughts out and allow better ones in. After a while the bad thoughts just won't come back. Exercise or volunteer somewhere. Helping someone else really helps you too. And of course, last but not least pray. God is always there and always listening. He may not give you the exact answer but trust me he will lead you in a better direction. You have to listen to him and give him thanks for giving you the strength to help yourself. There are some herbal drugs such as St. Johns Wart but I would speak to my Dr before I started anything, Get on a good nutritional plan and add viatamins in. Find new and interesting things to do that have absolutely nothing to do with him. When his name pops up in your head think of something else. Think of a banging dress or shoes you cannot live without. Go to the park and read a good book. Put yourself in more positive situations and positive will come back to you. Kudos to you for being brave enough to ask your question. God Bless you and good luck. I will honestly say a prayer for you.

Answer 6

Prayer is good, so is meditation. Meditation is done through a variety of methods, each with the goal of helping to free your mind of unwanted thoughts. You can find a "mantra", a word, phrase or prayer which has meaning to you. You repeat it in your mind or out loud, coordinating it with your inhalations and exhalations. You can just focus on your breath or the light of a candle, but always the purpose is to bring your mind back to whatever your chosen focus is when your thoughts wander.

Fish oil has been shown in studies to match any prescription drug in alleviating depression. B-vitamins are good to take too.

You will get better, just know that in your heart. The worst is over and now you can get to healing!

Answer 7

If you need more than prayer, consider a therapist. The idea is to look at what was going on then and how you can take control of your life back. If this happened with one person, it can happen with another because of the type of person you are attracted to. So, you want to see what you are looking for here. There are groups for women who have been abused. They can talk about what they have gone through and what they want. The other women are supportive and you can get some great feedback that can help you grow. You can feel better and it will happen as you take control of your life again.

Answer 8

pain is such a strong feeling but god will help i promise. he can heal all pain even if sometimes it seems unbearable. time will also help. it sounds cliche' but everything happens for a reason. dont stress yourself out or get depressed over someone, dont let them have that control over you. do other things that make you happy if u think about the person then simply move on to the next thing. it sounds easy but its hard,nobody said life would be easy just stick in there and later on it will all just be a learning experience and nothing more. good luck and may god help you in your time of pain

Answer 9

You are a survivor not a victim. You are strong, not weak. Feel thankful for those characteristics as well as the fact that you have moved away from the abuse physically, next step is to move away from it emotionally. You did the first part, you CAN do the 2nd part. Many women never even get to step one.

Remember, if you are always looking in the reaview mirror, you will inevitably crash into a tree. Look ahead.

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Answer 10

Take a good class in self defense or martial arts, kung fu, akido, juijitsu. When doing Martial Arts you are forced to concentrate on the moment. This helps to forget the past. You are taught relaxation because a tight muscle is a slow muscle, you build the self confidence and overcome the doubt in you mind that the next man will do the same to you.. If he does, he is going to get a foot upside his head...