internationally speaking is there other ways to cure or help depression?

Question

i was wondering if i could get some help. maybe from people of other countries or people who are familiar with other than western medicine techniques. I am a college student / single mom and work for minimum wage. I do not have insurance so seeing a psychologist is out of the question. I work hard but I struggle everyday. I cry alot and I am not happy at all, almost never. I do what I need to do to get by. I love my kids very much. I need to get rid of this severe blue feeling all the time. I have tried exercise and groups for therapy because those options are inexpensive. I take caffeine pills sometimes just to get up. Are there any other ways to rid depression with out going to an expensive doctor. Maybe people do things in other countries that help. Please if anyone can help, i would more than apprieciate it. TY

Answer 1

here's a couple that i can think of:

First:
keep at the exercise thing i heard from numerous sources that walking/ running "daily" can help lift your mood (that and increase blood circulation and it has many other benefits as well.) if yo can find a walking partner you can go with and talk with along the way... or put on some headphones and play some good tunes while jogging.

Second:
this is kinda an oldwives tale but potatos are suppose to be a natural remedy for improving mood.
(don't ask me why i heard it from a friend)

Third: The following Vitamins/Supplements claim to properties that help with depression:
St. John's Wart, Ginseng, Ginkgo-Biloba.
(or maybe just a healthy diet might help.)

Last but least you said you're a single mom right? well maybe you're depressed because you're lonely which is perfectly natural and understandable... perhaps all you need is someone to be with and to be with you...if possible why not try dating someone? who knows it might be just the thing you need (and since you're a college student there are many guys that you can meet even in class...but all i can really say to you is don't worry, be happy

(oh by the way and i think it's very admirable to be a single mom that actually takes care of her kids and loves them
and struggles through a lot to take care of them... and someday i bet they'll thank you for it...)

:]

Answer 2

Often college campuses have psychological care available for free (student mental health services). ( If you are going to a community college, probably not, but any other college will have something). Prozac is $4 a month from walmart or target, and a doc may give you samples for free of a more expensive drug. You also are poor enough to qualify for free prescription drugs thru the drug companies. You have to google that,but the doc will know about it, and there will be forms in the office. Also a pharmacist will know about it. Your depression sounds to me like you need meds, unless there is some trauma in your life (like sex abuse or battering) that you do need to talk out.

. Here are some free/low cost things you can do that may make you feel at least a little bit better:

If your depression seems to be more of a problem in the winter, 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). Definitely go out more, even an overcast day will be brighter than in the house.

Exercise more. Exercise is a natural antidepressant. It is very very effective for awhile, then go out and walk again.

Try meditation tapes like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery. They may seem silly at first, but they work!! Hopefully your library will have some of these tapes.

Do NOT listen to depressing music!! I had no idea I was doing that until I hooked up with a guy who mentioned it. Listen to happy bebop stuff, play it loud, and dance around a little.

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, MUCH worse!! Usually colleges have some social supports in place, and I bet there are things for single moms.

Try to regulate how much sleep you get. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Keep some routines, too.

Do things that comfort you, or do things that distract you. Like take a bath, put on your favorite perfume, read a book, do a hobby.

II have really really severe psychiatric symptoms from bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, I mean, I have one of the most severe cases you can get. And I am able to control my behavior almost 100% even when I am suffering, and 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.

Finally, even tho you are low income, counseling is probably a good investment for you, insurance or no. I was in graduate school and didn't have much money and I still shelled out for counseling. If you can cancel the cell phone, cancel cable TV, sell off the car and buy a cheaper one, whatever, then you SHOULD, and spend that money on counseling at a place that will charge a sliding scale fee. Also, maybe you are eligible for insurance through your state. Or you can look for a public mental health clinic.

I hope you can get the medical care and that you will make that a priority if you can possibly afford it. In leiu of that, those tips I listed first are quite helpful. As spring comes, you may be feeling better anyhow. ***Good luck!***

Answer 3

I've recommended this book to many people with good results:
"The New Mood Therapy" by David Burns

Exercise is good - keep it up, try to get at least 30-40 minutes of cardio every other day, (or every day if you're up to it).

Dianetics is good, but I can't trust Scientologists running the place.