what is an alternative for prescription depression medicine?

Question

My boyfriend is on 1 150mg a day of effexor and 3 250mg of depakote (for depression and bipolar tendencies) they say he has a "chemical imbalance". I think the long term effects of this are going to be bad, especially since no one knows what they will be because effexor has only been around for a couple years. He was slowly taken his own doseing down because he is fine. He wants to go off completely but we need more information. What is a natural alternative to these pills and what are some websites that could give more information??

Answer 1

If he doesn't already, working out is great for depression. It's one of the hardest things to motivate yourself to do, but it's a great way to both work off some steam and afterwards, enjoy the natural work-out high. And it's something you can help him with - make plans to go hiking, running, to the gym, etc.

Answer 2

Effexor has been around for a while. It was approved in 1993. Regular Effexor is generic. Effexor XR is still on patent though. It is considered to be a good drug. It is very similar to the tricyclic Anti-depressants, but it doesn't have their side effects.
There are no reputable "natural" alternatives for bipolar disease. There is one possible alternative for mild to moderate depression, St. John's Wort, but it interacts with many other medications.

Answer 3

Considering that your bf has bipolar tendancies that would be a big reason that he wants to stop the medication.And you are not helping by putting your concerns about the long term effects of him taking medication you want advice able alternative medice go see the Doctor that prescribed the medication in the first place.He should not be taking his own dose down with out medical advice and yeah he feels fine now cause the medication is working but his chances of feeling fine in the longterm are grim.I am really sorry but you ? has really peeved me off and i wonder whom is the sick one here.YOU NEVER STOP OR REDUCE MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR ON YOUR OWN.

Answer 4

It is probably a good idea to get counselling/ therapy. It is generally thought unwise to get of such medication without medical supervision and guidance.

If you are seeking forms of alternative therapy I can suggest two forms that I am personally using and have genuinely found very effective. These are EFT (emotional freedom technique) and WHEE (Wholistic Hybrid EFT EMDR). You will find both on a google search, you will also find lots of persons using EFT on youtube.com, also examples of EMDR (Eye Movement De-sensitisation and Re-processing) and NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), but I don't think WHEE is on their yet.

EFT is an emotional version of accupuncture. Acupuncture has five thousand years of practice. EMDR is one of the few alternatives to drugs that is approved by many government psychiatric bodies accross the globe due to clinical testing. I urge you to at least suspend any scepticism and give it a try, you have little other than your time to lose.

I have had PTSD and dissociative dissorders (DD nos) for decades but was not aware what was going on and these two therapies combined with EMDR and counselling are starting to give me my life back. I have encountered many varying symptoms.

These therapies are an adjunct to prescription drugs, which can work very well at controlling symptoms in these cases (when the correct variety of drug is found), but they seldom if ever cure the disorders or the causes of the disorders. They can also have nasty side effects, which doctors aren't always careful enough to watch out for.

I suggest that you look into these therapies, you can gain basic information from the websites. Whee website gives a free exercise to try, information is much more limited until you buy the manual. The EFT website (emofree.com) gives access to youtube, a free manual by download, and access to hundreds and hundreds of pages of information, including a good number on depression and bi-polar disorder. There are also links to therapists and other interesting sites.

If you choose to use EFT or any of these other therapies, please start making yourself aware of any lifetime trauma's, traumas during pregnancy and at birth. Becoming aware of and working through such traumas can be part of the key to breaking down such disorders. Although of course genetic factors often play a part also.
I wish you well and ask you to consider embracing such therapies with an open mind. Many, many persons have and are gaining relief from such new understandings.

BEST WISHES ON YOURS AND YOUR BOYFRIENDS' JOURNEY.

Answer 5

it is part of bipolar disorder to behave and believe as if all is fine, and normal, but then one day the mood swings drastically.

Optimistic thinking is a symptom of a manic phase.

If you think the meds may be bad long-term, balance that with what effects no meds could have long term -- if there even will be a long term without them

Answer 6

Speaking from experience, there are no alternatives for prescription medications for depression or any other mental health problem. Prescription drugs will not cure mental illness but it will help control it. Give him support and make sure he takes his medications. Have him talk to his Pshrink and take what is prescribed. The doctor went to med school, your boyfriend did not and thinks he knows better and he doesn't.

Answer 7

You should check out this all-natural depression fighting serotonin booster: http://www.amelior4life.com . I've hear really good things.

They're offering a deal where you can get a free sample by sending the below text to 9 emails and to '[e-mail]'. It really works!

Here's the copy you need to email to 9 friends:

"Hi - I wanted to tell you abou this new all-natural nutraceutical supplement I've learned about. It helps with mood, joint comfort, and stress resistance by increasing serotonin flow naturally. Plus, they're giving away a free trial just for spreading the word. Go to www.amelior4life.com/emk.html for more information"

You have to send it to [e-mail] in order to get the free bottle

Answer 8

you may no longer take St. John's Wort whilst breast feeding with out consulting a doctor first. i grew to become into going to show 5-HTP, that's a precursor to serotonin, yet there are cautions on the internet approximately taking that whilst lactating besides. Even study of the main basic antidepressants, SSRIs, say it is transmitted via breast milk. i will't discover something available which will dare to declare that's risk-free to apply whilst breastfeeding. i in my opinion think of you will possibly want to talk to a actual wellness practitioner for this. you want to be risk-free...sturdy success. i be responsive to, the insurance concern is basically the pits, isn't it?

Answer 9

There are no natural alternatives. He needs to stay on them. He may think he is fine, but you have no clue until you come off of them.

Answer 10

Have him talk to his doctor about self-hypnosis. The up side is it is chemical free, the down side is that it's not for everyone. He should not be playing with his meds without the doctor's ok.