Treating depression without meds

[Rosa Mystica]

Is there anyone here with clinical depression who is treating it without medication? If so, what sorts of treatment(s) are you undergoing? Do they help any?

I ask b/c I seem to be unresponsive to meds. I've tried a bunch of them, and they haven't done a thing for me. I have anxiety as well as depression, and it is really frustrating to have nothing work for me. If there are any alternatives to psychotropic meds, I'm all for it.

 

[TCapp]

Fish oil is supposedly helpful in relieving depression. I've been trying it for a week, so I can't really tell yet it if works.

 

[Zippety13]

What meds have you tried? I also haven't really found meds that work but my pdoc and I think that may be because I don't have serotonin-deficiency based depression (aka things like lexapro and paxil won't work). Have you tried anything like Wellbutrin? That's for more nonepinephrine based depression...

There are also many natural ways to treat depression. I'd recommend trying to get more sunlight and exercise. My aunt has seasonal depression and has a special light (you can ask your doc where to get one but they can be expensive--though no more expensive than a month's worth of meds) she uses at her desk for so many minutes a day that helps her. I don't have one so if I feel like I'm not getting enough sunlight, I'll go hit the tanning salon (just for a few minutes--not enough to even get any sort of tan). Also there are many things like fish oil, vitamin B for ADD, St. John's Wort (though I wouldn't recommend this just from a medical backround--it doesn't mix well with certain drugs like epinephrine or other addrenaline-like drugs so they can't give it to you if you get in an accident which can be problematic for nurses/doctors).

If you need a site with drug info in general, I suggest www.crazymeds.org. It's not a professional site but the info is correct and reliable and comes from a first-person "I've had experience or know people who have had it" with the drugs.

My pdoc wanted me to try Wellbutrin but I've decided I want to try not being on antidepressants and see how that goes and try treating the things that cause my depression instead (like ADD). So we're tyring that soon. Let me know how things go...

 

[mikeforjesus]

I am using Sam-E currently

 

[Rosa Mystica]

Zippety,

So far, I have tried Effexor, Paxil, Celexa, and Zyprexa (an anti-psychotic). So far none of these have helped my depression or anxiety.

Re: sunlight and exercise: I have recently started working out, so that might help with the depression. In the meantime, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[white knight]

i find thaty trying to find humor in all thins helps alot

 

[white knight]

but please keep in mind somethings are not funny ( my mistake alot of tin=mes)

 

[Zippety13]

Rosa! I'm praying for you! Working out is great if you can keep at it (I know I have problems with that part, haha). Sounds like you've been through the mill too with antidepressants, fun fun... Don't ya love it? 'Cept not

 

[itsgood]

I have had clinical depressoin since I was born, I have been put on every medication none of it works, I have tried working out. It is just the fact that I have stopped caring whether I get better.

 

[Zippety13]

itsgood-- I can actually relate to that. When I try not to think about it... I get much better. That's why I'm trying to be med-free for once. So far so good! Part of it is definitely "learned helplessness" I think. You get used to being depressed and somehow manage to get stuck in it. I did at least. Now, I've realized I just need to not be my diagnosis and just LIVE! It's crazy how much of a difference making that decision makes.

 

[white knight]

also try maybe singing or writing or even poetry.

 

[Ivy]

Hi, I've managed to do without meds thus far. I only use St. John's Wort and Gingko Biloba (I always have to stop and think before I type that, I almost say, "gingko bilboa"--like Sylvester Stallone playing Rocky--"Yo, Adrian!"). Exercising outside--I mainly walk and hike--seems to help a lot. I take lecithin & brewer's yeast as well. Hot peppers are supposed to produce endorphins, hot salsa really helps. And nothing wrong with CHOCOLATE!!!!! Rah, rah!

Sometimes I just get alone in a room and tell God all my worries and crab about things to Him--I also thank Him for caring about me, praise Him for being His Wonderful Self, so it doesn't turn into yet another depressing whinefest.

 

[itsgood]

thanks zippety I definately have a lot of learned helplessness. I find it hard to just live and forget my diagnosis I have Asperger's syndrome as well. How do I make that decision?

 

[Zippety13]

itsgood-- wow, that's a tough question. i'm not really sure how to answer it either. it's something that took me a long time to figure out. i'd really become my diagnosis. it's been just through deepening my relationship with God really that's got me this far. remember who you belong to. remember you are not your diagnosis but yourself and a child of God. also, i recommend "a purpose driven life" to everyone. i'm in the process of reading it.

 

[itsgood]

yeah I have read The Purpose Driven Life, it had a few minor theological issues imo but overall I was blessed by it, the book definately speaks to (and I know this stereotype isn't true in all cases) lazy middle class white Christians who get depressed over relatively minor things like myself although having said that my diagnosis is no less real and I am not just faking depression to get sympathy even though at times I let it drag on.

 

[Zippety13]

yay for being lazy white middle class! or something like it... i definitely have my serious issues but i definitely also agree that i let them drag on and let them taint the rest of my life...

btw, itsgood, i love your country i visited for a month a few years ago

 

[Theresasjourney]

Is there anyone here with clinical depression who is treating it without medication? If so, what sorts of treatment(s) are you undergoing? Do they help any?

I ask b/c I seem to be unresponsive to meds. I've tried a bunch of them, and they haven't done a thing for me. I have anxiety as well as depression, and it is really frustrating to have nothing work for me. If there are any alternatives to psychotropic meds, I'm all for it.

Forgive if this is a repeat...I didn't read the whole thread...
I was on prescription anti depressants for yrs and yrs...
the best natural one out there and if you research it you will see..
it is called 5HTP....its a natural seratonin....I take 100 mgs a day and it works awesome for me..one can take up to 200 mgs a day and there are no real side effects...
I buy mine at my local grocery store or walmart sells the 50 mgs..which then you can take two or 4..etc..there are also online places through paypal where you can buy it...
I know lots of people who have switched to this and they all love it and it works well for them..even my Dr approves.

 

[itsgood]

never heard of it

 

[Theresasjourney]

never heard of it

Most people haven't...its top secret...lol

 

[Ivy]

Most people haven't...its top secret...lol

Sounds like a good thing to try. Sometimes I get quite the carbohydrate craving in the dead of winter (& start blimping out), which I assume is the brain saying, Gee mee serontoneen! You geemee dees NOW!