Beating Depression without Meds... have you done it?

[MushyMushy]

I've been battling depression off and on for the past 20 years. I go through phases where it's really bad and I have to be medicated for years. Other times I'll suffer from situational depression and do fine being medicated temporarily.

I feel it coming on again and I'm pretty sure it's situational. I'm going to start student teaching, which is a HUGE life change for me. I'll be ending a very nice phase of my life (being a student) and switching to career mode. This should be a very happy time, but instead I'm filled with anxiety, worry, and dread.

I really don't want to go through having to see someone and get put back on meds. I REALLY don't. I'm pretty sure that once I get settled in to my position, I'll be fine.

Does anyone have some advice as to how to get through this med free?

 

[paigevz]

I have tendencies toward depression and anxiety, but I've never gone for medication, so it may not be true blue depression, but I will tell you what helps me.

1-----sunshine. If I stay indoors without getting out in the sunshine for more than one day in a row, I will be having an episode. Guaranteed.

2----talking. Even if here on the DIS, it helps me.

3----regulating meals. I tend to get more anxious when I let my meals get out of whack.

4----Keeping busy. You'll have TONS to do student teaching, and I find that the busier I am, the better off I am.

5----Something to keep your mind off.........the best thing for me is a good new book. It's hard, because I read them quickly, but I try to keep some new interesting books around. I don't think television engages my mind as thoroughly, sometimes cleaning and organizing can do it, but it's hard for me to get started on it.

Good luck! And feel free to PM me anytime...........I'm a 2nd grade teacher and I enjoy shop talk.

 

[PghLybrt]

Exercise and change your diet. It may not be a cure all but the chemicals in our diet do affect us. We changed my girlfriends diet ( no red meat, no black pepper, no processed food ect) and she has been med free for over 5 years. Its not an easy road but it helps both with the depression and your overall health too. ( Now with that said I would still talk to your doctor before you make any dramatic changes) I wish you all the best!

 

[kayeandjim00]

The best ways to naturally help yourself are sunshine and lots of it , exercise, and deep breathing/meditation. They work amazingly well!

 

[pearlieq]

Exercise, exercise, exercise!

Several formal, controlled, double-blind studies have found exercise to be as effective, if not more, than most SSRIs (Zoloft, etc.) Plus, the groups of subjects who exercised had a much lower rate of recurrence of symptoms after several month--much lower even than those who took medications.

Talk therapy, a support group, or even a sympathetic friend or two can also go a long way to releive symptoms.

Finally, basic good health habits can make things better. Eat well, get enough sleep, and take a multivitamin.

But really, start exercising as close to daily as possible!

 

[MushyMushy]

Thanks for the ideas I'm trying some of that stuff already, and I think it's the only thing keeping me sane. Plus, it's easier in the summer.

Pghlybrt, what's wrong with black pepper??? I've never heard anything negative about that.

I also have to say that I spoke with my DH about it this morning, and just the act of admitting to him what I've been feeling really helped take a load off my mind. Years ago, he never really understood what I was going through until he went through it himself and had a total breakdown. Now he's a lot more understanding, plus it helps that he knows the early signs for me (worry & anxiety, sleepless nights, wanting to "hide" in my bed most of the time).

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Don't call me weak, but I cannot beat depression without Lexapro. I have tried everything mentioned already, but to no avail. I am just grateful that there are meds that help.

 

[Planogirl]

I struggle with this too and I find that keeping myself occupied and seeing lots of people are the best therapies. If I stay really busy I'm usually too tired to dwell on the things that pop into my mind. Also, hanging with friends and family can make a person feel better in general IMO. Yes, there are still a few sleepless night but I'm not sure that anything will cure that completely.

 

[MushyMushy]

Don't call me weak, but I cannot beat depression without Lexapro. I have tried everything mentioned already, but to no avail. I am just grateful that there are meds that help.

You won't hear that kind of talk from me! I fully support the use of meds for depression.

It's just this time, I don't want to have to go through the hassle. I don't want to see a counselor or psychiatrist. I don't want to go to my GP. I don't want to have to pay out the butt for the one med I know will work, but isn't on my insurance at the moment. I don't want to go on a med trial to find something else that WILL work. I just want to get over it!

I'm just a big pain in the butt.

 

[grlpwrd]

I have a family history of depression. I don't want to be medicated, but support those who must.

I eat well, have hobbies, do yoga and jog, and things like that. Jogging gives me a running high so that helps tremendously.

I especially make sure to take omega-3 oil supplements (of course, be careful if you are on medication or have a medical history that can be detrimental if you take any supplements) and eat almonds.

 

[dcentity2000]

The most effective attack against psychiatric illnesses tends to be a combination of psychotherapy, medication and sheer willpower.

Medication-wise, there's a LOT out there. I've listed as many as I know on http://www.seratis.net/ which I'm constructing as a knowledge base for issues such as this.

Psychotherapy-wise, there are lots of options again. Currently, cognitive psychotherapy is the most popular and it can prove to be far more effective than many dare think.

Willpower is the underpinning of any recovery.

Alternatives include physical therapies such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or ElectroConvulsive Therapy, but these are normally reserved for VERY bad cases that don't respond to normal drug therapy.

Conventional alternatives can include:

• Aromatherapy
• Decent sleep, which can be helped by eating salads (leaf vegetables are sedative) and hot baths (warmth is tranquilising)
• Exercise
• Hypnotherapy
• Sunlight, lots of
• Yoga

That's a little outline - there's so much out there.

Feel better soon



Rich::

 

[Planogirl]

Rich, does Aromatherapy really help? I'm always told to try lavender but I can't stand the smell of it.

Yoga sounds appealing too.

 

[dcentity2000]

I believe that it can be helpful, but that it's pretty much down to the person; personally, I tend to end up sneezing

The main "alternative" therapies that I know of are:

• Acupuncture
• Animal Assisted Therapy (eg. swimming with Dolphins!)
• Aromatherapy
• Colouring Therapy and Creative Arts
• Deep relaxation
• Dream Interpretation
• Holystic Therapy
• Homeopathic Remedies
• Hypnotherapy
• Meditation
• Nutritional manipulation
• Yoga

There are loads more, but those are the only ones I could think of

Of all of them, animal assisted therapy with dolphins is meant to be the most effective and enjoyable, but it's also the most expensive

Hope that helps!



Rich::

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I suppose I have. Nothing clinical, just situational. I have examined this for myself in-depth.
When I start to get into a "funk" I really pay attention to these parts of my life.

1) A Clean House...As stupid as that sounds, I need to be clutter free and have a clean house and it really makes me feel relaxed and happy. Ex. Now that school is starting, I am "school cleaning" and getting rid of stuff.

2) Not eating high-fat foods particularly no drive through food. No McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco-Bell, etc.. Rule of thumb if it has a drive-thru, you cannot eat there.
Dumb sounding...yes, but I notice a change right away.

3) Exercise...Which I am getting back into again. I try to walk 5 miles a day, with the dogs, so it is even a bigger workout.

Congrats on your new job!!!!!

 

[MushyMushy]

Rich, thanks for the link -- that is an awesome and informative website! I'm looking forward to digging into it more.

Mystery Machine, I don't have the job yet -- I'm just student teaching. I just have so much stress surrounding the whole thing when it should be exciting and fun. I wish I could just let go and enjoy it.

 

[dcentity2000]

Thanks, MM!

It's still early days but if you click on "Structural View" you should be able to find what you need to know very quickly.

If you're taking an antidepressant, I can practically guarantee you it's on there.



Rich::

 

[Serena]

Hey Rich, I learn something new every day.

I just glanced at that site, I think it will help a lot of people.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Mystery Machine, I don't have the job yet -- I'm just student teaching. I just have so much stress surrounding the whole thing when it should be exciting and fun. I wish I could just let go and enjoy it.

Hey, student teaching sounds like a job to me!!! Good Luck to you.

 

[MushyMushy]

Hey, student teaching sounds like a job to me!!! Good Luck to you.

Yes, it's a full-time job with no pay -- like an internship!

That's part of my stress right there. I lost a lot of my financial aid resources that won't cover student teaching, plus I had to buy an entire new wardrobe. My DH has been nothing but wonderful about it, but I feel so guilty adding an extra burden to our finances like that.

 

[stemikger]

I haven't read the other replies so forgive me if this was repeated.

What I find works for me is a regular exercise program 3 to 4 times a week. Even if it is just walking for 30 minutes to an hour 3 times a week. And changing my diet by being on a schedule with my meals. The diet is not any special foods just being in control with my eating on the schedled times. I think it is just a feeling of being in control and that helps me not feeling so lousy.

So between the exercise and eating a balanced diet, that is what helps me a bit.

However, it really depends on what kind of depression you have. Don't look down on medications, if it helps you then take it. After all I have high blood pressure and without the medication I could suffer a stroke or heart attack, so it is the same with any type of mental condition. I think everyone suffers from depression, it is just how severe it is.

Good Luck.