Do you have a book with old remedies/ foods in it?

[luvmyfam444]

What is listed in there for ocassional depression? It is hormonal related - it pops up for a week or so every month.

I'm scared of drugs... so I don't take my prescription my ob gave me.

I'd be willing to try some of the old remedies (I think!) I'd like to know what the old wives tales are - what your grandmother took.

Of course I'll bypass the whisky

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

st. johns wort worked for me!

 

[luvmyfam444]

st. johns wort worked for me!

I may try that - I think I heard once where it wasn't working for people so I never gave it a shot - or maybe I tried it briefly a few years back - I'll have to really try it.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Wherever your search leads you, I would caution you to remember that "natural" is not necessarily good for you. After all, arsenic and uranium are natural.

 

[englishteacha]

I have PMDD, so I understand the hormonal things. BC pills helped a lot, but when I went off them when we decided to have a baby I needed something else. I have a "sun" lamp...it's a big help in the dark winter days. It's just a full spectrum bulb in a reading light but it definitely gives me a boost when I'm feeling blue. Spending time in the sun is a surefire pick-me-up, but here in Maine in winter, the sun is in short supply. St. John's wort works, but it can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Exercise helps, too. I found a couple dark chocolate Hershey Kisses would provide a lift, and when I had a particularly bad day I'd watch a funny movie or a favorite comedy show.

And you don't need to be scared of meds. I was, too, until I had some situational depression after my father died. I had days I couldn't get out of bed (those coincided with the hormonal stuff), and that scared me more than the idea of meds. A very, very low dose of an antidepressant made a world of difference.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I'm so scared of meds I haven't taken birth control more than maybe 3 months! And I've been married 18yrs!