Ways to deal with depression other than meds?!


Question: Ways to deal with depression other than meds!?
I've been seriously depressed for months!. My life is changing like crazy, my boyfriend and I are having problems!.!.!. I am on meds and seeing a Dr!. Going to be seeing a therapist also, but who has dealt with this and what have you done to get healthy!? I have a HUGE family history of this and really feel it's genetic!. I want to get healthy, enjoy my summer and my daughter and not feel like this all the time!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
I went through it too!. It's not fun!. For me, the threapy worked better than the meds!. I stopped the medication about 6 years ago!. I still fall flat on my butt every now and again, but at least now I have the strength and knowledge to pick myself up and pull myself back together!.

Depression is indeed genetic!. Mental illness is on both sides of my family!. When you couple that with the situation I was growing up in, I pretty much didn't stand a chance!. It can be overcome though!.

I imagine it may work differently for each person, but here are some of the things I do when I feel it coming on:

I force myself to get up out of bed, force myself into the shower, and force myself to go outside and get out of the house!. Sitting there wallowing it in tends to allow it to consume you, and at that point it feels nearly impossible!.

I try not to involve myself in drama and situations I could do without!. Simplicity makes things easier to deal with!. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but other times it isn't!. Which brings me to the next thing!.!.!.!.

You know that saying that goes something along the lines of " grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"!? That's an important motto to live by!. You can only do so much and it's important to not worry yourself over things you have no control over!. It put you under unnessesary stress and adds to depression!. Also, working through it to slowly change the things that are bothering you and that you have control over will make you feel better!. This is because not only are you bettering things, you're also feeling a sense of accomplishment and self worth!. This helps A LOT!.

Also, I find that when I eat crap, I feel like crap!. When I get depressed I tend to eat a lot of things that I shouldn't like sweets and chips and things of that nature!. It seems to make my mood worse!. My mood improves when I eat things like fruits, vegetables, whole grain, lean protein, etc!. I try not to have the bad stuff in the house because it causes me to sink even further!. I'm not sure why this is, but I figure it can't hurt to eat healthy anyway!.

Figure out the things and people in your life that make you happy and focus on that!. Try not to dwell too much on the bad!.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your summer!Www@Answer-Health@Com

I'm on medication for depression, but before that, I saw a therapist regularly and journel-ed!. journelling is really helpful for getting your feelings off yourself and on to paper so you can feel less attached to the bad stuff!.

also, eating healthy is very important!. do things that create endorphins such as excersizing, sun tanning, getting massages, etc!. Don't be afraid to pamper yourself!.

create excursions with your daughter too! Go to different museums, beaches/lakes, waterparks, amusement parks!. This will keep your mind off your depression and on your daughter and the beautiful summer!

I hope this helps!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I was very depressed a few months ago!. Basically I started jogging everyday, sometimes twice a day for 15 minutes a time!. I started eating lots of healthy food like pasta especially after my exercise as your muscles suck up the carb at this time and make you feel energized for the rest of the day!. I gave up all caffiene and alcohol as these make depression much worse!. I also started organising my daily life to a fairly strict timetable to make everything seem less chaotic!. I have lost 2 stone in 3 months and feel alot more energized!. If you can't jog you can do anything that makes you out of breath like jumping jacks or simply sitting on th floor and getting back up to your feet over and over again!

( don't listen to the bible basher at the top, he cant help you)Www@Answer-Health@Com

Hello,
It is very much hereditary! Also a sub symptom of many other things!.
Everyone feels sad sometimes, but chronic depression is something different, you know what I mean it sounds like!.
Do you know running, walking ,physical activity, even laughing releases chemicals in are body that are good for depression!?
Try getting some exercise and see what happens, if that is your body will let you!.
Sunshine has vitamin d I think it is,very good for you!. Fish oils such as you can find in salmon is also really good for depression!.
Make sure your diet is good and stress is at a minimum!.
Living in the northwest usa depression is what just is!. Many people get it here!.!.!.!.rain,rain,rain
Good luck k!Www@Answer-Health@Com

Medication and throwing myself into my work with my horses have really been the only things to alleviate my depression!. For me, it 's a brutal cycle that comes and goes, and I have the ability to try to look forward and remember than a hypomania is waiting around the corner!.!.!. :)

Are you in Seattle!? I live on the eastside, but my psychologists and psychiatrists are all at Children's Hospital in Seattle!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I'm taking Celexa and Cogentin for my depression and seeing a counselor!.
The counseling is what really works, I'm changing my whole life!.
I need the meds to block out the suicidal thoughts!.
Maybe you are stronger than me and don't have to rely on the drugs!. I hope so!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Endorphins are made by your own body, and they help!. Exercise will help, but if you need more why not give this a try:-
http://www!.theage!.com!.au/news/World/A-go!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Have u prayed for help!?
(Psalm 34:18) !. !. !.Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; And those who are crushed in spirit he saves!.

Read the bible, start with Psalm 1! :)Www@Answer-Health@Com

coping skillsWww@Answer-Health@Com

I dealt with severe depression starting in middle school and continuing into my early 20's!. My biggest advice to you is to exercise!. When you exercise your body creates natural endorphins in your body that make you feel good!. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself!. Eat healthy, and if there is soemthing in your life that is making you unhappy!.!.!.!. change it!.

If your boyfriend is stressing you out, try taking a break!. It's amazing what some personal attention can do!. Love your daughter with all you've got, and spend time doing fun things with her!.

Try not to set yourself up for disaster by asssumin that just because depression is in your families past that it will forever plague you as well!. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel!.!.!.!. if things get overwhelming ask for help!. Create a relationship with your therapist so that you will always have somoene to go to!.

Good luck and stay strong, you can do thisWww@Answer-Health@Com

If you work with a therapist, they can help you (1) recognize when abnormal depression is kicking in and (2) help you develop coping mechanisms!. For instance, there are many times in life when depression is normal, but sometimes it's just something that overwhelms a person for no good reason!. At those points, it can become dangerous -- you could hurt yourself or hurt someone else in anger!. However, if you learn to catch yourself when your depression is kicking in, you can stop yourself!. For instance, I have a friend who suffers from depression and when he gets into those moods, he simply goes to his room and stays there for a few hours until the worst of it has passed!. If you succeed in building coping skills, then eventually the depression may lessen because it will not be fulfilling a psychological role!. Go to therapy, and keep in mind it may take a year or more!. Alternatively, work with a psychiatrist to find the medication that's right for you!. The right medication can enable you to live the life you want, but it takes some trial and error!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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