Can depression be beaten without drugs?

Question

Can depression be beaten without drugs?

Answer 1

Yes, it's only a perspective which can be molded like soft clay.

Positive thinking, meditation, improving your lifestyle, picking up new hobbies, taking time to relax on busy days. There's a nearly endless amount of things you can do, even if they seem trivial.

The best thing to remember is that nothing is trivial, and even the smallest things have the most meaning.

So think simple, take it slow, be introspective, and don't worry about tomorrow because today is never over.

I hope you feel better!

Answer 2

Mild--sure

Major/severe depression-no

especially if suicidal thoughts are involved, medication is necessary for recovery

Answer 3

yes,

    * Engage in mild activity or exercise. Go to a movie, a ballgame, or another event or activity that you once enjoyed. Participate in religious, social or other activities.

    * Set realistic goals for yourself.

    * Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priorities and do what you can as you can.

    * Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you.

    * Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Do not expect to suddenly "snap out of" your depression. Often during treatment for depression, sleep and appetite will begin to improve before your depressed mood lifts.

    * Remember that positive thinking will replace negative thoughts as your depression responds to treatment.

Answer 4

I think that depends on the depression. Is it externally caused, or internally.  Is it caused by external circumstances or internal physical circumstances. I think that it depends on the severity of the depression and the current state of the person depressed.

What I know for fact is that every case of depression is unique and the question of should the depression be treated without drugs need to be answered by a professional.  

Answer 5

Yes, provided it is mild.

Affirmations are good to practice everyday. Make sure they are positive and that you write them down at least 3 times, 5-10 times a day.

Also, force yourself to go out and do something enjoyable. Avoid being alone.

Try fish oil capsules every day (they can help depression). Exercise raises endorphins. Exercise often.

Think positively. Anytime a negative thought comes into your head, try to counter it by asking yourself if that is really true. Pray often and intensely.

If you have anxiety along with the depression I highly recommend, The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Dr. Bourne. It is found on amazon.com. GREAT book.

You may also want to try cognitive behavioral counseling. Also, a natural doctor can prescribe amino acids which are precursers to seratonin in your brain. This is not medication, it is simply a device to help your brain begin producing seratonin. Antidepressants actually deplete the seratonin in your brain!! That is why they only work for a short time and addiction is so common. If you can, the natural route is better.

St. John's Wort is also common. Whatever you take, see a DO or a homeopathic doctor first. Good luck! You can beat this thing!

Answer 6

Yes, although exceptional circumstances warrant their use, such as major depression, with suicidal intent, or complete inability to function (eat, shop, work). Ask yourself: "Why do I feel depressed, and when did I first start to feel this way: can I associate this with any recent change in my life?" (if so, it is probably situational depression: counselling, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is indicated). Or, was it a more gradual thing, with no apparent cause? (nutritional deficiencies, hypothyroidism, environmental toxicity, or reactions to some medications, etc., becomes more likely as the cause).

Antidepressants work quicker than the following; 2 - 6 weeks, but you may have to adjust dosage, or types, whereas St. John's wort is effective for most people, tolerance doesn't develop, and the few side effects don't occur often, and even then are normally not severe.

It doesn't cause sleeping problems, or weight change, but usually takes at least 2, and generally 4 - 6 weeks to become effective. A recent, independent German double blind study showed it to be as effective as Sertraline (marketed in the USA as Zoloft: a commonly prescribed antidepressant) in cases of major depression, with far fewer side effects, and those were generally better tolerated, with a lower rate of discontinuation. Unlike antidepressants, where sexual dysfunction is a common side effect, it happens much more rarely with St. John's wort (I have noticed no effect in this area).

Remember back to a time when life was full of promise, or a day when you felt particularly good, or possibly excited from a good result. Emotional states are associated with memories, and if it isn't major depression, this method can help. A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not St. John's wort, because of interactions, and it's sensible to check out anything else first with your doctor.

(1.) Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it. Also take a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin; a deficiency in vitamin B9 (folic acid, or folate) is known to cause depression. Around 30% - 40% of depressed people have low vitamin B12 levels. Depressed females using the contraceptive pill may benefit from vitamin B6 supplements. ~~~ (2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes minutes of exercise, daily, or 30 - 60 mns, 5 times weekly. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn't wanted when dealing with depression. ~~~ (3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain).

(4.) Use daily, a relaxation method* and/or yoga*, and/or Tai Chi. ~~~ (5.) Initially, at least, some form of counselling, preferably either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy. ~~~ (6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule. ~~~ (7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John's wort, (the strength varies, but the supplier should be using a standardised hypericin content, so follow the directions) or supplements, such as SAMe, or Inositol (from vitamin and health food stores, some supermarkets, or mail order: view section 55).

If 5HTP is used to boost serotonin levels, (which are low in depressed people) it is best taken with a high carbohydrate, minimal protein meal, like pasta with tomato & basil, and avoid protein for 90 minutes, before, and after, to maximise the amount crossing the blood/brain barrier. Also, 80% of people in the Western world have low magnesium levels, and these are known to cause depression & anxiety. Try the magnesium supplement types shown in http://www.real-depression-help.com/ Some of these will be available in pharmacies, or supermarkets. Low levels of calcium, and potassium can also cause depression. Have your blood tested, and correct any deficiencies, preferably through improved nutrition.

An improvement can be noticed in as little as a week, if a deficiency is the cause. Also, iodised salt is much preferable to regular salt (one of the treatments in books on depression is iodine drops). Try to imagine, as vividly as possible, a time in the not too distant future, when you have overcome this temporary setback, and things are much better. *View section 2, on the first 3 pages, and also pages R, C, I, and section 11, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris

Answer 7

YES it can first of all if you can find your triggers. you may have too much alone time if so volunteer, too much stress get rid of all that you can.  next try getting involved in church.  now for the chemical side most depression is a lack of magnesium in the body and any health food store will have that.  

Answer 8

sometimes it can, it really depends if you can control it, but if not taking anything and your stilled depressed, thats hard on yoursel i would try taking something, I have 2 different times and they helped me, but i know that to get off them you have to decrease your dose gradually you cant just stop taking them it will mess up your balance tons. some employers have a free number to call to get advice and help try that, good luck stay strong dont hang aroung negative people