Is it possible to overcome depression without being medicated?

Question

Is it possible to overcome depression without being medicated?

Answer 1

There's no one-answer-fits-all to this question.  Depends a lot on your brain chemistry.  Assuming no underlying biological cause for depression, yes, it can be overcome without medication.  Improving the diet, getting more exercise, social interaction, and seeking out new experiences can improve the mood.  It's kind of an effort at first, but it gets easier as your brain gets trained to stay outside its depressive state.

Answer 2

If you are talking chronic depression, then no.  If it is just feeling a bit funky from time to time, get some friends together and watch some funny movies.

Chronic depression is not something that you can just chase away Lithium finally helped me. But then again, I am bipolar. Manic depressive.  

Answer 3

No it gets worse.

Answer 4

Yes, I was clinically depressed in HS, but in college it subsided, and when I moved cross country from jersey to seattle, it has disappeared.

Answer 5

realize your cause for depression and eliminate it. weigh the factors in your life, determine the reason for your pain and try to fix it, there is no one that can fix your problems but yourself. et out be social and compare yourself to people in worse situations and be grateful for what you have. just take command of your life and steer it the way you want and never forget

laughter is the best medicine

Answer 6

As a person who has suffered with bipolar disorder for more than a decade, I would say that this is a tough answer. For someone who suffers the occasional blues...sure, you can ride out the depressive moments, but for someone who frequently finds themselves depressed they will need some intervention.

To leave a serious conditionn of depression untreated, one may find themselves "self medicating" with alcohol, drugs (the illegal kind) or other risky behaviors. Trust me...the risky behaviors run the board on strange and possibly dangerous.

Get some professional help and if medications are suggested, review the medication and possible side effects...but at the end of the day...trust your doctor.