Is there any way I can get rid of depression without consulting a professional?

Question

Recently, I've blogged something about how i've been feeling (it was entitled: 'I think I need a psychologist or just someone who could analyze me...please help. -.-' )

If you wanna read it, here you go (if not, it's fine, just proceed to the bottom part):

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*sigh*

I don't know why but lately, I've been feeling off. Okay, not just lately. Since I entered college (which was over a month ago), I just feel stressed as ever. I don't even know if this is stress I'm feeling. You never know. This might be anxiety or depression or something else. I just feel..uhm, well, I can't really explain what I'm feeling but I know there's something I feel that's not normal. It's like most times, I feel like sad or gloomy. I really can't explain the exact feeling I'm experiencing right now. All I know is that I'm not a hundred percent well. I don't know if this is stress related or due to some other factor. I don't even know if people notice it because I try to look fine when I'm in front of others.

I honestly don't know if I'm a pessimistic person. But if I look at it with my point of view, it seems that I am. It's like I feel hopeless as ever. But the weird part is I don't know why. Like when you look at my life now, you'll see that nothing's wrong. I have a good relationship with my family and friends, I don't have enemies (as far as i know), I'm studying at a good school with a good college course, and you'll see that I have all the necessities I need in my daily life. But I just feel empty and alone as ever. I really don't know why.

To tell you all the truth, I think that this weird feeling I'm experiencing right now didn't just start when I entered college. I even think that this started last year or even last, last year. I really don't know. The only think I'm sure about right now is that I'm not fine. When I'm with others, I know they don't notice it because I act normally. But when I'm alone, thoughts I never thought I could think off as a happy person would enter my mind. I think of things negatively. I imagine things in my life to not end up happily. In fact, I imagine life as a negative thing. But I don't know why. I imagine myself as an unhappy person and my life as something I just want to throw away. Like it's not worth it. But off course, ending it is not something I would do. Maybe just something I would think of, but definitely not doing it. But still, I don't know why I think this way. I really think that I may be a pessimist person, but I don't really know. After all, thoughts of these only happens when I'm alone (mostly).

The worse thing about my situation, I guess, is that I'm a person who don't like sharing her feelings. This is honestly the one thing I hate and I don't know why. Like I share feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, excitement and other feelings like that, but I don't really share what I really feel. Like what I'm doing at this very moment. If people ask me if I'm fine, even if sometimes I'm not, I still say yes. I just really want to keep my feelings to myself. I don't really know the reason why but even with my family and friends, I'm hesitant in sharing what I truly feel. I think that one reason is I think no one would understand me completely even if I share my feelings so I just always decide to keep it locked inside of me. But I don't really know.

I guess I really wouldn't know what I'm going through right now. I don't know if this is just a phase that would pass; but I hope it is. I don't like feeling this way. I mean I tried before to start viewing things the other way around but It didn't work. I don't know if this is just something in my head or something else. I think I might need help. But I don't know where to find one so I'm just leaving it here to see what people think I'm feeling and experiencing right now. -.-

--so please help--

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So anyway, someone comment that I might have clinical depression. I'm not sure what that is so I've searched it and I saw that most of its description matched what I've been feeling and experiencing. So I figured that I do might be suffering from depression.

But the thing is i don't want to consult any professional. But I also don't like to share this personally with others because I don't think they're going to understand what I'm really feeling. Like my mom read that blog and it's obvious that she didn't get it. She just summoned me about God (I'm from a christian country) and having faith in Him and about when was the last time I've connected with Him. But it's really not about that. I know that my parents doesn't understand me because based on what they thought when they read my blog, they just think that I'm just over reacting or something like that. They really don't see what I mean.

So going back to my question, if depression is what i'm really experiencing, is there any thing I could do to get rid of it without consulting anyone?

Answer 1

depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. you cant get rid of that all by yourself. you need to see a doctor.

Answer 2

Absolutely! Going to doctors and taking their recommended medication isn't for everybody. Even though I am going into the Psychology field I'm not sure that I believe dosing someone up with prescription drugs is nothing more than an avoidance method.

Exercising and having a healthy diet is key to a balanced living. I used to be 300 pounds, 5"7 tall, and yeah...I started going to the gym just to ease my anxiety and I am down to 140 pounds. Working out is a safe and effective stress management tool.

Some people take herbal remedies such as St. Johns Wart and it works wonders for them. You could try that as they are relatively cheap and easy to find. I think you are wise to keep a journal and talk to friends whom you feel you can confide in. If you are a fairly private person search Google for chat rooms and other blog sites where you can meet others who share your feelings and experiences. You certainly aren't alone and you can get over this small hurdle in your life. Good luck.

Answer 3

First of all, sorry to hear what you're going through, depression can be quite the little *****, if you know what i mean. Trust me, I know what it feels like. Pretty much the only thing you can really do, is first of all, figure out what it really is that's making you so depressed, even if you don't think anything is wrong, inside there's something bothering you. You said since you went to college it might have started, well think of something you no longer do, or someone you no longer see now that you're in college?

So really try to figure out what it is that you're sad about, and once you realise what it is, work on it, however you can to make it better, or to accept the change. And if you don't find what it is that's making you so depressed, try doing things that make you happy, I know you don't feel like doing anything, but once you're out there and doing something you enjoy, you'll have a great time, and try to spend a lot of time with the people closest to you.

I suggest if you don't start seeing a change anytime soon you should seek professional help, that doesn't mean you have to pour your heart out to someone, you can just go to a walk in clinic, or our Dr, and ask for some anti depressants, if you don't want to tell them anything, you don't have to. They will ask a few questions needed to decide if you need medicine or more serious help, and then you will be on your way with medicine that truly is a god send. I took celexa for depression, and it worked wonders. I"ll pray for you

Answer 4

hey hun.

there are things you can do which should improve your mood - exercise, as it releases endorphins which are natural 'happy hormones', have a healthy diet, spend plenty of time outside in the fresh air and in the sun (with friends is even better), always have some 'me time' so you don't get stressed, have plenty of sleep and a regular sleeping pattern.

but, if you do have clinical depression, then these will only help to an extent. PLEASE go and get help from your doctor, as you may need medication, and they may refer you to psychologists - although you may not want to talk to someone, it really does help to talk, as you offload your problems and they can then help you to resolve them or get through them. i never spoke to anyone about how i felt, and i was terrified at the prospect of speaking to therapists, but my parents took me to get help and i am much better than i was. i've found that being able to talk to someone has helped me so much.

please please consider getting professional help, as depression rarely gets better on it's own, it tends to just get worse, and you're better off getting help now whilst it's not so bad.

email me if you want to talk more about it or want info.

Answer 5

You could have clinical depression ... if you do , you need help .

   It is usually caused by a chemical imbalance which can be helped with medication .

    You can't fix this yourself , get help.

Answer 6

Without knowing you personally I would guess that you do have some depression. It's not all bad though. You're doing a great job by expressing yourself. When I get "sad" I always write. Other things that help me are a walk outside, a phone conversation with friends, getting lost in something dumb like daytime court tv or youtube- they're good distractions.

Exercise, eating healthy, and faith in God  are good measures to counteract depression (sorry, I think your moms at least a little right).

It's your choice to seek professional help or not. Sometimes they are only someone hired to listen to you but if you're suicidal or into cutting or anything you may need to even though you're uncomfortable.I don't see a reason you need to be on medication for the rest of your life. No one would treat a physical illness without looking at the potential causes, right?

It's up to you. I live with depression on and off in my own life and  I'm okay with that. It sucks in the thickets but I can appreciate the nicer parts of life. I write and pray- that helps me the most.

Answer 7

I'm going to provide you with the real secret to get rid of depression forever without any outside help.

Depression only happens in the subcortex,never in neocortex. Remember this. And you must learn how to wanish your brain to get rid of the depression in one minute a day, usually in the morning as a first thing you'll do. The secret is literally brainshift you out of your depression anytime it comes down upon you. How you'll do it ? Simply, leave subcortex thought"I am depressed", enter immediately into neocortex by thinking any think you want or comes spontaneous to you.

Brain swich can save your life.

I put below a short extras from my article about this subject , to inspire you. Take from it what you like.

Here's proven natural remedies for any kind of depression once forever...

Ten ways to successfully get rid of depression.

1} Important defense mechanism has spinach, , beetroot lettuce with much lemon juice and olive oil.POWER BENEFIT: In depression your blood has tendency to be acidic. You need to try neutralize this situation What I said above has high nutritional value and alkalizing quality. As a result, you'll start to feel energetic, useful to yourself and others.

2} Blueberries. Fresh or frozen, not to mention it tastes absolutely delicious, two servings daily for two weeks. POWER BENEFIT: struggle against feeling of guilt and loss of interest in ordinary activities.

3} Carbohydrates, and vitamin B-complex supplement. Depression is a cruel killer that shape cyclic human hormonal reality into delicious desert. The more tryptophan enters your brain, the more serotonin will be produced to kill that killer. Get rich tryptophan eating banana, apple and kiwi. POWER BENEFIT : combat thoughts of suicide and irritability.

4} Get Omega 3. This makes sense physiologically since omega 3 works on neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. Also, omega 3 keeps the blood wessels of the brain free from blockages It also helps in boosting up the nerve cells to function at a higher level. Because omega 3 is found in Oceanus fish and eggs and if you want only fruits and vegetables then take omega 3 supplement.

5} Daily walking in the sun. It produces a brain chemical called dopamine which help maintain mental equilibrium But before you leave your home eat milk, yogurt or salmon,tomatoes,cucumber and /or broccoli.

6} Out, find a place where you can express your emotions aloud . For example cry if you feel inside like crying. This is an act of courage and in the same time, shows your progress. Immediately after this, it can't be less than a big happy moments.

7}Selenium,vitamin B 12, for the" feel-good " brain receptors. The take away from it is that you need eat brown rice,nuts,seeds and liver.

8} Drink a lots of mineral water with pH above from 7.4

9} Breakfast cereals .Don't forget it.

10} Breathing exercises on daily basis,the most powerful line to cure depression because a high need of brain for oxygen.

I hope I helped you a bit.

Good health to you.

Answer 8

Sounds like you have situational depression, created by the circumstances of your environment. The good news is that if you deal with it quickly enough you might be able to nip it in the bud. Though you are a private person, try journaling your feelings and finding other ways to express it. Some choose creative outlets, others do sports or athletics, even activities like chopping wood (!) might help. Are you isolated at college in a way you weren't at home? Try opening up to friends you trust. Get a pet! That might help. You're probably dealing with extra stress, too, being in school.

There are always alternatives, but if your feelings continue or get gloomier, there is always free counceling at universities!

Answer 9

I'm going through depression right now.  Just coming out of the worst time I can recall.  I almost even got a divorce, because I thought maybe he was what was making me so upset and hopeless all the time.

If you feel like your are really losing it, like you're going to die or go crazy- or hurt yourself or someone else, EVEN FOR ONE second!!! you will eventually be facing a doctor one way or the other.

I think that if you are worried about your social reputation, you can be assured that there is "patient doctor confidentiality"

If you are worried about the money, every city, no matter how small, has free Counselling.

Please take care of yourself.love

Answer 10

Its rather difficult to treat depression with out the help of others. It is possible though, first you would need to find what is making you feel this way, school, friends, life etc. Once you can understand what is making you this way, then you can begin to work through it. This wont be a small task so be prepared for some ups and downs.