What has helped you treat depression naturally?
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Sunlight, in the winter get a bulb that emits sunlight like tones or even a plant bulb. Also fresh air, mild exercises. Any exercises or stretching you do today that you didn't yesterday is an improvement.Not too much too fast so you get sore and discouraged.\n Try giving your time and energy to a group or cause, focus on others for a bit. Smile at people you come in contact with, make a nice comment to someone at least once a day. Trying to find something nice or comforting to another can often brighten your day as well. Balance your food intake into smaller more frequent meals. \nSet small goals for yourself, and mark their achievement even if only mentally. Reflect on your day don't dwell on the bad but remark on the good. As for the bad, Put it to bed so to speak before you go to bed yourself. recognize but don't let it be an excuse to feel bad, beat yourself up, or hold you back. Pick one area to improve on the next day. Also if you go to docs be sure to mention any  and all meds and supplements you are currently taking.\nGood luck, don't get discouraged by a bad moment, hour or day.
222216
Look in the phone book under counseling, or something similar.  Most cities have free 24-hour services that can help you find someone to speak with.  That's if you feel you are overwhelmed with depression.  If it's minor depression, exercise.  Studies have shown that exercising can be just as effective as an anti-depressant for someone who is only moderately depressed.
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Being treated for depression usually helps bring the brain back into focus, and helps you to cope with daily stress. When you have dealt with your depression, you can find meaning in life and a reason to go on living, but while living under the cloud of depression - you will continue to be stuck in the fog you are in now. Please seek treatment with a therapist.
77193
I'm sorry you have this disorder.  But I believe with most things there is hope.  So keep at it.  \nAs far as the depression, having any kind of health problem can make a person depressed.  Just knowing you are limited in any way can bring a person's self-esteem down on top of struggling with a health problem.  This is where you need to make sure you get some sort of support, emotionally.  \nBut it can also be coming from and irritated by your disorder.  Depression has many causes, one of them can be  compromised health. And obviously as your instincts tell you, the treatments are helping with your mood.  That's a no tell!  Here are some suggestions:  Look into how depression works on a clinical/neurotransmitter(chemicals that helps us function emotionally and hormonally) level to understand how then your disorder plays into it.  The best way to get control over one's health and health problems is to become your own healer and doctor.  Start by learning as much as you can take about your disorder, even on a molecular level.  Then understand depression and immunity and autoimmune system disorders more in depth.  \nThen you can start to put things together about your own health.  \nAlso look into gut/digestive health and disorders.  The new information out there is that up to 90% of our neurotransmitters are in our gut.  Which is often why people who have depression also have gastrointestinal disorders and vice versa.  \nThere is a good book that I haven't yet gotten to but it is quickly becoming a principal read in this line of thinking:\nThe Second Brain by Michael Gershon.  I can't wait to read it.  Another book is Digestive Wellness by Elizabeth Lipski.  And for mood issues, The Mood Cure by Julia Ross is a really good, informative book on alternatives to drugs for depression and other mood disorders.  She suggests some natural supplements that are really great for depression and anxiety.  Just make sure you do your homework and learn about your disorder thoroughly before taking anything new.   \nNevertheless, the best thing is to trust your own instincts.  Truly and most pertinently, they are what lead you through life.  If you can tell that treatment is helping with depression, than it is.  And if you feel your disorder causes or irritates your moods further, than it does.  Trust your gut!  \n\nAlso, read more about the treatment itself so that you can understand the affect it has on a person.  Read about what is actually involved and what materials/chemicals are put into your body and how it affects a person.  \nIt might be increasing your neurotransmitters without you knowing it!!  Bonus!\n\nI could go on....Either way, learn and trust yourself.  Empower yourself in regards to the healing process, because it is afterall, your health!\n\nGood luck!\n\nOh, also read Healthy Immunity by Lorna Vanderhaeghe.  Really really good book on Immune system and disorders!
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there are a number of things that may improve your general mood. But if you have depression you need to deal with it as well as the cause of it.\n\nIf you feel like you can't talk to your Doctor about it, register with a new one. Explain what you are feeling and they will support you.
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You can take some control over how you feel by using some of the strategies listed below: \n1. Learn some ways to relax and incorporate them into your daily routine. Even if too much stress and tension aren't the cause of your depression (although they very well might be), they certainly aggravate it. \n2. Identify things that are pleasant for you and plan them into your schedule. Research suggests that depressed people have a lack of pleasurable events in their lives and that they actually avoid things that give them pleasure. \n3. Increase your activity level. Unfortunately, depressed individuals don't have much energy for exercise, so they tend to remain inactive. Low activity level serves to increase depressed feelings, which then inhibit activity further. To break this cycle, schedule daily exercise that is appropriate for your lifestyle and conditioning level. \n4. Identify self-ctitical thoughts and switch to self-rewarding thinking. In other words, get off your back. It is easy to make yourself depressed by being overly harsh and critical. \n5. Analyze your social behavior. Many depressed people are lonely and isolated. By learning new social skills and assertive communication, you can often get needed support .\n6. Children might avoid the need for presciption antidepressents. and if the one of the parents are depressed, getting the parent help can prevent the child from becoming depressed.\n7. Listen to soft soothing relaxing music or something with lots of rhythm. Music is to the spirit of mankind like a bandaid is to a cut.\n \nit's more the intensity that you can prevent.
750145
EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!!!  It will also relieve your depression and allow you to stop taking the anti-depressants.  But start the exercising first for a life-changing experience.  Peace and good luck.
199771
Acupuncture can be very helpful for depression.  Acupuncture is just one healing modality of Chinese medicine, which also includes meditation, massage, herbals, nutrition and more.  Using broad concepts, Chinese medicine looks at depression in two ways.  You may not have enough energy, or the energy that you do have is not circulating properly.   A qualified practitioner can recommend herbal formulae and movement exercises, perform acupuncture and massage, make recommendations about foods and activities, etc.  Many people feel that using alternative medicines can be very empowering, because it reconnects you to your own health and body.  I do have a word of caution for you, however.  If you are in a crisis or are severely depressed, do not drop the western medical side of things until you are in a good psychological place. Take your time and don't look for miracle cures, look for steady improvement over time.  As you begin to feel better and brighter, then you will be able to decide which therapies to continue and which ones to stop.   Best of luck to you.
313494
If you have not already sought out help from a mental health professional I stongly suggest you do so.  Depression is extremely common and it can be managed by therapy and/or medications.  Either pinpointing the source through therapy or finding the right medications for you may allow you to enjoy those things you once used to.
272126
exercise is known to greatly decrease the symptoms of depression.  develop a strong network of friends and family that you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with.  find a counselor (therapist) that you like and trust, talk to them, they can help (ask people you know for suggestions of who to go to, if you're comfortable with that).  eat a healthy, well balanced diet (consult a doctor or other nutrition expert if you're not sure what this means for you, or how to improve your diet safely).  check any medicines/supplements for side-effects that may include depression or similar conditions, but consult with your doctor before discontinuing any medications, as this can also cause problems.  some people find that accupuncture or accupressure work well, but this is not for everyone.  the most important thing to do is to talk with your doctor and a therapist, they can help you a great deal.  Remember, talking is natural, and you can tell them if you don't want to take drugs.\n\nFind friends, Exercise, Eat right, Talk with your doctor/therapist, Become active in your community (such as volunteering, chuch)
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Anti-depressant medications work like SSRIs.  Probably cognitive and behavioral therapy are used too.
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Before starting this reply, I would like to get one thing out first.  'Traditional' medication is by far the most effective way in managing bipolar disorder and the mood stabilizers are the cornerstone in preventing relapse (either into depression or mania).  Therefore my main recommendation is to take what is prescribed by your psychiatrist.  If you do not have a psychiatrist following you, that should be your priority.\n\nThe only recommended and well studied 'natural' option is the addition of omega-3 oils to the diet.  Unfortunately, this has become the new 'wonder' supplement and many proposed benefits will later be discredited once the fad is over.  There is fairly good evidence for the addition of omega-3 oils in the mood stabilization therapy for bipolar disorders as well as major depression.  Unfortunately, there's no 'easy way' to getting these.  The natural health supplement industry is not regulated so the actual quality and concentrations of supplements are not very reliable.  On top of that, the absorption of the oil in the supplement form is quite poor.  One basically has to take it to the point of inducing diarrhea to attain proper levels.  The simplest way is to eat fish on a regular basis.  About 3 servings of oily fish (salmon, sardines are examples) per week is probably the easier option.  Although with recent reports of farmed fish having high levels of heavy metals in them, this becomes also a dilemma.\n\n  As for St-John's wart, there have been some reports of its utility but this is generally not recommended as there are several drug interaction (potentially life threatening) while taking this supplement.  It also has never been able to compare in safety or efficacy to the non 'natural' options.  \n\n  Not that this next part really answer's the question but I need to vent a little on this front.  There isn't really any such thing as 'natural' options.  All drugs, supplements, medication, you name it, are chemical compounds.  Whether they were made by plants, animals, bacteria or laboratory they are still chemicals.  I'll admit that some drugs/medication are manufactured in laboratories and do not resemble compounds found readily in nature but the fact still remains that most medications are compounds derived from organic chemicals which are then altered to increase the safety and reduce side-effects.  Most people don't realize that some of the deadliest poisons are made by plants (without any 'processing').
576186
Hi, Prothieden can be a great assistance in treating Depression, I had been on it and now do not require it.\nYou are on a very low dose of Prothieden, so keep on taking it. One of the failings of we who are depressed is that as we begin to feel better, we think we no longer require it.\nIt may be a short medium or long process, yet if you have only a dry mouth as a side effect, remain on it under medical suppervision.\n\nI cannot encourage you enough, don't be concerned with the dose, it is low, I was on 225mgs, for chronic depression and slowly reduced over time.\nIf you are feeling and coping and able to function,be pleased that it is working for you.\nTake care, and be adventuress, slowly !sc
193597
fIRST OF ALL,IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION YOU DON'T GO SEE A REGULAR DOCTOR! tHEY CAN'T RELATE! Sorry I had caps lock on.\nYou need to first go to a psychologist for an evaluation and can be referred from there to see a specialist. The psychologist is capable of diagnosing and ordering meds for you if neccesary. Meditation also works for some people,but I would stongly suggest that you see someone who is able to evaluate the extent of your depression.
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With a psychaitrist and medication. Medication was like a miracle. Within a few weeks I was happy and content and could deal with anything and especially the cause of my depression.\nIt's really hard to get over this alone. The problem is that your mind is playing tricks on you, and you have unbalanced chemistry in your brain. Medication helps balance that out. \nThe medicine that they have today is incredibly good, and works really well.
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Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the situation. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect. In the meantime: \nSet realistic goals and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility. \nBreak large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.\nTry to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.\nParticipate in activities that may make you feel better.\nMild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help. \nExpect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time. \nIt is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition--change jobs, get married or divorced--discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation. \nPeople rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day by day.\nRemember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.\nLet your family and friends help you. \n\nSelf help for depression\n\nEffective therapy needs to incorporate everything that works in lifting depression. You may be able to help yourself effectively, although often it is useful to get the help of a professional.\n\nHere we'll go through what you can do, as well as what you should look for in any therapy you choose to undergo.\nWhat you can do to help yourself\n\n1) Know about your condition - what you know about your depression has been shown to have an effect on well you respond to treatment. Take the Depression Learning Path - it's the best way to start helping yourself.\n\n2) Cut down on rumination. Do whatever you can to decrease the amount of rumination you are doing. (Ruminating is 'chewing over' emotional issues in your mind without coming to any decision to act.)\n\nIf possible, decide to put off difficult decisions for 1 or 2 weeks while you get your energy back.\n\nWays to cut down rumination are to:\n\na) Stop yourself when you spot yourself doing 'all or nothing' thinking. (See thinking styles)\nb) Read novels when you have nothing to do, to occupy your mind. (Make them exciting novels, not romance or self help books!)\nc) Do exercise (see 5)\nd) Work if you can\ne) Keep yourself occupied as much as possible in ways that stop you thinking too much!\n\n3) Find ways to assess and monitor your depressive episodes - The way depression makes us adopt all or nothing thinking is a unique and crucial part of understanding depression. The way depression makes us generate seemingly hopeless outcomes to our situation can make it almost impossible to see a way out of it. \n\nFinding ways to gauge your depression can help to show the shades of gray, that will ultimately defeat the black and white thinking on which depression thrives. This is often done in the form of a diary, where you grade how bad your days have been on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best. Then, after 2 weeks or so, you can look back and see how things have varied over that time. \n\n4) Lower your emotional arousal levels calming down emotions such as anxiety and anger helps your brain function more subtly and decreases the amount of catastrophising you do. Along with getting proper rest, being able to relax is incredibly important.\n\nRelaxation therapies are effective in overcoming some of the other issues that can co-occur with depression. The effects of panic attacks, anxiety and anger, etc can be lessened and overcome with the ability to relax properly and deeply. Physi
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I am not sure that you CAN cure depression.\n\nAs for St. John's Wort, be careful with that because it can cause reactions with other medicines you may be taking.  Such as birth control pills.\n\nKnowing you have depression is the first step to feeling better.  Talk with a doctor to discuss medicine options, see a counselor/psychologist, try a self-help approach and do some research on your own.\n\nDepression is something that can be dealt with and you can learn to cope with it.  The main thing to remember is that however bad things get, it will pass.\n\nHang in there and Good Luck\n\nP.S. Don't let others tell you that medicine isn't the way.  Depression is a sickness and should be treated as such.  If you are Diabetic you need insulin, if you are depressed and there IS a medicine that can make you feel better, why wouldn't you take it?