Natural Anti-depressants

[purduejake]

I am on the maximum doses of prescription anti-depressants and they only do so much.

What do you guys do to treat depression besides prescriptions, counseling, and exercise? For example, I take flax oil for the omega fatty acids. What else is out there? Thanks so much!

[Indiana_Dem]

1. I recently started taking vitamin B-12 stress complex vitamins.

They make me feel a bit more energetic and happier.

[purduejake]

17. I am taking B-6...

and I have no idea what the difference is. I'll do some research on that. Thanks!

[WindRavenX]

2. orgasm

For real.

[alittlelark]

5. I'll second that one.

[purduejake]

8. HAHA

Yes, that helps for about 20 minutes. ;)

[WindRavenX]

10. more than that

both male and female orgasm release a ton of endorphines- and that lasts for a lot longer than 20 minutes! :D

[purduejake]

18. Perfect...

The local store has buy-one-get-one-free DVDs this week. lol

[Radical Activist]

20. Oh yeah,

that one works very well.

[drhilarius]

25. Likewise...

nothing chases away the blues like an orgasm.

[Sannum]

3. chocolate.

It has some of the same qualities of prozac. It also has the added benefit of being yummy.

[purduejake]

15. I can live with that!

[autorank]

4. I hang out in the Lounge whenever I can. The dissociation cures any mood

issues.

[purduejake]

13. Being "with" everybody on DU...

is always a relief. I love every one of you! =)

[autorank]

21. Likewise. Wow, I knew I'd find somebody here who loves me!

How about a second opinion. There is a syndrome where a particular SSRI can lose it's effectiveness after a period of time, say 18 months. It's well known and a PSYCHIATRIST can help diagnose it. I'd get my self to a good psychiatrist and say, "Dude, wuz up" or something a bit more articulate. Changing SSRIs or going to Effexor can do wonders in this situation. The very best to you. Hang in there.

[purduejake]

24. Haha, I am sure I am not the only one

I have been on just about all of the anti-depressants and found that lexapro and wellbutrin seem to work the best. I took the effexor for a while and it made me really spacy and out of it. I will definitely ask about the SSRI loosing effectiveness. I get so much help from you guys! Thanks again.

[zann725]

6. St. John's Wort. Amazing. Takes a couple of days to "kick in," but

it really evens-out the highs and lows. And once you level-out, you can quit, and only have to use it from time-to-time when you really need it.

And there's no "drugged" feeling to it. Just comfortable, get-on-with-life feeling.

[purduejake]

11. Good idea...

Do you have a specific brand that you think is better or can I just pick up anything?

[lady lib]

12. No, please don't. You cannot mix prescription

anti-depressants with St. John's Wort, esp. if you're on an SSRI because you'll have strong side effects from the elevated seratonin.

[purduejake]

14. I believe you, but I am despirate.

I will consult my doctor and see what he thinks. Thanks for the good advice!

[lady lib]

16. You're welcome. Here's a thought

ask your doctor if you might benefit from a light box.
(The additional light might lift your mood.)

[purduejake]

22. What is a light box?

That may also help. I keep this place as bright as possible with those new GE pure white light. Is a light box something you can get a prescription for?

edit: I googled it and found out about it. When I get a job, I will get one! :)

[Dude_CalmDown]

7. How about a big fat spliff? - n/t

*

[purduejake]

9. I would!!!

But I am searching for jobs right now and all require a drug test. Ugh.

[Radical Activist]

19. Hiking

For me, nature is the best anti-depressant.

Otherwise, I just force myself to think positive things, even when I believe those positive thoughts are ridiculous lies. Eventually I start to believe those thoughts and the depression fades away as I push out the negative thoughts. That used to be difficult but it was how I learned to never become depressed again, without drugs.

[purduejake]

27. I do need to find a spot...

where I can go. I had one in my hometown but now find myself surrounded by fields. It used to be on a log next to the creek in the middle of nowhere and it cleared my mind of everything. I'll look up the state parks and see what I can find.

[housewolf]

23. St. John's Wort

It's an herb that many people say helps.

[OrwellwasRight]

26. exercise even though it is hard to get started

I am a former aerobic instructor and I still get out of the habit for months at a time; I build my way back up ten minutes at a time. By the time I am up to 3-4 workouts a week in addition to my daily walks, I get feeling really good.


Also, try to make sure you are getting plenty of vitamins inlcuding b-6 and iron (anemia can seem like lack of energy). And don't isolate. Being around people can cure depression, at least for little bits of time.

[purduejake]

28. Ugh, I have been dragging myself to the gym...

and everything I do increases my pain, even though the doctors recommend it. The reason I have this depression is because of a bad car accident 2 years ago that I am still recovering from. 8 back and neck surgeries with at least 3 more to go. I kind of like surgery so that is not an issue. It's just that is IS hard to do stuff, like you said.

[OrwellwasRight]

29. Can you concentrate on the exercises that don't cause pain

if there are any? And wait on the others or minimize them, such as "you get to do walking on the treadmill as a reward for the 15 painful shoulder presses?"
Good luck. I know what a bear depression is. It is sort of endemic in my family.

[purduejake]

31. Thank you very much.

I use the low impact machines and free weights, being careful wity the back. I had a personal trainer for a year, so I know what I am doing, but it hurts! Oh well, I will get through this with meds and the help you offer.

[lady lib]

37. Keep checking in with us in the lounge.

We'll keep your spirits up! Good luck with the job search.
:grouphug:

[AndyTiedye]

30. Dancing

[Ladyhawk]

32. BIG HUGS!

Depression is a bitch. :(

I have a hard time following my own advice, but it's simple: Make sure you get up and take a shower first thing in the morning. Prepare yourself for the day and you'll feel a little bit better. Geez, I wish I could follow my own advice!

I've also started taking Fish Oils and Vitamin B, hoping for some changes. I don't know yet.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Sgent]

34. Hmm...

The following help (no specific order).

1) Bright lights
2) Exercise
3) Some herbals (St. Johns), but don't take them in combination with drugs w/o medical supervision
4) Being around people
5) Psychotherapy -- esp. find one that deals with chronic pain patients. They can be especially helpful in cases like yours.
6) Change the drug or add a different one. Different drugs work different ways, you may want to talk to your doc.

[RadicalMom]

35. I just a few minutes ago, happened to be researching S.A.D.

My brother has been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is from not getting enough sunlight. Type in the full name of the disorder on MayoClinic.com for starters. It's very interesting, even if it's not just seasonal, it can reflect your insufficient sun exposure.

[SarahB]

36. I do the Omega 3 thing as well.

Plus, I make sure all my hormonal stuff is balanced which is more a female issue for me, so the way I take care of that probably wouldn't work for you being a dude. Exercise and good nutrition are always helpful too.