Category: Health and Wellness
I haven't been clinically diagnosed, but I've been feeling upset or sad a lot lately with no possible explanation that I can come up with. I really don't want to go on antidepressants, and I firmly believe they're over prescribed, so I was wondering if anyone knows of anything natural that would work.
The cause of depression is the lack of saratonin in your brain, and to get back that saratonin, you will need medication that has that hormone in it.
Yes, if you are dealing with true clinical depression, Michael has a point. But you may not be, or, even if you are, there are things that can help besides, or in addition to, medication.
I know it might sound minimal, but the simplest, and often most effective thing you can do is eat a healthy diet, and get exercise. Both of these tend to make the body feel better, which in turn helps your emotions. I believe exercise releases endorphines, which are the chemicals that cause pleasure. Another thing is to stay on a normal and routine sleeping schedule. Again, may not sound like much, but it really is. I do take meds, but even so, if my sleep schedule goes haywire, so does the rest of me.
those are the things that don't really cost money. Others I've used, but haven't been able to stay with that do cost money are massage, and an energy healing practice called Reiki. Oh, and I just thought of one more. Sometimes taking Omega fatty acids, which come in fish-oil capsules, can help with mood, too.
Thanks. I want to try anything and everything else I can before going on antidepressants. For one, like I said, I really don't know about the whole chemical thing. I respect those who take them, but I'm really hesitant about them myself. For another, I can't afford to go see a specialist at the moment, especially if it turns out it's not clinical. I'm also on the birth control pill, and that could very well be causing it. I don't know.
Hmmm, I've never heard of the pill causing it, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Might not hurt to ask your doctor about whenever you see them again.
This isn't directly related to the topic, but it's something I've been wondering about for a long time. When people self-injure, such as cutting themselves, it also releases endorphins, which is one reason why it becomes so addicting. A person who's doing that is more likely than not suffering from depression. So why is it that when a depressed person exercises they don't start overdoing it because they get that same rush? Are they not the same endorphins? I've heard of compulsive exercise, though I'm not sure if by itself it's considered a disorder or if it also accompanies something like anorexia.
Birth control can cause depression yes. However, it is more than likely just that your feeling down about something, it can be any number of things, it doesn't have to be a chemical imbalance or anything.
Here are my suggestions. 1. add something new to your life and do it on the spur of the moment. Suddenly decide to go to a movie and enjoy it, just find something to do and do it, don't even think about it. 2. Relax, take a glass of wine into the bathtub and enjoy a hot bath. Go swimming, run a mile, listen to classical music, whatever relaxes you. 3. chocolate. Chocolate releases chemicals into your body that indorce pleasure, its a quick fix. 4. last, sex. It is a well known fact that an orgasm can reverse depression in an instant. That is why a lot of psychiatrists ask about sex lives.
Hope that helps.
I agree with Cody; very well said.
when I was depressed, I didn't make it known to people. as is often done with anorexia, I denied it when asked.
I think people often wanna try and diagnose themselves cause it's quick, instead of considering that they probably need to just make an easy change in their lives.
I feel like that's the case here, but that's just my opinion.
Hi there
I have only one recommendation. Try Rescue Remedy. Take a dropper full whenever you're feeling sad. I went through a pretty tough time recently. I'll not get into details, but it was the lowest point in my entire life. If it wasn't for Rescue Remedy I think I'd have been on anti-depressants myself. I like natural stuff, but don't believe it works just because someone tells me it does. I don't think it's working just because I believe it might either. So I can give you a grounded and unbiased opinion. This was very effective for me, even when analysed with my sometimes stupidly scientific mind.
FM
I've heard that sun helps a lot to. they say stay outside in the sun at least fifteen minutes. Some people even put uv lights in their house to get that sun light like thing. I think that's what they are called anyway. you can look it up. I've heard it helps a lot with depression.
Hope this helps some
It helps with depression caused by SAD disease. Seasonal something disorder. I don't know that it would help with general depression though.
FM
Thanks for the help guys. I've been working out a lot lately, and it does help for quite awhile, and the more I work out, the more it helps.
Mmm, chocolate. Lol.
lots of sex?
LOL to the last post. Sex can help a situation, or hurt it, depending on one's circumstances. Some people when they're depressed want more sex, other people's sex drive goes down when they are.
FM, SAD is seasonal affective disorder. It generally refers to those who struggle most in the winter time.
I think it's ironic that the short term is called "SAD".
FM, isn't Rescue Remedy for dogs?
Also, here are some things to consider. If you are feeling like you're in a depression, you can try St. John's Wert, which is very helpful. Also, it might be good to go to a Naturopathic doctor, and have them do some tests on your adrenals. When you go through a depression, your adrenals tend to be low, so taking supportive supplements helps quite a lot. That's what I'm doing at this point, and it's helping considerably. Also, low amounts of magnesium contribute to depression, so this may be an option for you. I'd stay away from the chemical anti-depressents if at all possible, too. You're on the right track.
The most natural remedies for depression are getting yourself on a routine sleep schedule, eating fresh/healthy food whenever possible, having a hobby and finding time every day to exercise for 30 minutes. These are the things, on a basic level, that your body needs for its hormones and neural chemicals to function properly.
Jesse, no, it's not just for dogs. You can use it for animals if you feel they need it, but humans can happily take this stuff. It's sold in health food shops.
Most insurances do not cover naturopathic doctors. I would likely go to one if they did, but I have never heard of any kind of insurance that covers that.
Actually, you would be surprised how many insurances now cover naturopaths, but only in states where naturopaths are lincensed to practice medicine by the state. Some states do not license them. Unfortunately, big pharma has done its work to brainwash the general public against it, as has the FDA, who wants a cut as well.
The FDA wants a cut? From where exactly? They don't sell anything, pharmaceuticals don't pay the FDA ... now that one is a stretch. I am not being negative about natureopathic doctors, my wife gave birth in a natural childbirth center.
Just saying wild claims like the FDA is getting a cut don't really assist in proving something.
These tips and nuggets will come in handy in one place or another. I recommend you print it out and paste it on your door, office, give it to your friends, at home, in the bathroom; anywhere you spend much of your time!
1. Know what you like. You can do this effectively by trying the following exercise:
Write down five things you like about someone you admire (you can choose a relative, friend, celebrity, colleague), then one thing you dislike about them.
Next, pick someone you dislike. Write down five things you dislike about the (this is usually quite hard to do) and one thing you do like about them
Now, turn your thoughts to yourself. Write down one thing you dislike about yourself. Afterwards, write down five things you really do like about yourself. The exercise helps train the mind to focus on what's good about you, not what's bad.
2. Eat a banana. Did you know that foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, encourage feelings of wellbeing and cheerfulness?
3. Don't let your bum and thighs get you gown-invest in some body-changing underwear. Even Gwyneth Paltrow felt the need for some post-pregnancy body confidence and swore by her Spanx Power panties.
4. If you have a nagging voice in your head constantly putting you down, give in to it. Sit quietly for as long as it takes to listen to all that self-criticism until you're so bored you switch off.
5. Use flower power. A few drops of a flower remedy in water can help balance negative emotions. Try Larch if you are feeling inferior, Gorse if you are feeling hopeless, Crap-apple if you have a poor self-image or Cerato if you doubt your own ability to judge situations.
6. Write down what you dislike about yourself, then burn the piece of paper and watch it disappear. It's a symbolic gesture, but very effective.
7. Dance the stress away. Find the time and space to dance alone for a few minutes each day. It releases angst from the day and will leave you feeling better about yourself.
8. Open a window in your room as bringing fresh air into your room is a wonderfully simple way to revitalize the way you
9. Try a new style. Leave your credit cards and cash at home. Spend an afternoon trying on clothes you never normally buy. It works wonders to see how glamorous you look..
10. Have a bath. Love the way your body feels when you soak in an indulgent treatment.
11. When you are feeling at an all-time low, remember the old Zen saying, "Only an empty bowl can be filled."; it means that the moment you feel you have nothing left is the moment when growth and progress become inevitable. Think of the potential!
12. Keep a journal. Recording your daily ups and downs will help you to let go of emotional upsets and move on. Journalizing helps challenge the beliefs you've held since early childhood, which are often the cause of low self-esteem.
13. if you're filled with doubt about how well you are doing at work, think back to your very first day on the job, and realize just how experienced and accomplished you have become.
14. Use visualization to reduce negative thinking and instill a new confidence in your capabilities. Practice first seeing yourself on your last enjoyable holiday-immerse yourself in the happy scenes.
15. Surround yourself with people like you. Self-esteem always ebbs away around people you're not comfortable with. Meet like-minded people by changing jobs, joining a club or signing up for an adult education class or course.
16. Tune into your creativity. Use a Sue Fisher-Hendry meditation CD to find a new you.
17. Call your mum or failing that, your best friend, and fill her in on everything that's going on in your life. Focus on all the good things. He/ She's sure to tell you how proud he/ she is.
18. Tackle your image and give yourself the Trinny and Susannah treatment- without the public humiliation. How you look really does make a difference, even if you feel okay inside.
19. Use a feelgood trigger. Think of the word that describes you at your best -'carefree', 'efficient', or 'witty', for example. If you have trouble thinking good about yourself, remember the last compliment you
20. Make the most of your senses. Inhale 'Rainforest Remedies Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil', which is a classic mood booster. Put some in a spray container and squirt it around your room. It's better for the environment and your mood than a standard air freshener.
I just come across this a while ago. Hope these tips helps a little.
Raaj.
Of course they get a cut. Every time the pharmaseutical companies have to get something approved, guess who gets paid tons of money? Don't forget, the FDA is who says what can be classified as medicine, and sold by prescription.
Thanks Raajy. I've tried many of these things already, but I'll try the ones I haven't tried yet.
Changing the way you eat will certainly help. Also if you feel depressed it is probably because you are not doing what makes you happy so a change of routeen should help. Finally, just talking it out sometimes makes a difference. What ever you do, do not go on medication because it isn't worth it.
Margorp, I find your comments very narrow-minded. Medication may not work for you, but believe me when I say it does work for quite a few people. It is sometimes the main thing which helps to stabilize them. So, please do not generalize, and think your opinion applies to everyone else's situation. Second, clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, not just because you're not doing what makes you happy. I'm not saying that's what Ocean Dream has, I'm just saying that you do not seem to have an understanding of depression itself, meds, or otherwise.
I guess there's a limit we can control it by the way of nature. if that exceeds, we've to depend upon medication, though.
And this is my opinion.
Raaj
I must agree with raagy however I wouldn't turn to medication off hand. And I don't see how I am narrow-minded when I am trying to do the right thing and help. That is my come upance for giving a rat's vocal tract about another human beeing ay?
I'm not against medication, but I certainly think it's a last resort. Having said that, I don't, in the least, hold it against those who need it, but personally, I'd really rather not take it, if at all possible.
same here; I'll go so far as to say medication is used too frequently.
I'll agree with you guys that it is often used too frequently, and should be used as a last resort. But where it is truly needed, it can help, and is worth it.
But how do you know when it gets to that point? Can we really trust the doctors? I'm not saying we can't, but some doctors seem to be really quick to prescribe something.
I think it all depends on how fast your doctor is to prescribe something, or if they are open to trying alternatives first. I think when you have tried all the other things you can, and nothing is helping, that's when it's time to consider meds.
Yeah. That makes sense.
try raw garlic. if you can tollerate the smell of it.
heard it's giving a good remedy.
Raaj.
Medication certainly has it's place but one should always be ware of big pharmacy. Remember that illness is an industry.
Mmm. I actually love raw garlic. I just don't think anyone else loves it after I eat it. hahaha.
lol.
I'm a raw garlic eater, though.
Raaj.
Sounds unusual but I like garlic so raw garlic might be something to try.
I wish I had more of it.
Marinuana helps my depression. It's not a natural remedy though. What is that Rescure Remedy you mentioned?
If you meant marijuana, technically, it is natural, unless someone screws it up by lacing it with something.
now I'm confused as usual. what's marijuana?
Raaj
Rescue Remedy is a natural product designed to alleviate negative emotions.
I'm going to have to look that up.
I accept the fact that we all feel negative emotions sometimes. that's just part of life, and it takes these to appreciate the positives, but when you have a lot of negatives, it's hard to appreciate either. By the way, just as an update, I still have little episodes of unexplainable negative emotions, but they don't last quite as long as they have, and they're not quite as often.
I can understand that. I know firsthand how overwhelming all the negativity can be. You are certainly not alone.
A few of my friends have been taking Sam-e wich is a natural mood enhancer. It contains three chemicals in our bodies that we may or may not be lacking in. All of my friends that are taking it have reported less irritability and enhanced mood. Maybe it will help. Cosco sells it as well as Whole Foods. Cosco is a little cheaper though.
Hmm. Thanks.