Experience with depression treatments

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This topic has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 10 months ago by memm.

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January 29, 2014 at 9:29 pm #49985

Lea
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I need some ideas, there HAS to be a cure for depression. I want to know what worked or significantly helped others with their depression. I have been seeing a naturopath, have regular blood tests and adjust vitamins and diet accordingly, I drink vege juices and bone broth, have gone gluten free (this cured my anxiety), have been seeing a kinesiologist for over 10 years now, have seen more counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists than I can count on my fingers and toes since I was in year 4.

I have done hypnotherapy, cognitive therapy, yoga, meditation, I work out three times a week and I have plastered my home with personal goals, positive affirmations and I KNOW my life is great… I have the ability to do so much and yet I’m wallowing in this depression. It might go away for a few weeks, months even if I’m lucky but especially lately it’s hitting me like a ton of bricks.

I am 23 and a single mum to a beautiful 18 month old, I really need to get myself out of it, I want to feel normal! Even on the best of days, I can have a smile on my face and be thinking and saying all the right things about how amazing life is, but truth is I would rather be dead.

I hate this. There must be a way to rid myself of this forever.

January 29, 2014 at 9:46 pm #49987

Ann
Participant

Lea,

I am 13 years older than you and have had depression as a major part of my personality since I can remember. I have tried much of the same things you list and to this day they become a part of my routine. The thing is, it never completely goes away. I swing wildly sometimes and have even days other times. I can fake my way into and out of any situation. I hate it sometimes too. Lately though, what gives me comfort, is the fact that I have embraced it. It just is a part of who I am. I know it now, and I have all of those tools to help work myself out of the hole. Sometimes other techniques work better. There is always an underlying issue that feeds the depression. Because depression is a void. And it needs to be fed by something. A personal belief, a limitation, an old experience you haven’t gotten over that effects how you relate to others now. Try to see this as times to search for the growth you need to do. My bounce back times have been decreasing and my confidence has gone up. I know I will never rid myself of depression and I take some meds for it to keep me a little stable. But it’s still there, so since it is, I am giving it a great big embrace and asking it what I can do for it (myself). Each time I survive. I think about death as the ultimate relief as well. Daily sometimes. But I will never go that route. I (rational happy person) made a pact with the other (can’t get out of bed person). We must be partners and work for a balance. We must allow the both sides to exist and feel and not fight each other. Rational happy person can not banish depressed person, they must live in compassion. We must use our tools to find that balance and be a good example for others who have these tendencies and teach others there is nothing wrong with you because you have this or feel this way. You just have to manage it a little more. And through the management we get great strength to continue on and share through our own experiences. Life is perspective. Our thoughts and perspective are so fleeting. To make an ultimate judgement on one slice of time would be a tragedy. Keep up the good fight.

January 30, 2014 at 7:03 am #50004

lisa
Participant

Please Lea..it hurts me to see that you would rather be dead. Your beautiful 18 month old child would be without a mother if you were to act on this.
You say you have been to many Doctors, but I dont see if you have been given any anitdepressants?

I have been on antidepressants and the they have helped me tremendously after other things did not work. I tried a few before one worked for me.
I also exercise as well and try and have a positive attitude. I believe in a higher power and that for me is very helpful.

Also, you just had a child..your hormones play a big role in how you are feeling? Can you talk to a significant other, or parent or friend about how you are really feeling, rather than masking the feelings and saying how amazing life is…life is hard..I will give you that.

Please make an appointment with your therapist to have you start on an antidpressant. You have a lot going for you! Please please let me know how you are doing!!

January 30, 2014 at 8:34 am #50007

Jonathan
Participant

I have had depression and anxiety issues for as far back as I can remember and probably before that but didn’t know it, I am 38 years old. Knowing that you have an issue is most important – doubting it can lead to bigger issues. I really don’t believe that depression will ever go away and no matter what I, you or anyone else says or does will ever “cure” it. I found that sometimes what works best for me is not getting inside your own head, when you start to feel negative or depressed try and discover what causes it (if any thing) fight the urge to let your self fall into that slump. I know it is easier said than done and even sitting here typing this is such a catch 22 as I know all too well about being my worst enemy. The most positive thing you have is that baby and when you feel that there is no hope look at that child and realize what a blessing it is and fight, you are so young and have so much life and so much to offer you just don’t realize it at this moment. Step back and look at all the things you have done so far, there are quite a bit of accomplishments there. The bottom line stay busy, I know the busier I am the less time I have to dwell on the negative, I hope my little rant helps you in some way! Good luck!

January 30, 2014 at 7:22 pm #50034

Lea
Participant

I have recently done up weekly routines/schedules to take the stress out of finding time to study, keep the house clean, decide what to get for dinner and to make more time to try new activities and bond with my son and I was sticking to them for the most part but had a car accident last Sunday and have no way around so I’m stuck at the moment.

My son, since the accident, has been very clingy and hasn’t been sleeping properly so I am also very sleep deprived which I know would be making things worse.

But even on the best days it’s so hard to get motivated! It’s like my mind is busy with all these great ideas and plans but I’m not physically putting them into action even though I know I am very capable.

Logically, I know I am very lucky, I have nothing in my life that is worth complaining about and have all the opportunity in the world at my hands. I just want the will to live back so I’m not merely pushing myself through the day because of my son, I want to enjoy life.

I refuse to believe that there’s no cure for depression, there HAS to be something. I’ve read about the GAPS diet which is supposed to cure things like Autism, schizophrenia and bi polar and have tried a few things from the book but the catch 22 being I’m too tired and depressed to go to much effort with food. High doses of niacin have been used to treat schizophrenia for years but a friend of mine had tried it for an extended period of time and he has worse anxiety than I ever did and is just as depressed as me so no change there. I’ve had improvements with certain things, for instance I had severe anxiety up until I quit gluten and after3-4 weeks without it my anxiety vanished.

I’ve heard of electronic shock therapy curing a friends husband and things like saffron are as effective as prozac but again that’s just treating the symptoms. I cannot and will not live like this, I would give anything to rid myself of depression and be able to function like a normal person.

January 30, 2014 at 7:25 pm #50035
Lea
Participant
I’m skeptical about anti-depressants because I prefer the natural approach and worry how I would cope if i ever had to come off of the medication after becoming dependent on them. I try to treat my body really well and only put beneficial things into it, I don’t drink, don’t consume caffeine or gluten and don’t smoke and I try to consume as many foods known for raising serotonin levels as I can. I just don’t understand why none of this has made a significant difference.

I am also breastfeeding still and plan to until my boy is 3-4 and my current GP has warned me about taking anti-depressants while breastfeeding.
- This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Lea.
January 30, 2014 at 11:38 pm #50057

memm
Participant

I don’t really know how I ended up coming out of my depressive state, nobody really ever noticed or helped me out and I never got any medical help.

Basically all I can say is that one day I decided that something had to give and started working towards something, whether I really felt like it or not. Found a friend I could talk to, worked on getting rid of years of withdrawn emotions. I went for walks, I meditated (not just sitting and relaxing but also actively fighting my brain and reining it in), I ranted and got angry, cried, tried to be compassionate, basically started feeling again bit by bit instead of repressing.

This all took a whole year and it wasn’t smooth sailing at all. Some weeks felt like hell and at least a couple of days felt worse than when I started.

But I will say it was worth it, most of my anxieties are gone, I have better thoughts and emotions; all because I actively worked very hard to change my mentality and honestly because it’s something I accomplished myself I don’t feel like I will ever truly fall back into that depressive state ever again. Things might not be perfect but it’s never going to be that bad again, I won’t let it, I trained myself not to let it.

I’m not sure if this will help you or not, but I hope this shows that it might not be easy or quick but it’s doable to change your brain yourself with the right amount of effort. In my experience just knowing life is great and thinking “if I do this and this, I should be happy” isn’t enough. It’s a war of thoughts and you have to back the right ones up and make them win with all your might.

January 31, 2014 at 3:20 am #50066

Lea
Participant

Thankyou memm, that gives me some hope.

January 31, 2014 at 4:57 am #50069

memm
Participant

PS: Regarding meditation, it’s not really something you “do for a while” and then get well, it takes time and needs to be done properly. Whenever I neglect my meditations I feel myself slipping a bit, my mind becomes more chaotic and unreasonable. But even if it’s 20 minutes, twice a day, it’s something you have to do every day.

I did a lot of analytical meditation, analysing everything about my thoughts and really thinking deeply about the good and the bad and really trying to direct them to a better path. I really fought my mind and criticised and thought things through until I was happy with my outcomes.

Also did metta, which was quite helpful in stopping all the sad thoughts and seeing the world in a better light.

And finally I do mindfulness most days, because that’s what helps me personally the most; if I don’t do it for a while my brain tends to get very chaotic. Mindfulness is really what keeps things steady for me. It’s just too easy to get absorbed in thought, especially my brain I find gets very hyperactive, it always needs to think, think, think! And if it has nothing productive to think about, it starts thinking itself into oblivion.

And I should probably do a lot more of all of this than I am now, hehe. I did get a bit lazy recently and my mood hasn’t been as good. But at least I know what I need to do. =]

I wish you success in finding what works for you. =]

January 31, 2014 at 6:08 pm #50095

Lea
Participant

Thankyou memm, I went to bed last night and decided I would wake up today and never feel depressed again. I did an hours session of yoga this morning and feel nice an energized, going to take it easy today and focus on meditation and self hypnosis and this week I think I will be treating myself to a massage and a new mattress, pillows and sheets… The unbelievably soft kind!

Also, I found this…..

If depression had no termination, then suicide would, indeed, be the only remedy. But one need not sound the false or inspirational note to stress the truth that depression is not the soul’s annihilation; men and women who have recovered from the disease — and they are countless — bear witness to what is probably its only saving grace: it is conquerable. – William Styron

January 31, 2014 at 8:59 pm #50099

memm
Participant

I would go as far as to say that not only is it conquerable but it has the chance to make you a stronger, more compassionate and interesting human being. There’s no light without some darkness and we take way too many things for granted until something awful happens.

This doesn’t just go for depression but really for any sort of struggle you might encounter.
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