Alternatives to medication

[House_Panther]

I am wondering what natural alternatives have helped people with their depression? What helps you besides medication? I am on the fence about this.

[IreneM]

HI House_Panther

Great Thread Idea, my only reservation is that alternatives should never replace medication unless under medical advice.

A good Doctor will advise you on what vitamin supplements are helpful without interfering with whatever medications you may be on.If they tell you to avoid supplements altogether, find someone else who stays in touch with the latest research.

Alernatives:

Fish Oil is a helpful supplement if done together with being in sunlight early in the day it can lift your spirits. If you have arthritic issues, you can increase the dose to as high as 12,000 iu per day.

CAUTION: Seek medical advice if you are on pain medication or anticoagulants for heart related issues. I suggested this to someone who told her cardiology nurse who was able to reduce her anticoagulants dose as a result of being open on how much Fish Oil she was having.

If drugs are not enough make sure that you are having talk therapy of some kind from a Counsellor or Psychologist.

Irene.

[blondguy]

Hi House_Panther

Welcome to the forums and thankyou for posting too!

It really depends on what symptoms you are experiencing. If you wish to elaborate what you are going through we can try to support you more effectively. Can I ask if your depression is interfering with your day to day well being?

This is my 38th year with depression/anxiety (under management with my GP) and for me the meds have helped my career..my personal life...and my general well being 🙂

I have been on the forums since Jan 2016 and havent heard of a natural alternative treatment.....yet!

The forums are a secure and non judgemental place for you to post House_Panther. Your well being and privacy is paramount to Beyond Blue

I hope you can post back when convenient...and if you wish!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

Hi House_Panther, thanks for posting your comment.

It maybe difficult for us to say as we're not qualified, but only from our own experiences and advice from our doctor or psychiatrist, that no natural 'medicine' did anything to help me with my major depression, although I was given a couple of different vitamins that were to help me with other problems.

What else helps besides medication, well it really depends on what type of depression you have and whether or not you are able to do anything, like some people are able to walk around the block, ride their bike or go swimming, while others are incapable of doing any of this.

If you could back to us that would be great.

Geoff.

[grt123]

The expression 'fake it 'til you make it' is not just glib rhetoric. Change happens by the very act of going through the motions. Unfortunately depressed people often stop doing the things they love because they feel unmotivated or these activities no longer bring them joy. They're waiting until they feel better before they resume their old life. It can be a long wait. While medications are effective it's my belief we should take a more active role in recovery - don't sit back and wait for recovery to come to you. That means doing things that are hard, that we don't want to do and, in some cases, we can't do - but the very act of trying is empowering and life changing.