depression ansd anxiety

Yes to both. I've yet to take medicine but exercise really helps for me.

Yes to both. Medication, good nutrition, and exercise have been very helpful for me. Therapy is good too. I really believe nutrition & exercise are essential and can sometimes even be sufficient for treatment (thus avoiding the medication route which can sometimes be difficult in finding meds that work).

Me too, more depression than anxiety. Just went into my counselor because the episode has been long enough and strong enough to think that I had to go back on medication (I'm anti-drugs as much as I can get away with it). It was simply a year without checking in with my counselor, hit with some triggers and I'd already started to control it again with exercise. So back on the monthly visit bandwagon and my prescription is exercise at least 3 times a week with a goal of 5 times a week. Cardio is working for me, so for depression, I can focus on cardio (for weight loss, I need to incorporate some strength training).

If you're like me, you can start controlling it with exercise. Cut down carbs, especially refined (so white pasta, white bread, white rice, etc.) because there is a correlation but again, even with a sensitivity to wheat, I don't want to cut them out completely so I suggest cutting back. Increase fruits and veggies. Increase Omega 3 rich foods, like Salmon. And become an emotional exerciser, something about the endorphins. I still suggest doing the other things to get back on an even keel, see a counselor, work through the triggers so you more easily recognize them, etc. And if necessary, then go on the drugs too. Some people have had success with SAM-e and St. John's Wart if you want natural supplements but I've never tried them so I don't know how they work. Also my other disclaimer, all my advice is based off what has worked for me. I can only suggest to try it and see if it works for you.

Good luck and you can beat the depression and anxiety.

Yeah, I have pretty bad case of anxiety. I've had it pretty much my entire life except when I was a teenager and then I was pretty pissed off and manic (even more than usual for a teen).

The anxiety came back when I was around 24. It hit me hard and brought along depression to boot. It sucks. I went through a period of time where I was afraid to drive and for a while I was afraid to be alone or eat anything when I was alone because I had an allergic reaction to wheat and it freaked me out pretty hardcore. Sometimes it's hard to know if I should really be worried about something or if it's in my head. I think that's what bothers me most. I feel like I can't trust myself anymore.

Anxiety and OCD - then they feed of each other which doesn't help. I managed it with counseling and techniques for years but my counselor told me many years ago there is a point I may need medication. I fought that for a long time.

However, late last year I got on a very low dose of Lexapro and it has made a huge difference. It gave me a fighting chance.

Then I noticed about a week into dieting and not eating cr*p, I also started to get out of my funk of sleepiness and lack of motivation. although I had to really push myself for a few days before this kicked in.

I was on Lexapro for a while and I found it helped a lot! My insurance finally kicks in on Saturday and one of the first things I want to do is get back on Lexapro and start counseling.

And it's true, exercise does help a ton.

Seasonal affective disorder. This is the first year it hasn't run right over me (hallelujah!), but it's taken medication, a light box, vitamin D, meditation and a commitment to being outside in the sun every single day. One of my biggest triggers for depressive episodes outside of the SAD is chronic undereating. I started a bulk in December, and I think just getting enough calories every day is a huge part of me doing better this year (January has always been, by far, my roughest month).

Yes.