I can't fight this feeling

Carrot1971
Carrot1971 Posts: 272 Member
in Motivation and Support
I know I've posted about this topic before but how do I fight ongoing depression? I refuse to get on prescription meds again since they make me gain weight. My weight is a contributing factor to my depression. In all reality, I know I'm not HUGE (5'5" - 166) but I'm bigger than I want to be. I'm so stressed with some personal issues in my life including money. I have no energy to work out, no desire to do something I love to do (crocheting), I'm in a dead end job with no real future. I feel like complete and utter failure in my life and have no where to turn. Are there any natural supplements that help with depression that won't make you gain weight. AND, is there any "diet pill" that actually works to kick start my weight loss. Disclaimer: I KNOW this is not a permanent solution but if I can start the ball rolling with weight loss it will motivate me to exercise. I already eat decently (under 1700 calories/day). Suggestions (not criticism) would be greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • Miamiuu
    Miamiuu Posts: 262 Member
    Try taking fish oil, vitamin b think b12, and L tryptophan. they all help the brain to feel more relaxed.
  • Carrot1971
    Carrot1971 Posts: 272 Member
    Thank YOU!!! :)
  • kmbweber2014
    kmbweber2014 Posts: 680 Member
    I know I've posted about this topic before but how do I fight ongoing depression? I refuse to get on prescription meds again since they make me gain weight. My weight is a contributing factor to my depression. In all reality, I know I'm not HUGE (5'5" - 166) but I'm bigger than I want to be. I'm so stressed with some personal issues in my life including money. I have no energy to work out, no desire to do something I love to do (crocheting), I'm in a dead end job with no real future. I feel like complete and utter failure in my life and have no where to turn. Are there any natural supplements that help with depression that won't make you gain weight. AND, is there any "diet pill" that actually works to kick start my weight loss. Disclaimer: I KNOW this is not a permanent solution but if I can start the ball rolling with weight loss it will motivate me to exercise. I already eat decently (under 1700 calories/day). Suggestions (not criticism) would be greatly appreciated.

    My SO is in the same boat, he says the hardest part is getting himself going. Once he is dressed and ready for a workout he has not problem doing it, its just the idea of it is exhausting to him. The vitamins from the other poster are great, also Vitamin D is wonderful. We have created motivation boards that our huge and in our room and that helps too.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    Disclaimer: I have not had depression, but have had close family members who were seriously depressed.

    My opinion: The only pill I would recommend would be the depression meds. I would think that gaining a bit of weight would be much better than being depressed. Serious depression is nothing to mess around with. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

    You can still lose weight while on prescription medicine, although I know this is more difficult. If it gives you more energy, you might find it easier to exercise. And exercise is a natural antidepressant.

    Best of luck to you, OP. :flowerforyou:
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    Disclaimer: I have not had depression, but have had close family members who were seriously depressed.

    My opinion: The only pill I would recommend would be the depression meds. I would think that gaining a bit of weight would be much better than being depressed. Serious depression is nothing to mess around with. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

    You can still lose weight while on prescription medicine, although I know this is more difficult. If it gives you more energy, you might find it easier to exercise. And exercise is a natural antidepressant.

    Best of luck to you, OP. :flowerforyou:

    This! If the medication can change your mindset, then that may help you change your body. I would urge you to speak with your doctor and find out if there are any other options he could recommend if you're deadset against going on the medication again. It's taken about 3 weeks but with going to the gym 4-5 times a week, even for a short time, has really changed my mood for the better. I sleep better too, which helps. Best of luck to you!
  • Elsie_Brownraisin
    Elsie_Brownraisin Posts: 786 Member
    Talking therapy? Cognitive behavioural Therapy helped me hugely.

    Excercise, as someone has already recommended, is very good - a gentle walk rather than trying to run a marathon.

    I take medication which has several side effects (weight gain, acne and hypothyroidism in my case), but they are very much outweighed by how much they contribute to my mental wellbeing. When I've been low, it has helped me to concentrate and have a bit of energy to make myself something decent to eat or helped manage anxiety so I can go out for a walk or a swim. They may cause weight gain, but they may help you get back on your feet again quicker.

    Hope you feel better soon.
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    I too was going to suggest talk therapy. And I've read that exercise helps a lot with depression...all those endorphins!
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Many times when a person takes medication to treat depression, they no longer have a loss of appetite. (which equals eating more food and calorie surplus=weight gain) It is not impossible to lose weight while on medication. If you know the meds work for you, make an appointment and get a prescription. (and not natural supplements) There are other forms of therapy that may work for you, but refusing medication strictly based on weight gain is not going to make you feel better any time soon. In addition, there is no diet pill that will kick start anything, other than wasting your money. (so if money is an issue for you, ditch the idea of a diet pill) Another important note, medication should not be stopped without medical supervision.

    I understand the following information may be too overwhelming at the moment, but putting it here for when you are ready to take the step.

    http://www.211.org/

    https://www.nami.org/

    http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Your_Local_NAMI&Template=/CustomSource/AffiliateFinder.cfm

    http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=About_Treatments_and_Supports

    Also, here is a number to call in times of crisis: (is available 24/7)
    Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255
    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  • JessMahoney1
    JessMahoney1 Posts: 86 Member
    I am just recovering from depression which I had since 2010, came off my tablets late 2013. I think you should take tablets, as someone said, depression and mental illness is not something to be ignored or played around with. But I would suggest taking vitamins, councilling and also ask your doctor other anti depressents availiable, there are more than one lot, (quite a few more actually) and you may find the tablet your on has a weight gain side affect, where as others don't - mine didn't make me gain weight (food and lack of exercise did though, whoops!)

    hope this helps and you feel better soon!
  • Carrot1971
    Carrot1971 Posts: 272 Member
    Thanks everyone. The meds I was on before were horrible. They made me sleep all day and eat when I was actually awake. I felt like a zombie. Was a horrible mother (because I did nothing but sleep) and they caused more depression. I told my doctor and we never really found the right meds for me. I got tired of trying and stopped. That was MANY years ago and was able to pull myself out of it. I did go to therapy for years and learned behaviors to deal with my "funks". I've learned to recognize the signs when they come back (like now) and work through them. They've never been bad enough for me to go back on meds. It just seems like life is piling up on me right now. I feel like I'm getting it from every angle. I will most likely call my therapist to schedule another appointment. Thanks again, everyone :)
  • beautifulwarrior18
    beautifulwarrior18 Posts: 914 Member
    If it was many years ago, I'd suggest trying again. The advancements in mental health have been phenomenal in the last 5-10 years. They'll usually start you out on 20 mg of Celexa and go from there. I was lucky and the 20 mg of Celexa worked for me, but I ended up needing to up my dosage after a few years. Unfortunately, for me antidepressants are probably going to be the rest of my life as my depression has been my entire life. I'd talk to a doctor about your concerns and he/she can match your risk factors and hopefully find the med that's right for you.
  • honsi
    honsi Posts: 210 Member
    I've been on anti depressants for a very long time and I've lost 56 lbs in the past 18 months or so. I have found the medication invaluable as I can now function in a way I couldn't before, it also enabled me to have intensive long term therapy. I know other people who have also lost weight whilst on anti depressant medication. There is no guarantee that you will gain weight if you go on them. If you do it can just be that you have a bigger appetite due to no longer being depressed and so then you just make healthy choices. Sometimes with meds you have to try a a few before you find the one that suits you best.
    I do a lot of exercise but I don't get that feel good endorphine rush that everyone talks about.
    Have you tried St Johns wort? it is supposed to be good for milder depression and is a herbal medicine.
    Good luck.
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    Try taking fish oil, vitamin b think b12, and L tryptophan. they all help the brain to feel more relaxed.

    I second this. I was having a really rough time a few years ago, started dieting in a really stupid way (undereating/overexercising) in an effort to look better, it ended up just making me even more miserable. I increased my fat intake to recommended levels and taking a vitamin B supplement and began to feel a lot better and have more energy to go workout. Dietary fat is essential for proper vitamin absorption, specifically vitamin A, D, E and K. Once I started working out again, that in and of itself was it's own form of anti depressant. It's a hard rut to be in and it sucks because getting out, doing something you enjoy and being active is a good way to combat it, but it's so difficult when you're in that hole to want to get out. Do you have a close friend or two that you could get out with? Even if it's just a walk or two outside every week, it's a start, plus the sunshine will be helpful too.

    I've also seen a therapist off and on for the last few years, mostly for grief counseling and stress management. That's an invaluable resource so if you can afford to do so, continue talking to your therapist. Best of luck to you!
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  • christa279
    christa279 Posts: 222 Member
    I agree with what others have said about not completely discounting trying medications again, especially if it has been awhile since you last tried. Sometimes it does take awhile to find the right fit, but it really can do wonders.

    For non-medication help I would suggest therapy. Sometimes talking about what is bothering you can help you find a solution or to work it out. You could also try journaling. I use this technique when I am feeling especially down.

    I take Vitamin D, especially during the winter when I am trapped indoors a lot. B vitamins are supposed to be helpful and some help with energy metabolism. Omega 3's are also supposed to be beneficial. I know I felt better and had more energy when I was supplementing with B-12 ad Fish oil (I ran out and haven't bought more).

    I also use aromatherapy. Lavender is very relaxing and calming. Citrus scents tend to brighten my mood. There are several others that are known to specifically help with depression.

    And I know it's hard to get the motivation to start, but exercise really does help with energy levels and depression. Just listening to some music while walking seems to help me.

    I hope something helps and you feel better quickly! Good luck!
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    To address your other questions, diet pills are all garbage. Coffee and tea, or just caffeine in general is a natural appetite suppressant.

    Calorie goal information...

    Your BMR: 1415
    Sedentary TDEE (little to no activity/a desk job): 1700
    TDEE-10%: 1530 total calories (assuming you only need to lose 10-15lbs, you don't need a huge deficit)

    If you want to eat more, a half hour walk at about 3.5-4mph is going to give you an extra 100-150 cals or so to eat on top of your TDEE-10%, so more like 1630 to 1680 TOTAL calories (exercise is included so you don't eat back your exercise calories). Try to get at least 50g of fat everyday, recommended is 0.35g of fat per lb of bodyweight.
  • cgarand
    cgarand Posts: 541 Member
    I don't blame you for not wanting to take pills for depression. I know there are some cases where it's necessary, but I think meds are way overused. Last year I was having a lot of anxiety and insomnia. The dr gave me meds that made me hallucinate and gave me akathisia (I could not sit still, I was constantly squirming and pacing and shuffling my feet...it was terrible!) and, it just increased my feelings of uneasiness. Finally I just dumped the pills and focused on healthy, natural ways to deal with stress and anxiety.

    I started with some meditations for anxiety I found on Youtube. Positive Magazine had my favorite ones...they seemed kinda corny but they really worked.

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFlcx_5HUbSh6hsl3ZMKZkw

    I also found an 11 hour video for sleep with Tibetan Singing bowls. I would fall right to sleep and sleep deeply and peacefully. And, best part, no hallucinations and no wandering through the next day like a zombie.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5dU6serXkg

    I also started doing yoga. Yoga with Adriene is my favorite.

    https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene


    These solutions worked for me. But, they may not be for everyone. Always remember, anxiety and depression is like a storm. But, you are the sky, not the clouds, and storms pass. :smile:
  • dodochoga
    dodochoga Posts: 33
    i had a major depression about 2 years ago. i was out of work, had no money, couldn't go out and was sitting at home all day eating and watching tv. my SO suggested that we get a dog to be there for me while he wasn't. so we rescued a little guy from the shelter and my life changed immensely. the way that something or someone depends on you can change your life. by giving some of you to the person or animal that needs you can definitely take your mind off of the stuff that cause your depression. i walked my little pal everyday, played with him in the park because he was so full of energy that he had to release and made him treats(cooking used to be a passion for me that i had lost before he came into my life). i found purpose to my existence in a little dog. he became my best friend and then somewhat of a child to me.

    i am not necessarily saying get a pet. it just happened to be what made me find a purpose for myself while i was depressed. i would say don't worry about the weight at the moment unless that contributes to your depression. instead, try to do things that create a purpose for you. for example, eat what makes you feel good. go buy beautiful ingredients and make a delicious and eye pleasing meal. instead of sitting in front of the computer doing nothing, find something interesting and study up on it and become good at it to create something at the end.

    start with something new and unknown to you and once you feel like it interests you, have a goal in mind about that thing. don't let that goal be something ambitious, let that goal be something that will be fulfilling. i think being fulfilled is the best medicine against depression.

    if you are wondering if i got over my depression... well, i still do get "depressed" and tears start rolling down without even having a reason to do so but i do pick myself up when my dog brings his leash and sits in my lap every time i get like that. you always hear and feel like depression is causing the lack of desire to do anything but i think it actually creates depression to lack a desire to do something. it's more like a cause instead of a symptom, i believe...

    good luck and get well soon.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    As the other poster said, CBT is a great option for those that don't want to be on meds. Meditation in the evening is also something you might try.

    Secondly, I'd force yourself to get out and be more active--- even if it means just for a walk. Find a pedometer and get 10K steps in.

    Good luck :-)

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