anxiety and depression issues

Exercise has helped me out quite a bit with both. I have an injury right now and am definitely feeling an upswing in depression since I haven't been able to do as much. While that alone is unlikely to fix everything, it is very helpful. Good luck finding a counselor.

There is lots of science on exercise and meditation being helpful; but it's hard when your brain is spiraling. I've started asking myself if whatever it is I'm thinking of doing will be something that I feel good about doing later. Or if will be one more thing to beat myself up over. No easy or quick answer to give; but you aren't alone in this, and finding a combination of things that help you can take time.

I've battle with both for most of my life mostly anxiety. I had been on lexipro for 9 years weened off them finally off 100% in June, but now the sad down feelings of depression sneaking up on me. my mind roams and thinks about the past and then thinks of how much it's going to suck as I lose loved ones in the future... While I do walk, I'm wondering what kind of natural ways to fight off these issues ... or should I just go ahead and realize that I might just have to live with taking medication? I've tried to set up meetings with a counselor but the ones my insurance covers give me the run around or not taking "new" clients so kind of at a dead end on that.

out of curiosity, how did you manage to come off of the lexapro? i have been on lexapro for about 4 or 5 years now. initially, i did not want to go on anything, but after about a month i couldn't take it any longer and allowed my psychiatrist to prescribe me meds. i definitely don't have the same anxiety/depression levels that i did at the beginning, but i still fear going off of my meds 100%.

I've been doing a lot of reading about magnesium deficiency, because my elderly mother is dealing with that right now, and almost everything I read states that magnesium deficiency can cause anxiety and/or depression.

You might want to get a blood test, or add either a supplement or magnesium rich foods and see if it helps.

I've battle with both for most of my life mostly anxiety. I had been on lexipro for 9 years weened off them finally off 100% in June, but now the sad down feelings of depression sneaking up on me. my mind roams and thinks about the past and then thinks of how much it's going to suck as I lose loved ones in the future... While I do walk, I'm wondering what kind of natural ways to fight off these issues ... or should I just go ahead and realize that I might just have to live with taking medication? I've tried to set up meetings with a counselor but the ones my insurance covers give me the run around or not taking "new" clients so kind of at a dead end on that.

I Pray/Prayed to overcome my anxiety episodes. Haven't had one since 2005. That's a natural way for me. :flowerforyou:

thanks for the replies ... it does help knowing I'm not the only one dealing with these issues. while I feel good about losing weight, this feeling has popped up on me.

I have also been on the on-off-meds rollercoaster. It didn't work for me. My weight loss, healthy eating and active life style experience has been very positive but I have come to accept that the chemicals in my brain need to be reconciled with medication. Talking with friends, counselors etc is nice for support- but for many of us depression and anxiety is chemical and can only be remedied with medication. For me, happiness is not a choice, praying isn't going to save me and my amazing, supportive husband who I adore is a great listener - but the rain in my head was something I was just born with. The meds are there for a reason- and it's ok to take them.
If you want to ad me as someone who walks in your shoes, please feel free. Those of us who understand should stand with each other.

You hit the nail on the head, and I couldn't have said it better myself. I have a mental illness. There is a chemical imbalance in my brain that is the catalyst. I've spent many nights in prayer, begging God to heal me. I've read book after book about how "Happiness is a Choice" and "I'm too blessed to be Depressed!". I've exercised my brains out, only to end up feeling sadder and more hopeless than before. I can't judge what's helped another, and am definitely thrilled to hear when someone struggling with any mental health issues have had great successes, but trust me, you are NOT weak, or a failure if you need medication to treat anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness. If someone is diabetic, and needs Glucophage, we certainly encourage them to take their medication! And we wouldn't want them weaning off of if without a doctor's ok and supervision.

The same should go for those of us suffering with any type of mental health issue. There are lots of ways to deal with depression and anxiety. If you are able to get into therapy, that would be wonderful. Having someone to talk to is great. I've had wonderful results with therapy over the years, as well as my medication. No matter what, know, this isn't your fault, and if you have overwhelming thoughts, please talk to your doctor immediately.

We're all here to give support as best we can!

I have issues with depression and anxiety, or did. I have been on Lexapro for about 8 years. I feel great. Not looking to change anything. If it's not broke, don't fix it. Lexapro is a great. If it didn't hurt in anyway, try going back on it. Some times you just never get over it. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

I too deal with anxiety and depression and my doctor is slowly taking me off the meds. I heard that yoga and meditation really helps. Along with just taking a 15 minute walk to clear your mind. I see a great counselor. If I don't do something right, he tells me like it is. LOL I like that about him, because it does motivate me. I need to lose about 60 lbs and I just started using MFP. I don't have a support system near me. So it is hard to keep on track for me. I can do really well in the beginning but then i start making the excuses.

My fight has been mostly with depression, although anxiety has been there playing a minor role. The only thing that I have ever found that has helped is an antidepressant. It just works.

I will say that losing weight has made me feel better and getting out and exercising has also helped. I started with just a twenty minute walk per day and it really helped. I increased to forty and then ultimately to sixty minutes of walking and it has definitely helped my spirits as well.

I feel like losing weight and getting exercise are supplements to the primary treatment, which is done with a medication.

I've dealt with the same type of issues although I've never been at the point where I've been able to go off meds. I've noticed exercising has helped a lot. Also just having someone in your life you can talk to when you have a bad day. I know therapy works well for some people but it never really did the trick for me. I have some amazing friends and family that have gotten me through a lot though.

I am writing this with post grad qualifications in psychology along with a lot of training and experience as a psychotherapist....
CBT can help for some people but not others. Other types of therapy such as Transactional Analysis are more powerful if CBT doesn't work. There are other things you can try...

Are you aware of how food affects you (if it does). some people have bad reactions to sugar which can throw their mood our completely (I am like this) (look up radiant recovery .com which will try to sell you stuff you don't really need but which also has a lot of information on this which I would advise you look at even if its to eliminate it). Also coffee can increase anxiety so I would suggest looking at this. Diet and weight as been shown to correlate with depression so it may be that if you eat good stuff and shed a few pounds that may help. If you are not taking any anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication at the moment also look out for vitamin b (a complex will do) and an amino acid called 5-HTP which you can buy in health food shops (in the uk ). These are the precursors of serotonin in the brain which can help with both depression and anxiety because it makes sure you have a good supply of raw materials when your brain needs them. Don't take 5-HTP if you are taking medication though. Also I would recommend you look on the net for medication and "grounding" techniques on the net. Yesterday is history, tomorrows a mystery so they say but they can also be extremely horrible places to live. If you can ground yourself in "now" then it may help. What you may find is that If you try this you have an underlying horrible feeling which your brain is trying and failing avoid by thinking about the past and future. That feeling is most probably (in my own experience) something better living, medication and diet can get rid of. If you have enough money I would seriously also consider seeing a transactional analysis , gestalt or integrative psychotherapist. I've also read stuff on the net about sweeteners and certain food colourings triggering depression but I haven't seen research to back this up. It something you may want to investigate.

Good luck

I had been on lexipro for 9 years weened off them finally off 100% in June, but now the sad down feelings of depression sneaking up on me.

This is pretty much the universal story of people who go on SSRIs and then stop them. Even with weening, which is the right way. I'm glad you posted this. It's important for people who are considering SSRIs - but haven't decided whether to take them or not - to know. Doctors never tell people this.

This is also what happens to people who NEED the antidepressant medication for their clinical depression when they try to go off the medication, no matter which one it is. Derp.

Depression and anxiety have been part of my life since childhood. I hate myself from the pit of my stomach and always have done. Had a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide last year. Been on prozac since March 2013. I need them, that's why I take them. No shame, no shame at all.

It took me years, just last year, for me to finally accept that I have a chemical imbalance and need my meds. I used to stay on it for a while and think oh I'm good, but then a month later be in the same depressed, sad boat. I take my meds regularly but still have crappy days, like today! Put that is also female related. The worst part is feeling out of control, like no control, and that's when I realized I had a problem. Feel free to add me, it helps to have others to vent to.