Depression

I've struggled with depression in the past (and anxiety--but that's not just in the past!) and have been on--and off--meds for it. I can't really tell you what you "should" do, as I don't know you at all or your situation or how you respond to meds, etc., but I know that if I started to feel like I was spiraling down toward depression again, the first thing I would do (I hope) is absolutely work out every day. My therapist has said that this is the single best thing I can do to help my mental health, and I believe it.

Also, I would try to not let myself get back into old patterns and habits by planning activities that are incompatible with what I "like" to do when depressed. For example, I would schedule weekly (or daily???) visits with friends or activities so I would HAVE to get dressed by a reasonable hour and get out of the house. I hope that whatever you decide to do works for you--good luck!

I think it is very important for you to have a small project or goal like this one. Do not be discouraged or let anyone discourage you! Concentrate on the nice things life has to offer you. You should give acupunture a try, it actually helps a lot with depression and anxiety. Also, have you tried things like yoga and tai-chi? SMILE!!!

I am clinically depressed myself. I am on 150 mg of Effexor a day and it helps relieve the anxiety. However, the real trick is to combine meds with good old fashioned counseling. One on One or group therapy sessions have done wonders. It really helps. Try a combination of the two. Meds and a psychologist or counselor. Best of luck to you and hang in there.

It took me really being crushed to finally get some help from a Dr. Now I take Buproprion and Viibryd together.

Sure, there are some side effects, but mild. I feel so much better emotionally and I am able to be productive and in some control.

I openly tell people that I take them, I refuse to let this be embarrassing. Before I lost weight I was diabetic, I took metformin, I wasn't embarrassed about that, so why be embarrassed about this.

This is coming from a guy who avoided Drs for 20 years.

My brain chemistry is a bit out of whack, so I take a couple pills. No biggee to me.

Hello

I suffer from depression and went thru the same thing with my docs. i stopped taking the meds and it had a terrible knock on affect to my life. so i went back on them, BUT i do beleive that the meds wont work on their own, they will work alongside exercise (and vice versa). When your body is used to the routine of exercise and taking meds, being around positive people, talking talking and more talking, you will feel so much more better in yourself. It really does depend on the extent of your depression in my opinion.
Have something to focus on and make that your priority, like your own little project. For example, i've done (and still doing!) the mum thing, the wifey thing, the work thing, so my new project is ME!
Also write down 3 positive things that have happened at the end of each day and make that a part of ur routine.

Well done on your progress so far!

I've been there, to the point of attempted suicide. I was on 6 different kinds of meds just through my junior/senior year of high school, and I promised myself I'd never take them again. It's hard to deal with, I still struggle with it. My ways of dealing with it is increased exercise, sitting down and telling myself that I'm in control of my life, not my depression. I've also heard that sunshine helps. I hope you get better soon :flowerforyou:

when I was a teenager I was diagnosed with Manic Depression bi-Polar disorder and they medicated me, however as I became and adult my doctor safely took me off.

My mom on the other hand is also Manic Depressive Bi-Polar disorder and is in a similar situation, she was also taken off her meds but had to go back on them. She is currently in school majoring in Psychology.

I just wanted to reach out and tell you that you are an amazing person, and that some forms of depression are due to a chemical imbalance, and are not something you can just "defeat". You are such a strong person to have come so far. They say that weight loss and exercise can help with depression. May you can try taking a more milk anti-depressent and stick with your exercise and weight loss plan and try to come off it again later? please don't ever give up the thought of being happy without the pills it can totally happen , but please please take them if you need them, at least for now

Exactly the same as me, I was on them 6 years and came off them 3 years ago.

I went back on them last week, I just couldn't cope any more, I tried to cope for 3 months feeling awful and it just isn't worth it. Being proud doesn't make you feel better and you'll just end up feeling worse and worse.

I personally would suggest you go back on them, if pills help then why not take them, there's no shame in having a chemical inbalance in the brain xxx

I deal with depression also and I am on meds for it myself... I refuse to go off my meds right now due to I do not want to end up like I was before. But I do think that you should try going back on the meds to make you feel better. I do remember before I moved here I had problems taking my meds but I have all the support I need and it is easier to do it now. If you need more support on this I will be here for you ok.

Blessings, Sharmelle

I deal with an imbalance in brain chemistry that makes medication necessary for me. I tried to do it on my own for a few years but the stress was too much and I couldn't handle myself. I find the lowest dosage to be just enough to keep me in balance and still me. Work with your DR. There is no shame in getting help where it is needed.

I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling. I can't offer any constructive advice but am sending you lots of good wishes. Your weight loss has been an absolute inspiration! Whether its exercise or meds, I hope you find something that works for you. :flowerforyou:

I'm on a couple different kinds of antidepressants. I'd rather not be, but I'd also rather live with the side effects of the meds than with full-blown depression. I'm not sure why all the people you've talked to have told you not to go back on the meds, but please remember they can be an effective tool to help you fight this.

Exercise definitely also helps. Be sure that you're getting enough quality sleep. I found out that I'm also vitamin D deficient (not a fan of the outdoors, nor milk) with a simple blood test, and since I've been taking a supplement for it, I have been feeling even better. Google seratonin boosting foods and incorporate more of those into your diet.

Best of luck to you, and please feel free to friend me! I've been battling with this thing for over 20 years.

Good luck, I understand what it is like it is so hard, me myself, I put on such a brave from most of the time but find that my energy levels are always so low find that putting on the brave front drains more energy. Their are days where I can hardly get out of bed to do anything at all. I suffered for around 7 years been on off tablets so I can see why you may not want to go back on the tablets.

My tips are the following

- exercise even when you have no energy try to push through it, maybe ask a friend to go for a walk round some place nice like a beach of something with water, that always helps me.

- as much as you may not want to go out sometimes ask friends to go out with you even for breakfast or go to lunch something low key as I find when I am depressed I want to do nothing at all but I should try to do break out of my comfort zone more as it helps.

- speak to your employer about it to see if they have anything they can do to support you, maybe go part time for a month or two (depending on your financial situation) most employers want to help where they can, mine are really great.

- maybe get a blood test too, to see if your lacking nutrients like iron etc

- keep doing what your doing by being on MFP and track food / exercise!

- cut negative people / energy draining people out of your life (we all have those)

- I downloaded an IPHONE app called "Moody Me" and you can track your moods each day writing down the reasons why you may be feeling down then when you see your doctor / psychologist next you can discuss the reasons for why your are feeling down

& most of all GOOD LUCK.

I take St. John's Wort. $4 at walmart and helps my depression. Says to take 3 a day but I can get away with taking 1 a day and I take more if Im really depressed