depression

I really feel sorry for you and I hope you find a way to get past this negative mindset and this need to shoot down other people, many of whom have been through depression themselves.

all the best xo

I read a study that some doctors did where they had people with depression exercise everyday for an hour and gave another group prescription anti-depression drugs. There was the same amount of relief in each group and the exercise effects were longer lasting when they stopped working out vs. the group that stopped taking drugs (who relapsed almost right away).

Another thing that doesn't get enough press is that not eating enough fat can make depression worse. I no longer buy low fat products and use butter and EVOO in my cooking. I used get SAD over the winter and after making that one change it didn't happen last winter. Fat is a nutrient that your brain needs so you should try eating more fat. This is still possible in a low calorie diet, you just have to eat less other things. Or, you can also offset the calories with the exercise!

I wish you luck!

i just came off of a vegetarian diet, so i wonder if this had an effect. thank you

Vegetarian diets are not necessarily low fat. There are a lot of good sources of fat in a vegetarian diet--avocados, nuts, olives and olive oil, legumes (some are higher in fat than others), coconut oil, not to mention dairy and eggs if you chose to eat those.

I feel totally comfortable posting this on here because I don't really have anyone to talk to outside of here.

I suffer from some pretty severe depression. I do not take medication, simply because I don't believe in it. Yesterday I was awake for about 5 hours of the whole day, and did nothing. I recently quit a really ****ty job with the worst micromanager. I have amazing skills and constantly feel underutilized. (p.s. I still work part time at two different jobs, but it is on call and the time between shifts is unbearable). I am engaged to a wonderful man. I have no friends, and it is not like I don't try. I just find people to be totally selfish and I hate putting in so much effort for people that can only talk about themselves, are sexist, racist, and overall to me boring. Although, I still put in effort because I hate being alone and I am a party girl at heart.

All of this impacts my health. I don't know why I get up in the morning so I don't even know why I exercise or eat healthy. I try, I really do.

Does anyone else have an issue like this? I am looking for tips at dealing with this and seeing a doctor is not an option (or a counsellor, I work in the mental health field and know way too many people at almost every agency in the surrounding area).

Thanks for reading, if you did!

Just scoped through your post.

I know you dont want to take Anti-depressants as you dont want to end up on them forever but maybe it could be a chemical imbalance you have and may need a tiny dose to uplift the depression? have you had your thyroid levels checked? that too can contribute to depression. (Trust me. I have an under-active thyroid and have learnt quite alot about that stuff)

For nearly the past 10 years i have been on and off many different types of anti-depressents. I am on one now that suits me, and to be honest yes i get bugged having to take them but it's part of my life and i still lead a normal life, even though i have my up and down days, i just get on with life and keep myself busy and never give myself time to be bored.

i know for sure there can be many factors of what can trigger depression.

Many factors bereavement, stress etc..

Look at the factors whats actually getting you down and do something about it. you can either cut the badness out your life completely, or face up to it.

Ive had Councilling in the past, it helped but really it's down to you at the end of the day to HELP YOURSELF.

I too get fed up of Self-obsessed people harping on about themselves and basically making you feel like ****, because they act like Pretencious A*******s.. Nobody wants to be around folks like that. You either avoid folks like that or ignore them.

Just focus on the good things that you HAVE in your life. Concentrate on You and those who matter around you. Take up a hobby, Like Cardmaking or something you actually enjoy.

I've gone thru depression for years, even considered suicide, ended up in a crisis unit twice, got let go from a good paying job, so I know where of I speak.....I'm on meds, and better for it......It sounds to me like you know all the answers, but yet are refusing to try any suggestions made that might do you some good....So what are you asking our help for ??....Do you really want to get better and change ?.....or are you just looking for sympathy for a lousy life.......No one can change it but YOU.... you have to really want it....do you ?....Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to, that includes taking meds....Please get some help.

Wow. There are a lot of opinions out there. After being on Effexor for about 8 yrs I decided to get off of it. I didnt want to be medicated anymore. Under my GP supervision i slowly weaned off. it took about 4 months. Within 2 months my coping skills were dwindling. By the end of the year I had a full breakdown. Panic attacks, uncontrollable crying that eventually was replaced by no feeling. It took 4 months to get stable and that was barely. i had a therapist and psychiatrist for meds. it took a while to get the right formula. at one point i was on 7 meds. it was the most frightening time of my life.. My psych. says that every "epidsode" gets worse. That scares me. I had an amazing circle of friends that helped me through it. Isolation is the worst thing you can do. There are many things you can do to help yourself but only after you are stabilized. Depression is a very dangerous illness, not to be taken lightly. I had a suicide plan. I knew that i could not live in that state, it was too dark and painful. i couldnt be left alone and my meds had to be given by someone else. Pride is the worst thing to have when you are truly suffering. I went down very quickly at the end and it was severe. I hope you can find the right path. I believe in medication and i also believe in therapy and lifestyle adjustments. it is aI condition that can be managed. We are talking about quality of life here. Good luck and i hope you find what works for you.

Prozac & exercise....every damn day!! I take meds....and praise God for EM!! God gave us intelligence to be utilized! Yes some man made things are wrong...but He willed that we discover uses for things HE created to better our lives in order to glorify HIM!
Drugs...FTW

I feel totally comfortable posting this on here because I don't really have anyone to talk to outside of here.

I suffer from some pretty severe depression. I do not take medication, simply because I don't believe in it. Yesterday I was awake for about 5 hours of the whole day, and did nothing. I recently quit a really ****ty job with the worst micromanager. I have amazing skills and constantly feel underutilized. (p.s. I still work part time at two different jobs, but it is on call and the time between shifts is unbearable). I am engaged to a wonderful man. I have no friends, and it is not like I don't try. I just find people to be totally selfish and I hate putting in so much effort for people that can only talk about themselves, are sexist, racist, and overall to me boring. Although, I still put in effort because I hate being alone and I am a party girl at heart.

All of this impacts my health. I don't know why I get up in the morning so I don't even know why I exercise or eat healthy. I try, I really do.

Does anyone else have an issue like this? I am looking for tips at dealing with this and seeing a doctor is not an option (or a counsellor, I work in the mental health field and know way too many people at almost every agency in the surrounding area).

Thanks for reading, if you did!

I don't mean to sound cruel but maybe since you "don't believe in" medcation you haven't hit your lowest. I encourage you seek treatment before you do.
I wouldn't wish those dark days and hopeless nights on anyone.

i know far more about medication than someone who just takes it....i work in the mental health field and see people turned to zombies, taking tonnes of pills from 16-60. thanks for your opinion, but it is SO far off base.

I don't work in the mental health field, but being in my brain is work because of my mental health. I have decided to stop taking my antidepressants because it seems they make it worse. I agree with you, OP, meds may work for some, but for some of us they're bad news. People who like them, yay for you. But I'm afraid my friends who get my midnight texts would agree that they just don't work well for some of us. I just stopped taking my 8th one. They have all effected me negativel.

A little tough love here, based on what I'm reading from you, the OP, in this thread:

You don't want to take medication because you 'don't believe in it'.

You don't want to see a counselor or doctor because they are, in your opinion, goofballs and unqualified to help you.

Your attitude is poor. You're excessively negative about most everything (normal for someone who suffers from depression). You're dismissing suggestions that might help you. And you're turning to MFP, a group of strangers most of whom have zero training in psychology.

Based on all that I'm reading, in my opinion, you simply don't have the humility, the metacognative skills, and therefor the ability to pull yourself up and out of your depression on your own.

In my opinion, you will not get better until you humble yourself, ditch your negative attitude and negative assumptions, find a good counselor and/or phycologist regardless of your objections, and follow their treatment program, including taking your meds as prescribed.

Until you swallow your pride, you will continue to be miserable. You will continue to hurt. And you very well might destroy your life. You already are destroying your life- you reject every possible friend because they're selfish, of boring, or whatever (it's not rational to think that everyone is horrible).

I've been there. I've done it. I've made poor choices due to depression that were difficult to recover from. And I'm a smart cookie. Not to sound arrogant, but if someone can think there way out of depression, I should be able to do it. I can't do it most of the time. I rely on professional help AND medication when I need to.

I'm not saying all of this to be mean, though it will come across that way... but seriously, MFPers aren't the answer. Professional help is regardless of your objections.

By the way, I know some counselors are flakes. I've been to half a dozen of them. It's worth it to search until you find one you like. Then stick with that one.

Symptoms of depression can be sadness, unable to motivate to do things, irritability, and even problems tolerating or getting along with others. Only a qualified doctor or therapist can give you a definite diagnosis, but it sounds like you might really be depressed.

I've suffered from chronic major depression my whole life but was diagnosed 15 years ago. Depression runs in my family, I inherited it from both sides. I've also worked in the mental health field for many years. I know it sucks. But you have a couple of choices in how you handle it. Contrary to what some folks on here have said, most people with this illness are helped most by both medication and therapy. Find a good therapist. There are lots of bad ones so keep looking until you find someone you are comfortable with and can build a good theraputic relationship with. As for meds, they save my life. Literally. I take low doses of two meds that enable me to manage my illness. I've tried several, some gave me side effects. It took a while to find what works. Most people have to try several before they find what works for them. A good doctor (psychiatrist) who can help you manage your meds is essential.

As far as "not believing in taking meds..." You'd take medication if you had type 1 diabetes right? or some other illness? You describe yourself as a party girl, which tells me you are willing to put alcohol (a drug) into your system if not other mood altering substances. Anti-depressants are also mood altering drugs used as medication. Most people with depression have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Meds can help even this out. It's an illness. All the "just change your attitude" and "willing" yourself to be better won't work. And, it's an illness with a high rate of death. Yes, death. Depressed people are at a much higher risk of committing suicide but also engaging in risky behaviors that can end in death. It is a serious illness that for most people who really have it, doesn't go away without treatment.

Now for the good news.....lots of people heal from episodes of depression. They take meds and have therapy and start to feel better and can stop doing both unless they have another episode. Unfortunately, that is not the case with me. It is so deadly in my family that I'll probably be on meds for the rest of my life. I manage extremely well and haven't had a severe episode in years. I still have good days and bad days but the meds enable me to keep functioning on the bad days and prevent me from falling into the dangerous black abyss.

I feel for you. It is hard to reach out so you have taken the first step. Congratulations! But you have to decide whether you want to try to feel better and if you do, be willing to seek treatment as well as work at having a healthy lifestyle with good food, exercise, and healthy personal relationships and connections. It takes work to heal and feel better. I'm glad I work to feel better because I want to feel good and live a positive life. I don't like feeling sad and miserable. But it is your decision to decide what you are willing to do to try and feel better. I wish you the best and hope you can start to heal. I'm happy to stay in touch if you would like to discuss your depression with me. I'm happy to share my experiences also.

Peace.

I know you said no docs but ever get a rmr test done? They cant possibly find out about these problems by doing one and eating the right amount can definately help depression. Just a thought to look into

I can understand with you being in the mental health field and seeing what and how things are done, not wanting to go there for your support. This suggestion is coming from someone who is on meds to help me, but this suggestion is something that helps me because I'm not on the higher doses that 'they' think I should be on.

Here's what I suggest, logging into here is a good thing, will help you keep accountable at least for your food and exercise. Get yourself a journal or a notebook. Every night write something, anything. When you sit down to write if you have time, look back a few pages and kind of look at yourself from the outside. It might help you kind of diagnose yourself. Find where the sadness is coming from maybe?

If you need a friend to talk to or vent to add me and maybe we can push/support/help each other. I'm not here to judge you, I'm not that kind of person. I don't want people to do that to me so I'm not about to do that to someone else. If you want a little support when you can't find it, a push when you need it, or someone to just listen, I can do that.

Good luck and don't let those who felt the need to post negatively toward you, get to you, they have obviously never been down this road....

I have dealt with depression. I took meds for a while, but they didn't actually help. They just made me think I was ok. (When you're calling your best friend every week in tears because you are so miserable, yet you believe you are fine, something is not right). I have mostly overcome my depression now. This is what worked for me:

Birth control -- From puberty on I've had horrible mood swings because of my hormones. Getting on bc reduced my depression by about 60%.

Vitamin D -- I take a calcium and D supplement, plus a multi-vitamin, and I make a point to get out in the sun on a regular basis. D can help improve your mood, plus it helps with calcium absorbtion.

Iron -- I have mild anemia, which causes fatigue, and if I don't treat it, that fatigue can lead to depression. I take a multi-vitamin for this, as well as making sure I eat red meat at least twice a week.

St. John's Wort -- This is believe to mimic the effect of anti-depressants on the brain, only it's not as strong and (at least in my experience) doesn't have the negative side effects. Check with your doctor before taking it to make sure it doesn't react with any of the medications you might be taking.

Exercise -- I do yoga, and it helps me a lot. Exercise will get your endorphins going, and yoga works great for me for letting go of stress.

Sleep -- Getting the proper amount of quality sleep has made a big difference for me. When I have trouble sleeping, I listen to Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's music (it's kind of new agey, but it does the trick for me). I also had to make sure I didn't get too much sleep, as it makes me feel sluggish and depressed. I avoid taking naps and I make sure I don't sleep all day on my weekends.

Social interaction -- This has also helped me a lot. I feel better when I get out on a regular basis and interact with other people. Getting out by myself helps too. Just getting off my butt makes me feel better.

Nature -- Exposure to nature is turning out to be a rather effective treatment for some psychological issues (check out Last Child in the Woods; it's easy to read and has tons of references). I go out an tend a garden almost every day. Sometimes I'll just sit outside for a while, and I'll feel much better.

This is what has worked for me. It may or may not work for you. If you want to beat your depression, I know you will find a way to do it. Good luck!

Good list on how to naturally deal with it. I don't know about the BControl, though I think that would mess my hormones too much, personally.

I would add salmon oil to that list. I also take 5,000 IU's a day of vitamin D and notice a huge difference during blecky months.
A light box for dreary months helps (natural light).

Find things you like to do, people you do like to hang out...it's trial and error. I joined a bunco group. I got together with moms in my area and now we all hang out, and have our kids play together, etc.

Think about stuff you have to feel good about each day. Prayer for help elevating your mood helps. Pampering yourself like someone else said, bubble baths, etc. Dreaming about things...

Also I believe in a lot of underlying issues that should be looked at by a doctor. Does a person suffer from a hormone problem such as thyroid disease? If so, that causes depression and needs medication, treatment, etc. Low vitamin D or B (b12) levels can surely cause depression. Diabetes can, adrenal issues (too much stress), pain (fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc.), low iron (low iron levels such as ferritin even), even things you eat can affect you like msg or a food intolerance that you don't know about. Eating wheat if you have issues can cause problems, dairy, soy, etc.

Just some other things to think about is all : )

I have dealt with depression. I took meds for a while, but they didn't actually help. They just made me think I was ok. (When you're calling your best friend every week in tears because you are so miserable, yet you believe you are fine, something is not right). I have mostly overcome my depression now. This is what worked for me:

Birth control -- From puberty on I've had horrible mood swings because of my hormones. Getting on bc reduced my depression by about 60%.

Vitamin D -- I take a calcium and D supplement, plus a multi-vitamin, and I make a point to get out in the sun on a regular basis. D can help improve your mood, plus it helps with calcium absorbtion.

Iron -- I have mild anemia, which causes fatigue, and if I don't treat it, that fatigue can lead to depression. I take a multi-vitamin for this, as well as making sure I eat red meat at least twice a week.

St. John's Wort -- This is believe to mimic the effect of anti-depressants on the brain, only it's not as strong and (at least in my experience) doesn't have the negative side effects. Check with your doctor before taking it to make sure it doesn't react with any of the medications you might be taking.

Exercise -- I do yoga, and it helps me a lot. Exercise will get your endorphins going, and yoga works great for me for letting go of stress.

Sleep -- Getting the proper amount of quality sleep has made a big difference for me. When I have trouble sleeping, I listen to Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's music (it's kind of new agey, but it does the trick for me). I also had to make sure I didn't get too much sleep, as it makes me feel sluggish and depressed. I avoid taking naps and I make sure I don't sleep all day on my weekends.

Social interaction -- This has also helped me a lot. I feel better when I get out on a regular basis and interact with other people. Getting out by myself helps too. Just getting off my butt makes me feel better.

Nature -- Exposure to nature is turning out to be a rather effective treatment for some psychological issues (check out Last Child in the Woods; it's easy to read and has tons of references). I go out an tend a garden almost every day. Sometimes I'll just sit outside for a while, and I'll feel much better.

This is what has worked for me. It may or may not work for you. If you want to beat your depression, I know you will find a way to do it. Good luck!

why do so many people get off saying that people with depression "FEEL SORRY FOR THEMSELVES", i don't feel sorry for myself. that is a hoot and a half.

You kind of are when you make a post like the one you just did. And, before you even start with me - my mom's a BHT so I know what I'm talking about.

I feel totally comfortable posting this on here because I don't really have anyone to talk to outside of here.

I suffer from some pretty severe depression. I do not take medication, simply because I don't believe in it. Yesterday I was awake for about 5 hours of the whole day, and did nothing. I recently quit a really ****ty job with the worst micromanager. I have amazing skills and constantly feel underutilized. (p.s. I still work part time at two different jobs, but it is on call and the time between shifts is unbearable). I am engaged to a wonderful man. I have no friends, and it is not like I don't try. I just find people to be totally selfish and I hate putting in so much effort for people that can only talk about themselves, are sexist, racist, and overall to me boring. Although, I still put in effort because I hate being alone and I am a party girl at heart.

All of this impacts my health. I don't know why I get up in the morning so I don't even know why I exercise or eat healthy. I try, I really do.

Does anyone else have an issue like this? I am looking for tips at dealing with this and seeing a doctor is not an option (or a counsellor, I work in the mental health field and know way too many people at almost every agency in the surrounding area).

Thanks for reading, if you did!

You may not believe the medication works, but it really does. Sleeping all but 5 hours a day is not healthy. I tell everyone my best friend is PROZAC. It evens me out, allows me to live a decent life. I have faced a great many challenges in my life, when I was off of prozac I was a real witch riding a broom. On prozac I can handle the stress and it does not debilitate me. I highly recommend you find an anti-depressant that works for you.