can people overcome thier depression without meds?
483842
Give the medication a try. I used anti-anxiety meds and it also helped with depression. And the medication did not make me high, woozy, dizzy, or anything else. I felt normal, just better.
611119
What helped me with depression:\nI saw a psychiatrist, and he was really good, he got me to try different medications till we found one that worked. And its worked so well, that hes happy for me to come off them soonish.\nArt and poetry really helped me get thru it. Expressing myself was part of the healing process.\nLook after your physical health, so that when ur mental health is down, you wont be completely unable to do anything!\nGet plenty of sunshine. The weather really affects my depression!\nPpl usually say get plenty of exercise as its good for endorphins. I found that one particulalry hard- I didnt even want to get out of bed let alone exercise! But goodonya if you can :)\nCant think of anything else at the mo. Hoped this helped.
1057469
if you dont want to take meds the next best thing is exercise.  it clears the mind and promotes a good self image.  also seeking a higher being, prayer, meditation is helpful.
520845
I think that it probably depends on your unique situation.  I think some people take meds simply because they want to depend on a pill to help them and not have to try to actually do something for themselves.  I went on meds twice and only used them short term (1 month).  My doctor said that is what they are intended for, they help you gain some focus, so you can look at the areas of your life that are causing you to be depressed and change those areas.  I believe counselling would be very beneficial, but you have to be willing to take the steps in your life to change.
267258
St. John's wort worked for my wife, didn't work for me, but it's a place to start.\n\nI was almost certainly clinically depressed for a while in college and toughed it out instead of getting help, which I've decided was a mistake.  I had a relapse a few years ago and got counseling, but I resisted anti-depressants for over a year.  It was totally irrational, and I regret stalling.  Judging by how I reacted to going on and off the meds, it was obvious I had a chemical imbalance, and being ashamed of them or resistant to them was as foolish as a diabetic refusing insulin.  I did not become dependent and I tapered off after a couple of years.\n\nIf you're opposed because of potential side effects, keep in mind that the arsenal of anti-depressants has increased in recent years, so it's more likely than ever that you can find something without serious side effects.\n\nAlso keep in mind that depression that doesn't go away in a reasonable time is terrible for other aspects of your health, so toughing it out with exercise and comedies can jeopardize other systems in your body.
222618
Maybe better. Without taking drugs. :D
1075052
My boyfriend and I have clinical depression.  But after several years of medication experimentation, we both found a medication that enables us to be free of the symptoms of depression and free of side affects from the meds.  We take Abilify, Wellbutrin and Zoloft and we are living normal happy lives.  It's been my experience that you can be physically active, eat good and take vitamins, but all these things won't help depression.  Only medication can do that.  If you're not happy and positive, your meds aren't working for you and you need to change them.  Tell your doctor after trying them for at least 3 months, that you want to make a change.  They don't always work the same day. You have to give them time.  Good Luck!.....)(
213607
Personally, I do think that. Some doctors advise depressed patients to excercise rather than prescribe anti-depressants, and sometimes anti-depressants don't even work and can have bad side effects and make you feel worse! If you are depressed you should learn to find happiness and resolve in yourself, not from a drug. If you trust a drug to bring you happiness then will you trust it to reach your own potential or trust yourself?
481195
Therapy (and during desparation, drugs) will help the symptoms, but the root causes of depression have to be eliminated.\n\nI disagree with it being a brain diorder.  Your serotonin level depends on how good your life is going.  If you're going through a tough time, your serotonin is low.  Watching funny shows on TV and exercise allow you to make your own serotonin.\n\nThe best way to beat depression is to stay on a routine, betting up at the same time of day no matter what, have morning and bedtime rituals, and journal like crazy (I prefer notepad on my laptop.  Surround yourself with things that you feel are your identity.\n\nAbove all, stay around people.  What saved me was starting to hang around a church group.  And in them I found a ton of people to trust and feel comfortable around.  Gradually, my identity resurfaced, and I was back to my old self.
533760
I SEE A DOCTOR AND TAKE MEDICINE EVERYDAY IT  MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.  PEOPLE CAN ALSO BECOME DEPRESSED FORM THEIR LIFESTLYE.  EXERCISE AND HEALTHY EATING MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE YOU'D BE SURPRISED
562096
No i don't but i used to when i had depression and you have a classic symptom, go and see your doctor and explain everything about how your feeling, they will be able to help, either with councilling or drugs, try to avoid te drugs though untill you have tried other things, don't be scared or embarrassed though it is a very common problem these days, Good luck
997678
I would suggest you take some part-time employment \n\neven some hourly jobs ... like mowing lawns, aiding shop keeping , domestic....\njust to keep u busy ... \n\nGET STARTED\n\njust 2 keep u'rself busy for awhile\nwill help u overcome depression ...\n\nDo it slowly , but do it\n.... guess slowly u will revert back to mainstream life\n\n--- very best of luck ,, and my prayers
233089
It can be.  Depression is a form of mental illness (more of an imbalance then illness, but along the same effects).  So, it is proven that mental illness can be passed down through generations.\n\nDepression also has to do with environment (not as much as it does with chemicals and balance) So, if you were raised in a family where one parent or a significant family member was suffering from depression, you learned at an early age to imitate these behaviors. \n\nThe most important thing in fighting depression is knowing that it can be controlled with Healthy diet, Dr.s supervision, Exercise (when you exercise and eat right your body produces more of the chemicals your body needs to feel good.  Also, Sunshine is important for processing your vitamin intake.  If with all of this you are still having a difficult time, Medications may be needed.  Only your Dr can know if they are right for you (wow, that just sounded like a commercial - lol)\n\nBut after all this rambling, Yes, it can be hereditary.
1025147
you can lose weight without pills and medication
1057493
Some do, some don't. I took all kinds of meds. It wasn't until I learned how to think properly that I started to get better. See my "Antidepressant That Works" webpage for my story: http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html
749674
It depends on a whole lot of things such as stress, worry, new situations, etc. I wouldn't go and get medicine for it as this depression could be just a brief "growing up" phase. Things will get better, I promise, just talk to someone you trust and hash things out with them.
77193
I'm sorry you have this disorder.  But I believe with most things there is hope.  So keep at it.  \nAs far as the depression, having any kind of health problem can make a person depressed.  Just knowing you are limited in any way can bring a person's self-esteem down on top of struggling with a health problem.  This is where you need to make sure you get some sort of support, emotionally.  \nBut it can also be coming from and irritated by your disorder.  Depression has many causes, one of them can be  compromised health. And obviously as your instincts tell you, the treatments are helping with your mood.  That's a no tell!  Here are some suggestions:  Look into how depression works on a clinical/neurotransmitter(chemicals that helps us function emotionally and hormonally) level to understand how then your disorder plays into it.  The best way to get control over one's health and health problems is to become your own healer and doctor.  Start by learning as much as you can take about your disorder, even on a molecular level.  Then understand depression and immunity and autoimmune system disorders more in depth.  \nThen you can start to put things together about your own health.  \nAlso look into gut/digestive health and disorders.  The new information out there is that up to 90% of our neurotransmitters are in our gut.  Which is often why people who have depression also have gastrointestinal disorders and vice versa.  \nThere is a good book that I haven't yet gotten to but it is quickly becoming a principal read in this line of thinking:\nThe Second Brain by Michael Gershon.  I can't wait to read it.  Another book is Digestive Wellness by Elizabeth Lipski.  And for mood issues, The Mood Cure by Julia Ross is a really good, informative book on alternatives to drugs for depression and other mood disorders.  She suggests some natural supplements that are really great for depression and anxiety.  Just make sure you do your homework and learn about your disorder thoroughly before taking anything new.   \nNevertheless, the best thing is to trust your own instincts.  Truly and most pertinently, they are what lead you through life.  If you can tell that treatment is helping with depression, than it is.  And if you feel your disorder causes or irritates your moods further, than it does.  Trust your gut!  \n\nAlso, read more about the treatment itself so that you can understand the affect it has on a person.  Read about what is actually involved and what materials/chemicals are put into your body and how it affects a person.  \nIt might be increasing your neurotransmitters without you knowing it!!  Bonus!\n\nI could go on....Either way, learn and trust yourself.  Empower yourself in regards to the healing process, because it is afterall, your health!\n\nGood luck!\n\nOh, also read Healthy Immunity by Lorna Vanderhaeghe.  Really really good book on Immune system and disorders!