does anyone know how to deal with depression besides meds.,or therapy?
483460
You need to find something that lights you up inside, that gives you a reason to live. Whether it be a person or thing, you need to find it and use it as your support.
623068
i think you  need to see the doctor because i feel you have depression..there are good meds that will help...Good luck
136076
I was terribly depressed and I found that medication helped me the most.  Depacote, Zoloft or Wellbutrin. They helped me immediately.
1025731
go see a SPECIALIST...or a therapist....
343647
With a psychaitrist and medication. Medication was like a miracle. Within a few weeks I was happy and content and could deal with anything and especially the cause of my depression.\nIt's really hard to get over this alone. The problem is that your mind is playing tricks on you, and you have unbalanced chemistry in your brain. Medication helps balance that out. \nThe medicine that they have today is incredibly good, and works really well.
338876
Depression is a ongoing cycle that builds up and shocking will not take it away. You may have to deal with it all of your life but there are medicines and counseling just make sure you stick with it and want it. You will make it through. Try prayer, support groups, and know that you can only depend on God.
103942
There are many ways you can overcome depression that work very well. The most important thing to remember is that you can control your thoughts and feelings. You can learn to change habitual thoughts and feelings that bring on the moods of depression. \n\nOne of the best ways to combat depression is to stay active. Find activities that you enjoy and seek out new interest. People are usually depressed when they have nothing to do. Get active in your community, join a bowling league, take a class at your local community college, volunteer your time to an organization, or take up a new hobby such as stamp collecting or crocheting. Busy yourself with things you enjoy doing.\n\nBe positive! When life lets you down, make a list of the good things in your life. Even the small ones count. The list can include such things as your family, your friends, your job, your back yard, your health, and even your ability to grill or cook. List items that you are good at doing. You may think grilling a steak to perfection is no big deal, but I have no idea how to grill a steak without it being leather. So, that is a feat to be proud of. On this list put every little thing. Now, when you feel depression coming on, take out this list and read it over and over again. This may help you with your self worth. \n\nDo not let others cause your depression! You can allow others to hurt your emotions, or anger you and this can also bring on depression. Remember the person that is negative is not you! Do not let their moods influence your emotions. So, what they don't like your shirt, they don't like the way you cooked breakfast, or they have some other complaint. You like your shirt, you enjoyed breakfast, and their complaints are just that, complaints without any merit. I am not saying to ignore others, but don't let them drag you down. \n\nDon't sit around by yourself! Being alone and idle can bring on major bouts of depression. Everyone enjoys having others around whether in a small group, one on one, or big social functions. Get out in the world. Find like minded friends and family to occupy those times. \n\nIf you are still having problems with depression and just can't seem to rid your life of these feelings it would be advisable to visit your doctor. There could be a medical reason that is causing your depression such as prescribed medicines, menopause, or other illnesses.\n\nGOOD LUCK TO YOU!!
596398
Hi Honey,\n\nI too suffer from depression, and have now for about 17 years.  Recently I did something about it.  I stopped looking at it as a flaw I have in my personality and started looking at it as a flaw I have in my medical health.  I went to the doctor and let her put me on antidepressants and mood stablizers.  And guess what I discovered?  I'm not flawed and depression is not hopeless with no cure.  YOU CAN TREAT THE SYMPTOMS!  You have to let someone help you, please.  Go to the doctor explain whats wrong and let them give you medication.  My medication helps me alot: I can sleep now, I'm less worried about things, and every little thing doesn't just disrupt my life.  There is no magic pill that can make it all go away, but if you take your medication consistently and be patient some of your symptoms will be alieviated.  I'm living proof.
915548
I'm bipolar & have real depressed spells too.  I have to take several different antipsychotic drugs.  I take a multivitamin, B-Complex (very good for mental health). Also fish oil (Omega 3 oils)., Vitamin C & garlic.  You can find books that can help you out with that.  Natural Healing is a real good book for that.  Ask the lady at the bookstore counter!
664845
Classic symptom of depression.  Talk with a doctor, get a consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist.  Might be treatable short-term and get you back on track.
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
482882
When depression strikes, the depressed person isn't the only one affected. Everyone around them -- family, friends, and co-workers -- feels the impact.\n\nHelping a loved one cope with depression can be key to his or her recovery. But it isn't always going to be easy. Here are some tips.\n\n\n\nGet the facts. The first thing you should do is learn more about depression. Read up on its causes and treatments.\n\n\nGet other people involved. You can't do this alone. Your friend or loved one may want you to keep his or her depression a secret. But that isn't healthy. It puts far too much pressure on you. So try to get a small circle of family and friends to help. That way, you can help look after your loved one together.\n\n\nAsk what your loved one needs. Be direct. Unless you ask, you just won't know what your friend or loved one wants from you.\n\n\nDon't try to solve the problem on your own. Your loved one needs professional help to get better. Depression is a real illness. You wouldn't try to cure a friend's diabetes on your own. You shouldn't try curing depression either.\n\n\nOffer to help with the practical things. People who are depressed are easily overwhelmed. Everyday stuff -- dressing the kids for school, grocery shopping, or laundry -- may feel like too much. So pitch in. Sometimes practical help can make a big difference.\n\n\nTake time for yourself. Taking care of someone who is depressed can be overwhelming. So it's key that you set aside time for yourself. Do things that you enjoy. Get out of the house on a regular basis. Take walks or go to the gym. Catch a movie or dinner with friends.\n\nGiven what your loved one is going through, you may feel guilty or selfish for thinking about yourself. But taking care of yourself is crucial. If you don't, you'll burn out -- and that won't help either of you.\n\n\nKnow your limits. There is a lot you can do to help your loved one. But you can't do everything. You can't make your loved one well. You can't watch him or her 24 hours a day. These things aren't in your power. In the end, your loved one has to want to get better, too.\n\n\nTake threats seriously. Suicide is a very real risk of depression. If your friend or loved is threatening to commit suicide, take action. Don't leave the person alone. Remove any weapons or large amounts of medication. Call a suicide hotline or your loved one's therapist. In a crisis, don't hesitate to call emergency services. You can't keep something this serious a secret.\n\n\nI hope that helps, all the best to you and your gf!I went through a bout of depression, but didn't really tell my friends: I knew that they would say 'just cheer up!' or 'just don;t think about it' or 'snap out of it'... Those are actually the worst things you can say to someone who is depressed, as it makes them feel even worse that they cannot make themselves 'snap out of it'. I would advise you just to be there for her to talk to and do things with... and don't give up on her!
1057761
well i dont know how bad your depressions are and how long you got them now, but you should have a therapy and sometimes you have to get at least some kind of medication to get a therapy started. but i understand that you dont like the medication!i wouldnt like it either...well to give you some kind of advice, if you are depressed its important for you to have goals in your life! the worst would be if you dont have anything you work for....just make yourself any kind of goals oyu want to reach (doesnt ahve to be huge goals, start with something small), get yourself a hobby to keep you busy. dont know like a sport maybe or some craft stuff...i dont know how old you are so i dont know what kind of goals you could take yourself....but this is something really important...i would talk about the medication stuff to you doctor and tell him you wanna make a therapy and tell him your not into those medication stuff, he knows you better than i do, so i cant tell you if it would be ok for you to just stop it. i know people who would have killed themselves if they wouldnt have been on medication, so medication is not always bad, sometimes when you get depressed or depressions get too bad, you just need them...
489062
It depends what you're depressed about, and how deeply you're depressed. If it's about disappointments, troubles... everybody has em. If what you feel is really extreme, meaning, u might not know how to handle it, seek help, and dont go taking zoloft and shiit just because your boyfriend left you (thats a natural, understandable kind of depression- the assumption that its normal to be happy 100% of the time is bullshiit)- those things are addictive and have bad sideffects - the best advertizers make it seem as simple as an over-the-counter advil. You have to tell yourself you'll overcome it and just know theres something better out there than how you feel now. This is something that you have to know somewhere inside - you create this reality for yourself even if you cant change the outside reality thats bothering you - to kind of look into the future that you want and see it as a reality that you have to work towards or bust - think of everything youre missing in life if you stay depressed or if you let what got you depressed keep you that way forever. and even if you cant change the circumstance that caused your depression, you'll have a much better chance to function if you shake it off or give yourself a ballpark deadline as to how long you'll be sunk into that low feeling- you just must invent your own determination or think about what really does it for you in life or what would do it for you- and think, i wont have that if i stay constantly depressed.so after sulking for a limited time to get it out of yo system, u have to move on- makes sense? at some point you have to be hard on yourself and tell yourself to cut it out - to start being nice to yourself, be a little gentle and not cruel to your own self - and when the depression has overstayed its welcome, and if youre determined to come out of it, you gradually open back up again. people should rely alot more on themselves than external medicines for depression - only as a last resort (and through a registered psychiatrist who you tell exactly how you feel, how long and what made you depressed) but generally even if its with medicine, you always count on yourself- at some point feeling better becomes your decision to consciously modify your mood - like becoming a character who you slowly believe in. even meds dont work if you dont believe youre the one who controls how you feel and how you react to things. just think if the depressions making it too hard on you and if you decide against it, decide to fight against your depression, refuse too accept it after its been too long - and you make that choice, bottom line, to float back up from the drowning depths of sorrow or just to stay there - even with meds, nobody but u can make that decision for you!
521200
Try group therapy.  There are free ones.  Look in the newspaper under the community calendar.  There are ones through churches, different clubs and hospitals.  Being able to anonymously talk about things may very well help.  Also, you should try to exercise and eat healthy.  This certainly can affect your hormones, etc...  Search out things you've always wanted to do and do them.  Make an effort to enjoy yourself.  Even when you would rather just sleep, do something.  If the sun is shining, go outside.  It is not easy recovering from depression.  Half the battle is making yourself aware that the only true cure is making the choice to be positive and happy.  It is terribly hard to do.  I did have the help of welbutrin (anti-depressant) for about 3 months to help me through some serious depression.  It simply gave me more energy.  Other than that, I just had to realize that depression comes from within me.  There is no outside source.  I didn't become depressed because I was going through bad things.  Lots of people go through bad stuff all the time and they are not depressed.  It was my mind and heart.  I finally decided I wanted to be happy and consciously made an effort to be so.
48602
You need to see a doctor and be honest with your symptoms. In all likelyhood it is depression and the doctor can help with counseling and medications. Don't wait and think it will get better.
970046
depression, if not treated soon or correctly, could be fatal. Enjoying "favorites" is and can be of help but ultimately, you should seek out a professional. They have the tools and skills that you will need to overcome the depression. Along with therapy, they could provide you with some type of medication which will be of great help to you in the long run. \ngood luck.