Alternative Treatments For Depression?
Q.Does anyone know of and/or can advise about alternative treatments for severe depression (where pharms. do not work) ? Supplements or otherwise. Any supplement, smart drugs, etc. that have been effective with long term depression. We're using some cranial treatment that uses from mild electricity which seems to help some, but it is too early to tell. Need some alternatives.
A.These have always seemed helpful to me: -Exercise-just walking a dozen blocks. -aromatherapy-I know there are some scents supposed to heighten your mood. Jasmine is one of them, don't know more. -st. johns' wort, obviously (though I wouldn't rely on it) -travel! -talk therapy -helping the less fortunate. -anything which can get your mind off of your depression works. You have to stay occupied. There is a diet alternative. I personally know two people who have had excellent success with giving up gluten. Both though had to also give up dairy to get back to normal health. One was bi-polar. The other went on to set up the No-Milk mailing list. There have been many anecdotal reports on the gluten-free mailing list. There are also many anecdotal reports from Atkins dieters that moods have improved on that diet (they are on a very low gluten diet). These are just two possible explanations for depression in celiac disease. There are many more. The point is that such depressions need to be treated with a gluten-free diet, and vitamin supplementation, where possible intravenously, because of poor absorption. I am not a doctor. I am just trying offer an alternative. Please consult a physician for advice pertinent to your situation. For instance, if her health permits, you might have her fast for three days. If there is an improvement, then the problem is quite likely the result of something she is eating. A physician would be able to determine if she is fit enough to safely undertake such a fast. Sunshine, light therapy, Vitamin D, B12, B6, fresh air, no thinking about the: What ifs - should-could or would have's, learn/feel self love, allow self to be less then perfect. These have all helped me. But then I also take the pharms and they work. Most of all I found that I had to let up on my strong judgments of self. Depression is chemical and mental in origin. Both need to be treated. One with out the other will not work. Most of my mental work was taken from an Oprah, show in keeping a thankful general (list 5 things you are thankful for each day. Some days all that was listed was being thankful for the sun, moon, stars, trees, and birds. Depression is not something to take lightly, it can be deadly. I am so glad you reached out to this newsgroup. Please get some help. Life really is worth living, and enjoying. The one thing I held on to was the knowing the sun would come up and the sun would go down, and the world would go around. And knowing all this motion was happening, also gave me the knowing that my life was in motion too. Even when I felt like it was not. Treat your self to something you enjoy. Be kind to your needs. I will pray for you. Really would love to hear from some individuals who have had solid success with some alternative treatments. We're open to anything !! The MLM people do not need to reply, we have made enough people money on my wife's illness, no need to be suckered into any of the MLM garbage. My depression came on when my son was almost 2 years old. He is now almost 8. In the past 6 years I have tried several different antidepressants, ECT(Electro Convulsive Therapy) and several mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medications. My depression came on out of the blue and may be genetic/hereditary in nature. My mothers side is Major Depression, my fathers bipolar. This year I have been ill continually since April 98. There have been brief times of lightening, but mostly continual illness. I am currently on 150mg Nortriptylene and 600mg Lithium. The two seem to be keeping me from slipping farther down. On a scale of 1-10 I seem to be about 5--which is truly a Godsend. I have been about a 3(suicidal thoughts,really down,can't do much). I go to see my doctor tonight and think I will stay with this for at least a couple more weeks to a month(to get past the April hump)--even though I've not gotten undepressed since last April. I take liquid colloidal minerals everyday--we haven't seen this to make any improvement. I cannot recommend ECT as it did NOT work for me.--BUT, I have seen it work for others. I lost at least a couple of years of memories that have not come back--it's been 3 years, I don't think they are going to. My husband just called me and said he asked someone at work for information on some piece of medical equipment that is used in Europe that looks at your DNA and targets in on the actual chemical problem. Apparently someone has taken one of these machines into Mexico--the USA won't allow it here--yet. I will pass on any info I get.
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