fighting depression without drugs?

Congratulations Eddiecat for getting off anti-depressants. Whatever happens don't be persuaded to take duloxetine, often prescribed with amitriptyline. The withdrawal effects are terrible and it upsets me that it can even be prescribed for children. I don't have depression but have seen it in family members and I know how awfui it is to deal with. It seems to me that getting out of the house is very important and best of all walking with other people.
I can only wish you happier times ahead.

All good advice, here, eddiecat. Remember that depression can be chemically and/or hormonally induced and just as you would treat high BP or indigestion with drugs, so sometimes you can treat depression. But as others have said, deal with the amitryptilline first.
Anti-depressants, these days, seem to be better directed and can work at very low dosage, so don't dismiss them altogether if you find that other things don't work.
Re coping with settling your Dad into residential care - I do so feel for you. Three years after my Dad's death in a care home, it still upsets me to go there. He was very well cared for (vascular dementia made him very volatile and unpredictable - often abusive and violent, yet jolly, flirtatious and cheery in between) and I simply couldn't have cared for him at home. But I rarely left him without feeling absolutely wretched - yet looking at the situation quite objectively, he was probably 'happier' in there than he had been for a long time - and certainly since Mum had died.
Be good to yourself - you are doing a great job!

I finally went to my doctor last spring because I'd felt bad for so long. I was offered pills or counselling. When I asked could there be a physical cause, she said 'such as?' (this is what she does!) I mentioned that the nurse at my health check mentioned vit D deficiency as a possible cause, & she just said, oh I shouldn't think so. I came away with a self referral form for counselling, & felt too low to even pursue it.

Went back in the summer with a completely different problem, & saw a different doctor. He ordered a full blood test, saying that as they tested for everything no matter what the specific request was, he might as well. Back came - you've guessed it - vit D deficiency. I'm now on it & waiting to see if it helps long term. And I won't be seeing the other doctor again, severing a relationship that goes back 20 years.

Anyway, might be worth getting yourself tested - depression can sometimes have a physical cause. Good luck x

I think this is good advice - try it and good luck! .

Don’t worry about being happy
An interesting study found that the more people strived to be happy, the less happy they were. Instead of enjoying whatever they were doing, they were worrying whether they could be happier while doing it (and feeling disappointed when they didn’t reach a higher level). Teaching involves a lot of looking ahead, but try to embrace the present and not obsess about the future.
Connect with people
Spending time with others and forming meaningful relationships makes people happier. This seems to be especially true for young people; a study found that they felt happiest when they were interacting with their friends (and saddest while isolated). Be sure to nurture relationships and connect with the people around you – and encourage your students to do the same.
Value your time
Evidence suggests that people who value their time over their money are happier. Which is not to say that money makes no impact. A famous study by Princeton University found that once people are paid $75,000 a year (about £60,000), increases in pay didn’t bring increases in happiness. This is – obviously – considerably higher than the average teacher salary.
But the amount you need to earn to feel happy is probably not as clear cut as that study suggests. In his recent book on happiness, Derren Brown states: “That magic number seems to vary greatly according to what study you read and depends on the cost of living wherever the study was carried out … while it remains clear that having less than you need is a source of unhappiness, having more than you need does not make you happier.” This is because that increase in pay often comes with an increase in working hours, which can leave people unhappier than before.
Be kind to others
One study [pdf] took a different approach to happiness. Instead of focusing on doing things that they thought would make them happier, participants were instructed to perform five kind acts per week for six weeks. These acts were found to increase happiness by providing novelty; reminding people that they were a force for good; eliciting positive feedback [pdf]; and promoting positive relationships. Try it in the staffroom or your department and look at the positive returns.
Invest in experiences, not possessions
The problem with prioritising material items is that things change quickly. Yesterday’s desirable becomes today’s essential which becomes tomorrow’s antique. By prioritising experiences, you create memories that you can carry with you indefinitely. It’s a fascinating area of research – you can read more studies on it here, here and here. When you’re looking at what to splash out on, consider interesting trips and holidays rather than the latest gadgets.
Embrace your bad moods
Accepting your bad moods may help to minimise the impact they have on you. A recent article from the British Psychological Study reported that negative feelings can be used in a positive way, by “recognising that anger can sometimes be empowering and that sadness can be poignant and can bring us closer to one another.”
This doesn’t mean that stoking your work stress or wallowing in grumpiness is the answer, just that we shouldn’t expect to be happy all the time. Negative feelings happen, so we should try to learn from them.
Get outside
A report released earlier this year found that most UK children spend less time outside each day than prisoners. The value of nature can’t be underestimated. Those who spend more time outside and feel more connected to nature report experiencing more positive moods (such as joy, interest and alertness) and life satisfaction. It is easy to stay inside all day when you’ve got a lot of work to get through, but try and make a conscious effort to steal some time outside whenever possible. You will feel better for it.

We had a motivational speaker neighbour for a while and nosing on his website, I found a tip which we, both having suffered from depression, use daily. Each teatime we in turn say what we felt was negative about the day. Then we each try to find a positive. It's hard to start with and then you find you work to make a positive. Even any chore you have finished is a positive. This has especially helped my DH because it brings the negatives out into the open instead of fretting on them.

A few years ago I was clinically depressed and prescribed Amitriptyline, which was handed out to me on re-prescription like sweeties every few weeks for a couple of years. I was still depressed, but now having psychodelic dreams! I returned to doctor and was prescribed a higher dose ('to help get over the psychodelic dreams'). Went back a few weeks later and saw a locum. We talked about taking St. John's Wort (which I'd been considering). She explained they can, for some people help control mood swings but they're not addictive. I was advised to stop taking the Amitriptyline immediately and begin with the St. John's Wort the next day. I was also advised to buy (can't get them on prescription) a recognised brand. I take 1000gm a day, and my mood swings have subsided, perhaps because I feel I'm in control of the medication rather than it being in control of me. St. John's Wort of course may not suit everyone, as it can counteract a lot of other medication, but I believe it's worth checking out with your doctor. I also tried CBT but found it unhelpful.

Some people get depressed at this time of the year because of the reduced daylight hours (Seasonal ?A Depression.)

mindfulness focuses on the here and now and can help with pain and depression, look up some classes, it really helped me, and its drug free!

I have bouts of depression that render me all but helpless. It is one of those things you can feel coming, Black Dog Churchill called it.

If you look at the amount of highly successful people who suffer you can see what a wretched, universal thing it is, I am not at all sure that anti depressants are helpful.

Life can be bloody depressing. I find it helps to think in terms of driving a car, sometimes we have to shift gears in ourselves to move things along a bit.

It isn't easy but exercise is always helpful, good food and sleep are essentials and talking to friends who know you as a person.

You can almost plan for it, get a good book and immerse yourself in that, fabulous music, work in the garden, soak in the bath, any creature comforts help, even though you don't feel like anything at all. You would take your medication so make yourself invest energy in self care.

The brain can only process so many bits of information at a time, even little things like lovely flowers in a vase are a visual and scented distraction for your mind, try and cheat depression of your full attention.

I have days when I can barely move with it and just have to think 'this too will pass' until it does.

Life can be a bitch, those things we have to contend with, and when we recognise that, our feelings are normal and acceptable and not medical and treatable, then we can let go of the idea that we have to be in control of it all.

I hope that things improve for you soon. Don't doubt your own resources for coping with it that is part of depression itself.

when I have a bout of depression... I stop taking my painkillers...the pain is better than depression ... I then stop everything I am doing and do nothing that would upset me and for a few days get myself some treats lots of treats...
and it usually work because as I am now in a lot of pain... my mind is off the depression and concentrating on my pain ... and I dont say anything to anyone because pain and depression dont show any physical symptoms ....peoples give you blank look when you mention it ... I found it work for me .
So good luck and do what you want/can to overcome it

You been at the cooking sherry Marmark

As well as all the thing suggested so far, I'd consider an alternative therapy...like acupuncture or homeopathy. You won't need to stop the anti-d but might find you want to wean yourself off them eventually.

Sun seeker,that is very good therapy,I read once,if you keep dwelling on the past and worrying about the future,your pooing on today.

I will get organised in the New Year! (doing the physio exercises at the moment).

Other forms of exercise are available.

lucky point taken, I should have said "assuming you can walk". We do have one woman in our walking group who is in her 80s, walks with a limp and is very slow. But she never misses a week. The fast walkers in the group double back and walk with the slower ones too. We walk in all weathers.

As my walking has become more of a limp that is actually frustrating me.

Today was a lovely sunny day How lovely, wherever that is
It poured with rain here all day long, a miserable day to be out.

Walking as a mood lifter is not for all - my walks are more of a limp!! But I do half an hour every day regardless; and if the weather is truly awful then I limp up and down the living room whilst watching TV - pacing up and down like a pregnant father!

I cannot recommend walking enough for mood lifting, it's so utterly therapeutic. When I walk, I make a point of taking in my surroundings, be it architecture, people, a new route, shop windows or gardens.

I'm fortunate to belong to a walking group, we walk for an hour every week, everyone who knows me knows that's my "time out".

I have the utmost respect for people who strive to overcome depression. Medication has a place, but it's not a silver bullet.

Tricia exercise is a great mood lifter. Walking, swimming, whatever suits you.

And can I add music into the mix? Happy music, music to dance to, something to sing along to, or even something that makes you cry. Sometimes listening to a sad song can help release feelings that are kept hidden but might be better out in the open.

And if all else fails, hug the dog.

Such a coincidence - I was going to post about this tomorrow, but it has come up now.
I've been feeling a bit low lately, as if I'm fighting depression ( had it once before.)
I go for a walk every afternoon, but recently the walks have become shorter. But today it was such a lovely sunny day decided to attempt a longer walk that I haven't done for ages, and I managed it! As Anya says, setting a target and achieving it.
And I do believe that demanding exercise has some chemical effect on the body. I've felt so different this evening.
I'm planning another walk tomorrow, just a bit longer.
Our dog, who came with me, has slept almost all the time since we got back.

Thanks Lazigirl - it`s miserable isn`t it? So many different emotions plus all the practical things you have to think about.

I am going to try to do some more walking - not very enticing in this weather though! I am lucky enough to have some very good friends who I talk to, but I don`t want them to feel I am moaning every time I see them

I have an elderly parent too and it's really getting me down at the moment. I did try antidepressants once when I was very low but couldn't cope with them as they made me feel spaced out. What has really helped me is going out walking - not necessarily long walks as I'm not super fit, but try to do about 3 times a week. I also joined a meditation group, and the focus on breathing has helped a lot, particularly when I can't sleep. Friends to offload to I find are better for me than any therapist.

thanks for your thoughts. I`m not going to decrease the amitriptyline any further but really don`t want to increase it. I`m also not keen to try different anti-depressants as I`ve had bad experiences with side-effects in the past - I really don`t need that at the moment. I think I do need to focus on some happier things.Going into the care-home every day is depressing in itself - it is an excellent place but obviously it does make you very aware of people nearing the end of their lives. Hopefully I will be able to visit less often as Dad settles in but at the moment I feel I can`t as he is very worried that people will forget about him.

Did you have contact with a mental health professional, and how helpful were they? Most mental health teams in the NHS now offer solution based therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy - like all therapies, some find them useful and some not. It may be worth asking your GP for a referral.
There is a site called MoodGym that some people find helpful.

I think that identifying what helps can be very useful, and I know that our local health walks are very popular with people who find that getting out and walking with others gives their mood a lift.

I would also say that some people with occasional depression do find that, in moments of great stress (such as the one you describe) they do find a course of the modern type of anti-depressant useful. They say that it just lifts them enough to sort out what is needed, and then they can reduce and stop. So if you struggle with any of the suggestions posters have made, don't let your experience of amitryptilline put you off. I'd also say that mental health teams have a lot of experience in talking about 7 around this.

I'd also say that organising a care home, and everything that goes with that is bound to trigger an emotional response. I wonder if you could be kind to yourself, not worry about the wedding etc. until Xmas is over & dad is settled. If you aren't feeling better, then that may be the time to talk to your doctor or take other steps.
I wish you well.