Just come off anti depressants. Natural alternative suggestions

I think clinical depression can be helped with antidepressants. During my divorce, I was given them. Did nothing for me , simply because the ‘cause’, the ‘reason’ was still there. Once I had accepted the betrayal, and used ‘mind over matter’ and convinced myself, I was better off without him, I felt better. The long process of the divorce ‘settlement’ , also helped me re-focus.

macadia I felt I wanted to come off the anti depressants if I could, though I understand why they are a life saver for many. I needed them post lockdown as there were some issues and stress which I could not cope with. crazyH you are right, when I realised that there were things that I couldn't change and no medication would alter, it made me change my outlook.

I advised my patients to exercise, doesn’t have to be the gym, just something to ‘get the juices flowing’. Even gardening seems to be helpful. I find swimming helps me physically and mentally. Depression saps energy and leads to a vicious circle. Avoid the trap of isolating and doing less simply because that’s easier.

Avoid alcohol as it’s a depressant.

When you’re out walking, try not to focus on the ground. Look up, straighten up, don’t slump, drop your shoulders and breathe, it’s amazing how a change in body posture lifts the mood. Behave as though you’re not depressed. ‘Fake it until you make it’ is a cliche, but people find it helpful in breaking the circle of anxiety and depression.

Try to have something to look forward to every week, a treat for you and your husband. It doesn’t have to cost anything, it could be a walk in a favourite spot or spending time with friends and family.

Watch your favourite comedy film or comedian. Laughter really is the best medicine and there are proper studies to prove it!

Try something new, something you’ve always wanted to learn, whether it’s the piano or solving cryptic crosswords.

People have posted a lot of really good ideas so have some fun finding out which ones work for you. Good luck.

Blackwit

I advised my patients to exercise, doesn’t have to be the gym, just something to ‘get the juices flowing’. Even gardening seems to be helpful. I find swimming helps me physically and mentally. Depression saps energy and leads to a vicious circle. Avoid the trap of isolating and doing less simply because that’s easier.

Avoid alcohol as it’s a depressant.

When you’re out walking, try not to focus on the ground. Look up, straighten up, don’t slump, drop your shoulders and breathe, it’s amazing how a change in body posture lifts the mood. Behave as though you’re not depressed. ‘Fake it until you make it’ is a cliche, but people find it helpful in breaking the circle of anxiety and depression.

Try to have something to look forward to every week, a treat for you and your husband. It doesn’t have to cost anything, it could be a walk in a favourite spot or spending time with friends and family.

Watch your favourite comedy film or comedian. Laughter really is the best medicine and there are proper studies to prove it!

Try something new, something you’ve always wanted to learn, whether it’s the piano or solving cryptic crosswords.

People have posted a lot of really good ideas so have some fun finding out which ones work for you. Good luck.

Are you a doctor? Genuinely interested. Some great ideas.

I'm not entirely sure " have fun " is always possible if you feel rough.

If you can find a local group doing some sort of creative activity that could really help. There is some evidence that making things improves your moods. I do a ceramics class with a friend. She's had some really difficult problems since it started but she says coming to the class and having to totally concentrate on creating something has helped her get through it.

The problem with severe depression and/or anxiety is that on very black days one can neither be bothered to wash and dress nor be sociable. The less you do these things, the less you want to, it’s really really not the case of mind over matter.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with medication which literally makes you feel life is worth living when nothing else works. With good meds you then can get up, shower, put your face on, socialise, work, literally live!

Cossy

The problem with severe depression and/or anxiety is that on very black days one can neither be bothered to wash and dress nor be sociable. The less you do these things, the less you want to, it’s really really not the case of mind over matter.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with medication which literally makes you feel life is worth living when nothing else works. With good meds you then can get up, shower, put your face on, socialise, work, literally live!

Absolutely Cossy. When I had PND I was crawling around, didn't get dressed or clean my teeth. Clinical depression is very different from feeling down.

I don't pretend to have all the answers and I know this is a cliche but I found it really helped me having a healthy, varied diet. Yes, it is a fag, especially when you feel really low but going out shopping and preparing meals gets easier the more you do it. I also tackled my insomnia with the help of a book by Dr Michael Moseley (yes him). I still have bad days but I feel more in control and physically healthier and able to cope than I did.

So right, zakouma. You can eat the healthiest diet possible, Bumface, but it won’t help clinical depression - when preparing a meal is almost impossible.

Maybe Bum ( excuse the shortening) was trying to say the healthy eating is part of a tool kit that can help.

Like with the exercise, you can't be bothered to eat properly because you are depressed
Its the most perplexing and unpleasant thing.

There are natural alternatives but they are either illegal or fattening.

Caleo

There are natural alternatives but they are either illegal or fattening.

Sounds delightful, where do I sign please?

zakouma66

Caleo
“There are natural alternatives but they are either illegal or fattening.
Sounds delightful, where do I sign please?”

Me too please 😂😂😂😂

I understand what you mean zakouma66. It’ so easy to slip into a very negative pattern of thinking and behaviour and very hard to break out. But by approaching life with a sense of exploration, lightness , finding the good and fun things in life, rather than grim determination, little by little life can seem worthwhile. As someone who has been there dealing with my own depression and anxiety and as a retired psychiatric nurse, I found that it can help to lift mood.

I'm sure you are absoutely right Blackwit.
I'm more of a grim determination kinda person , unfortunately.

Germanshepherdsmum

So right, zakouma. You can eat the healthiest diet possible, Bumface, but it won’t help clinical depression - when preparing a meal is almost impossible.

I am sorry that I did not make myself clear. I understood that the chat was about possible adjunctive strategies for coping with clinical depression (as opposed to reactive depression or feeling generally hacked off). I was not being prescriptive just describing some of the strategies that work for me sometimes when I am not in too deep (I am sure you all know what I mean by that). I sincerely apologise if you thought I was making light of what is a very serious condition in any way. That was not my intention.

Outside in the daylight and regular exercise is my prescription!

Gentle yoga is very therapeutic and I swear by lavender Kalms when you are feeling stressed.

Reach out to friends and acquaintances, meet up for walks, tea, films. Reconnect with groups, including WhatsApp groups. Email or write letters to people you are in danger of losing touch with. All these contacts help to dispel depression.

So good that you have managed to take yourself back from the medication.

Mediation and staying in the present moment help me. Looking for the good bit even in situations that appear too difficult. A short course of CBT or some other kind of support can also help us to get our thinking in a good place. And not allowing ourselves to get into catastrophic thinking about the future.

There is a fantastic always free app by Plum Village with short meditations and ways to love ourselves unconditionally. All of these things have helped me got through some tough times at various stages.
My friend recently gave me a remarkable book called Consolations by David Whyte.. such an insightful and nourishing g book to dip in to. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Be kind to yourself as you make this transition and if you feel overwhelmed and need the support of mediation again thats fine too. There is no right or wrong, only what you feel comfortable with. Best wishes.

I’m not a pharmacist but know from working in a hospital, family member taking anti-depressants, friends experiences that a “natural” supplement alternative is not recommended.

Who knows what is in those pills or capsules… they could very well give you side effects that will really screw you up. Just stay away from them! BEST to just resume your original low dose prescription if you need it.

Good luck with your husband’s cancer diagnosis and for you too. Things will work out.

Absolutely!

A couple of recommended natural alternatives are Ashwaghanda and Lions Main. A company that comes highly recommended for ‘clean’ products - no fillers/additives is British Supplements.

Bumface

Germanshepherdsmum

So right, zakouma. You can eat the healthiest diet possible, Bumface, but it won’t help clinical depression - when preparing a meal is almost impossible.

I am sorry that I did not make myself clear. I understood that the chat was about possible adjunctive strategies for coping with clinical depression (as opposed to reactive depression or feeling generally hacked off). I was not being prescriptive just describing some of the strategies that work for me sometimes when I am not in too deep (I am sure you all know what I mean by that). I sincerely apologise if you thought I was making light of what is a very serious condition in any way. That was not my intention.

I think the chat is ranging far and wide and is very helpful indeed.

The damn thing can vary from clinical "can't even brush your teeth" through to "a bit fed up"

I suppose we are free to take what we can and leave other ideas behind?

Anti-depressants can be a lifesaver. However, in my experience, natural options like Ashwagandha, valerian root, chamomile, and L-theanine are also helpful without the possibility of any side effects.