Need suggestions - need to work through depression without anti-depressants

[mom_in_ma]

I need your best suggestions for dealing with depression and anxiety WITHOUT anti-depressant meds. I was in a nice remission before this flare (which is now on it's 11th month and was caused by stress and grief) and I'm really struggling right now. I"ve had to take a leave from work until I can get my head together and my symptoms under control again.

Anyway, this time around I'm finding that I can't take any anti-depressants - I've tired over half a dozen and have had horrible side effects, with retention occuring with all of them.

What are some ways to deal with depression without meds? I'm trying accpuncture, just started yoga today. I see a counselor weekly, but it's not helping much.

Any other ideas? What has worked for you?

[ICNDonna]

You really need to be working with your doctor and therapist on this. Hopefully there are still some meds you can try.

Hugs,
Donna

[Kara29]

Maybe you could find a different counselor. They all have different ways of working with depressed patients. Some like to give out homework or tools that you can use at home and some just sit there and listen to you talk. I like the other kind better because it gives me something to work with and they have tools you can take with you forever in life.

A great way to battle the blues is by way of something called Mindfullness. You could ask your counselor if they are familar with this sort of therapy. Some of them are fully trained in this and they had to go through the therapy themselves before they could work on it with thier patients.

I hope you find someone in your area that can work more effectively with you.

Kara

[mom_in_ma]

ICNDonna,

I AM working with my doctors and therapist on this, and nothing is really helping. I need ADDITIONAL ideas. That's why I'm asking for more ideas.

[Bessie]

Sometimes watching comedy or a funny movie can help for a little while. Do you have any friends that you can talk too? Maybe a short walk if the weather is nice can help. I have not dealt with depression but I am just trying to think of things that might take your mind off of if for a while. Here are some I have thought of:
Reading a funny book
Reading the comics
Watching a good movie
Playing board games
Writing in a journal
A good cup of white chocolate
Shopping ( I love to shop)
Prayer
Going outside and picking wildflowers (when they are in season)
Enjoying watching the leaves change colors in the fall
Decorating

I am sure you have tried some of these. If you need to talk feel free to pm me. I am sending you lots of hugs and well wishes :hi:
Laura

[kadi]

For me, exercise is essential in managing my tendency to depression. I use the elliptical trainer at the gym, or walk, or do yoga. If I slip up & don't go 3-4x a week or more, I get depression symptoms within a week.

Getting enough sleep is really important in managing depression, and of course sleep is often problematic for us IC-ers. If your sleep is really interrupted due to the IC, that could contribute to the problem & talking to your doctor about some help with that would be an important step.

I also used a program by the Midwest Center, called Attacking Anxiety & Depression. It's a cognitive therapy program on CDs or cassettes & comes with a workbook. It's a little pricey, but they used to have a 30 day free trial & a payment plan. I found this program very helpful:) You can google it on the internet!

Hope you get some good ideas!

[mom_in_ma]

Thanks everyone. I'm still trying to get my pain under control so it's been a challenge and it's even more difficult because I was depressed going into this flare (it's sadly what I believe caused the flare) and I just can't pull myself out.

Here's what I have been doing:
Seeing a counselor
exercise (just starting) - walking and yoga
listening to music and comedy on my ipod. etc.
writing in a gratitude journal
accupuncture

[kellymh]

I know how you feel, I cannot take anti-depressants, have tried several and they cause me terrible panic attacks. I have a therapist and she is giving me several ideas on coping skills, I take zanax when things get real bad, because my stress levels have been extremely high because of my health, not all IC, but they flare my IC. She has told me to color, I know that sounds crazy but it brings back happiness in ones life, it gives them peace. She is teaching me to relax, and different techniques. I do yoga, and she also told me to eat small little meals, because fluctuations in sugar can cause anxiety, no chocolate or caffeine. I think most people with health problems suffer from anxiety and depression, knowing that you are normal sometimes helps. She told me to write down things that make me feel good, and activities I like to do. Than do them when things get real bad. I have forgotten how to have fun! Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing are supposed to help. Exercise is also a key to getting out of depression. Hugs from kids and spouses are supposed to give enjoyment. Also, she told me to live in the moment, not the future or past. Alot of things that people tell you are not always easy to do, take one day at a time, thats the advice she has given me so far. I am far from cured but, I at least can feel good sometimes. I am not giving you medical advice, just telling you what my therapist has told me in the last month. Each and every one of us handle depression and anxiety differently. Good luck! I hope your feeling alittle better with each day.

Kelly

[laura dove]

My friend is manic depressive, and when she got pregnant, her
doc put her on Omega 3(fish oil).She takes 2200 mg. per day
of oil from small bodied fish(no mercury). If you decide to try
this (talk to your Doc first) remember to make sure there is no
lemon added(to cut the fish breath) because it can irritate your
bladder. Who knows, it can't hurt; omega 3 is very safe.

[laura dove]

Great advise Kara. I did the mindfulness in therapy and
it works wonders. It is called dialectal behavior therapy(DBT)
in clinical terms, but Buddist monks have been doing it for
hundreds and hundreds of years. Truly amazing. Scientists
just came out w/a study on how mindfulness can actually
change your brain chemestry. A book was recently published
on this study, as well.heard about it on NPR, the science friday
show. I wish I could remember the name.

Also, I have always had horrible side effects w/ antidepressents,
until I tried remeron. Ask your doc about it. Most docs don't
recommend it ,because it can cause you to gain weight. I'll
take the xtr lbs.over circling the drain any day.It also helps me
sleep at night and it is supposed to help with pain. oh yeah, and
no sexual side effects.

Good luck,
Laura

[jen48446]

Please PM me with your e-mail address, I have been doing this!! I found some relaxation CD's & essential oils that I've been using daily to help me, it does take some time & an open mind but what I've been doing has been working for me. For the 1st time in my life I've realized it's time to put myself first ahead of everyone else, I've always put the cats & everyone else before me, I now make certain I get the time & attention I need for my mentality.

I have been dealing/coping with the following since the end of July: having to put down (euthanize) 2 of our cats due to behavorial issues we had been dealing with for months, husband switched jobs, my grandfather whom I didn't really have a relationship with (he never made an effort to see us) died recently. We also have our house for sale & will move out of state once it sells.

Our family doctor prescribed me an anti depressant almost 2 months ago & my husband got angry I then explained to him that if WE didn't want ME to take it we both need to work on ourselves internally (he wasn't dealing/coping with one of the cats deaths really well) & then I felt that things would work themselves out. He agreed to work on his outlook & that has helped me too.

Please keep in mind, everone's different & what works for one doesn't always work for the other. :smile tee :cat::angel:

[jen48446]

I forgot to include that it took me a bit to realize I was midly depressed, that wasn't easy for me to accept but then I read the symptoms of the different types of depression & realized, duh, most of those are what I've been feeling. :smile tee:angel::cat:

[Berkshire Road]

I mean this absolutely seriously: Getting a puppy was the key to breaking through my depression. I don't know if you do or can have animals in the house, just that it worked really well for me. Also, bc. I have always loved the water, just going to a poo and hanging out in the water feels good. A lot of people take baths; I just don't happen to tub thet works, right now.

Good luck. I hope you find something that helps soon. Once you start to feel better, maybe there will be some momentum and things will improve faster than you think