Alternative Anti-Depressants

There has been a lot of research into the effects of exercise on depression. It ihas been found that exercise, in some cases is as effective as prescription medicine. I think every case is different but it looks like you have many good suggestions. I have also started hearing more and more news about a link between sugar and depression.

B.,
I've taken a vitamin supplement called empower for depression. I can not believe how well it works. People with bi-polar have even used it with amazing results. You can read about it at truehope.com. They are a Canadian based non-profit business, but the products ship out of Utah. They also have a call center that you can talk to someone whenever you need to and they will call you as often as you want to see how you are doing, or they wont call if you don't want them to.
I hope this helps, it really has for me. Let us know how things go.
-Lori

St. John's Wort has something that is supposed to help with depression. Also, excercing and there are certain types of light bulbs that you can use in your home. They are about $7 each light bulb, that they cost lest on the light bill and offer a lot more light (I have 2 in my home). Good nutrition is also important since the brain uses what we use to produce the enegry it needs.

St. John's Wort is typically only for people who are mildly depressed. And, with herbs, you body learns to tolerate them and you can end up needing to increase a certain herb to make it work right. Also, certain herbs can interfere with reg. medications so it's best to tell your doctor and pharmacist both prescribed and herbal medication you are taken.

IMPORTANT: I reccommend that you see your reg. doctor and talk to him/her if you are feeling depressed. You can inforom your doctor that you are looking for natural remedies and maybe he/she can help you. At the same time, you want to make sure there isn't other issues (like hormones) that are leaving you to fee depressed.

If you want to name of the type of lighting I am suggesting, email me to hereandgone ____@____.com My husband isn't awake right now, but I can ask him later and email you the names. I know you can purchase them at Home Depot and Walmart (Walmart is cheaper by a few dollars, I think).

R.

A friend of mine got off anti-depressants and was speaking with her doctor about alternatives and he told her to eat avocados daily. Who knew they were nature's anti-depressant?!

i am not keen on replacing anti depressants, however whole food nutrition is key. the american cancer society and others recommend 10 - 14 serving a day of fruits and veg. i have found some hellp in that area. it is juice plus. capsule taken everyday. the product is sciencifically proven to reduce homosystine levels increase blood flow, and repair DNA. these are all published studies in medical journals. imaging that MD's and DO's are jumping on in droves do to the research. my doctor perscribed it. I am not a distributor because all my friends wanted to. I suffer from the same
condition of pill taking and this has ease the pain andaexaustion. call me. ###-###-####. J. a. Be aware though testamonies are not research and not proven to repeat. ____@____.com is a great way to get the research. go girl

My father just divorced my mom after 28 years. He was very depressed and his councelor recommened that he take St. john wort (make sure to get some that doesn't have alchol in it). You can find it in any health food store but vitamin cottage is the cheapest. It has made a huge difference in his depression.

Hi B.,

I didn't read the other responses so sorry if this is a repeat. Have you considered chiropractic?!! Spinal misalignment can cause interference within your body causing all types of problems. Depression being one of them. My Chiropractor specializes in helping people get off of prescription medications. Once you go, you will see that this isn't your run of the mill chiropractic office!! If you are interested check out his website. www.SpineGeek.com

He is located about 104th and I-25. If this location is not good for you give them a call and they can refer you to someone closer who does the same type of work! Please call and ask some questions to find out more. I know you will be glad you did!! God bless you in your search for answers!

Hi B., the most useful way to be free of medication is to feel yourself trusting you to be emotionally honest. You won't judge yourself for being "depressed" because you'll understand your feelings to then respect yourself.
Good for you for the fact that you want to be more comfortable in your life.

B., ok bare with me here, if u have an open mind, u can solve all of your depression problems. with a book. let me explain i am a 25 year old mother of one who also went through depression a few years ago, refusing to give in to drugs to "help" it, a friend bought me a book. it has FOREVER changed my life and if u just give it a try with an open mind, i promise u the same. The name of the book is "Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting, the Astonishing Power of Feelings" there is also a movie called "the Secret" both are extremely effective in completely changing your entire life if u just read and understand and do what it says, I PROMISE!! I know it sounds weird to say a book and a movie changed my life but they really did, and my life contiues to improve day after day, do yourself a favor and read this book !! it is by Lynn Grabhorn
good luck!
C.

You know I had never tried anti-depressants before until now and I am pregnant. My doctor prescribed a half 10mg Lexapro. I know it is not a natural remedy but it has done wonders for my emotions. I figure if it is safe enough for me to take being pregnant it may be mild for what your looking for in a natural remedy. Good luck, it is hard to see the need for chemical help when your in the mess of things.

In septembe 2008 the FDA approved a non-invasive technology for depression that has been been in use in research trials for about 10 years. It is called NeuroStar and works by sending pulsing electromagnetic fields into the motor cortex. If you google, you should be able to find the article from the Seattle Post Intelligencer October 20 2008: Magnetic pulses to treat depression win federal approval.

I am a antidepressant sucess story, I guess.
They have worked for me, and if one didn't feel right, I was honest with myself, and my doc and tried something new.
I am all for finding something more natural, but just make sure that while on this new journey, that you are honest with yourself, and if you start noticing it not "working" try something new and contact your dr. asap!
Mental illness of any sort is not something you should gamble with.
I figure and know that I am a nicer, more calm person with my meds, therfor I am a better wife and mother. I would rather be those, with my meds, than abusive in any form to myself or others.
I hate how people label "drugs" especially when they are helping a person, thanks to Tom Cruise!
I also find it disturbing that people are using this topic to sell a product, and make some money.
This is something serious.
Does Andrea Yates ring a bell to anyone? Maybe meds could have helped her, given the correct ones, along with more support from family and friends.
Self help books are great to read, and you can never go wrong with exercise and vitamins, but remember, that sometimes, it is out of your control, and you may require some help .
Good luck!

Depending on how severe you feel your despression was/is there are a few things to try... Vitamin B complex works for MANY people. You will do well to find it from plant sources and not from synthetics. If you know a good naturalist they may have a source or a whole foods store could also help you there. I like Nature Sunshine but I get it from a Master Herbalist and I think you need a "membership number" to buy it yourself.
Also try taking a quiz on estrogen dominance. Many people who have been on zoloft and prozac find that with a natural progesterone supplement they can come off their antidepressants. Dr. Lee writes several books on Hormones that may be helpful. Be sure it is natural plant based progesterone as synthetic progesterone is closer to testosterone and has different atributes.
Arbonne International sells a good hormone cream. You can look them up at www.arbonne.com. I am a rep and I've done research in this area.
Are you excersising? Something like yoga would be very good for depression. Or even just a long walk on a sunny day (even if it is COLD!) both the walk and the sun should help.
I've been on zoloft in the past and for me, excersise, vitamin B complex and progestrone have made a big difference.
Good luck and keep in touch with a counselor or therapist.
Warmly,
C. Y

B.,
I researched this b/c I'm not into the whole prescription drug thing. I like the natural healing. Anyway, what I found is the Super B complex vitamins. That particular one has a lot of ALL the B vitamins you need. B's are good "mood menders" and trust me, I needed something!!!
You can find it in the vitamin aisle in your local store.
Good Luck!
~D.

Hi B.,
I am new to mamasource and therefore just got to read your request you posted on Jan.29.
I market a natural juice that helps with depression and there is no side effect. Here are a couple of testimonies from a link. http://www.mangosteeneffect.com/testimonial-detail.php?id=10

also

www.insidemangosteen.com/written-d.html

If this does not work, just go to www.insidemangosteen.com click on written testimonials and then click on depression.

Check out the following website. It will ask you for your name, phone number and email address, but only my husband and I have access to this info. It will just allow us to get in touch with you to see if we can answer any question and help in any way.
www.davidstephen.themangosteenrevolution.com

I am looking forward to hearing from you and assisting you further.

Have a wonderful day!
A.

Hi B.: You can explore energy medicine self-care treatment to help you connect with your brain (and your heart)! My website could help you (www.Tara-Approach.org) or you can come to a free talk I am giving with Darcy Kamin, RN on how mothers, babies, children and families can use energy medicine to restore health and balance to their bodies and their lives. If you are in the Boulder-Denver area, the talk is on Friday, June 27th from 1-2:30 (lap babies are welcome). Call Darcy (who is also a lactation consultant) at ###-###-#### if you want more information. If you can't come to the talk, there are other ways we can provide you with information and resources. The energy medicine is simple to learn and it really works! Blessings, S.

Dear B.,

ı know that I am late on this post, but my husband has struggled with depession. My family contacted me about a Docotr Keller who had invented and pharmaceutical patented a way to get Glutathione into and absorbed into your body. This is an incredible breakthrough in medicine. Glutathione is critical to your cellular function. This is a supplement and all natural. My husband was desperate, plus he has high blood pressure, so he wanted to try it right away. I might also add, that most of the people in our "family/friend circle have started taking it and they have had incredible things happen with their health. My parents shipped it and my husband has started taking it; within 2 days he said he felt better and his outlook on life has changed. He has not had any problems with his depression again and we are now passionate about this product. We have heard personal testimonies about how it has lowered peoples blood pressure and people have lost weight while taking it. Please take a look at http://www.sozomax.com/muratgun and have a listen to the interview with Dr. Keller. This has changed peoples lives and yes I am now selling it!

I hope the best for you and blessings,

T. Gun

Props to you, looking for an alternative to prescription drugs. Depression is a real and scary thing. One doesn't realize it until you experience it for yourself.
I strongly recommend that you check out this site. http://www.naet.com
My new friend Kimberly Wagstaff, RN, NAET Certified, Allergy and Pain Relief. Has been helping my son with allergies.
?Did you know that depression is an allergic reaction to something going with your body, life or surroundings?
?Did you know that allergies can be cured?
?Do you know much about; kinesiology, acupuncture/acupressure, nutritional management and a specific type of spinal manipulative procedure from chiropractic to accomplish ALLERGY ELIMINATION. A lot of these are old Chinese methods that have become popular.
**Curious? Call my friend ###-###-#### or email her ____@____.com she will be happy to answer any questions. I did and she spent quality time talking to me. She is respectful and understanding. It is worth it I promise.

My midwife told me to try B Complex. Vitamin D is also essential, so drink your milk and then go outside every day for 30 minutes, even if it's to read a book. Exercise, even walking, has been shown to elevate mood. Herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort have been helpful in mild depression, but should be discussed with your doctor. I sure hope this helps!

H.

I know you already have a conclusion, but it seemed too importnant for me not to write. I have a 6 month old boy. After having him I became progressively more irritable. I got to the point where I couldn't stand my spouse even though I felt bad because I knew my spouse is a good person. I also have been taking prenatals since before becoming pregnant with my son. I finally became so fed up with feeling depressed and irritable that I started research vitamin deficincies. B vitamins can help, although you need to keep taking them everyday and it might take weeks to notice. I was already taking them so I knew it wasn't them. I started looking at how much of each vitamin I was getting from prenatals and I just thought that since the calcium is low I'd try taking it. I knew it was low because the body can't absorb calcium and iron at the same time and expecting mothers really need iron. So I started taking the calcium (of course at a different time of day than prenatals). They are chocolate flavored and I started craving them, so I was eating a few a day at times. Well then just one day it tasted gross to me. So since then I've only been taking it every other day or so. Well I know this is what my body needed. I am now less irritable and not depressed at all. I have more energy...and I've felt like I've faught having enough milk for my son since he was born (I breastfeed and pump without using formula). Well my milk supply increased. It is now not so bad. This week I actually started leaking again when I had let down (hasn't happened since he was 2 months old). So, I don't suggest taking calcium, just research and find what your body needs. I drank LOTS of milk, but there isn't enough magnesium in it to help my body asorb the calcium so I was still deficient. I hope this helps. I wish you luck.

http://www.namiscc.org/Recovery/2002/NonDrugDepressionTre...

This is a nice overview of different treatments for depression from NAMI, the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Their website is a wonderful source of information on all kinds of treatments for depression. The research supports the use of light therapy and exercise, particularly for mild depression, and cognitive behavioral therapy, as done by a well-trained therapist, is considered extremely effective. If you have had a bad experience with meds, I'd also consider changing psychiatrists before giving up on meds entirely!

take care, S.

Dear B.,

I'm sure I'm not the first one to tell you this, but depression is a sickness and when you are sick you see a doctor. Some times doctors can be wrong, so be careful when going off of medication. I have had a lot of luck with finding alternative treatments. When I had a very serious form of post pardon psychosis, their label, not mine, I went to a couple of shrinks and got some bad advice and some medicine that made me sick to my stomach. Later I found that if the medication makes you throw up that means your body is rejecting it. Quit taking it! Call your doctor right away! I found that my form of baby blues could be controlled when I ran for about an hour a day. I started by walking for an hour and was gradually able to run the entire time. It got me out of the house, which I needed desperately (Once my husband sent me to my shrink with Quin, I wanted to pull my hair out)and I get the most amazing running high. I also make it a habit to eat my 5 a day (veggies, fruits), Flylady.net helps also. Good luck and I hope you have a great team to help you.

B.- your best bet would be to meet with someone like Dave from Dave's Health and Nutrition. He is a nutritionalist and Herbologist. I know he does 15 min meetings for 20.00 and will tell you exactly what you need to get you back on track without trying to sell you a bunch of supplements. I know what you eat has a lot to do with it as well, especially sugar. I was never depressed but high stress and anxiety and yoga and deep breathing has won me over. It forces me to take time for myself. 15 min before bed. Good Luck!

i have a slight case of manic depression/bi-polar. my doctor recommended me to take a B6 and B12 vitamin every morning with a glass of juice or some food. i got tired of taking the depressants. i use the natures made vitamin brand. you can get it at walgreens for about 6.99 a bottle sometimes they have discounts too. i have been taking those vitamins for two years now and they actually have the same effect as prozac did when i took it.

I got this from a doulas group that I am on. I know it talks about POSTPARTUM depression, but the same principles should still apply:

Here are some of my favorite resources:

Tons of information, articles to help mom understand and information on alternative treatments
Postpartum Depression Treatment: Resources for Breastfeeding Mothers
http://www.kellymom.com/ppd/ppd-treatment.html

This may help moms find a specific homeopathic remedy for their specific symptoms, it's good to do something like this, see the result and compare it to a few of the other articles to see if the one suggested is in fact the right one. Only mom will know which one to use.
Homeopathy - Postpartum Depression
For suggestions of homeopathic remedies for Postpartum Depression, tick the boxes below and press the Find Remedies button at the bottom of the screen. On the next screen, you should enter any other symptoms in the search box.
http://www.abchomeopathy.com/c.php/241

Another one to read with some remedies listed, again it's better to go through the symptoms checklist above see what remedy is suggested then look through here and see if it's the same or possibly different.
Homeopathic Remedies for Postpartum Depression
http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/2249001.html

I've personally had a lot of success with Back Flower Remedies with myself and the kids too, specifically Rescue Remedy (for just about everything, but we keep a few of the specific remedies on hand too)
Bach Flower Remedies
Flower remedies are useful in dealing with a number of conditions often associated with mild depression. Select the remedy that most closely fits your emotional tendencies and concerns. and take Use it as needed, following the directions on the product label.
http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Depression/dep_bach_fl...

Remember to try to avoid eating or drinking 10-15 minutes either side of taking a remedy, coffee (decaf or caf) and Mint (of all kinds, toothpaste, lip balm, Vicks...) antidote a remedy. To learn more:
http://www.1-800homeopathy.com/resources/chapterindex.htm...

You can also use that site (1-800-HOMEOPATHY) to get remedies mailed quickly.

Hope this helps,
LeAnne Marrs, CD (DONA)

C. M.
Doula & Childbirth Educator
The Westside Birth Connection
###-###-####
http://www.csdoulas.com
Member of CAPPA & DONA
Treasurer, Pikes Peak Regional Doula Association
Volunteer Doula for Operation Special Delivery
**Taking the FEAR out of childbirth**