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coping mechanisms for depression without medication.



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coping mechanisms for depression without medication.

Old 11-12-2009, 07:22 AM
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coping mechanisms for depression without medication.

Hi.......my names shaun.

diagnosed with clinical depression since 17......now 42.
Im told it may have a s.a.d........element to it.
mild mostly with occasional deep lows becoming manic at times.

My drug regime over the years has been varied.....activan...prozac...many others....with little to no effect.......or complete flat on my back effect.

Complicated with active alcoholism the drugs probably didnt do the job they were intended for.
i havent drank or taken medication for nine years.......and have developed some coping mechanisms......that have helped hugely.
cultivating my faith.........forcing myself out of bed and into the countryside.
walking....and other excercise.

i wondered if any others had found coping mechanisms and tried to deal with this illness without medication......and what were the benifits.
is there something you do to reach the other side?

lastly i am not suggesting that any reader go without prescribed medication.
Nor am i judging anyone that takes medication.

thanks
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Old 11-12-2009, 03:16 PM
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I have long advocated that we must take care of ourselves
Physically, Mentally, Emotionally and Spiritually.
That means, eating right and exercising.
Learning new things and keeping our brains actively engaged.
Using positive affirmations, or just treating ourselves the way we would treat a good friend.
And getting back in touch with our Higher Power, whom I call G*D.

Yep, these coping mechanisms sure do a body good!

Shalom!
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Old 11-12-2009, 04:10 PM
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hey **************[trucker}}}}}}}}}}

I'm personallyof a mind that,
had the Founders *had* the drug
families that are available today,
they'd have USED the drug families that are available today.

In exactly the same mind that,
had the Native Americans HAD liquid firestarter
for their sweat lodge fires,
the Native Americans would have USED firestarter
for their sweat lodge fires!



I also am keenly aware
of the numbers of alcoholics in recovery
who also suffer from Depression and other chemical maladies.

I'm also an advocate of
if the doc prescribes it -
try it. take it. love it.

Not ALL medications work,
and doctors, above all others
should know that.

I'm all for trying whatEVER
in order to have some peace.

I'm very very close with someone
who also suffers
(and I *do* mean suffers)
with depression.

So I'll be reading along
to see how this thread shapes up.
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Old 11-12-2009, 04:19 PM
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My top 3 are exercise, keeping in touch with close friends and finding something to laugh about every day. Being outside in good weather helps a lot too. Getting enough sleep. I don't know if you also have self-doubt when your mood is low, in this case keeping reminders of past success around the house helps.
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Old 11-12-2009, 04:22 PM
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My understanding is that most herbal stuff is bunk... CBT reframing exercises focused on the depressive mood causing negative thoughts has been clinically proven to work for some people. I'm w barb as far as a better world through chemestry, as it can really help the right person which in turn is all the more reason for some one withdepression to see a specialist who is focused on the current state of the art meds as well as behavioral therapy techniques, ergo no MD unless they are a psychiatrist or work in conjunction with a behaviorist.
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Old 11-12-2009, 10:43 PM
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EW - I like your signature.
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Old 11-13-2009, 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by OzSandy View Post
My current meds don't make me feel high or numb or whatever, but they help keep me stable.
Same here. I need them now. When they aren't working properly there is a huge difference.

I still get some lows even when the meds are doing fairly well...but it's more manageable.

OS, I think you mentioned elsewhere that in order for therapy to be effective and for you to get the most out of it your meds need to be working well. If that wasn't you who said that my apologies. Anyways, I think that is true for me. Being balanced gives me a fair shot at being well. It's nice to feel 'normal'. Feeling this way gives me the illusion that I'm in control of my emotions...it's far easier. When I'm not medicated properly I know I'm not really in control...the chemicals in my brain do much of that. It's a little scary...but knowing how it is for me helps...and I do what I must to be as mentally healthy as I can.
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Old 11-13-2009, 04:32 AM
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trucker, I just wanna say that if you are really against taking the meds, don't be discouraged by the comments here. I would never advise people not to consider the meds but my experience was pretty bad even with AD #5 that finally "worked" that I decided if I ever quit one substance in my life it'll be the ADs (btw, I was off booze at that stage so technically nothing was interfering with the med). And by "worked" I mean I think it helped me with the mood but fvcked up my mind and body real good. So the next 2 severe depressive episodes, I dealt with my mood without them. It was rough but not much more difficult than being on the meds and still dealing with the same problems. What I mentioned above helped me pull thru. And therapy to some extent.

But as usual, this is not medical advice. If you are willing to consider the meds, find somebody who will work with you to find the right one if it's possible.

Good luck.
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