I feel I have been struggling with a slight case of depression since I had children and it has gotten worse over the past few months. I feel like I am grouchy all the time, have no energy, and never get enough sleep. I exercise faithfully 5 times a week doing 3 miles on the elliptical plus some weight lifting and it has not helped as much as I would like. I would prefer not to take an anti-depressant, so I am looking for some advice on other things to try before I ask my doctor for a prescription. Have any of you had success treating depression without medication? Thanks in advance for any advice you may have for me.
First off...good going on the exercise! Keep it up. Next, the fact that you are recognizing that the way you are feeing is not the "real you", is a huge step in feeling better. If you are open to supplements, sometimes a combination of a regular Multi for Women vitamin, along with a B50 complex daily, 300-900mg of St. John's Wort (especially the Kira brand), and an Omega 3 Fish Oil cap daily can be VERY helpful. I know it sounds like quite a cocktail, but can be worth it. Just be aware, the St. John's Wort CAN interfere with hormonal contraceptives and make them less effective(the pill and others)! The B vitamins will just turn your pee bright yellow and might give you a boost of energy, so you might prefer to take them in the morning.
Do not think that taking a prescription is a failure though!
If you do decide to try one, Lexapro may be the best one to start on...it tends to help when there is irritability and insomnia. Again...this is not to be taken as medical advice...just a suggestion. Wish you the best!
I agree with Amy D about the exercise. I know just walking the dog around the block just kind of brings me back.
I personally don't think that not crying is that big of deal unless that is very unlike you. I personally don't cry, hardly ever. Of course I feel emotion, but I just don't cry. So my family knows that if they ever do or say anything to bring me to tears, besides a physical pain, it's big! So without being a psychotherapist, I'm not sure that's a big deal.
You're a teacher, are you even subconciously fearing going back to school for some reason?
How old are you? I just responded earlier to a similar post about thyroid issues. If you are mid to late 30's you can and very well may be starting pre-menopausal symptoms. You can have hormone fluctuations 12-15 years before you actually hit menopause. The key is recognizing them and finding a doc to recognize them as well. Speaking for myself, I just wasn't happy. Not that I was unhappy, but. . .
Look at your diet. Are you eating a lot of packaged, processed foods? A lot of foods have hidden forms of MSG among other artificial additives that can play havoc with your hormones/metabolism.
And while I don't normally agree with supplementation, I also agree with Amy D's comments about a good B-Complex vitamin. And a good Omega-3. Flax seeds are a great source but the BEST way to get the best nutritents from flax is freshly grinding the seeds not the oils.
Let me know if I can be of any help.
Lori K
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well, first of all i'd get your thyroid checked...if it's underactive or overactive that can cause problems and it's easy to fix. but seriously, and take this from some one who works in the medical field and who also has personal experience in this area: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TRY MEDS. i take celexa, it's a very mild script (and only $4, which is helpful) that works quickly, and only require small doses and not all the time. think of your mental health like your physical health....you wouldn't NOT go to the doctor for appendicitis or a broken leg, would you? no...you would get it fixed. it's the best thing for yourself and your kids. good luck.
I would definitely recommend talking with your doctor. You can explain your opposition to medication and ask that your doctor work with you or seek one who will. Take a good hard look at your health...Are you eating enough? Are you eating healthy nourishing foods? Is there something that is missing from your diet? Are you eating on the run and grabbing lots of greasy fast food or drinking a lot of sugary soda? Why aren't you getting enough sleep and what can be done about that? You may already have a feeling about what might be wrong, or you may need to talk over every aspect of your life and health with a doctor to find it. Have your doctor check for underlying issues that may cause your symptoms. I feel very strongly that our society is over-medicated and that if we all simply took care or ourselves, we would all be healthier. I also feel that there are many people out there who truly need and benefit from medication. If you turn out to be one of those people there is no shame in making an informed decision to use medication.
I hope this helps and that you are feeling more like yourself again soon.
Amy-
Sorry to hear that you are feeling this way. Have you examined your diet? Sometimes nutrition can be lacking. Are you getting enough fruits & vegetables? We, as adults, should be getting 9 - 13 servings a day. Proper diet can do amazing things. I have been taking a product called Juice Plus since my kiddos were babies (5 years). It is 17 fruits & vegetables in a capsule. There are no medications in it -- simply whole food. I am happy to share more info. with you, just let me know. It may be worth trying.
Another thing you may try is chiropratic or accupuncture. Often times our bodies & our hormones change when we have kids & never return to "normal". I know my chiroprator has helped immensely when I am feeling overwhelmed & at my wits end. Again, all without medication.
Good luck.
Jen
I have battled depression most of my life, and the only time I went on meds was with PPD....One thing I found that helped was at least 30 min of sunshine everyday. But the BEST thing I found that helps is having a "Cause" outside the home.....Mostly I do volunteer work (which gets a little difficult sometimes because I have 6 kids) with Head Start.....
Hi Amy!
Do you go to church? If you don't, it might be worth a try. Sometimes all you have to do is surround yourself with happy people and it's kind of catchy. Just a thought. Hope you get to feeling better soon!
Hi Amy,
I suffered from depression for years and tried several antidepressants, none of which worked. They all made me fat, crazy and ended my sexual desire which to me are all reasons for depression. My new doctor put me on a strict diet similar to the paleo diet. My depression vanished instantly. I read all labels now and I try not to eat anything prepackaged. Mainly vegetables chicken and fish. Lots of raw nuts and now fruit. She said that I should eat like they did 12,000 years ago - pre-agriculture. It was very hard to do. My husband does it along with me. I have been depression free for a year now. Good luck.
I have a friend who was on depression meds for several years and eventually they all would stop working. She tried several different ones. So, she got off all meds completely and started reading self-help books and educating herself on how to treat depression more naturally. I think taking flax or omega supplements was one of the things she mentioned. She also sees a therapist (but not a regular psychologist, it's more like a behavior modification therapist I think) and she said that this method (both the therapist and self-help strategies) has helped more than any drugs.
If you are interested, let me know and I can find out which books she thought were most helpful. Otherwise, I'm sure a book store or library would have some great one's. Although medication is sometimes necessary, good job for not wanting to jump right into meds that might not be right for you!
Amy,
I know exactly how you feel. Yes!! I have had pretty good luck with meds. although I believe that I am hitting the wonderful time of life where hormones are changing.
I have been on something since my first was born and she is starting college.
if I was smart I would try a higher dose. but one time I tried a different one and it was horrible. so since I have done good on the one I am on now I don't want to change.
but I am really thinking I will talk to my doctor the next time I go back. it is NO fun feeling like that is it?? and no one really understands. sometimes we don't either. but it is very normal having it.
talking to my mom she said she would have talked to someone many years ago because but then it was your were crazy if you talked to someone.
I don't know if you would want to try it but alot of times they are lookng for people to do a study to see if they can help and they pay you. might be something to look at.
plase let me know what you decide. I am here if you have any other questions.
hang in there it will get better.
I have struggled with Bi Polar, Manic Depression... anxety disorders and PSD since before my kids were born. I was on meds as a teen but never liked how they made me felt. My best advice is to find someone you can talk to... pour your heart out to... do something special just for you once in a hile and get one good nights rest a week at least...try to plan out your day and dont let small things get to you. If you ever need someone to talk I am here I understand what you are going through. OK? Good luck!
If it's fairly mild, an herb called St. John's Wort may help, but if it has gone past the mild stage, that won't be able to touch it. Keep exercising, even if it doesn't seem to be helping as much as you'd like, and if you are not currently going for counseling, find someone to go to. Good luck!
Tammy
I have dealt with depression before and been on meds for it at one time. Recently I have been feeling like you said, a mild depression. I didn't want to go on medication again, either. No particular reason, just wanted to try something instead of medicine if I could. I saw a commercial for Sam-E and decided I would try it. I have been taking it for a little over 2 weeks now and I can definatly tell a difference in my attitude and mood. I got the Sam-E made by Nature Made. I hope this helps you! Good luck and God bless!
Missy
Amy,
Take a look at www.womentowomen.com. Sometimes these feeling are due to hormonal imbalance. This website will give you some great information and the oportunity to try vitamins that really help. I have taken the vitamins personally and can't believe how much better I feel. Good luck!
Crystal
I use a toxic free and natural products in my home so that has helped my depression.
livefamilydreams.com
donna
I find that when I drink more water it helps my mood but also my energy levels. I don't know if you take a multi vitamin or not but this has also helped me. the thing with the vitamins though is I have to go to the health food store and get some, because the ones that you would normally pick up at the pharmacy were not helping, my dad suggested changing where I shop b/c the ones form the pharmacy actually have some things that are not so good for you in them too. After changing I felt a great difference! The last piece of advice that I have for you is to find something for your self that you can look forward too. Being a mom is a lot of fun and work and all too often we get in the grove of things and life just becomes too predictable. There is no longer anything challenging the mind you just seem to be repeating the steps. Take on a dance class, take an online class from a local college of something that just sounds interesting to you, and so on.... I hope that this helps! Best of luck and God bless
~Amanda
Try getting a hormone panel drawn and have your testosterone level checked. Sounds like it could be low.
There are some natural remedies available for mild depression. You can get a compound also at health food store(s). L-Phenalanine, L-Tyrosine, 5 HTP, SAM-e are just a few of the natural resources available. There is a NOW vitamin product called True Focus which has L-Phen and L-Ty . . . and some other ingredients but it is more for focus. Vitamin Research Products also has some very good products for depression (all natural and high grade)--www.vrp.com. It would be better if you can stay off the meds, but if nothing else works, it's not the end of the world either. Good luck. PS: You can also try hypnosis. I am a certified hypnotist and have helped a number of people this way.
I know you exercise but maybe you should change the routine. Just like everything the same old gets boring. Take your girls and start taking walks. Try getting as many fruits as you can. I don't know if you talk to your husband about it or not but make sure you do. He really needs to be involved and just talking to him will help. I wish you luck. I think most of us have been through this.