Safe Alternative/Integrative Approaches to Treating Depression
 

I don't want to minimize the pain and limitations associated with depressions.
If you are severely depressed and/or suicidal, please do stick with the recommendations of your treating physician.

Please also have a full screening for bipolar conditions prior to attempting antidepressant therapies.

Please always be careful. :hug:


Many people have health conditions which prevent them from using the standard depression medications.

I am wondering if there may be some helpful alternatives?

Have you found a different approach helpful?
(Please include supplements, behavioral approaches, etc.)

Are you aware of some literature which may prove helpful?

We have several members suffering with depression and unable to take the standard medications. Some have heart issues, some are pregnant, some just cannot tolerate the meds, etc.

Thanks so much for sharing any experiences/information! :grouphug:

To Our Healing,
DejaVu

P.S. I realize this is a question which has been previously answered, in various ways, here. When people are depressed, they may have difficulties getting the information together via search engines, etc. If you have some potentially helpful information, please share. This is a very helpful community! :)

SAM-e Article
 

I often hear people reporting positive effects in mood and energy with SAM-e.

Here is an article which gives some information on SAM-e studies, lists a book written by SAM-e investigators and also lists references:
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/depr...m-e-depression


WebMD lists some uses, interactions, contraindications, etc.:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...dientname=same

As always, please be careful. Study up. Talk with your physician.

:grouphug:
DejaVu

I have personally used SAMe and found it helpful.
The really good thing about it is, it helps the liver and eases joint pain.
Actually, thanks for reminding about it because I need some help right now.
Thanks, D.

Link, resources & helpful information can always be added to our useful sites sticky thread for this forum -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread303.html

awesome info
absolutely intriguing
stuff
thanks
love
me

DejaVu, I have found that a combination of an AD and non-pharmaceutical approaches has been more effective in staying in remission from MDD than either has been in isolation.

My clinical psychologist is very eclectic in her approach - CBT (of course!), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness/meditation and Schema Therapy.

The last took me a while to understand. One of my core beliefs/Schema (different words for the same concept?) is "I am different to everybody else.". I didn't see that as being maladaptive and my clinical psychologist reassured me that it was not, which I found empowering.

The combination of an AD and the other approaches means that I am now on a "care and maintenance" basis with my psychiatrist and clinical psychologist - I see them once every six months or so for a brief "How is it going?" chat and to pick up a prescription refill from my psychiatrist.

Thanks so much for responses!
 

Hi Eva, Diandra, Jo*Mar and Kiwi,

Thanks for each of your responses!

I had felt a need for this type of sharing and I am having great difficulty recalling the alternative approaches I have previously known. (Post-concussion syndrome.)

A community effort is best anyway.

I imagine we will have more responses/options shared here in time.

I will work at recalling some additional information, as well.

Eva, I hope you and your doctor may see this as a viable option. :D

Diandra, So glad for you! Thanks for reporting you have found SAM-e helpful in the past. :D (I need reminders, too. I also need hints, or a stimulus, in order to trigger memories of information.)

Jo*Mar, Yes! Thanks for reminding us of stickies! We can add info. We can find info already there! :D

Kiwi, Thanks so much for sharing your own experiences of approaches you have found helpful. Very helpful information. :D

To Our Healing,
DejaVu

this you share valuable
in so many was
most importantly
it was your personal
experience strength and hope
for all that
thank you
love
me

You Bring Me Joy, Eva!
 

Hi Eva,

Thank you!
You continue to touch my heart! :hug:

I think of you and your loved ones daily.
I have a great deal of hope for you and your family. :grouphug:

One of the certainties in life: Nothing always remains the same.
Circumstances, perspectives, insights, people and options often shift. :)

:hug:
With Gratitude,
DejaVu

For me, getting my thyroid supported after 10 long years of clinical depression from 1991 to 2002 and then getting Vit D3 tank filled up, got me out of a Long Depression.

A few years ago a friend visited a Psychiatrist who specializes in Depression naturally, gave out this printed sheet which the patient would take to the Pharmacy next door.

Vitamin B6 100 mg. one per day (in the form of P-5-P) (take now)

5-HTP 50 mg. one – twice per day. (have taken off and on)

Folapro 800 mcg. (5-methlytetrahydrofolate) one – twice per day. (take now)

Magnesium Glycinate one capsule twice daily. (take now, but more)

B12 Methylcobalamin 5000 mcg. sublingual per day (take 1-2Kmcg daily)

NutraSea Omega-3 Fish Oil. (take now, different brand)

NAC N-Acetyl-cysteine 500 mg. two capsules twice per day. (don't take)

I take all the above for different reasons, and for me SamE never worked, low dose and higher dosing. Adjust accordingly for one's needs.

I had sent this link to a friend who has dealt with a lowness for as long as I've known her. She uses most of the above supps but hasn't used a lot of magnesium and dealing too with afib now....and there is that connection with heart and magnesium.

This link talks about the Best forms of magnesium to use for depression.

http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Your-De...With-Magnesium

I think this is all good info to know.

thank you for sharing
the more information
the better informed decisions
we can make
i need to learn how to
the information i gather
and like to share
in link form
again thank you
be well
love
me

10 Things to do to Beat Depression
 

I have just read this article and would like to share it.

Often, we must take a multi-factorial approach to overcoming any condition.
A multi-factorial approach may also help with depression.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archive...at-depression/

Enjoy the article! :)

With Hope,
DejaVu

All good info, DejaVu, what jumped out was the 2000mg DHA, I get 500mg daily in my Max DHA omega 3 supp and that was a higher dose of DHA... Dr. Perlmutter's book has going on 4000 reviews on amazon. Great book. I'm not depressed as I've worked on that one since 1991 and it was thyroid not diagnosed for 10 yrs.

Maximize Feeling Good About Ourselves
 

Hi Caroline,

Thanks for commenting! :)

I also think this article shares helpful information.
If we take all 10 suggestions and implement them, some of us might be making lifestyle changes in doing so. :)

Many times, we are unconsciously making choices which help to ensure, or help to aggravate depression. Sometimes, we are doing things which, ultimately, feed into low self-esteem or self-deprecation.

I have felt a need to stop and honestly evaluate my own daily lifestyle and environment. Am I truly doing the best I can do to stay in a positive frame of mind and truly optimizing any healing potential by choices made every day?

It takes time and some devotion/commitment to carry through on daily habits which are apt to help us to be our best.

Making all kinds of changes in my own life and in my home environment. Some small changes are apt to bring me more joy! :D

:hug:
DejaVu

thank you DejaVu

awesome stuff
will be looking into DHA
the doctor i wrote of
Dr. Kevin Tracey of neurology
"can the nervous system be hacked"
he attacks inflammation with a pioneering
device put on the vagus nerve
INFLAMMATION a KILLER
THANKS AGAIN
LOVE
ME

[QUOTE=caroline2;1166413]All good info, DejaVu, what jumped out was the 2000mg DHA, I get 500mg daily in my Max DHA omega 3 supp and that was a higher dose of DHA... Dr. Perlmutter's book has going on 4000 reviews on amazon. Great book. I'm not depressed as I've worked on that one since 1991 and it was thyroid not diagnosed for 10 yrs.[/QUOT

wishing you continued health
love me

Hi Eva!
 

Hi Eva,

It's all very interesting! :D

The success rate of some of these approaches seems to be greater than meds, or meds alone.

Some people cannot tolerate meds at all. Others have had multiple trials of all kinds of meds and meds do not help them.

There are different types of depression, which can also make a difference in helpful treatment approaches.

I think it's very important to be optimizing brain function in every way possible, including making sure we are taking in related nutrients.

The vagus nerve approach is interesting. :)

I enjoy hearing from you, Eva.

Much Love to you, Eva :hug:

DejaVu

And it's so easy to go on and on about Lack and Less and the Half Empty Glass. I refuse to do that as I KNOW how fortunate I am and that I can continue to keep "up" my advancing life as I know best to. We have so much in these advanced countries and I hear so much on my NPR/BBC about the rest of the world...Good Grief.....give thanks and drink from that Full Glass. Everyone has ups and downs, and true a lot have many downs, but remember the ups. I remind some friends who are forever in a negative frame --- think about all the good times.... There is so much help out there today and so much can be free. Meditation is very free. C

Jury Out on Omega 3s?
 

Interesting article, DejaVu,

I agree that results should focus on Personalised Medicine rather than Average Results. Focussed treatments for all issues is the future.

Shame Omega3 will not help me. I eat plenty of oily fish with no Mood Elevation, but I believe I am a Lost Cause. If only a cure for Depressive Personality Disorder were that simple.

Dave.

Reading thru this thread I have changed my Omega 3 to Jarrow EPA/DHA Balance product.
I take 2 softgels daily. Nothing negative and believe Omega 3's are important. I eat some seafoods but not a lot. Had some wonderful salmon the other day...sauted in coconut oil.

For me I can say Thyroid support (NP Thyroid), Vit D3/K2 and Dhea have kept me out of depression. I had a 10 yr depression 1991-2002....

Dave, I had never heard of your DPD until I read about it from you. Have you worked with the 3 I mentioned?

Hi Caroline,

My thyroid levels are always good. D is always low every year at my Test Time for which I supplement for several weeks. I cannot stay on D3 longterm due to calcium build up. Taking D3 and raising my levels has never alleviated my Depression in the slightest, I believe due to it being 'in-built'. DHEA can adversely affect the heart and cholesterol levels, things I cannot risk.

Dave.

Hi Dave, I was told my thyroid was good for 10 tough years of depression. Then I went to work, joined support groups and talked to a lot of people about the thyroid issue. In my opinion, so many do not get the thyroid support they truly need due to numbers and doctors who are not willing to dig deep. I've talked about this a lot and in the "old times" doctors didn't even go by labs or even had labs to help people with their long list of symptoms...they knew to do at least starting theraputic doses and go from there. That's what the D.O. who worked on my back for years, did in my case. No labs...

On the D issue, it's reported about the epidemic in our country and even more so in the UK.

I find this interesting as I'm researching L Methylfolate and I take 800 to 1600mcg daily as it's in my homocysteine formula. Now I'm finding more on the depression issue and pharma now has a "food grade drug"....it's pricey as I checked today. One can get otc
L Methylfolate and I think I'm going to take a little more daily to see if I get a Happy Lift...

Otc supp is still much lower strength than the drug mentioned in this article. There doesn't seem to be much of a side effect issue.

http://mental-health.emedtv.com/l-me...-benefits.html

As always do your research.

My friend reminded me of the importance of optimal B12 and especially when taking higher Methylfolate. We talk about the importance of B12 here all the time.

Thanks DejaVu for this thread! I have a lot of med intolerances...:grouphug:

Many out there have undiagnosed and untreated thyroid issues, a big one in t his area is Depression, I've been that route for 10 yrs...and it was sluggish thyroid.

I had depression once.

With skilled help from in particular a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist I think of myself as cured

Both of them used Cognitive Behavioral methods with me.

Sounds like your issue was not clinical, but situational. I see situational as the ups and downs we need to work thru in our lives... and

Clinical needs support otherwise...Like getting thyroid supported as I did.

Life is full of ups and downs, if you are human, and to me these are NOT depressions.

And many were found to "low" moods due to Vit D deficiency.

Clinical Depression/Major Depressive Disorder
 

Just by the way...

Depression Definition and DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria

Clinical depression can be a very serious condition. It's associated with high rates of death from suicide.

Clinical depression is different from depression caused by a medical condition such as Thyroid disorder and other medical conditions.

Clinical depression: What does that mean? - Mayo Clinic

Hi Kiwi,
It's great that you were able to get such beneficial treatment. I was seriously depressed at one time when I was young but they didn't have very good treatment options back then.

A lot of the people I know who have had CBT for various reasons, including anxiety and ocd and depression etc, in more recent years have found help. I've seen it work so well in other people. I think that if I'd done CBT way back then, I would have learned a lot more useful coping mechanisms and overcome some negative thought patterns and behaviours that were set up in childhood and that affected the way I dealt with some pretty awful times in my life.

Many may be in the depression world due to a low functioning sluggish thyroid. I was there for 10 yrs with a slew of docs
who kept missing the issue and kept hitting me with A/D drugs, 10 ugly years. I've talked about it here and also many coudl
be taking thyroid drugs that are NOT working for them, they are ineffective. I know of this one too.

There is much more than the synthetic lab produced Synthroid meds.....

:confused:

I didn't say thyroid didn''t cause depression.

Of course thyroid problems can make people anxious and depressed. It's depression caused by a medical problem. It is not classified as Clinical Depression.

Quoting caroline2:

exercise
 

Something I am surprised doesn't get mentioned very often is exercise and the potential to elevate our mood and in turn help a tiny little bit with pain relief sometimes.

Due to very serious health issues and various conditions that make exercise (let alone walking) impossible most days, I still try to follow my own sort of routine within a 21 day cycle as I have treatments every 21 days. If I feel I can start then I make the most of it. This morning for example, my pain wasn't too bad so I got out in the garden early and ended up mowing an acre of grass on my ride-on mower (and that's harder than it sounds due to undulations and edges etc.).

I don't need to use my feet much except for the brake so I make sure I have really good shoes with support and comfortable lining. Then I got out the line trimmer and trimmed around boundaries and trees or about an hour. All up I ended up doing about 3 hours work. 2 and 1/2 hours would have been better 'cause now I'm in bed eating home made soup and in a lot of pain. My ribs and back and joints and muscles all hurt more than on a normal day. They hurt then anyway.

It's been a beautiful, still "winter" day of around 25C. Can't complain about that really. We've just endured the longest summer I can ever recall but finally the rain and humidity have settled and it's so much easier to get outside.

After my treatment each 21 days, I need to rest mainly in bed for about 5 to 7 days. After that I try to do outside exercise every 2nd or 3rd day. Of course sometimes it's too painful and I can't do it.

My point really is that I really find exercise so incredible for elevating my mood. It's really, really noticeable. Hardest part is pushing through the down moods and the pain but I've learned to pick my days and some days I can and some days I can't. Down moods make us feel as if we can't do anything so I try to force myself.

I would suggest some type of strenuous exercise over anything else in my life to elevate my mood which to be honest has been pretty down for a long time now. The fact that it causes me so much pain is the problem, but for now I am finding that helping my mood is really worth it so I just try to balance the happy brain with the physical pain.

The more I do, the more I want to do and I do push myself very hard. I can see why exercise can be so addictive and I'm sorry that I can't do very much anymore due to pain however it makes it feel so great to be alive. The wonder of endorphins! Wish we could bottle that.

sorry for very long post.

Yes, it's very true moving, exercise, walking, stretching are so important and for so much of my life I was the exercise Gym queen but thyroid support was missing and the ole doc who "fixed" me, didn't even do labs, he knew...and especially women and after menopause.
**