How to deal with depression

How to overcome depression

There are lots of alternative treatments for depression, or better ... 'things' you can do to overcome depression - with or without the help of a therapist or doctor.

I am so glad you are searching for information on how to deal with depression - a sure sign that you will recover sooner rather than later!

Just in case you are not sure about what exactly depression is - hop over to my depression questionnaire and have a look at warning signs of depression.  I will be here when you come back.  Depression, stress and alternative treatments

List of alternative treatments for depression

You may find it hard to make any decision at all right now... I know.  However, if you want to know how to deal with depression, just take from the list anything that 'kind of' appeals to you right now.

Really focus on it, learn it, do it, spend time with it, go for it, commit to it, give it time.  I know it is hard, but you really aren't going to get better by sitting on the sofa!

The terms in bold mean that I have written a page on that - you'll find the links further down.

Are you feeling exhausted, stressed and/or generally 'under the weather'?  See: Adrenal fatigue symptoms (link further down).

There may be some you really don't think are going to work for you (bear in mind that they have worked for others though).  Carefully consider each option.  There will be something that is going to help you in your particular circumstances, that fits in with your particular interests.

• Natural depression remedies (see links below) - herbal, homeopathic, nutritional, Ayurvedic
• Light therapy - we have become rather shy of the sun with all the warnings about cancer (see links below).  The sun is life-giving
• Aerobic exercise!!!  There is plenty evidence that it works - see below for link
• Self development - getting to know and accept yourself, without judgement - taking actions that are known to increase happiness
• Counselling: human givens therapy (see links below)
• Life coaching (see link to womens-law-of-attractions-solutions.com)
• Accepting yourself, rather than giving yourself a hard time for all the things you have been, should have done, haven't done, etc (see link to zentactics.com further down)
• Relationship counselling - when you want to know how to deal with depression - I would highly recommend relationship advice if you are unhappy in your relationship
• Acupuncture
• Music therapy - watch this inspiring talk by violinist Robert Gupta from the LA Philharmonic.  Robert has a special interest in music and mental health.  Enjoy that wonderful treat at the end.

• Aromatherapy (see link to aromatherapy-natural-products.com)
  
• Sleep better with natural sleep remedies
• Writing (poetry or stories)- focusing on a story, creating and having a 'project' are all great for overcoming depression
  
• Religious practices - the sense of community too will help you to overcome depression
  
• Making decisions you have been putting off 
• Sorting out relationship problems (if you are not sure whether or not to end your relationship - use my relationship compatibility test)
• Meditation
• Tempted to think you are 'unlucky'?
  
• Do whatever you can to deal with low-esteem
  
• Meeting your essential emotional needs in balance
• Focusing on what really matters to you (link to GoodNewsNetwork)
• Emotional Freedom Technique - one of the best natural ways to overcome depression
• Fish oil - see Fish oil and depression
  
• Hypnosis and effective self-help techniques - a complete programme
• Deal with boredom
  
• Creativity - you are capable of creating an exciting project - a labour of love, using your knowledge or passion.  There is nothing more healing than really getting involved in something that is a challenge and has the potential of creating an income as well!
• Good old self-help - really GOOD self help to overcome depression.  You have within you all the resources you need to cure your depression all by yourself.
  
  Did you know that you are at an increased risk of suffering further depressive episodes when you go on antidepressants?  To speed up your recovery I recommend you consider one of the depression hypnosis downloads from HypnosisDownloads.  The therapists behind these downloads are experts in the treatment of depression.

If life gives you lemons - make lemonade." Joan Collins

Overcome depression with or without antidepressants?

I can guess - from my experience with my clients - what you may have been through.  Of course your situation is uniquely yours, but I have some idea of what it can take to deal with depression.  I have witnessed hundreds of clients struggle and ultimately overcome their depression - mostly without medication by using alternative 'treatments'.

Actually ... often they recovered without any treatment for depression as such, other than working hard to ensure that they were meeting their essential emotional needs (see links) in balance and making the most of their 'natural' innate resources.  For example: creativity is an innate resource - often extensively and inappropriately used for worrying - you imagine all kinds of things going wrong!

However, some clients came to me already on antidepressants (mainly SSRIs).

They had consulted their doctor to find out how to deal with depression.  Their doctor may have had little time for them, limited understanding of how depression could be helped without 'happy pills' or nobody to refer them to.  The general advice your doctor has been given, at least in the UK, is to 'ideally' prescribe antidepressants and offer talking therapy at the same time.

Learn about antidepressants and how to overcome depression

I think it would help you to gain a measure of control by informing yourself about the nature of antidepressants.  You may find Peter Breggin's books very helpful and Dr Mercola's website too offers great advice - well backed up by research.

When you feel ready/well-informed - and you know how you can deal with depression by yourself - you can talk to your doctor again.  With his/her help you may be able to gradually reduce your medication, before you can stop it completely.

As a therapist I am disappointed for you, if you have started taking antidepressants and you have started counselling at the same time.  How would you know what is actually working, when you are determined to overcome depression.

I would like to think that you have found a way of how to deal with your depression.  I would hope that you feel it is your effort that is making the difference.  However, there is not telling if you have started on medication more or less at the same time as you make changes in your life and/or have therapy.

Other people's stories and my replies

Please note: this service is not available at present.

You may also be interested in:
Depression questionnaire Adrenal fatigue symptoms Adrenal fatigue treatment Natural depression remedies Human Givens therapy (also emotional needs) Relationship counselling Natural sleep remedies Emotional needs

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Other helpful links:

Psychosomatic Medicine research evidence for exercise as a treatment for depression
Zentactics.com - for survivors of childhood abuse
Womens-law-of-attractions-solutions.com - for a professional's realistic approach to strategies recently popularized by The Secret, by an award winning author
Dr Mercola - on vit D and depression
Article on depression and exercise

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News:

9 Dec 2011 - Mail Online: Leon McKenzie - I tried to end it all ...
17 Aug - Reuters: depression amongst athletes

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Well-known people who have suffered from depression:

Leon McKenzie - professional footballer
Ruby Wax

Images courtesy of: 1 Ilker; 2 Billy Alexander

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