Depression help without meds?

Standard answers include regular lite (or heavy) exercise , good nutrition, proper meditation (Alan Watts, Deepak Chopra, Sarah Harris or join a group), finding and doing activities which are meaningful to you and get you into the "zone" (active imagination), friends and family (or Mayo Chat). Stay away from keeping a negative spin on things. Life has two sides. The other one is positive.

I know for a fact that without the 2 depression meds that I've been taking for several years that I wouldn't be here right now. At it's worst, my depression almost managed to convince me that my only option was to kill myself.
We live about 25 miles from the Deception Pass Bridge that connects Fidalgo island to Whidbey island. It's almost 200 feet about Puget Sound, and is a popular spot for people with suicidal thoughts to carry out their wish to kill themselves.
I've had serious thoughts of doing just that, driving over the bridge, parking my truck with the keys locked inside, and jumping into oblivion. I almost did this on 2 occasions, and it was after this that my doctor changed my meds to the 2 that I take now.
Am I still depressed, yes. Are things as bad now than they were then, no. This is just my opinion, but I don't see how anyone with clinical depression can cope long term without some pharmaceutical help.
Good luck.

@dorma
I would not give up on medications they can be very helpful. Do you have access to a psychiatric medication specialist? I see one a Mayo and having such a experienced expert on medication is something that can really help you find one that is specific for you. They have the experience with both causes and appropriate medications for patients. My medication was specific to me based on my other medical conditions and other medication I was taking.

You asked about doing things outside medications. I am a big promotor of exercise and or hobbies. With exercise of course you need to seek doctor approval. In the past on MCC I mentioned water arobics. Many posted back found a place to do water aerobics and really enjoyed it.

Anything you do that can bring a smile to your face and/or get your mind off anxiety and depression can make a difference. I worked with heart failure, EP, PCP, and medication specialist to get approval for my exercise routine. One of the most enjoyable for me is water aerobics. It allows you to be in water with buoyance and can do many exercises I would not be able to do on land. The classes are to music that is both enjoybable and picked for it's beat to exercise at. I do 7 classes a week.

I also like to bike and do so having fun. It is like being a kid again. I swim while listening to music (underwater music player ear pods). Now you might not be an person who likes exercise or able to do them then consider a hobby. Find a hobby you like alone or with others and if it brings you a smile it is going to help.

Can you imagine the amount of stress and depression on FDR during WWII? I have read many books on him. Almost every day he made time to work on his stamp collection. He enjoyed it so much his family would say and would allow his mind to be on something else.

Per your comment about things to help outside medications. I mentioned some. I would also consider yoga, mindfulness yoga, Tai Chi (spell). I mention Tai Chi as a friend of mine in my community lost her husband to liver cancer. She was really depressed. Fellow residents suggested Tai Chi and she tried it. She found it so relaxing to her she does every week now. From how much she likes it and hellps her I am considering adding it to my weekly schedule also.

@dorma First of all. recognizing you are experiencing depression is a step in the right direction!

Do you journal? Write poetry or essays or short stories? This discussion thread may be something to take a look at : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/ Try writing a letter to your depression and see what happens!

Keeping a healthy diet for your own situation can help. You mention chronic pain and extreme fatigue. Do you have a handle on the underlying causes of those side effects? They can certainly take a toll on a person! And like what @jc76 said, physical exercise can help.

I take 10mg of citalopram each night. It is a small dose, and keeps the valleys from dipping too low, and the mountain from getting to high.

How are you feeling today? Have you read anything here that you might be open to trying?
Ginger

I have joined different groups to keep myself busy doing things. My meds help a little but exercise and meditation and reading, etc, etc help me get through the day.

Thanks for posting, it was very helpful. Do you live in a senior community that has a lot of these activities and hobbies?

Thank you; and thanks to the several replies from others! It is encouraging to read the responses.
I do need to try harder on some of things above. I am really struggling, but trying to be positive. The only exercise I can do is stretching. It helps me stay limber, but doesn't really help the pain.

I did a lot of decoupage for several years, then discovered pour painting, which I love even more. But for several months I can't seem to get motivated to do anything. I have no appetite, and have gone from 95 pounds to 87. I've lost 4 inches in height, due to spine issues.

Many doctors; no real help. We just don't have any good ones in our area. I will be 82 in a month, but I'm not giving up! The responses have given me a nudge in a better direction. ** No, about the senior community activities.