Depression help without meds?

It's wonderful to see so many people wanting to help you with suggestions.

I did look thru from your first post and what seems to stand out from your responses is that you often say, 'I need to try harder' (Jun 9) or 'how to push for' (Jun 10). That is, you must do MORE.

Now I know it's the most common advice we hear and like to give, but what does it really mean?
Did you notice we all learnt to roll our of our bed and started to crawl -- On OUR OWN.
And next thing we found ourselves straining to stand up holding on to a chair leg. One day we were running, climbing, sliding, jumping... all without anyone Ever telling us: You need to 'push harder.'
Weird?!
Yet one day we do seem to find ourselves we are not moving/straining as what might be helpful for our OWN health and Vitality.

As someone who is your age (81+), the last time I visited my doctor was over maybe ten years ago. And even before I saw her only occasionally... mostly because I never saw any reason to waste her time and MY time. I still use no medications, avoided colonoscopy when we are 'harassed' in our early 70s, no tests, no supplements, all with simple healthy inexpensive food, variety of adequate physical exertion, and using my time for purposeful activities, all resulting in sound sleep.

In other words, I ask: Is this about the best use of your time-on-earth that will satisfy you the next day/week/year?
This is what guides me, spurs me, to live optimally and authentically. I only control what's My-Life allows me. I don't need to compare myself with others because I am the result of My own past.

What is outside my control entirely is to have what you've said so well: Every person NEEDS a true friend. I spend my time a lot on finding a few.
I wish you have a life that You enjoy living most.

I’ve been on Paxil for many years and it really helped! Medication can make your life manageable again. My advice is to stay on Paxil.
Mjd

It's wonderful to see so many people wanting to help you with suggestions.

I did look thru from your first post and what seems to stand out from your responses is that you often say, 'I need to try harder' (Jun 9) or 'how to push for' (Jun 10). That is, you must do MORE.

Now I know it's the most common advice we hear and like to give, but what does it really mean?
Did you notice we all learnt to roll our of our bed and started to crawl -- On OUR OWN.
And next thing we found ourselves straining to stand up holding on to a chair leg. One day we were running, climbing, sliding, jumping... all without anyone Ever telling us: You need to 'push harder.'
Weird?!
Yet one day we do seem to find ourselves we are not moving/straining as what might be helpful for our OWN health and Vitality.

As someone who is your age (81+), the last time I visited my doctor was over maybe ten years ago. And even before I saw her only occasionally... mostly because I never saw any reason to waste her time and MY time. I still use no medications, avoided colonoscopy when we are 'harassed' in our early 70s, no tests, no supplements, all with simple healthy inexpensive food, variety of adequate physical exertion, and using my time for purposeful activities, all resulting in sound sleep.

In other words, I ask: Is this about the best use of your time-on-earth that will satisfy you the next day/week/year?
This is what guides me, spurs me, to live optimally and authentically. I only control what's My-Life allows me. I don't need to compare myself with others because I am the result of My own past.

What is outside my control entirely is to have what you've said so well: Every person NEEDS a true friend. I spend my time a lot on finding a few.
I wish you have a life that You enjoy living most.

If you truly suffer from depression you need to take medication. If not what you are doing is fine. Just don’t call it depression because you are doing a disservice to those of us that truly suffer from this debilitating disease.
The right combination of an SSRI that your body tolerates along with Bupropion or Buspar came make all the difference in the world.
Depression is real and needs treatment.
I hope the people that truly suffer from depression will ignore your post.
Exercise of course will help with any problems but get medical help.
Good luck to everyone on this post.

PS I wish getting rid of depression was as simple as floating around in a pool with a noodle or going on a long walk.

Thanks Dave for speaking up on behalf of all of us who do suffer from depression, and sometimes the indescribable panic attack.

Many uninformed people mistake anti-depressants for "uppers" - that they somehow make us high.

Not true. They make us feel closer to normal and allow us to live our lives and enjoy what is enjoyable. A person who doesn't suffer from depression will get no reaction from an anti-depressant (SSRIs).

This needed to be said and I thank you for doing so.

Joe

Thanks Dave for speaking up on behalf of all of us who do suffer from depression, and sometimes the indescribable panic attack.

Many uninformed people mistake anti-depressants for "uppers" - that they somehow make us high.

Not true. They make us feel closer to normal and allow us to live our lives and enjoy what is enjoyable. A person who doesn't suffer from depression will get no reaction from an anti-depressant (SSRIs).

This needed to be said and I thank you for doing so.

Joe

As an aside my psychiatrist added 1mg of Klonopin/ Clonazepam to my Zoloft, Buspar and Bupropion. I take the 1mg of Clonazepam/Klonopin once in the morning and once at night. I actually cut my Sertaline/Zoloft from 100 mg to 50 mg per day. That was great because as good as SSRi’s are they have sexual side effects.
I mentioned tapering off my Clonazepam to my PCP and her comment was why would I do that. I have never increased my dosage for over 30 years and my first psychiatrist said “ If it is not broke why fix it”.
Clonazepam is demonized on a regular basis on these posts but if you don’t abuse it then it can be a valuable tool for panic attacks.
Hang in there and I hope you find the right balance for you. Wellbutrin/Bupropion combined with Zoloft/ Sertraline actually had a nickname of Welloft because they complemented each other so well.
Antidepressants are not a happy pill but rather a means to control a debilitating illness that is genetic and runs in families.
I welcome any comments that actually recognize the fact that depression is a disease just like diabetes.
Good luck to everyone. There is hope for all of you.

@heyjoe415
Excellent information.

I ran into same impression regarding my escitalopram. It is not a high. It is to help you stay at a normal level of mental health. I have been told I will need to be on escitalopram for the rest of my life.

Thanks Dave. Depression is indeed a disease, and it is based on the brain's inability to process serotonin properly. By the time most people realize this, they also benefit greatly from talk therapy.

And I take 1mg of Klonopin (clonazepam) in the morning and at night. As you say, if it works, leave it. (But be aware, clonazepam is an addictive drug and getting off of it is very hard, even at low doses.)

Joe