I commented on this topic with metformin used for weight gain associated with antipsychotics.......but I didn't really say much about its effectiveness on helping vs. no change on depression.
I was on a 32 yr long treatment-resistant major depression. I tried every med out there plus ect....still felt pretty messed up. My Dr put me on the metformin about 7 yrs ago...about the same time I started doing TMS.
I did 2 separate rounds of TMS and a six month refresh round.
THAT made the biggest difference of anything in my life. Went from night to day.....with the exception of still being on some nasty meds.....and having tons of therapy that needed to be done.
I've " been in therapy" since I was a young 19 in the army....and I'm 55 now...and I'm actually " in" therapy.
Meaning.....I mentally wasn't ready until the past couple years to be " present enough" to be able to be a participant in an activity that required me to understand who I really was, why, why I acted the way I would or react, what my real needs were...and not just what sounded good...what made me happy or sad...or.....WHY WAS I SAD IN THE 1ST PLACE????.....thats a good one I tried to figure out for half my life but couldn't!!!
There's so so much about being ready cognitively for therapy....and our illnesses....whatever they may be....impair our preparedness...even though we may be of the most motivated.
Depression is especially rough on therapy if you're experiencing adhedonia....if you can't feel....and I totally get that....than how do you deal with emotions that you have no access to. Yes, you have to lift the depression to try and lift the other....but relying on something you can't control .....like a pill....is not giving yourself a completely full chance.
We are all about balance. We are housed in physical bodies....their health greatly contributes to our MH. I've found for depression, one of the most helpful tools is exercise. Eating right, cutting carbs, proper h2o intake, getting 8-9 hrs sleep/night, getting outdoors and watching around us...getting out of ourselves.....work...volunteering...talking to our peers....abstaining from d and a...quitting smoking.....
Spiritual practices....whatever your choice be.....music....art......hobbies....going out and doing good things for strangers for just the sake of it, and not telling anybody about it...tell everyone you meet today " hello".... watch them say it back....see how u feel!... pick up pieces of trash everywhere you walk and throw away for an entire day....tell one person every day that you love them....even if it's a pet....
Why am I saying this?????
YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL....NO ONE MAY...CAN....OR WILL. YOU..AND ONLY YOU CAN!!!!
PEACE TO YOU!!!!!
AUDREY