Depression help without meds?

Part of the 'problem'...I wish I could.

I know that I need to be moving and exercising in order to lose the 30 pounds I've gained since retiring 10 years ago, but it's really hard to do when you're in chronic pain and can't walk unaided for more than 5 or 10 minutes.
I was going to the gym 3-5 times a week to walk and lift weights, but I can't even do that any more. My neuropathy and arthritis pain have increased to the point that I can't do much of anything physically around the house. I have to just sit and watch my wife do 99% of the yard work now, which is embarrassing to say the least.

I know that I need to be moving and exercising in order to lose the 30 pounds I've gained since retiring 10 years ago, but it's really hard to do when you're in chronic pain and can't walk unaided for more than 5 or 10 minutes.
I was going to the gym 3-5 times a week to walk and lift weights, but I can't even do that any more. My neuropathy and arthritis pain have increased to the point that I can't do much of anything physically around the house. I have to just sit and watch my wife do 99% of the yard work now, which is embarrassing to say the least.

I know this sounds nuts, but I completely believe that inflammation and many other symptoms of depression and autoimmune disorders are related to possible trauma. Trauma can range from emotional abuse or just a life of extreme stress. It doesn't have to be extreme, like being a victim of crime. Look at adrenal fatigue and the causes. There is a great video I am going to post. See if it applies. I understand depression, anxiety and illness, personally.
https://youtu.be/ViBCHO6FSiI?si=fXNXkHJury_y5w3o

I know this sounds nuts, but I completely believe that inflammation and many other symptoms of depression and autoimmune disorders are related to possible trauma. Trauma can range from emotional abuse or just a life of extreme stress. It doesn't have to be extreme, like being a victim of crime. Look at adrenal fatigue and the causes. There is a great video I am going to post. See if it applies. I understand depression, anxiety and illness, personally.
https://youtu.be/ViBCHO6FSiI?si=fXNXkHJury_y5w3o

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.

In my experience I suffer with severe depression I'm almost wouldn't be here right now if someone hadn't showed up I go on and off of medications because when I take the medications and I still want to kill myself it makes it worse like I'm such a failure medication can't even help so I have mixed feelings about medication and then though withdrawals from the medication makes the depression worse when I feel good on the medication and it's managing my depression then I think why do I need it I'm not depressed so medication can be very tricky depression is our own journey and we have to make the right choices to keep us all alive there's no right or wrong whatever helps in the moment is what I believe

Totally not nuts. Well known loop.
Stress : outer (fired, divorce); inner (trigger childhood beatings) FIGHT OR FLIGHT . Which produces ADRENOCORTICOSTEROID as the precursor to the adrenaline flood (run from tiger/ fight tiger). Bi-product is cortisol which screws up everything. Fear Reaction should be 10 minutes, not chronic. Your mind and body break down.
Totally overwhelmed?
You forget everything. Maybe vagus nerve protects by shutting everything down-deer in the headlights/catatonia.
fight or flight?
rest and digest?
Sympathetic and para-sympathetic.

@shmerdloff
Can I asked where you got this picture of the Vagus nerve? My wife has diabetes and it attack her Vagus nerve and really messed up her stomach and pancreas. This picture would sure help her see what the doctors were talking about. I tried to copy it but my computer would not do it.