Depression help without meds?

Posted by dorma @dorma, Jun 8, 2025

I have depression, but not severe. It stems from extreme fatigue and chronic pain. I've tried pretty much all the antidepressants, but can't tolerate them. Does anyone have suggestions/ideas about how to deal with depression without the meds?

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For treating depression w/o meds, consult a geriatric psychiatrist for psychotherapy. More are located near university medical centers. B/c they’re a psychiatrist, they could prescribe meds if needed or wanted.
Since you characterize your depression as mild, maybe a course of TMS (trans magnetic stimulation) would be of help. It has a success rate of 79% with no side effects, pain or downtime.
Electrodes are placed on your skull and a magnetic pulse is emitted to areas of the brain implicated in depression. These are determined by a prior MRI.
Also a support group may be of help. Your psychiatrist should be able to help find one.

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Some people swear by the supplements L-Methylfolate and Vitamin D3+K2.

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Profile picture for daveshaw @daveshaw

@heyjoe415 Commission sales is like working without a safety net but being in control of how much money you make and having the freedom to not be stuck behind a desk is a trade off I would choose any day.
Sales is not for everyone but it enabled me to make a very good living.
Getting my depression under control was a key part of that success as well. Depression never goes away but it can be managed.
Good luck to you Joe.

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Thank you Dave.

We share the same outlook on sales and "working without a net". My first two jobs out of college were desk jobs and I hated that. I eventually moved into marketing, which was better, then management consulting as a consultant, and then sales in management consulting. I had a blast and had a few very, very good years - there was rightly no cap on how much we could earn.

For balance, there were also some pretty lean years. Sometimes we would work for a month or more on an RFP only to be rejected. Crafting RFPs that are not accepted nets zero comp!

Thanks again Dave!

Joe

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Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

Thank you Dave.

We share the same outlook on sales and "working without a net". My first two jobs out of college were desk jobs and I hated that. I eventually moved into marketing, which was better, then management consulting as a consultant, and then sales in management consulting. I had a blast and had a few very, very good years - there was rightly no cap on how much we could earn.

For balance, there were also some pretty lean years. Sometimes we would work for a month or more on an RFP only to be rejected. Crafting RFPs that are not accepted nets zero comp!

Thanks again Dave!

Joe

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@heyjoe415 All it takes is one big RFP that is accepted and you forget the ones that were not accepted.
Just like one good cold call keeps you on the phone the rest of the day.
The beauty of retirement is that you only remember the good days. Commission sales changed my life. It sounds like it changed yours as well.
Enjoy your day.

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How about the possibility of not just "Depression help..." but a whole lot more health issues that are preventable or minimized with Lifestyle Choices?

I hear, many saying, 'But I am deep in the mess' well in that case let's start what we still CAN DO:
We are breathing, for sure can we IMPROVE our breathing. In my case as an Octo, I often times after sitting or standing for hours I listen to a musical break on radio while doing air Kicks With Full Force so that often just after three/four my heart rate almost goes up high enough to take a short (one minute, say ) break and as soon as I am able to kick I start again. It's something one can do Any time! I do past midnight as I go to bed very late.

So, Now I'd ask you: what other areas you can do a little more to improve your health?
Often food is a possibility. How is your diet helping you become at Your best?

Most importantly, I'd NOT be able to motivat myself IF I did not know WHY my good health is needed FOR. No, for health or freedom from meds is not going to work for me. What Does work is What I want to do with my Healthy Life, which is to go beyond a selfish goal where it would help me devote my time into what MATTERS to Others. Some call it Purpose, some a Flourishing life.

It has helped me thru All my life; No exaggeration.
I wish u good life.

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