1. < Depression & Anxiety

Depression help without meds?

Posted by dorma @dorma, Jun 8 8:48am

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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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 1 day ago
In reply to @dorma "Technically, they are stepsons, but I am so lucky...and blessed, to love them ALMOST as much..." + (show)
@dorma

Technically, they are stepsons, but I am so lucky...and blessed, to love them ALMOST as much as my own sons. They "grew up" and turned out to be very good men. They always make me feel totally welcome and cared for. Of course, that took about 15 years to develop. haha

My depression comes from severe fatigue and chronic pain, but I am very blessed to have a loving, faithful husband, who is very patient and kind. I wish you the best.

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@dorma I, too, have a bonus son. He calls me his bonus mom! I love it. Never had children of my own. And William is indeed a blessing in my life.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
jc76 | @jc76 | 18 hours ago
In reply to @dorma "Technically, they are stepsons, but I am so lucky...and blessed, to love them ALMOST as much..." + (show)
@dorma

Technically, they are stepsons, but I am so lucky...and blessed, to love them ALMOST as much as my own sons. They "grew up" and turned out to be very good men. They always make me feel totally welcome and cared for. Of course, that took about 15 years to develop. haha

My depression comes from severe fatigue and chronic pain, but I am very blessed to have a loving, faithful husband, who is very patient and kind. I wish you the best.

Jump to this post

@dorma
I have bonus daughter and 2 bonus grandchildren.

As a care giver for my wife who has serious heath conditions let you husband know what you posted here on MCC about him.

REPLY
1 reply
dorma | @dorma | 17 hours ago
In reply to @jc76 "@dorma I have bonus daughter and 2 bonus grandchildren. As a care giver for my wife..." + (show)
@jc76

@dorma
I have bonus daughter and 2 bonus grandchildren.

As a care giver for my wife who has serious heath conditions let you husband know what you posted here on MCC about him.

Jump to this post

Thank you for "nudging" me; I'm sure I don't tell him often enough, though we do tell each other several times a day that we love each other. And bless you for caring for your wife. Too many men don't want to even try.

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1 reply
dorma | @dorma | 17 hours ago
In reply to @gingerw "@dorma I, too, have a bonus son. He calls me his bonus mom! I love it...." + (show)
@gingerw

@dorma I, too, have a bonus son. He calls me his bonus mom! I love it. Never had children of my own. And William is indeed a blessing in my life.
Ginger

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A wonderful blessing!
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@dorma I, too, have a bonus son. He calls me his bonus mom! I love it. Never had children of my own. And William is indeed a blessing in my life.
Ginger
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jc76 | @jc76 | 16 hours ago
In reply to @dorma "Thank you for "nudging" me; I'm sure I don't tell him often enough, though we do..." + (show)
@dorma

Thank you for "nudging" me; I'm sure I don't tell him often enough, though we do tell each other several times a day that we love each other. And bless you for caring for your wife. Too many men don't want to even try.

Jump to this post

@dorma
She is not only my wife but my best friend. I would do anything for her.

I am sometimes lost as what to say or do to help at the level she wants and not over do it. I see a Mayo psychiatrist medication specialist every 3 months. I spend a lot of that time asking for guidance on what I should say or do for my wife. My specialist can be objective where I am subjective.

Now saying all that I think my dog provides more help than I as he brings a smile and laugh to her that I wish I could do.

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david707 | @david707 | 10 hours ago
In reply to @thisismarilynb "I am and have always been depressed. It waxes and wanes depending on where my life..." + (show)
@thisismarilynb

I am and have always been depressed. It waxes and wanes depending on where my life is at the moment. The start was a horrible mother who has always made me feel less. Even now I quite often beat myself up perpetuating her treatment of me. I know better, but still . . . I "ran away" from her and was able to make a new life for myself. But I didn't run away from my mental and emotional problems she caused. Almost four years ago my husband died. We were together for 62 years. I sought therapy and was fortunate to find a woman who really helped me. She diagnosed me with PTSD due to child abuse. But now I am alone and very old. 90 almost 91 to be exact. I am extremely fortunate to be quite healthy at my age. I do not take drugs because they do weird and queer things to me. On the other hand, I can live a "normal" and independent life and I can drive. But I am still alone and that really is depressing. I have two sons. After my husband died, the younger son basically threw me out of the family. So I rewrote our trust. Working for a trust attorney was my career during my working life so this was easy for me. My older son lives in Thailand. I am expecting a visit from him very shortly. It will only be 4 days. Getting from there to here (and back) is a gruelling trip. I may never see him again after this visit. The airline tickets cost a lot of money. I live on a budget. I am trying to stockpile some money in case I live long enough to need a caregiver down the line. If I don't, my older son will get it. I don't feel comfortable in crowds so avoid going to anything where I don't know anyone. So I expect my loneliness and depression will continue until I leave this earth. But no drugs for me.

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I have found a therapy for PTSD. Energy work, such as Reiki or Shen Emotional Release therapy. If you live near a city, there will usually be several Reiki masters near. Based on science (Google Reiki) you will lay on a massage table and the practitioner will will use his/her intuition to determine where to place hands to move out stuffed emotions that need to be released. Should be books in your local library on the subject. You could be amazed at how lite you will feel after the session. Check it out. Nothing to be afraid of.

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