Natural depression remedies?

[away_she_flew]

I've struggled with depression for years, and am finally, happily, on a drug I like. However, I'd like to go off the meds and handle things on my own (I would most definitely work with my doctor, of course, when I do this). Plus, I can't take the meds I'm on when I'm pregnant, which is in the near future for me. I'd like to get everything under

Comments

[goldoyster]

Vitamin D, fish oil and cognitive therapy. Also, there are some anti-depressants you can take while pregnant and nursing. You may need them more than ever as it's a very challenging time.

[away_she_flew]

Thanks, I already take Vitamin D-3 (I forgot how much I take, but it's 2 pills a day) but I'll add fish oil.
I know there are other options for when I'm pregnant and nursing, I just kinda hoped I could do without :( But that's not happening NOW so I'll worry about it later!

[sblmnldrknss]

Pardon my being frank, but that's a little short-sighted. You said its in the near future. How near is near? Often in even the month following conception, hormones and chemicals can go haywire, and even a person who wasn't previously depressed can quickly become depressed. These are things you should consider and have a plan in place. Is your doctor aware that you plan to get pregnant soon? Does he/she think its a wise decision to try and go without meds at this point?

[away_she_flew]

I guess near is a relative term...a year or so. Maybe 2. My husband's in school right now, so we're not wanting to add another stresser to our lives yet. This is why I'm trying to have a plan in place before I go off the pill and start to try to get pregnant. And I will NEVER do it without the consent of my doctor. We've actually talked about it, and he did tell me of a few meds that are safe for pregnancy (prozac being one of them, which I've been on before and I know it works).
I consider myself "lucky" that I at least know the signs, so I can get on top of things before it gets horrible, theoretically. But yes, I have talked to my doctor and will continue to do so, especially before getting pregnant. He's already suggested being off the meds (if that's what I decide to do...now I'm rethinking the decision based on comments here!) for 3 months before trying to conceive. Ideally I'd be off the meds 3 months, learn to deal with the depression without them, THEN go off the pill. Ideally...

[thalassaemia]

exercise.

[hugh_mannity]

Thirded.

There have been any number of studies that have found exercise has mental health benefits.

Doesn't have to be a huge amount of high-impact working out either. A half-hour walk every day can have a positive effect (and if it's during the day, you can wear a short-sleeved shirt and get some bonus natural Vitamin D as well).

I'm a huge fan of Vitamin D as well -- I take 10,000 IU every day. Just make sure you take D3 (cholecalciferol) not D2 (ergocalciferol) as the body doens't utilize D2 nearly as efficiently as D3.

[away_she_flew]

I do! 3 times a week for the past 2 months. I'm actively trying to lose weight and I'm one of those people who just can't do it without exercise. So I'm all over that. :)

[ninja_ninjin]

Fresh, unprocessed, foods supply B vitamins which are essential for mood regulation. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200402/vitamins-get-your-bs

[rock_grrl]

Fresh food and a diet free of sugar and processed food. Make sure to eat enough healthy fat (fatty fish, coconut oil, butter, lard etc.) as your brain needs fat to stay healthy. Reduce coffee intake and don't consume too much alcohol. Regular exercise that you find FUN! Make sure to stay hydrated as being dehydrated can increase your depression symptoms

[maynda]

Have you looked into placenta encapsulation? It's phenomenal. I have a friend who does it for a living and many friends who have tried it with great success. I wish I'd known about it when I had my daughter. I was a mess.

[away_she_flew]

So, several people have mentioned this and to be honest, it kinda freaks me out a bit! I know it's just a pill, and I'd be open to it but...I'm not sure my husband would be. We're the type of people who mock those who eat their placenta because it just seems disgusting. But pills seem a lot easier. I just don't know how he'd feel about it! And i know it's my choice but...I don't want him to look at me with disgust if I do decide to do it :(

[shalora]

He's not the one who will be taking it

[ne_jyam]

Light therapy lamps don't have to be very expensive. I got this one for $50: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JF3G08

For me personally: Vitamin D3, sitting out in the sun 15-20min/day, light therapy, exercise, no caffeine or booze, minimal processed sugars.

Also for future reference, consuming the placenta postpartum supposedly helps stave off PPD. If we ever manage to get pregnant, I'll have the placenta encapsulated afterward (there are people you can hire to do it for you, or you can buy kits to do it yourself), though some brave women cook it or blend it into smoothies. According to what I've read, women who've had depression in the past are automatically at a higher risk for PPD. So that's something that you might want to read up on and prepare for. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, ya know.

[maynda]

I just commented about placenta encapsulation. I have a friend who does it for a living (along with being a doula) and several friends who have tried it with incredible success. I wish I'd known about it when I had my daughter! Definitely do it.

[away_she_flew]

I take vitamin D3 (thankfully I looked it up online before I bought it, glad I went with D3). I currently take 2,000 a day (and I'm making my husband take it too, because he's been down lately!)
I live in Seattle so the summer months are lovely, but most of the rest of the year is difficult to get a good amount of sunlight. I do try, and the summer will probably be great but the winter/spring is difficult, especially right now. It may be May, but it still isn't regularly sunny yet :(

[ne_jyam]

Oh geez that's a really long sunless season to deal with! I'd definitely save up for a light therapy lamp, it was a huge help. I have the hardest time in October and November for some reason. December perks me up a bit with the holidays, and then around here we get a heat wave in January and our spring starts in February. I was taking 6000-8000IU of D3 and doing 3 45min sessions of light therapy at the worst of it, and I definitely noticed when I forgot a day of D3 or light therapy