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

[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.

For me, the Paleo diet has done wonders for my deperssion!! Basically, no grains, sugar or processed food. I eat lots and lots of veggies and greens, meat, fat and some nuts. It's working for me and I haven't felt this good in years. What's more, I was able to wean myself off of my depression meds.

As for your future pregnancy and postpartum time, you are more at risk of having postpartum depression. It's very common. I had it like whoa. Zoloft is safe for breastfeeding and I highly recommend getting your doctor on board with that before your baby is born. PPD can either hit you like a rock across the face or it can creep up on you. You want to be ready, before you feel like killing yourself (uhm, like I did). For my next pregnancy, I will have my Zoloft ready in the cupboard for when I need it. No more "toughing it out" like before. That was very stupid of me.

[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.

Having it encapsulated is totally different than eating it. It is dehydrated, ground up, and put into capsules. You wouldn't taste anything, and it makes a HUGE difference in things like postpartum depression. Having a history of depression myself, and being in a very frank mood, I would say you really need to ignore his possible disgust and seriously consider what will be best for you and your baby.

Also, I've been reading that they have done studies (though I haven't read the studies, so I may have been misinformed) that show that the mother's moods during pregnancy can affect the fetus - a mother who is dealing with severe depression and anxiety during pregnancy can basically wire the fetus to be more susceptible to depression and anxiety as it grows up. So I would really, really encourage you to think carefully about making sure your depression is under control during your pregnancy, even if it means chemicals. Depression is insidious, and as someone who is trying to make it unmedicated (due to a lack of insurance and not being able to afford any of the meds that work for me - prozac doesn't do squat for my depression) I can tell you that it's amazing how far you can slip without realizing that you're slipping.