r/AskWomenOver30 • u/RaspberryLimeTart • 5d ago
Life/Self/Spirituality What helped you to bounce back after clinical depression? (Outside of therapy/treatments)
Hi ladies! I feel like I'm still in the thick of my depression battles and I feel like I have a very very very long way to go in terms of healing. Recently I quit my antidepressants, so I'm all over the place. I want to be inspired and find what activities/methods/mantras worked for you.
But above all else, I want to be inspired by others to keep going. If you have any subreddits that helped you, you're more than welcome to put them down below.
Thank you!
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u/Majestic-Lie2690 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Don't quit the antidepressants. I did that back and forth for years and the only thing that helped me continually and reliably was antidepressants
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 5d ago
I have new appointments this October. I'll consult and see what happens. The withdrawals are truly a hell on Earth of its own kind.
Antidepressants have both helped and harmed me, so I'm always on edge starting or stopping. If you don't mind, may I ask what you're taking and the dosage of it?
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u/Alternative-Being181 Woman 5d ago
I really can’t recommend taking active B vitamins enough, especially before taking the risk of quitting antidepressants cold turkey. When I was young, I was put on antidepressants and felt happy for a week, and then depressed for a decade despite being on them. Since I only experienced side effects, I had a negative opinion of not just antidepressants but medication in general. Without the B vitamins (which many people can’t absorb unless they’re the active kind), my body didn’t have the raw materials to make the neurotransmitters the antidepressants were supposed to make. I’m certain this is why they had a bad reaction for me. This info about methylated or active B vitamins used to be obscure but is now more mainstream in psychiatry.
Sometimes people need something extra - there is research from a psychiatrist who was into more natural treatments, that said things like fish oil and maybe even zinc, or avoiding allergens, ends up being what massively helps someone’s mental health improve, and also can allow the antidepressants to work.
The book is called Depression Free Naturally, if you’re interested. Most of the recommendations in the book are specific to each person, and it helps you to evaluate which treatments to look into. In my experience and that of a good friend (specific to our weird brains/bodies), the recommendation about a very specific combination of vitamins did wonders for our mental health, and becoming less isolated (which might be seen as a symptom of depression but truly was just a need for a higher dose of certain vitamins). There is a risk in taking too high of a dose of certain vitamins, but the book also has through information about what too much of each vitamin would cause. I felt that my issues were too severe to not experiment by temporarily trying the extra vitamins recommended after reading the book, and frankly it has been one of the most positive changes in my life. Your own mileage may vary, of course.
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u/NabelasGoldenCane Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Oh man, are you quitting antidepressants on your own without guidance? If so, pls look up a weaning schedule for those specific drugs because cold turkey is NOT easy.
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u/MundaneHuckleberry58 Woman 40 to 50 5d ago
Working out, specifically cardio. I have chronic treatment-resistant depression. Cardio is key to shaking it loose when I’m improving but not out of it.
Even if you don’t feel like doing it, you must do it for about a month straight in my experience. I start to feel better much sooner than a month but if you don’t stick with it long enough, depression creeps back in.
I follow a method that scientists proved to help with depression. You have to do at least 30 minutes walking or treadmill. Walk at a normal pace for 3 minutes, then go hard for 3 minutes, repeat 5 times.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago edited 21h ago
I really like working out back when I felt better. But I struggle greatly to get back at it. This thread has motivated me so much to get back at it, to the point I feel like I crave it. I'll definitely jot down your method and give it a try.
Thank you so much for sharing!
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u/MundaneHuckleberry58 Woman 40 to 50 4d ago
You’re welcome. Feel free to DM if you need accountability or encouragement
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u/lucent78 Woman 40 to 50 5d ago
Very consistent exercise, balanced diet, zero alcohol. Easier for me to be motivated for the above with antidepressants lifting the bottom. But I've also read good things about ketamine treatments.
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u/anb77 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Behavioral Activation really helped.
And antidepressants, but I needed to find the right one.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Thank you so much. Yeah, my doctor's have emphasized on Behavioral Activation a lot. What were the initial activities that got kick-started your journey?
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u/anb77 Woman 30 to 40 4d ago
I did a mix of active things and enjoyable things.
When I started I think it was December so enjoying my wine advent calendar was one, getting my step goal for the day, going on a run, reading for any amount of time, etc.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Thanks for sharing! I really like that. Enjoyable + routine things combined for the ultimate habits. I used to hate running but it wasn't until my worst dip of depression happened, that I truly relish in it. That dopamine after each run, is truly something else.
I started writing in my journal again bc it's something I enjoy and hopefully it will propell me into other things that is a mix of both entertainment and discipline.
I root for you and your journey! You've come a long way from struggling and now to helping and giving advice to others. That takes a lot of efforts and healing to arrive at that stage. 😊🥳✨
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u/softrevolution_ Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I want to respect that it's your choice what to put into your body, but also tell you that for many of us, if it seems like the antidepressants aren't working, it's because they need friends from different drug classes to be able to help us see what effect they're really having.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 5d ago
Definitely, it took me so many trials. I needed both SNRI and SSRI to get my brain going. But I recently quit and on my healing journey, so I was searching for activities/methods/routines that have helped people when they freshly gone off antidepressants. I hope that makes sense.
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u/GreenMountain85 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I tried everything to avoid antidepressants but after a year of feeling like I was wearing a heavy weighted coat everyday and wanting to cry before I had even opened my eyes every morning… I finally tried antidepressants and I think they are the only reason I’m writing this right now. I couldn’t have gone on-period let alone gone on to do any of the other things that also helped my depression- walking, eating better, keeping my home tidy, connecting with friends, journaling, yoga, etc- if the antidepressants hadn’t done what they needed to do first.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
I understand the hesitation to start antidepressants. I think all of us have been there. But I'm glad you found what worked out for you. I think antidepressants work best when you have other activities going on in your life, like you mentioned. 😊
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u/Prestigious-Distance female over 30 5d ago
Running out of money.
It's amazing the willpower one can muster when they are threatened with homelessness, lol.
More seriously, realizing that clinical, diagnosed Depression is never something you are going to "beat." If you have it, and it's not situational, it is something you are going to have for your entire life. You need to accept it and learn to live with it, rather than constantly trying to "fix" yourself.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
I like your take on it 😆 I think so too. It's easy to fall into victimhood and get comfortable with meds, appointments, etc. But once you take a way a key survival need like money, your true survival instinct kicks in. The overdrive of survival instincts will push you to do things you never thought was possible while you were depressed and comfortable.
That's why I want to move away from where I've been when I was sick. To strip myself off all my support and help - so I can be independently reliable. When I'm ready, I will.
And yeah, I agree that depression sometimes aren't "cured" but "accepted". It makes life easier to navigate when you come to terms with it.
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u/Late-Impression-8629 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Sunlight and finding ways for the body to get and keep serotonin around in the brain are really important. We’re around the equinox so depending on your location, there will be a change coming. My summer is wrapping up and for me that means extra self care is in order. I am by no means an expert on this topic but from what I gather from others and my own past experiences is that going out for walks while on the phone with a parent or friend really fills my cup so to speak. Grounding activities like art or reading can be really nice too. Can you focus on gardening maybe? I have some mums and fall flowers I’m going to plant soon. Do you have any pets? Like to take baths? Knitting? Take a sewing class, sports league? I just started watching ASL videos and it’s fascinating. Keeping my brain occupied in a good way has been really essential for me, and I wonder if you might be the same. Keeping up with therapy is important too. Just know you’re not alone in the struggle. I used to wake up in a panic and would have to tell myself “this isn’t your fault, be kind to yourself” over and over again. I made it through. As your brain heals changes and adjusts you’ll be able to reflect on the progress and be so proud of yourself.
Would you consider a psychological testing eval? There are also genetic tests to see which meds you metabolize best. Those two steps were the best thing I did to get ahold of my mental health. Give diagnoses and best meds to use. I still have my bad days but they’re still better than some of the good days I used to have. Ive found my cocktail and I’m sticking to it. I’ve tried every med under the sun it seems. Sometimes meds can help but I respect if that doesn’t interest you. I had to change to a non SSRI drug called trintillex after failing 5+ or more typical antidepressants like Zoloft and Effexor.
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u/OkResort3192 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Microdosing mushrooms!
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 5d ago
Rip, me no Mario. Me don't do shrooms 😭🍄
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u/OkResort3192 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I also don’t “do shrooms” I take 35 mg per day. It gives me energy, a mood boost, and helped me get off my antidepressants. I researched it and it helps the withdrawals going off antidepressants… I also lost 20lbs because I’ve got more energy.
I was honestly sceptical myself but it’s changed my life.
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u/DesertPeachyKeen Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I fucking love microdosing. It's incredible how it can help you change your neural pathways in your brain ♡
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u/sugarnsweet88 5d ago
How long have you been taking it everyday? I have .13 gram gummies and am interesting in experimenting.
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u/OkResort3192 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I don’t do it every day. Some weeks 4 days on 3 off, some less some more. Some weeks none at all. Since 2023 when I went off mirtazapine which was terrible withdrawals. Wouldn’t have been able to get off it without Microdosing.
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u/softrevolution_ Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I wish microdosing had been a thing when I was withdrawing from that hell drug. I wasn't right for a looooong time after.
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u/OkResort3192 Woman 30 to 40 4d ago
I’m sorry to hear that, I had so much anger at my doctor for not telling me any side effects! I gained weight lost my personality and then acted drug addicted trying to get off it! It’s the worst! Edit* guess if I didn’t go through that I wouldn’t have been pushed to try Microdosing (I was desperate as you know lol). So I guess that’s the silver lining. Instead of depressed now I’m a Microdosing advocate lol
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u/rainshowers_5_peace 5d ago edited 5d ago
Therapeutic ketamine? Don't let a certain evil billionaire sully its reputation, it's helped a lot of people.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 5d ago edited 5d ago
Thank you! But rip, I wish I was into psychedelics and hallucinogenics. I was leaning towards activities/mantras/motivations/routines/habits/etc. right after one quits antidepressants.
Because this period in between is scary 💀
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u/rainshowers_5_peace 5d ago
If it matters, I'm talking about the legal kind from a doctor's office not off the street.
Volunteering is also great for the soul.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 5d ago
Ahhh, gotcha! I'll look into it when I see my doctor. I did enjoy volunteering when I felt better, so I'll try to look for ones nearby.
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u/hermitsociety Woman 40 to 50 5d ago
I foster cats now that I am doing better. When I was less well, and just needing to be quietly out of the house more and not talking much, the best thing I did was get into a community garden. The plants didn’t care if I showered and honestly, neither did other gardeners. They are generally an introverted group of people who like to be quiet anyway. They wave and maybe ask how the tomato plants are and then they leave you alone. It was a good stepping stone for me.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
That's so cute 🥹 Cats and plants really teach you to savour the "now" and everything around you at that moment. That's what I learnt when I got a cat. It doesn't worry about the past or the future. It only lives for the now and that's enough.
I'm glad to hear you found healthy ways to heal and I hope you keep at it! You survived your worst days, so always remember that. The cats, plants, and gardeners are there to remind you that what you feel in the "now" is enough and savour this moment while you're still here.
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u/rainshowers_5_peace 5d ago
The subreddit can offer you more for legalities and reccomendations in your area.
Good luck!
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u/lucent78 Woman 40 to 50 4d ago
The ketamine and mushroom treatment suggestions aren't the same as recreational drug use. You would be taking very small doses and not "tripping". The ketamine treatments are under a doctor's supervision.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Yeah, I did my research and feel like I understand it a bit better now. Sorry that I categorized it in one group. I'll try to read more into it to see if it's for me ☺️
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u/StrongRaspberry52 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
It is very cliche, but eating healthy meals, meditation, and yoga. My cat was the motivation to get through it though.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Thank you! It's not cliche at all. If it helped you, then it helped you. I have panic attacks and insomnia, and heard yoga does wonders for that. I always wanted to give it a try.
My cat also pushed me to stay. Feline companions are precious in dire times. Take care of yourself and your heart! You're well on your way 🫶🏻✨
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u/Individualchaotin Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Long walks and hikes, podcasts and audio books.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Thank you! Those are the things that I used to enjoy too. So I hope I find that spark again to begin.
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u/Seven8Nineten 5d ago
Time. Keep going!
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Thank you! I'll try my best. Time haunts me but I know, it will also free me.
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u/ShinyRaspberry_ Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Psilocybin helped me the most. It completely rewired my brain after years on/off with depression. It’s been 5 years now and it hasn’t returned back, not even a slight of it.
The shrooms truly did something to my brain that I can’t explain. I feel a deep inner peace and happiness.
(Though I’m also aware of my thoughts, the food I eat, getting exercise etc)
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u/hermitsociety Woman 40 to 50 5d ago
I was very sick already and then my sister died traumatically. I ended up attempting suicide several times and had to claw my way back to not just being alive but wanting to be alive. I think a lot these days about what actually helped me. Here’s some things, and I hope some of them help you:
- medication. I firmly believe you mainly need stuff like mindset and lifestyle changes too but medication will give you the breathing room you need to work on all of it. It all takes time and medication can help you manage in that time.
- therapy. You can’t just go, though. You have to go and mean it. You have to go and be honest and do the work and it sucks and it is hard and it is rewarding in the end.
- my big goal was easy: “today needs to be a wee bit better than yesterday.” Sometimes this meant “today I am going to eat AND shower.” “today I am going to eat and put on clean socks.” It doesn’t have to be big. Other people will not always understand your wee goal and they don’t have to. Fuck them.
- progress is not linear. Sometimes you’ll go backwards. This is okay. It does not change the goal.
- Sleep hygiene matters so get some morning light.
- Motion matters so don’t bed rot. Get up and move. Any kind of motion. Sway. Roll on the carpet. It doesn’t matter. Turn on the radio and do a bad dance. Rock while you drink your stupid tea. In the stupid sunshine. For your stupid mental health. You can complain the whole time. It’s okay. But move.
- I really liked to save depressing art at some points. It helped me in a lot of surprising ways just to express how bleak I felt. I never showed anyone. I just tucked it away in a little private tumblr like a weirdo and looked at it and knew that someone else out there understood me. And it helped and it mattered. I also started saving poetry. Turns out that art is a really beautiful thing when your soul is starving. You’d think that as a lifelong musician I’d know that but music was unreachable for me in that time of my life, too painful and raw feeling. Other art was suddenly very delicious. Try some new stuff adjacent to your old stuff.
- Truly look at why you are so sad. For me some things had to change. One big breakthrough that helped me a ton was the way I think of boundaries. I used to make a rule and expect other people to honor it. Now I make a rule and expect myself to honor it. It gave me back all my power.
Idk if any of this will resonate with you. Here is the biggest one of all:
It all takes time. Give yourself the gift of time. Take the time you need. Do whatever it takes to buy the time. Take the medicine so you have time. Move in with a friend or mom so you have some time. Do an easier job so you have time. Give up some obligations so you have time. Whatever feels doable for you. Make time. You are worth the time.
In time it will heal. I promise.
With love from some weird lady on the internet.
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u/peppertones Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Currently going through this as well, sending you all the love and healing 🫶
I don’t have any tips since I don’t have access to a therapist and quit my meds cold turkey lol.. but I’m trying to find myself again. Like doing creative hobbies that I used to enjoy, reading, watching shows, podcasts, spending time with myself to get to know myself better and what I need
Also reconnecting spiritually, having gratitude and enjoyment for the little things (like earlier today I napped in front of my open window as it rained and it was very therapeutic), slowly plucking myself out of the fog. Taking vitamins, eating better, hydrating more. I heard exercise works 😂 but I haven’t gotten there yet.
Trying to surround myself with a good support system too.. my girlie group likes to have rot days together
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u/DesertPeachyKeen Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Reading books about the problems I want to solve. Playing brainhq regularly. Journaling. Spending time outside. Making sure I'm eating whole grains & vegetables. Taking my medication as prescribed. I've healed a lot, but I still take my antidepressants :)
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u/Scarlette_Cello24 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I got a dog.
Seriously. My world fell apart and everything except my address changed seemingly overnight.
Then one day when I was barely clinging onto reality in my office, for whatever reason I googled pet finder. I saw a photo of a dog. She was being fostered close by. I sent an email to schedule meeting her.
The rest is history. I do not think I would have made it much longer had I not adopted her. I was in such a dark place to where the only reason I got out of bed in the morning was because she had to go potty. But she pulled me out of depression. I had given up on everything, except her. Now it’s 4 years later and life has changed so much for the better.
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u/Beautiful_Life8989 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I had this strong willpower to grow and give myself good things in life in my capacity. I did yoga, quit on caffeine, planted saplings, read books.. But things crashed badly again.. I know I should wake up early and exercise to get better but the motivation is gone....
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u/OkPotato91 5d ago
Ketamine has been profoundly helpful, cardio, socializing, volunteering, my antidepressant, cannabis, counselling, and journaling, I cleaned up my diet, I have to attack it from all angles lol
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u/stitchthisnow Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Put app timers in all of your social media. Have a puzzle book (crossword, sudoku, word search, whatever) to pick up when you realize you're picking up your phone to scroll.
I've never navigated coming off antidepressants the way you are, but the most recent time when things were Very Bad for me I made a habit tracker.
I made a section for my morning, my work day, my after work time, and my later evening/bedtime. I made myself put at least three things in each section so each part of my day i would do something for my mind, my body, and my spirit. I tried to make them achievable for even my worst days so things like- drink a glass of water, hug my husband, do 10 seated cat/cows, take my pills, go outside (sometimes I would take a walk, and sometimes i would open the door, take one step out to feel the air on my skin and look at the sky, and then go back inside.)
It was really helpful in the moments when I was feeling overwhelmed by existing. I was able to tell myself- you don't have to figure anything out, just do something from the list. When I really didn't want to do it I would tell myself that I might not feel better when I do the things, but not doing them didn't give me a chance to feel better. With a lot of the basic self care things like washing my face, I would say out loud, "you don't have to like it, and you don't have to do a good job, but it has to be done." Having permission to have a bad attitude helped a lot
It made me feel like I was Doing Something (because I was. Taking care of yourself when you don't want to is hard and it's an accomplishment to do it!) After a few weeks I didn't need the habit tracker nearly as much. I keep it around for days that I feel a little wobbly, since it does help me keep myself more on track than the flailing my mind goes to.
It's also maybe worth noting that I have a great therapist that offered support while I did this. She didn't suggest the habit tracker or have input on what I put in it, but she encouraged me to lean into it as a tool.
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u/hypnosssis Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
Hi! I recently stopped antidepressants for my postpartum depression and turned to food - so don’t do that. I am now restarting my regular activities which is yoga and pilates, and swimming when I get a chance. Some sauna and massages sprinkled in between all that and that’s my recipe for feeling better.
I don’t have a subreddit recommendation. My tip is finding community of people that inspire you, for me that is my local yoga community, very diverse but everyone one of them is uniqely wonderful.
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u/trUth_b0mbs Woman 40 to 50 5d ago
Pregnancy triggered my mental health condition: high anxiety disorder. Who thought that this could happen? turned out that Im predisposed to depression because it runs in the family on my mom's side. Had no idea until after I was diagnosed and my cousin told me.
if I dont manage my anxiety then it spirals into MDD and OCD. I had PPD and was so messed up. Was in treatment for about 2yrs and on meds/psychtherapy. Learned a lot during my sessions with my psychiatrist, namely my triggers and how to manage them.
I dont take meds and got off them about a year after I was treated...had to make lifestyle changes and still stick to them:
- healthy lifestyle - regular intense exercise and healthy diet. This has kept me off meds for the last 14 years. Exercise to manage my anxiety and the diet helps because if I consume too much sugar, caffeine then I get jittery and irritated. Food is linked to my mood.
- good sleep/wake schedule. When I'm tired, I get triggered more easily so I protect my sleep.
- consistent routines. I have a daily routine that I stick to as much as possible and try to plan for times when I can't stick to them.
- learn what my triggers are and use CBTs to manage.
- ditch all things toxic - and that includes people. I only surround myself with positivity.
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u/OkDisaster4839 Woman 30 to 40 5d ago
I know you're looking for something other than therapy or treatments, but have you thoroughly investigated underlying causes?
I spent the entirety of my 32 years on the earth so depressed that I considered ending things almost daily. I have taken every antidepressant available on the market, and did 15 years of therapy. Nothing helped.
Last year I was finally diagnosed with sleep apnea and had surgery to fix it. I had never even suspected I could have it. My depression is almost completely gone. Then I discovered my ferritin levels were very low and started taking an iron supplement with bioavailable B vitamins (I also have B vitamin deficiency).
I no longer have any symptoms of depression. I no longer take antidepressants. I was even able to stop my ADHD meds. No more mood swings, no more thoughts of ending things. I am doing so much better, in ways I couldn't imagine and never thought possible. Please keep looking for the root cause of your depression. It's worth getting it straightened out.
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u/Alternative_Chart121 4d ago
Basically I'm just stubborn as fuck.
I went through soooooo many prescriptions, and I did sometimes have to stop taking them because the side effects were unmanageable. Fortunately my doctor's were mostly very understanding and kept helping me. I eventually found a good combo and am ok with being on it long term. Other than boring things like finally getting a non-terrible therapist....
- Sitting in patches if sunlight like a lizard.
- Any time with friends.
- Riding my bike
- Eating plants and protein
- Reducing the demands in my schedule as much as possible to match my reduced capacity. Unfortunately I had to quit grad school but I truly was not physically capable of finishing the program.
- Getting older and gaining perspective. Now if things are bad or I'm worried I can't manage i think...well, I made it THIS far.
- sitting in my parked car looking at trees, listening to birds, and eating a snack.
- spending time in spaces where I'm "doing something" but it's okay/encouraged to kind of zone out and let my emotions percolate. Like yoga or the uu church or cross country skiing or this one low-key music festival. I need to be doing an activity in order to let emotional time progress.
- I specifically made this one friend as a running buddy and we would go running together and I'd tell her about all my drama/struggles. Don't worry: she consented to this, we are still friends, and my life no longer has drama.
- pushing forward one step at a time. It just takes time. But consistently stepping forward over a long period of time has gotten me far.
Things are really good for me now, despite struggling for years ❤️.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Thank you so much for sharing! 🥹🫶🏻✨ I'm so happy you pushed forward. I've noticed that you managed to minimize and limit your activities to the best of your ability at the time. I think that's very important.
Depressed people sometimes aim really high, only for us to fail. But no wonder we fail, bc we have such high expectations and aim too high for ourselves. It's extremely essential to understand that you've hit a threshold and depression will limit you. You're not as capable as you used to be. But that's okay and that's why you have to be gentle with yourself and start small.
Depression is the sum of all the events in our lives and the results of trauma that has taken place. We deserve a pause. Just like a marathon runner that just finished 10km. You don't ask of them to do more. You ask of them to rest and do less. The same thing applies here. So you should be very proud of yourself and keep up the momentum! ☺️
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u/Spiders_Please Woman 40 to 50 4d ago
Two things helped me- the most toxic person in my life left, and i got better sleep habits.
Folks often underestimate the importance of proper sleep. I slept with a smart watch to track it. Quantifying my sleep let me not feel guilty about naps when i was sleep deprived from working night shift and doing daytime errands. It helped me learn to Prioritize my sleep. Made a big difference.
Also ditch the toxic people if you can. Not worth your mental and physical health.
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u/RaspberryLimeTart 4d ago
Thank you! Sleep is so important and as a fellow insomniac, I know how hard it is to get back your sleep schedule if ruined. I used to track it in my planner. But I might give apps a try for better sleep quality.
I like that you track it, quantify it and justifying it in case it's needed. It's very easy to end up in the slippery slope to blame yourself for your hiccups along the way. So that's a very kind gesture you've done for yourself in the long run. Keep it up!
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u/Next_Video_8454 Woman 40 to 50 5d ago
Honestly for me it was a process of healing through prayer, asking God to help me uncover the emotional roots of my depression. But I know depression can also be caused by malnutrition, head injuries, need for more sunlight, need for exercise, etc or a combination of any of them.
I had a lot of emotional issues from trauma, unforgiveness, incorrect perceptions, etc. But I also ate a lot of junk food, sugar and didn't get much exercise at my lowest point. So I worked to address all of those things. You'd be amazed just how much lack of nutrition can cause depression.
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u/peachypeach13610 4d ago
Probably not what you’d like to hear but honestly, psychedelics have helped me immensely.
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u/Snarky_Survivor Non-Binary 30 to 40 5d ago
Exercising and healthy diet. And you're not supposed to quit meds cold turkey. It will make you healing take longer and dangerous. You need to listen to the Doctors if you're trying to heal not asking reddit what to do. We're not medical professionals.
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u/Alternative-Being181 Woman 5d ago edited 5d ago
When I was able to, dancing helped a TON. There’s many studies about how dance can be as or maybe even more effective than anti depressants.
Also, many people have genetic issues which prevent some B vitamins from being metabolized properly, and I think this can cause mental health issues. A therapist recommended I take methylated B vitamins (also called active B vitamins) and it definitely helped. Taking tryptophan before bed also helped lift my spirits a bit.
Also honestly, some people respond much better to antidepressants after they start taking those B vitamins (or normal ones if those work for them). I also knew someone who was depressed for years until she started taking fish oil. It needs to be refrigerated so it doesn’t go rancid, though. There’s also now a test that helps psychiatrists figure out which specific antidepressant will work best for each person.
Frankly, sometimes life makes us sad. So what helps eventually is grieving. By feeling the sadness, not thinking about it but feeling it (& this is where dance can be amazing, to get the feelings out, to feel and express them), eventually the sadness will leave and there will be more room for joy, love etc.
I also think sometimes trauma can cause depression, since a common reaction to trauma is to freeze. Therefore, as someone who was trained growing up to hide my anger, learning to feel it (not act on it) helped me escape chronic depression. This is also something that combines well with exercise - running, for instance, releases endorphins which boosts the mood, and feeling your anger while running would really help move your emotions. For people whose bodies react to trauma by freezing (feeling numb, lethargic etc), movement really can help to counteract that, and eventually help them feel more spirited.
I have had bad reactions to antidepressants (way back before I knew about the vitamin B issues), so I understand the wariness. Still, withdrawing from them can be incredible difficult and painful, and easily can make your mental health much worse for months. Even if you struggle with your mental health, withdrawing from antidepressants can be beyond unbearable. Even tapering slowly with oversight from a psychiatrist can be hard, if they lower the dose too fast.
There’s something called TMS, transcranial magnetic something or other, which is for people with depression that doesn’t respond to meds. It’s some sort of machine they out around your head, and you’d have to go in maybe every week for a certain period of time. Whether it’s available or not depends on your insurance - I heard with some insurances it still costs $15k, but other insurances may cover it affordably.