combatting depression without drugs

Hi eddiecat78

You can absolutely fight depression and Win without medication, I am living proof.

Start by making a list of what is bothering you..Then put a rating next to each thing that is bothering you..Then start by trying to tackle them one by one.

There are lots of things you can do to fight the depression. Comedy is a brilliant remedy for bad moods, watch something funny that will make you laugh, I can not tell you how much that will help you.

Do something that makes you happy, sometimes that is hard to figure out, so again get pen and paper and try to make a list of things and People that make you happy, again give it a rating so you know what or who makes you most happiest (throw list away afterwards as you would not want a loved one to see the list)

Appreciate..Appreciating what you have is invaluable as if you do not, no matter what you have it will not make you happy.

You said you keep active, well that is brilliant, going for a walk can clear your mind like nothing else.

I have loads more tips but will leave it there for now.

You are not alone, Gransnetters are here to Help and give you lots of support

Rather depends on the depression whether or not you can fight it without medication. Please don't give the impression that those who need the meds are somehow failing that they can't fight it off without them. Some people have biological depression and any suggestion that in some way it is withing their power to get over it without help is going to make them feel worse.

I can't help with your depression but on the IBS - you say that it's not responding to any treatment so you may have already tried Fybogel.

As a nurse I only knew this as a treatment for constipation so was surprised when my 90-year old mother was prescribed it for her IBS/diverticulous/diarrhoea which was causing her much distress (she has multiple other problems, cardiac, renal, etc).

It's been very effective - the fibre bulks up a watery/loose stool and she's had no further problem and started wearing ordinary knickers again.

I realise the IBS must be very debilitating, but can you try to get plenty of sleep and rest as well as a moderate amount of activity. When I'm feeling low, doing something physical such as housework, gardening or walking helps. Appreciate any warm sunny days (and garden if you have one). Sometimes when you don't feel like socialising, if you push yourself you can forget your problems for a while. Try to think of positive things in your life, maybe supportive family members/friends. I hope you feel better soon.

eddiecat78 , I absolutely sympathise because I, also, have suffered intermittent, sometines serious, periods of depression and feel myself to be sinking again. I'm doing my best to do all the recommended things above but it just hasn't been enough, and I fear I will have to go to the GP for help.

I feel you should discuss your depression wuith your GP too, as there may well be antidepressant medication that will not upset your stoamch further; you have enough problems to deal with already with your physical health issues, please seek help with this. All best wishes to you.

I had a major period of depression some years ago -0 5 years on Prozac but now when I see it coming I can tackle it myself with a mixture of techniques I learnt including self CBT and NLP- I read a lot of books on it.

eddiecat I am so sorry to read that you have had such a bad time. Life can knock us down, again and again. I suspect most of us know what it's like to feel depressed and to realise fighting it is becoming harder and harder.

I can understand why you don't want medication. I recently weaned myself off Amitriptyline, which I have been on for years, for pain relief and migraine prevention mainly, because it was making me feel like a zombie, numb and tired. The anxiety and worry I feel now are the side-effects of being drug-free.

Keeping busy isn't always the answer. I like all of serkeen's tips, above. There are some good ideas there. (Please post more! There are sure to be things depressed people can try.)

It might be worthwhile talking to your doctor because sometimes we cannot fight depression no matter how many diversions we try.

I have found if you embrace your feelings and explore them, being fully aware of mood changes etc, it helps. Don't see low moods as a weakness or a failing. They are moods and they will pass. (If they don't, do seek help.)

Be nice to yourself when low instead of mulling over things. For me, thinking too much is my enemy. Go and do something small for yourself - make a good coffee, have a lovely bath, put some lipstick on, sit in the garden sunshine for ten minutes, play a favourite tune. Just do a little something and tell yourself you deserve a treat.

I also write about my feelings. It helps me unload them.

I hope you are able to work through this eddiecat, and I send you lots of positive vibes through the Gransnet ether.

Regarding the IBS, extra fibre (eg Fibogel) can make symptoms worse, so just be aware of that. Going gluten free may be worth trying - even if you're not Coeliac. It's made a massive difference to me.

Thankyou so much everyone. I especially appreciated Serkeen`s tips and might have to print them off!

Nonnie - I do know that anti-depressants are essential for some people - it`s just that my guts are so sensitive at the moment I don`t want to take anything that could make things worse.

Thanks also for the IBS tips but sadly I have already tried those without success. I know that stress makes it worse but it is a vicious circle as IBS also makes the stress worse!

The hardest thing is waking up every morning with stomach ache etc and thinking "here we go again"

Is there a difference between vegan versions of drugs to ordinary ones? Is there even vegan versions, I wonder? Would that make any difference to the IBS situation?

MA - I don`t think they exist. My main concern is that the drugs might make me feel nauseous whilst I got used to them (this happened before) and I`ve already lost weight and am worried about losing more.

Ah yes, I see, Eddiecat
I hope you can manage things without the need for drugs
I think you've done one of the hardest things which is to admit to yourself that you're 'slipping'. Best wishes to you, as always. X

I have read that it helps to stop watching the newsame and also to list 3 things to be thankful for each day as you go to bed.

That sounds horrid, eddiecat. Can understand your desire to avoid medication that aggravates your IBS. I'm wondering if your GP has ever suggested a referral for CBT? In many areas you can self refer but the GP would know. Sometimes that helps quite a lot, especially dealing with unhelpful thoughts. There's also Mindfulness which again can help. You can access a lot on line but face to face is often better. Would do no harm to ask if you haven't been able to try them yet. Otherwise there are some very helpful self help books on managing mood which your library will have. I hope life evens out soon.

Hi eddiecat78 About your IBS....Try this website, they are all about IBS, they have 35 yrs experience and they have won an award, they have lots of info, I think there is a book you can buy from their website too, so may help.

Just copy n paste to Google ..

www.yorktest.com/food-intolerance-advice/symptoms/irritable-bowel-syndrome/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoZTNBRCWARIsAOMZHmH203ByhavetBV_D1NizebC2RK5knaGi56e5SE0Q9s6P9HwgV-PpKYaAtubEALw_wcB

Hi Eddiecat I too fight shy of tablets for as much as poss Blue fingers crossed it stays that way
For depression can you consider some counselling it does make things so much easier if you have a non involved person to offload to Of course this depends if the depression is being triggered by past or present happenings or whether it's all part of the IBS
If it's all part of the IBS then it's paramount you find something to work with it, wouod a visit to the health shop be useful or is acupuncture an option?
If it's triggered by all the 'crap' around and you can't see a counsellor start writing some bits down how, why when you feel as you'd, mind maps are excellent ways of getting it all out even letters to yourself can be helpful
I d say well done for recognising the start and good luck in catching it in time

Bluebelle - most of the depression is simply because I am fed up with feeling unwell and unable to do things that I want to do. Adding to the stress levels are various family problems - none that I can make better but upsetting because they affect people I love - plus a couple of business problems (also out of my control but very stressful).
I`ve done the counselling route in the past and feel that I have exhausted that. Also - being at an appointment at a set time every week is challenging when you have IBS and don`t know when you might need the loo! I have sent for a couple of books though, to remind myself of coping strategies that I learnt when I did see a counsellor.

I must admit I am feeling better this afternoon than when I first posted. Early mornings are always the worst and it is easy to imagine that you will feel that bad all day

Yes I do understand eddiecat I guess it all impinges on the IBS and getting that sorted so in a way you ve answered your own question .... anti depressants aren't really the answer
Our plumbing system can really be a pain
I d certainly look at an alternative route for the tummy I m sure the other problems will slot into place when you can get the pain and loo visits a bit more acceptable