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Antidepressants alternatives that work

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Posted 1/11/2009 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
I just thought this list may be useful for those who think about trying something natural before going to drugs:

www.originaldrugs.com/blog/general/antidepressant-alternatives/
Posted 1/11/2009 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Karen,

This is very informative. I am happy that you posted it. I am sure a lot of us will learn something from this blog.

Thanks again

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/13/2009 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
i weened myself off of zoloft completely back in October but feel my depression is creeping up on me all over again. I'm doing everything to stop myself from having to go back on psych meds....can anyone tell me if they feel therapy works at all to stop these feelings - i'm having trouble finding a therapist on my insurance who can accomodate me with my work schedule... i'm doing everything from taking b complex stress formulas to st johns wort...they help a little but i feel this may not be enough : ( .....
Posted 1/14/2009 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Have you ever tried the CBT therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

There is a free site online, many of our members have used this site with great success.

CBT

The MoodGym Training Program

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Posted 1/14/2009 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone. I have been on Zoloft for a little over 6 years. I started out on 200 mgs but after 5 years on that dose I weaned myself down to 100mgs and now have completely stopped taking it. It has been just a little over 2 weeks and I don't know if what I am feeling is withdrawal or depression and anxiety rearing its ugly head again! I can't stay asleep, my legs twitch and feel like they keep wanting to move at night, I am so crabby and irritable I can't stand myself at times and I have no motivation to do anything. It's a daily fight to get up ... on weekends when I don't have to be at work I sleep in until 10:00 am. Worst of all my craving for alcholol has increased. I am still taking 1mg of Xanax XR daily and have wanted to get off of that as well but now I'm scared to death to try because I'm afraid I'll having a total relapse and I just can't go through the nonstop anxiety and panic attacks again that led me to being hospitalized for suicide watch 6 years ago. Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. God Bless.
Posted 1/14/2009 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I know that you don't want to hear this, but I think that you need medications. I do and will for the rest of my life. I know that isn't what you want, but sometimes we have no choice. It sounds like depression is sneaking up on you and you don't want to have to go through all of that again.

I would talk to the doctor and see what they say. I am glad that you are still taking the xanax. I take it and it really helps. I am down to half of what I use to take though so that is good.

Get ahold of your doctor and get back on your meds. I hope that this helps some and that you feel better soon.

I see this is your first post so I would like to welcome you to the forum. You will find a lot of kind and compassionate people here. I think that you will fit right in with the rest of the members. We are so glad that you joined us.

Take care, keep posting. There is an introductory thread that I will bump up for you to post on.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/15/2009 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, this is my first "letter" to this forum on depression. I think it will be good to talk to others with the same issues. To "Wigged Out",I,too have tried many times to wean off of antidepressants without sucess. My dr. just added Wellbutrin to my prozac. (anyone else on this combo?). I think some people will need to be on it for the rest of their lives. I try to equate it with insulin for diabetics. Depression is a disease, too.
Posted 1/15/2009 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
tHank you st kitt....i'm sure alot of it does have to do with how i think or more exactly react to events around me (even minor ones)...i'll look into the information you gave me.
Posted 1/15/2009 4:05 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning my friends.  I like the site that is posted above by karenb.  If you look at all the info on the site you may see some answers to your questions. Be sure to go to the Home Page :)

wigged out

Welcome to HealingWell.  It seems like you are going through weaning issues by just droping your dose. It is generally best to taper off the dose of an antidepressant rather than stop it suddenly. You should also do this iwth your physician's guidance. There is no shame needing to be on medication.  If it is helping you and you have found an AD that works then you may have to continue on the med.

I know how you feel, I would like to toss all my meds out but I know that is not in my best interest. Again welcome.

camagu

Another new member.........hurrah and welcome. I have not been on the combo you are using for meds but I did try Wellbutrin and did not get past the side effects of getting onto the med.  I also had a lot going and I take Cymbalta so I was taking both meds together which may have been to much for my system.

Please stay with us and keep posting.


awakening

I like the site posted by karenb and I have save it for future reference.  I think it is pretty straight forward and easy to understand. Take a look and you may find some good idea that will  work for you.

Gentle Hugs to all

Kitt


 


 

Posted 1/15/2009 4:12 PM (GMT 0)

I know I should be back on the Zoloft...I am such an angry person right now that I don't even like myself.  I have a happy face on at work but when I get home I hate my life and I hate my husband. Its like everything he says or does just irritates the heck out of me and I have no patience for him whatsoever and find myself screaming at him and totally believing he deserves this treatment because he's annoying. 

I told him last night that I just don't think I can stay off the Zoloft...he keeps trying to convince me that what I'm feeling and becoming is because of the withdrawal.  I told him I think my anger is due to the lack of the drug in my body and I need the drug to maintain and function.  I'm angry that I should have to justify to him being on the med.

I worry about what being on Zoloft and Xanax forever will do to my liver.  I have been diagnozed with OCD. I obsess about health issues.  For every twitch or ailment I have I feel it is terminal cancer.  I have spent multiple dollars and years in therapy and have not been able to lose this fear. 

Why do I feel like I need to be off Zoloft to prove to myself I can do it and that I don't need drugs to function?(or is it my husband I'm trying to prove it to)

Sorry for the rambling but I'm having a really rough day.  Thanks for listening.

Posted 1/15/2009 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
HI Wiggedout,

I think that we all want to feel like we are in control of our lives, therefore we want to be able to control the depression without medications. But if we accept the fact that we need medications to control the way we feel, it makes it easier. I myself would love to be able to go off of them, but I know that I can't. Sometimes it makes me feel a little claustrophobic, I dont' know why, it is like trying to take off a ring that wont come off. I guess I have a fear that one day I wont be able to get my meds and I will wigg out. LOL... I just had to say that.

I hope that you feel better soon. And can get the meds that you need. Just try to think positive I guess and trudge through it. Medications can be a life saver. Best wishes to you, keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/16/2009 2:42 AM (GMT 0)

Those are good suggestions.

I did the B vitamins, acupuncture, and massage and it was only temporary relief.

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