Lifestyle changes to treat depression

Hi all,

I'm usually in the IBS forum but haven't been on in a while.  I struggle with Depression/Generalized Anxiety Disorder and recently have found myself back in that old trap (just decided to change career paths and had to drop out of vet school in Grenada...now home doing nothing till grad school starts this Spring...boredom is a big trigger for me).  I've decided this time to avoid the SSRI route (just a personal choice).  I figured though lifestyle changes/natural remedies has probably been talked about to death, we could all use a reminder of what we should be doing day to day anyway, on meds or not.  Thoughts anyone?

I'm working on getting back into an exercise routine and trying to eat healthier.  Now taking some supplements, trying to talk to as many friends as possible (hard being at home and everyone else is in school), avoiding negative people/situations, giving myself enough time whenever I need to be somewhere....what else???

Also thinking about joining a support group (I love this forum, but face to face interaction can't be beat).  It's hard to discuss depression with people who don't get it...they either get weirded out or tell you to snap out of it.

I agree with Kitt. You have got a great attitude and you are an inspiration to everyone. I hope you get on great.

Darren

Hello, I am new to this site!  I am wondering if acupuncture might be helpful!  It is very relaxing!  My husband is coming off Prozac and is suffering from withdrawl.  I have made him an appointment for acupuncture.  Does anyone have any info on this to share?

Thanks so much for the information. I will try to start a new thread!

I'm sorry, I am not familiar with CBT. What is it? Also, what is your profession? Your description sounds perfect to what we need. My husband claims he needs to be "away" to think, but in his depressive mind state due to the Prozac withdraw, it is very hard for him to think. Also, he is holding much anger and resentment for me - although he is not sure why. THis is all so unlike him that I think I am going crazy. Maybe I could use CBT?

Thanks so much for your input!

Kathy

Hey Star! I currently have a therapist and my husband is looking into one. Hopefully, we will eventually be able to go together but not at this point. He is coming off of Prozac because he had serious side effects. His whole personality changed. His self perception was off. His exercise hit manic proportions. Most distrubing is that he lost his feelings. This is called emotional blunting! He finally described his life as being in "lala land" without much concern for anybody or anything. He seemed very absorbed with himself though! This is extremly unlike my husband. I have basically been living with a stranger! I have read Dr. Peter Breggin's book about psychotic drugs, their effects and the dangers involved with withdrawl! We did see a psychiatrist who told him he would probably not have any problems and she referred him to a therapist. Of course, when I disagreed, he agreed with the Dr. I knew better and at this point have spent many hours researching and trying to help him. Now, I know we probably did not withdraw slow enough. At this point he is very, very depressed and anxious. His thoughts are all jumbled up in his mind. He is very tired all the time. He knows he is ill. He just wants to be left alone. He is anxious to see a therapist. I have mentioned to him all I know about this drug/withdraw and its suicide potentials. He absolutly promises me that suicide is not at all possible. And if he even thought about it one time, I would be the first to know. I tried my best to make him realize that his brain in no longer "his" under these conditions. He is so down, that it breaks my heart. We have been married 14 years. He has always been a great husband. My friends always tell me how jealous they are. We have 3 children - 11, 6, 4! He is a firefighter and I believe when he was put on Prozac for anxiety and aggrevation, I now believe he was just seriously sleep deprived. Prozac has ruined our lives!!! I just want to help him any way that I can to get through this. We can deal with our marriage later!

My therapist is trying to teach me what he is going through and how I can help by changing my attitude. It is not easy! She says she understands the withdraw, but I doubt that she truly does. My husband is not going to see the therapist he was seeing. She did not understand what he was going through with the meds, she just wanted to psyho analyze him. Heck, he is not even him right now. I am realizing how hard it is to find someone that truly understands this. In fact, I haven't yet. I did give my husband his pills and told him to take one if he felt he needed to. He really is determined that if he can help it... not to. I did worry about him re-taking after all this time off. It just scared me know how much this med messes with the brain. His Primary Care Physician was clueless about his first symptom and denied it as a problem. So he is no help. I am going to call Dr. Breggins office in NY. He only takes local clients, but I am hoping he may be able to give some advice over the phone about this withdraw and the point that we are at. I figure the only thing he can do is not help me, I am desperate and it is worth a try. I am doing so well at handling all of this. I end up emotional and crying, yelling over something stupid he says. It is sooooo bazar! There have been positive things. He at least does have some feelings. He actually could cry and felt sadness. For as "HIGH" as Prozac made him, he is now crashing. It sounds like you have had a rough road as well. I am sorry you are talking from experience. It must have been very bad and a very dark time for you. Do you think you meds are working well? Why do you want off your meds? Where you on meds when you made your attempt? Sorry if too nosey. I have just learned sooooo much about this. Probably too much. I understand they can be very helpful for some. My brother is one that the benefits out weigh the side effects.

Kathy

well...I was getting ready to start it right but then was hit with this horrible OCD that caused me panic attacks (went to ER yesterday).  They gave me ativan to get me through till Monday when I'll start an SSRI (not sure which yet).  This hit me out of now where, and the obsessions are horrific and leave me ready to commit myself.  So once I get on my feet with the meds, I can start doing all I can to live better.  So far no alcohol, caffiene, and taking zinc, fish oil, and B vitamins.  And talk talk talking with all my close friends and family helps.  Other than that not ending up in the ER daily is the goal.  I'l love to try acupuncutre at some point.  Thanks!

Star: Before you decide to do anything, go get the book " Your Drug May Be Your Problem" By Dr. Peter Breggin. Read it from cover to cover. I have a couple of times. I have found this to be the only place to get the real information about these drugs. It is ironic that you said after your overdose that they placed you another med in addition to the one you were already on. It is classic and you can find more about how physican, therapists, the drug industry and so forth operate. It is astonishing! You know your situation better than anyone however, I urge you to also listen to those around you (even if you are not liking what they are saying) These type of meds make one believe they are better than ever, when actually they really are not. It is call Anosognosia or "spellbinding". My husband went through this. This book will also tell you how to plan and execute your withdraw. Like you said, it is serious business so take your time and do all of your research and listen to those around you!

Thank you so much! I will check it out. I need to learn more about this diet thing. My husband drinks a lot of coffee and I am sure that is not helping his withdraw. Just adding to the crash.

Kathy

I met a lady today who gave me great information about homeopathy! I am very excited. SHe was very encouraging about the possibilities of this type of help for my husband. It is accupressure!! I will let you know what happens!

Keep the advice coming!!!!!

Kathy

There is an online FREE Cognitive behaviourial Therapy that I and many others have had great success with ........

If interested post and I am sure one of us can put the link there for you .......
LYN

CBT and the TEA forms are what have helped me and you may want to try the free on-line place Lyn mentioned. If it's free it's for me :)