other ways to treat depression?

[TheSeekingEye3]

i'm afraid to see a therapist. it just makes it seem so much more real if a therapist diagnosis me depressed. also i don't want to take any pills to treat it. is there any other way to treat depression than pills?

i'm pretty sure i have depression. i can't remember the last time i was happy, i'm anhedonic, afraid to go into social situations, sleep 10 to 12 hours, on the other hand i can't fall asleep at night, and cry periodically.

 

[Sigma-taylor-E]

OK first you have to tell us as to why you are feeling so? Is it because of your orientation?something else? More would be appreciated

 

[TheSeekingEye3]

i guess its cause i'm lonely, unemployed and just feel i haven't lived life yet. during college, i barely found friends..relying heavily on my high school friends. i still hang out with them, but most have moved away, and the one's that are still here have boyfriends (they're girls). i try going to events and talking to people, trying to befriend them, but to no avail. i just wish so badly that i can find just ONE friend who i can have a really good time with, who i can call whenever.

i'm in my 20s and i never been in a relationship. i don't know why that is. i don't know if its cause i'm unattractive or seem off putting? i came out to a couple of friends, but i don't think that has helped much.

i can't find a job. i have the qualification: the degree, internship and work experience, extracurricular, research - all relevant and appropriate to what i'm applying to. without a job, and without a car, i find myself staying at home a lot.

it was my birthday a few days ago, and i spent it by myself. my friends were too busy with other commitments. my family had other things to do. i just don't know what to do anymore. i don't know how to turn my life around.

 

[Audio Tech]

I went through severe depression in my late 20's. I found a new hobby, going body surfing. Done this for years. Always feel fantastic afterwards. It sucks when you feel like you have no purpose, and your friends are too busy for you. Been there, done that. Sport is one of the best ways to feel better and likely meet new friends. Do SOMETHING. Roller blade, swim, bike....

Of course, my offer to go body surfing in Los Angeles is always open, but most people on this forum do not live here.

But find a sport you like and go from there. You WILL feel better, and people will notice.

 

[seven_sins]

How long have you felt depressed? You posted about it 2 years ago. If you have been fighting it that long, you definitely should see a therapist. If taking pills would improve your mental state, why are you afraid of them?

I don't know what shape physically you are in, but you can certainly improve your self image if you join a gym and get fit. Lift some weights and put some muscle on.

I am sorry that you have a college degree and haven't found a job. Could the depression thing be holding you up in seeking a job? If so, you need to get it under control first.

 

[tweakboy]

You don't see a therapist You see a Psychiatrist.

So he can diagnose you and give you right med to make you feel better.

 

[onetwothreefour]

Other ways:
Fish oil
B vitamins
Vitamin D
Exercise
Sunlight

But yeah, you should see a psychologist. A psychiatrist can't diagnose mental illness any better than a psychologist, and psychologists actually have longer training in diagnosis. A psychiatrist only has 1-2 years training by working in a hospital—the rest of their education is the same as any other doctor's. They don't necessarily have to have any training in psychodynamics. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that can prescribe medicine, but it doesn't hurt to start with a psychologist who can refer you to a psychiatrist if needed. But diagnosis isn't as important as dealing with your issues. The diagnoses are kind of perfunctory--I mean they get together and vote on how to create a taxonomy of mental illness--but it's all one big thing that gets arbitrarily divided into different illnesses.

The medications used for depression aren't dangerous or addictive and often times don't even do that much (I'm speaking of SSRIs, some psych drugs are very addictive). Some studies have shown alternative treatments to be more effective. So I wouldn't worry about them--they aren't that powerful. Whether they work or not is another question.

Not to be mean, but your issues sound pretty pedestrian--you're not going to shock any doctor with them and they're kind of issues everyone has and which everyone goes to therapy for. OK, not everyone, but I go to therapy, and a lot of the issues you have are ones I have too.

 

[Seasoned]

If you are suffering from a chemical imbalance in the brain then medication would probably be prescribed and monitored. The good thing about what is going on is that you posted about it. Untreated depression is serious. The fact that you would like to feel better and have reached out here is a positive sign. The problem that a lot of depressed people have is that they become passive victims, looking for the next hurt, problem, or wrong done to them and then wallowing in it.

It seems to me that while some depression is chronic, it can also be situational, meaning that as something improves, the depression subsides. It would be good to let a professional sort that out for you.

As others above have suggested doing something new can help. If sports don't do it for you, things such as community theater, book clubs, garden clubs, etc. might do the trick. A community college course in cooking or a language is another suggestion. You might also look into volunteering. That's a way to meet people, improve self-esteem and beef up a resume.

Take good care of yourself. Shower, brush your teeth, eat healthy, wear clean clothes, have clean sheets on the bed, etc. If one or more of these are an issue do talk over your concerns with a health professional.

Good luck. Take a step forward starting today. Don't expect a miracle, but be open to change. Try not to add up hurts, disappointments and setbacks. That's a flaw common to those who are depressed. In the future with something important to you as your birthday, try this tact, " my birthay is next week. I'd like to do something with you to celebrate. When are you free?"

 

[miguelfukt]

happy belated birthday!

 

[evanrick]

Doctors love prescribing drugs because its the quickest way to get rid of you.

For that reason, I would avoid drugs because they are expensive and unnatural.

But I would start by getting a part time job or joining a club.

Something that forces you into social interaction.

Think about things that would make you happy, and pursue them.

 

[saymyname]

My radical view (this is not mainstream at all, so I have no ground to stand on if you ignore or dispute it):

Depression is not a mental illness. It is a pattern of a mixture of feelings (sad, dissatisfied, and listless/apathetic) that does not reset each day like most moods we experience. This isn't a "disorder" that "randomly strikes" "innocent victims" due to a "chemical imbalance." Your neurotransmitters are, in all likelihood, balanced perfectly normally for a person who is sad, dissatisfied and listless.

With that said, if you want to take a happy pill, you shouldn't feel bad about it. If you take it and all goes according to plan, you won't feel depressed anymore for however long. Win-win.

I am a fatalist when it comes to mood. Your life sucks. You're depressed. From the sound of it, you have every reason to be. You are lonely and unemployed. Your personality thwarts your ambitions. You can scrap and scrabble to improve your life, but if you have a depressive temperament (as you probably do if you're able to stay so depressed so indefinitely), you'll just find something else to be depressed about even if you accomplish all your goals.

I agree. It does sound very situational. He hasn't mentioned where he lives. Maybe he should take some initiative to changes his life.

 

[Blk_Thickness]

Medication does work, but if you do not want to go that route then try excersing. Walking should help with some music to go along with it. I've read eating chocolate works as a anti-depressant too!