Treating depression the natural way?

[C~Q]

DP is depressed, granted he has every reason to be but we need to do something about it, state of mind is so important for recovery. So I know for absolute sure that he will not take any medication. So please don't suggest that.

Are there natural ways? He meditates as much as he can but it's very hard when he has a feeling like a knitting needle being stabbed into his ear every 10 mins or so.

So...any foods, drinks, things to avoid? Help??

TIA x

[~Kaz~]

St John's Wort is the natural depression treatment - if you look it up in Wikipedia there is a reasonably good explanation. You can buy it at the chemist in the vitamin section and possibly at larger supermarkets as well.

Otherwise, lots of sunlight and fresh air, a balanced and healthy diet, exercise (if he can).

[LionsandBears]

Exercise even if it's just walking, fresh air, healthy food, lots of sleep, talking, writing in a journal, a pleasant environment, peace and quiet, laughter, nature.

Pain increases depression and stress so pain management is important.

Depression is linked to a decrease in seratonin which is why exposure to day light and good sleep patterns can help. You can get melatonin to help with sleep but I'd talk to a doctor first.

Can he do yoga? Kinesiology or other bidy work may help.

Basic things like a clean house and clean sheets can make a huge difference. The more depressed you are the less likely you are to clean so it becomes a vicious cycle.

Lots of nourishing food.

[LionsandBears]

Double post

[C~Q]

Thanks guys, i think I have some SJW so i'll dig it out...

Tash he is a yoga master but he hasn't done any for ages, he's also been so fit...martial arts and he was a PT but he's just so smashed its hard to get him in the gym. Maybe i'll try this weekend...great idea.

The sleep thing is hard...very hard and the main problem I think. He has to take sleeping pills every night and because of that they're becoming less and less effective. Currently taking Stilnox every night but only gives him 3 hours tops then he's awake again.

Sowe're kid free this weekend and it is going to be my mission to help this depression...go to the beach A LOT, clean the house and change the sheets, rent some comedies, make him do a small workout, get the SJW and a fridge full of healthy food.

Thank you xxx

[Maruschke]

Fantastic advice Tashy.

I second all of that, plus St John's Wart. Also, having small achievable goals each day, and a good routine.

[~Kim~]

Fish oil and magnesium are good evening out supplements too I believe.

[LionsandBears]

I struggle with sleep myself. I can't turn my head off and certain things just make it impossible.

Advice I was given was to exercise in the morning, no matter how tired. Just a walk in the fresh air makes a big difference. Get some sun exposure. No caffeine, even chocolate. Take vitamin d if levels are low. I also take probiotics, valerian, Nervatona, omega 3. Warm milk with raw honey 1/2 an hour before bed, a quiet routine to wind down so no tv, no computers, no noise an hour before bed. Magnesium baths (epsom salts). Naps when possible. Some days this all works. Some days it doesn't. Weaning off the sleeping tablets is important as they lose efficacy over time and personally, I think they're bad for the body.

Sleep is a wonderful healer.

[Netix]

I have been recommended lithium quartz for depression. It is all I can suggest.

[C~Q]

Thank you for the advice but there is no way he can sleep without the pills. Going to sleep is fine but every time he gets pain he wakes. Which can be every five mins or once an hour...its like a sharp stabbing in his ear.

The pills let him sleep through the pain but the duration of sleep is getting shorter. And he knows the more he takes the less they work plus they're expensive...more than a dollar a pill and they're not subsidised.

So they'll give him legal heroine for next to nothing but not something he can actually use...the state our medical System is in is appalling and I never realised till recently

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[C~Q]

Thanks netix I'll check that out...

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[Netix]

That's ok CQ, I haven't seen it in any crystal shops, but there are some Australian online stores that have it. Just google it.

[boomba]

Wasnt there a study recently that said probiotics can help with depression?

[*Danni*]

I have heard that a deficiency in vitamin D causes depression.... So perhaps he could get his levels checked and then vitamin D tablets would def help if need be.

A trip to a naturopath/ homeopath could be an idea if he is open to it, as they can tailor something to suit his particular needs, and hopefully to help that pain too!


Sent from my iPhone more than likely while I should be doing something else!

[Sopdet]

He needs to go to a naturopath/homeopath/TCM etc specialist, because they will need to take into consideration all the medications he is taking. He won't just be able to take any over the counter "cure" because he is running the risk that components in it may contra-indicate whatever drugs he is currently on.

Food-wise, go organic as much as possible, reduce his meat intake (if it isn't grain-fed organic meat), be wary of the fish he is eating (chemical levels etc). If you can, get hold of Paul Purdon's book "Healing with Wholefoods" and start looking at what foods will help boost his system. I don't have my copy with me so I can't even start to suggest foods to help.

For his carb component of his food - go for complex carbs because they help rest the liver and also helps to encourage the brain's "feel good" chemicals which will help with the depression.

Nutrients that might help:
Calcium (milk products, green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds) - activates enzymes needed for normal brain cell activity
Folic Acid (dark green leafy vegetables) - promotes production of serotonin
Inositol (brewer's yeast, fruits, vegetables, legumes, eat, milk, whole grains) - helps regulate mood swings
Iron (meat, fish, egg yolks, beans, dark green leafy vegetables) - boosts the production of a range of chemical transmitters in the brain
Magnesium (shellfish, beans, whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, nuts) - promotes normal brain cell activity
Potassium (whole grains, vegetables, fruits esp bananas) - redresses the low levels of this mineral commonly found in depressed people
Zinc (meat, shellfish, egg yolks, peas, beans, whole grains, root vegetables, nuts) - enhances the release of energy from brain cells which may help prevent depression
Vitamin B6 (meat, fish, egg yolks, whole grains, bananas, avocados, nuts, seeds, dark green leafy vegetables) - helps to convert tryptophan to mood lifting serotonin in the brain
Vitamin C (fresh vegetables & fruit, especially citrus) - enhances iron absorption

If they're not contraindicated with what he's already on try the following (also please check with his practitioner that these are ok for him to take):

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) - these fatty acids are also know as Omega 3 - my research (uni text books) says to have about 10 grams a day which equates to about 30 tablets a day - so 10 a meal. (but check the tablets as to the amount of omega 3 in them - it may end up being less), I'd probably try him on 10-15 tablets a day and see how they go, increase if need be - again CHECK WITH HIS PRACTITIONER

St John's wort, this actually works on mild & moderate depression, so this may not work - also it can take up to 6 weeks for it to have full effect. If you decide to go down this path, start at about 300milligrams a day and work up to 900milligrams - this may also help for you Rach - to take the edge off your stress.

Sunshine - 30 mins a day before noon (light is brightest before noon)
Exercise - why don't you ask him to teach you yoga, I found the high from a great yoga class beats any gym class high
Music - try gentle, melodic music with upbeat lyrics, or even Vienna waltzes and Motzart's piano concertos

[AnyDream]

CQ, There is some good evidence-based information in this guide about a number of different measures: A Guide to what works for Depression Some quite interesting strategies in there, including amino acids and saffron. Also keep his fish oil and vit D topped up as both can have a strong effect on both mood and immune function.

Often the pain burden affects a person's ability to cope emotionally, so he might need to investigate some additional pain-management measures as well. I know he hasn't had much support from his medical team in this regard, but some additional support from a pal-care team could really help to optimise his Q.O.L. Sometimes its about getting the balance of lower doses of several meds taken daily rather than a higher dose of a single med taken in severe pain that helps the most. Probably not what he wants to hear, but worth a shot because it sounds like he's pretty limited in terms of what he's able to enjoy right now. xxx and

[Phteven]

The sleep thing is hard...very hard and the main problem I think. He has to take sleeping pills every night and because of that they're becoming less and less effective. Currently taking Stilnox every night but only gives him 3 hours tops then he's awake again.

I was prescribed stilnox once. It was designed as a short acting sleeping pill (2-3 hours) that you can wake up from quite quickly and be alert. It's good for if you have trouble getting to sleep but not so good if you have trouble staying asleep. Maybe if he changes up his script to a different, longer lasting sleeping pill he might sleep longer. Also side affects can include paranoia/delusions/altered thought patterns.

The heroin might be a better option. Yes, it is addictive but at the moment I think that sleep and effective pain releif outweigh the concerns about addiction and ironically enough it is a more natural substance than the stilnox.

[C~Q]

Thanks guys, he's not actually on any pain meds at the moment. He won't take them so there is nothing to contraindicate. I'll grab some of that stuff...

Onyx there is no way he'll take the Oxy...no way. I understand...kind of...The doc gave him Rohypnol :O but it gave him awful dreams

MD I can't get him to take anything for pain...he's at the point where he's barely going to the doc...hates them (not his GP, his specialist). He goes in and gets scripts for sleeping pills and leaves. They don't really want to see him anymore and he definitely desn't want to see them.

Agghhhh, I know if he could sleep he'd feel better. It's so hard.

Thanks for all your advice guys xxx