OT: Natural anti-depressant?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
OT: Natural anti-depressant?
7
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 4:56pm

I have a friend that is looking for a natural anti-depressant.  Does anyone have any suggestions on what she should take?

KAREN
Proud mom to
Kalvin (Aug '96) and Kolto
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 5:08pm




Lilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 5:23pm

Well, South Beach and exercise were a natural anti-depressant for me.

I was on and off meds since age 16 to 28 - did prozac, effexor, wellbutrin, zoloft, etc. They would all work for a bit, but then either stop working or the side effects were too much (weight gain being one my major side effects - others were headaches, diarrhea, problems with my menstrual cycle to name a few) I was never able to stay off them for more than a couple months though.

I finally went off effexor a few months before staring South Beach, the withdrawls were a nightmare, worst week of my life, really thought I would die.

Once it was all out of my system, I started South Beach and a regular exercise program. I have not needed any meds at all in 3.5 years.

My doctor used to tell me that 30 min exercise had more of an anti-depressant effect on your body than any pill. I would roll my eyes and just say, "gimme the script". But ya know, he was SO right and wish I had listened sooner.

Oh - I also did St. John Wart, Kava, etc. and never really had any effects from those at all.

Exercise, exercise, exercise - and did I mention exercise?

















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belizesig1
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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 6:25pm
Thanks for the responses ladies.
KAREN
Proud mom to
Kalvin (Aug '96) and Kolto
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2008
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 6:55pm



 BabyFruit Ticker

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 8:46pm

Oh I agree, I think doctors prescribe it too often to people who don't really need that strong/serious of a med. I wish I had at least been WARNED of the possible effects of going off it. My doc didn't tell me to expect anything, then when I called him freaking out about the withdrawls, my doc acted like I was nuts and said there is not such thing and that you "can't" have withdrawls. Then I did research on the net and found SO many people with stories like mine and your dh's and there IS documentation about discontinuation syndrome associated with effexor.

I think the brain zaps/electric shock feelings were the scariest for me. It was a very traumatic experience that I will never forget.

I hope he's feeling better soon. It took about 6-8 weeks before I stopped having any side effects.

















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belizesig1
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-07-2008 - 6:46pm

what has helped me with depression has been years of slowly changing my thoughts, staying in the now, believing everything happens for a reason even if i don't know what that is in the present moment. Staying with positive people, eating a clean diet, getting rid of all I learn that are toxins. Exercise. Dance. Believing in a God energy, spirit guides and the other side that helps us all the time, so I am never alone. Helping other people and getting out of myself. Loving myself and not staying in crap thinking. Developing awareness of all I do , think and believe, awareness of giving love out and not negative energy. Forgiving.

my spiritual side does more for me than any med. altho i have been on zoloft for some stressful times. all meds have side effects, many need to have doses lowered slowly when ya come off. A doctor can't say, no such thing. We are all different and we need to be listened to. we are all more educated, docs only know so much and about nutrition, forget it.

Also nature, so healing. Go in a flower bed, play with an animal, hug a tree, look at the greenery and voila, a happy feeling follows. Leila

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Fri, 08-08-2008 - 10:14am

Also wanted to add that fish oil (1,000 mg 3 x day) has been proven to help with depression.

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