Coping without meds

[gloomy]

  Just wanted to know if anybody is dealing with depression and anxiety without meds?  I have suffered with depression and taken anti depressants for the last 10 years with a  couple of breaks due to pregnancy.  After losing my son 5 years ago I subsequently developed an anxiety disorder which mainly manifests itself as hypochondria (Not fun!!)  I made the decision to stop Effexor 4 months ago and I have good and bad days but really dont want to go back on them again.  I am at University and all last year I felt as though they inhibited my ability to concentrate and perform academically well, it was as if my brain had been hijacked. I had such a horrendous time yesterday crying and convincing myself I was going to die I came on this forum and it really helped.  I just dont want to give in to the meds again so soon. I have never really had a proper diagnosis I have always been given meds and sent on my way with the doctors excuse being lack of NHS funding to refer me to a psychiatrist.  Sorry it was a bit long hope everybody is having a good day today

[apple]

Sorry I cant cope withoput the meds, but if you check out the medications and therapy section there are a lot of herbal ond other options out there.

http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php/topic,943.0.html

http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php/topic,1340.0.html


Check these out. there are more there.

[o-ren]

Hi Gloomy,

I am sorry to hear your pain.  Loosing someone is never an easy task to endure.  Like my friend use to say, "pain takes your whole life to cure."  Hang in there.   I have no experience on depression but I know that having close family and friends to talk to is the best way to help you get through this tough times.   You can also see a psychologist and get some therapy.  Yoga is a very good exercise that will help you relax physically and mentally.  

Getting through depression and anxiety without any meds is possible; I dealt with my anxiety without it.   Do not give up; it is a long road, a road that you should not walk alone.  We are here to help you in any way.  Take care.  God bless.

[gloomy]

Thanks it really helps to know other people understand I will check out the herbal meds aswell, its definately worth a try.  I feel so much better now I have found this site, the people who post on it are suffering but surviving that gives me immense hope and makes me feel a bit humble aswell.   love and best wishes keep smiling

[GMan86]

I am glad this site is giving you hope as it did for me. 

[kiara]

Have you tried any of the jan de vries flower remedys

[itsmeesindee]

Some of the antidepressant i  have taken in the past have made my mind cloudy but there have been a few that havent (Celexa, Zoloft).  If you feel the need you may want to try a different one.

Cin

[GMan86]

How did zoloft work for you itsmeesindee?

[itsmeesindee]

It has worked well (couple of years) until recently then something happened with my muscles and now am having anxiety.   I may have to have doc raise my dose.  But no side effect like poor concentration, tiredness, etc.  I do have a problem with insominia but not necessarily from zoloft I have had it for years.

cin

[GMan86]

I'm wondering if your sudden anxiety/muscle spasms have to do with the Zoloft. Thats scary because if it has worked well for a couple years and all of a sudden it stops, that doesn't sound to promising. 

[itsmeesindee]

Yeah GMan I dont know, I go see my Psych tonight.  I keep thinking I  have some dreaded disease.  My neurologiest only did a emg on my arms and neck, it seems like he totally forgot I was have leg symptoms as well and now my stomach muscles also feel weak.  Jeeezeee I get very disgussed.

Cin

[GMan86]

Okay, stay positive. Keep us updated on how your psychologist appointment goes.

[itsmeesindee]

Thanks G will do.

Cin

[midnighttrain]

Moderate cardio exercise, social network, and CBT like in the Obitz book or some sort of meditation to help observe problems instead of becoming suffused with them.  Those are my suggestions.

[pinky5]

Gloomy,

I just noticed this post and wanted to let you know that I am coping without meds. I'm 38 and have had anxiety since I was a kid, and I have slowly healed without any meds, so I know that it can be done.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. That must be a terrible thing to have to go through.   

Take care

Rachel

[gloomy]

Thanks Rachel.  I have had a bad couple of weeks and am considering going back on meds but then each day I manage to get through I feel a bit more defiant about it.  So I am going to give things a bit longer and see how I go.

[NightOwl]

Hope you keep handling it.  Sorry you are going through this.  I am the same way, sometimes feeling desperate enough to need the meds.... then have "good enough" days to tell myself I dont need them.  I take the klonopin still, but want to avoid the SSRIs if at all possible.