Any successful depression treatments without antidepressants for major depression?

[Winterfel]

Facing going back on antidepressants for crippling depression and anxiety, Ive tried many in the past, some help for awhile and fade and seems that dr. ups the dosages and adds another one till I can't deal with the side effects and feeling flat, looking towards alternatives to antidepressants

[Raggedy-Ann]

electro convulsive therapy... it is much better than it looks in movies. it will effect your memory. I was very suicidal and meds weren't enough. ok I did take a whole bottle of pills one night in an attempt to die. I was hoping that they would kill me since I died before under anesthesia. the strange thing was I started feeling better it got me to a point where they helped me with medication and stopped the ECT. I am still going 30 years later.

[Blueruth]

There is some good research about MDMA which is targeted for approval by FDA. Not sure on the exact path.

I am of the belief that MDD needs a 360 plan including exercise, nutrition and therapy. So even if you were to take the med you will be more successful if you improve those things too.

[Dreamer27]

Most of my childhood is filled with trauma of a sort and it's been a battle for a long time. When I first received therapy, it didn't help, and I quit soon. I would go through another trauma and be put back into therapy and it became a pattern for me. Started medication at the age of 11 and continued it into college. I realized I hated the effects of medication and it seemed to only worsen my mood, rather than improve it. So I decided before starting university that I would quit. To do so, my psychiatrist and I came up with a backup plan in case my moods suffered and I was in a dark place. It was fine for a couple of months and then I stopped feeling good. Sought a psychologist on campus and made weekly appointments that I would never miss except a few times. It turns out that going to see someone is a great alternative for me. I did my research in finding who would be the best in helping me overcome the dark thoughts. Been off my medication for 3 years now and it's going great! I think depression will always take part in my life, meaning that therapy will always be in my life as well.

[Frankie24]

TMS, it is a non invasive therapy for depression. I have never tried as in the interview I did not qualify due to past stroke and a few other things that disqualified me. It is supposed to work amazingly well.

[Frankie24]

was just placed on lamictal along with all my other psych meds, it is a mood stabilizer which also lifts your mood. Feeling better and better everyday. I had been in a very deep, painful depression for months now , crying every day and night and feeling suicidal. No side effects. I am very sensitive to medication.

[kitty124u in reply to Frankie24]

Hello, I find your post promising. Would you kindly tell me what antidepressant your using? I am considering trying your suggestion. I have Major Depression Disorder. I am trying to help myself by researching all the possible options. I am using Cymbalta and I believe I need a boost. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Frankie24 in reply to kitty124u]

Hi, I take trintellix as my main antidepressant but along with that I also take rexulti, a small dose of remeron, Depakote which I hope to get off once I reach therapeutic dose of lamictal which is working wonderfully for me even though I have titrated up slowly. I also take Ativan, Vitamin B12 500 mcg. And Vitamin D3. I hope you find a combination to help you feel much better soon.

[kitty124u in reply to Frankie24]

Thank you very much. I appreciate your sharing.

[Mrspjsmom]

I recieved ECT when I was hospitalized. I was scared but it helped alot. I refer to that time as resetting my brain.

[bethelbee]

I have had great success with TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to a part of the brain to reduce/eliminate depressive symptoms. Treatment is 5x/wk for 6-7 weeks, each treatment is about 20 minutes. You are awake and alert during treatment and afterwards can go about your day, no lingering effects. After decades of meds I became treatment resistant to them. I personally wouldn't do ECT due to risk of memory loss(happened to a friend of mine)

[coolkitty1934]

animals.you would be suprised just how much having an animal beside can help.whenever i feel bad i just curl up with my cays or dogs and i feel way better.if you cant keep a pet yourself then maybe try and volunteer at the humane society or something so that you can still interact with animals