Anti-Depressants

[Jillian Navejas]

Long story short, been depressed and had severe anxiety for most of my life. Finally got on medication a couple of years ago. Stopped about 8 months ago. I've been functioning just fine but I've noticed the symptoms creeping back up on me and I'm at a point where there is no more denying that I am clinically depressed again.

So I have my bottle of wellbutrin in front of me and I'm thinking I should take it (doc says yes). I don't know why I'm not. It helped me before. My mom says thinking you don't need your medicine is a classic behaviour for someone who is depressed etc.

I think my biggest hang up is "How does this fit in to a raw food lifestyle?" I mean it's not natural right? I don't know...

[Jeannie G. Clarke]

Your mind has a memory of depression.It affects you physiologically.
I have tried natural supplements and they have not worked.
I have gone off prozac (only 20mg)four times and each time I have crashed. I just become depressed moody and lethargic.I have tired acupuncture and chinese herbs.
Gabriel Cousens has 30 day program that facilitates going off medication. I cannot afford the time or the program at this juncture.
I think to stay away from sugar is imperative.
Read Cousens book on depression.Very helpful information.

[bitt]

If you are SERIOUSLY depressed, don't take yourself off meds. This can end badly. The one time in my life I was able to be off meds was when I was seeing a psycho-pharmacologist who was doing a nutrition and supplement protocol with me and monitoring me.

 

There is no shame in taking medication for this. I realize it is over prescribed but it doesn't mean it isn't a serious condition for people. For me, I'd rather take something unnatural than be dead which I would be without it. Or unhappy or living in pain. No one deserves that, and it's a serious stress on the body.

 

The raw movement puts a lot of pressure on people to be perfect and all natural, but we have to just do the best we can where we are at.

[MomOf3]

That is so interesting that you posted this. I went through the same thing a couple of months ago. Was on and off meds for years. Last time I went off of them, the depression crept up on me a few months later and then I found myself at a crossroads. Would I go back on them (which I dread to all living hell) or try something else to deal with the depression? It was at that point that I decided to go Raw. I dont know how or why I thought that would help me, but it actually CURED my depression or at least has eliminated it up to this point. For me, it was nothing short of a miracle. However, if Raw foods had not worked for me, I would have most likely gone back on the meds, because I was suffering so immensely. So...I wouldnt feel bad about going on meds if that is what you need right now. Dont worry if it "doesn't fit into a raw lifestyle." No one cares more about your state of mind than you, and you need to do what YOU need to do to help yourself. However, it might be worth trying whatever you can to avoid meds IF YOU CAN because of side effects. Meds, for me, were a curse. They never quite worked for me, as the side effects were so awful. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Dania Gomez]

i am going thru the same, well kinda i want out of xanax i very addictive substance if you need anyhelp or just to talk know that there are lots of people just like us. just doing the very best they can

[Debbie Halcomb]

I just read the beginning of this/these posts. I too suffer from PTSD and depression. However I do not suffer any side effects from the EFFEXOR XR except I do not cry as easily as I did in the past. Maybe that is a good thing since I cried too easily.

I am just beginning the RAW life style and diet. My hope is to get off the effexor but if I can't I will take it as life is worth living without the depression where I was not sure life was without it.

One thing I know for sure, stress has a major effect on depression  so I try to practice stress reducing exercises and meditation.

 MomOf3 said:

That is so interesting that you posted this. I went through the same thing a couple of months ago. Was on and off meds for years. Last time I went off of them, the depression crept up on me a few months later and then I found myself at a crossroads. Would I go back on them (which I dread to all living hell) or try something else to deal with the depression? It was at that point that I decided to go Raw. I dont know how or why I thought that would help me, but it actually CURED my depression or at least has eliminated it up to this point. For me, it was nothing short of a miracle. However, if Raw foods had not worked for me, I would have most likely gone back on the meds, because I was suffering so immensely. So...I wouldnt feel bad about going on meds if that is what you need right now. Dont worry if it "doesn't fit into a raw lifestyle." No one cares more about your state of mind than you, and you need to do what YOU need to do to help yourself. However, it might be worth trying whatever you can to avoid meds IF YOU CAN because of side effects. Meds, for me, were a curse. They never quite worked for me, as the side effects were so awful. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Teryl Ferrede]

Hi Diane,  I've had good results with Magnesium...Google Magnesium/depression/anxiety... It seems that a magnesium deficiency causes depression and anxiety and taking magnesium is very calming.  Go figure...Magnesium is at the centre of many veggies so ramping up your veggies should definitely help.  If you're deficient it can take quite a long time to rebuild the supply in your system so it might help to take a supplement to start off. 
Good luck, 

Teryl
Jeannette said:

Hi Diane, I just friend requested you, because I would love to know more about what you are going through but here are a few resources. Remember that just as prescription medicine varies between people so do these, the key is to try things until you find what works for you, but you need a jumping off point so hopefully this will help :)
Kava -you can find this in most health food stores it comes in tea, pills, and liquid form it is really your preference. It is regarded as being sedating without altering your judgement or state of mind.

Chamomile- in essential oil or tea form

If you look at essential oils, make sure they are therapeutic grade. Depending on what you are going through there are oils often used for depression such as Lemon, Frankincense and Peppermint which are uplifiting and then if the depression is making it difficult for you to sleep there are oils such as Vetiver and Valerian to help. Valerian can often also be found in tea form at health food stores. For oils I like the company Young Living because they are therapeautic grade and offer a massive range of oils many of which are blends designed with emotions in mind, so if you don't have a company you like I would recommend them.

Then there are supplements. I like a company called Quantum Nutrition because their supplements are all live (raw), and there are a few websites that sell their products, and I really like their stuff. Making sure your body is balanced is key to managing depression. For me, I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and vitamin B is key in managing anxiety so I started taking a B complex vitamin in addition to a few others and it drastically helped me.

Lastly, there is Rescue Remedy which is less effective for me but I know people that swear by it and you can buy it in most health food stores. Hopefully at least one of these avenues gets you started in the right direction. It is terrifying to go off medicine and have nothing to supplement it so my thoughts are with you. The most amazing part about any of these options is that they are good for you, and I hope you find something to help with the transition, don't be too hard on yourself and keep reaching out for support, this website is wonderful for that. Please feel free to send me a message if you want to talk more about this or anything and best of luck!
Diane Quam said:

I'm looking for a natural anti-anxiety/depression food or pill or something. I went off Cymbalta 7 weeks ago. Need a little help. Thank you.

Diane Quam

[Tom "Champ"]

I just wanted to chime in, I don't know if anyone is out there, i've been depressed my whole life, a low lying depression called Dystymia(I think) and have tried a couple of anti depression meds, Lexapro, Celexa, never had any success, I recently got divorced after a 1 yr separation and have founf it very difficult and went into a deep depression, started taking Wellbrutrin(150mg) and found to not be helping after 8 weeks uppted the dose to 300 mg, it has been another 3 weeks and still feel nothing, trying to be positive, eat right( 50% raw and growing) starting to exercise and even seeing a therapist, but I'm getting very impaitent, don't know what to try next, If there is anything? If anyone has any thoughts or advice please message me or respond, thanks for listening!

 

Tom

[D.J.]

Tom "Champ" said:

I just wanted to chime in, I don't know if anyone is out there, i've been depressed my whole life, a low lying depression called Dystymia(I think) and have tried a couple of anti depression meds, Lexapro, Celexa, never had any success, I recently got divorced after a 1 yr separation and have founf it very difficult and went into a deep depression, started taking Wellbrutrin(150mg) and found to not be helping after 8 weeks uppted the dose to 300 mg, it has been another 3 weeks and still feel nothing, trying to be positive, eat right( 50% raw and growing) starting to exercise and even seeing a therapist, but I'm getting very impaitent, don't know what to try next, If there is anything? If anyone has any thoughts or advice please message me or respond, thanks for listening!

 

Hi Tom

 

I am a new member of RFR and am just learning about going RAW.  20 years ago I was diagnosed with clinical depression.  It has been a long journey of trying meds and combinations of meds, going on and off meds, different therapists, etc.  I also have had a low lying depression ever since I can remember.  I didn't get clinically depressed until after my second child was born.  My advice would be to hang in there.  Find a therapist that you connect with, be patient with finding the right medication and  take care of yourself.  Also, find a support group or something to help you regarding your divorce.  Just an FYI...I'm on 450mg of Wellbutrin (the highest recommended dose), Prozac and Lamictal.  Lamictal is a mood stabilizer and made a big difference.  I hope some of this helps.  

[Ayn]

Oh, I just love your view on things, what a nice and down to earth response!

Blazin'Jane said:

You didn't say how long you've been raw, or how high raw your diet is. I have not been clinically depressed, but know some raw foodies who have. What makes sense to me is that raw food will heal what needs healing in your body, but it does it on your body's timetable, not your will. So I would up your raw intake, watch the other stressors as mentioned above, and take the meds for awhile while you get even better at runnning your life. Then, in 6 mos. or a year or whatever, you may know when it's right to leave them again. I'd discuss whatever plan you come up withwith your physician. I suspect that deep down, you know what needs doing. But, for heaven's sake, don't see the resuming meds, (if that's what you decide), as a failure, just a balancer for now while your body continues to heal itself. I'll be interested to know what you decide! Meanwhile, Merry Christmas!

[Ayn]

Muscle memory.. Hadent even thought of that one.. 

Jeannie G. Clarke said:

Your mind has a memory of depression.It affects you physiologically.
I have tried natural supplements and they have not worked.
I have gone off prozac (only 20mg)four times and each time I have crashed. I just become depressed moody and lethargic.I have tired acupuncture and chinese herbs.
Gabriel Cousens has 30 day program that facilitates going off medication. I cannot afford the time or the program at this juncture.
I think to stay away from sugar is imperative.
Read Cousens book on depression.Very helpful information.

[LaTricia E. Morris]

I see you posted this some time ago but in case you are still struggling with this, I'll leave this post anyhow.

Kelp

Kelp is a great source of iodine.  You can get it as a supplement in pill form at your local health food store.  Iodine improves thyroid function which in turn helps to stabilize hormones and therefore mood.

For years I lived with "bipolar disorder" (as they labeled it).  Meds only made it worse.  Started to taking kelp to treat what I knew in my heart was a sluggish thyroid (though dr. tested it and told me it was normal; apparently there is a very wide range which they consider "normal" even if it is a bit hyper or hypo-active).  Anyhow, since taking the kelp, this problem has corrected itself.  My husband is also pleased that I'm a lot lest "unpredictable."  Many mood "disorders" are actually thyroid disorders that can be corrected. 

Just watch out for flouride, whether in tooth paste, drinking water, whatever.  It has a higher atomic mass and therefore displaces the iodine, therefore disrupting thyroid function.

 

Hope this helps!

[D.J.]

This is very helpful LaTricia, thank you.  I've had a bottle of kelp pills for a while now and haven't taken them.  I will start today to see if it helps.