natural treatments instead of meds?

[DeChRi]

I am wondering if anyone has info on treating depression and chronic anxiety naturally? Or references to back threads on the subject. I would really like to avoid meds, but am not sure what to try at this point. My dd is almost 4, so this really isn't PPD, as it didn't flare up at all after she was bron, but rather a year or two later. Any advice on herbs, meditations, relaxation techniques, and what to cut out of my diet would be appreciated.
Thanks, Jo

[shematrix]

http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20112&highlight=depression


http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36215


http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38110


Hope these help. I did a quick search, there are more in Life with a Babe and health and healing.

Brenda

[Joyce in the mts.]

I realize that complimentary care is not always valued, so I defer to your free will.

I recommend Reiki. Find a down-to-earth practitioner and try it, or ask around in your circle of friends to see if anyone practices. I find it very helpful for my own depressions.

It's relaxing and supportive to any other help or care or meds. It's non-intrusive and non-confrontational. It's YOUR time. Most sessions can last up from 45 minutes to an hour or more. There are practitioners out there that charge and many who do not.

There is a thread in Health and Healing that I started and others have continued on Reiki. Check it out.

I just happened to see your post and wanted to offer you information. You will also, if I remember correctly, find info on where to find practitioner directories online in that thread. You can also do an online search using key words, like: Reiki practitioner directory. I think that would bring you some information about finding someone nearby to you.

Might be worth a try.

Exercise also helps with depression of any kind. Walking is the best. I have walked many miles, praying for better balance within.

Make sure you are properly hydrating, that is, drinking enough water. Dehydration can make you feel draggy and low.

Another physical activity that integrates inner and outer development is Yoga...there are alot of threads on that, I believe, in the area where self-improvement is discussed.

With kids it's hard to find time and space. Easy to feel lost in the layers. I wish you well and hope you can find the way to accessing the appropriate option soon.

When you are at your best, so is your family....Joyce in the mts.

[galadriel]

I highly recommend Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and/or herbs), if you can find a good practitioner. As in other holistic approaches to health, there is no division between mind and body, so it can help immensely with things like anxiety. But I recommend TCMto everybody for most everything, because it has helped me sooo much in my life. SO I'm pretty biased.

Like Joyce said, too, walking is a super thing to do, as well as cutting down on the sugar and refined foods. Make sure you get lots of protein and fresh vegetables! I had bad anxiety a few years ago and went to my regular MD, who decided after talking with me for ~3 minutes that I had Generalized Anxiety and sent me home with a bag of Paxil :rolleyes: (I'm not saying that Paxil isn't helpful for some people or conditions, but not in this case!)
Then I went to my TCM practitioner who talked with me for an hour and realized I was eating almost zero protein (I was vegan at the time and I didn't know how to eat a proper vegan diet). SO I chucked the drugs, ate lots of protein and a balanced diet generally, and I felt super! Sometimes it is the simplest, most obvious things.

Anyway, I'm no expert, just sharing my experience.

[Tracy]

I just posted a thread about a brand new book.

He is very gifted and talks exactly about what you are asking...... but I do know this is a very complex issue and every BODY is different...

good luck

[DeChRi]

Thank you all for the info. I already exercise daily, and eat tons of protein. (weight lifting and fitness is kind of my hobby and there for i am very conscience about my protein intake.) But I will check out that book. Thanks, JO

[oncewerewise]

My sister suffered from depression for a few years and did not want to go on meds either. She finally did because she felt it was right for her at the time. She also decided after about a year and a half that she did not want to be on meds anymore. She tried the Potatos Not Prozac book and that worked for her. Fish oil and B vitamins are absolute wonders for combatting depression. Talk to someone locally for dosage, etc. The other thing that worked for my sister, especially in winter, was a full-spectrum light. I find it helps a lot with me and my daughters since we are basement dwellers and it has been too freaking cold to get any natural light outside these days.

Peace and Serenity.

[DeChRi]

That is so interesting, what you were saying about sunlight. I am so much worse in the winter. I physically crave the sun. I am anti tanning booth but have had this huge urge to go jump in one!

[oncewerewise]

I don't know where you are, but the local hardware store sells the full-spectrum lights and they have ones that you just mount on the wall and plug into an outlet. If you have fluorescent light holders, the bulbs can be replaced with full-spectrum ones. They're kind of pricey, but worth it. And, we've had this set up for 2 years so they last a long time!


Peace.

[DeChRi]

thank you oncewerewise, i will check it out today!