Depression - can you cure yourselft?

[unhappy]

Is it possible to do without anti depressants and/or therapy - anyone done it? Would like to pull myself out of this current bout without pills - no time or money for therapy - any ideas?

Thanks

[serin]

Depends how bad it is, if mild you could try exercise and getting out into the fresh air every day, but your GP should be able to arrange counselling for you for free if it is necessary.

[ScummyMummy]

Agree- depends on how severe the depression is. Mild depression often gets better without formal treatment. Is there a trigger for your current feelings?

[LackaDAISYcal]

what serin said, but I think that even if your depression is bad there are things that you can do to help yourself get better such as changing the sort of behaviours that you know make you feel down...for me it's definately getting out and about more; the more I sit indoors stewing, the worse I feel.

I would go and see the doc though; most PCTs take depression pretty seriously these days and have some sort of service available locally in the community.

[moondog]

Exercising, eating well and sleeping properly do wonders, as does laying off booze and living an orderly life. Also cutting down on tv.
Are those viable options?

[MwaHaHaMhamai]

What Moondog says and from personal experience not ruling out ads. I've been in therapy but depression wasn't shifing, am now on ads and have felt a huge shift.

[Lauriefairycake]

it depends how severe the depression is and its cause.

The question to ask though is why you would want to do it on your own, without support in therapy or antidepressants if you need them.

If there is a chance that the reason you want to do it on your own is related to the depression then it needs thought.

[LadyOfWaffleIsScaryEnough]

I am trying. Have had some therapy in the past, also ADs/seeping pills/diazepam etc. but I cannot have it now due to pregnancy/breastfeeding so have been trying so hard by myself. It's possible, but it's slow and hard hard hard. I think you have to be at a certain stage to be able to do it yourself, I have been far too depressed in the past to try.

[expatinscotland]

if you live in a more northern part of the UK, a SAD lamp can also help.

mine really does.

so do fish oils and this

[ScummyMummy]

oh err missus- touching the inner self eh? fnaar fnaar

[unhappy]

Hi everyone who posted - I didnt respond becuase no computer at home - Ok so it sounds possible. I was taking St Johns Wort but you know what kept running out at a point where I had no money found them quite expensive. Its not that I dont want ADs just wondering if I had to go down that road. As for what has caused this bout of depression - well my life in a nutshell - mainly I suppose if I am honest my relationship with my dp or should I say lack of it his infidelity his verbally abusive controlling behaviour etc etc - OK sounds like I am blaming him for everything - I am not the woman I was 4 years ago I used to be brave strong and speak my mind now I often drink too much never stand up for myself and often feel like the worst mum in the world for yelling at my kids - I think I am peri menopausal as my periods are all over the place - thats my background - so what do you guys reckon. The counselling I wouldnt mind really need someone talk to as no one in RL anymore since the breakdown of my relationship with my best frined last year. I am feeling pretty good today as I have not been drinking for a few days now and I do notice the improvement it makes but still know that I am not happy but do pills and therapy really work if deep down you know that you wont/cant change the very cause of the problem ? Sorry if I am rambling hope I get some replies

[Lauriefairycake]

you would be changing the cause of the problem, you would be changing yourself and the way you process and cope with/learn to live with who you are and what has happened to you.

You are (obviously) not the worst mum in the world but part of the problem will be how hard you are on yourself for choosing 'bad' relationships/not being 'perfect' parent. With depression the biggest battle is looking after yourself, allowing your feelings, taking care of you before you try to take care of others, forgiving yourself quickly for 'mistakes', not carrying guilt.

Yes, of course I am going to say therapy will help (the right person whom you like and believe is supportive towards you) but I would say that as I am a therapist

Before I trained to be a therapist I had a terrible marriage, abusive and alcoholic parents and lots of death and loss. I had 4 years of therapy and was transformed by it. Enough that I am now able to look after others.

Talking on here really helps some people, as done calling Mind/Saneline/the Samaritans - i'm sorry you have so little real life support and have lost your best friend.

Try and give yourself credit for coming on here and asking for help

[unhappy]

Thanks Laurie for your reply - one of the main problems with being a full time working mum is time - when would I get to go to therapy I worry about taking time off work - evenings are a complete no no - my dp would not support me in fact he would actively discourage me from this and would not agree to look after dcs (IMO) - and plus what kind of therapy I think I have set up along the last 4 years quite a few instant reactions to things that often are blown out of proportion I started reading a book on CBT at the beginning of year - gave up on it - do the NHS do lunchtime therapy sessions and would I have to pay ?

[HorseStories]

I believe there is a CBT course you can do online.

Let me see if I can find it.

[Lauriefairycake]

I had no idea you were still with your partner, how sad he doesn't support you and wouldn't look after his own children if you wanted to seek help.

Yes, cbt is available on the nhs, lunchtimes, daytimes, evening appointments, think at the moment you would get 6-10 sessions free. There are also lots of free counselling services that are not cbt which use different approaches that you may find supportive. If there's a womens centre, rape crisis centre, counselling service in the town you're in you would be assessed and get free therapy subject to their waiting list.

If you are able to say what area you're in I will look up some free counselling services on the net for you.

[unhappy]

Thanks Laurie - I live in South London but work in Central London - so perhaps central london ie. West End would better more accesible during lunch hour etc

[unhappy]

yes dittany I know that but life is not always black and white there is a hell of alot of grey in some people's lives - I want to learn how to be the woman I used to be again if that makes sense my dcs father is not to blame for everything that makes me unhappy I want to regain control again rather than feeling so out of control of everything - its easy to blame others for our unhappiness I dont want to be a victim anymore I want to be happy again for mine and my children's sake I dont want them to grow up with the only memory of their mother as being miserable or yelling or being a doormat - people on mumsnet are so quick to say walk away leave when sometimes there are reasons beyond our control

[HorseStories]

Living Life to the Full

[unhappy]

Thank you HorseStories.

Dittany - cya