Can you treat depression without antidepressants?

[SinkGirl]

DH and I have both suffered from depression on and off since our teens and have both taken antidepressants at various points. We have had a very difficult couple of years and it has taken its toll on our mental health - a few months ago we were both started on sertraline. We both really struggled with the side effects and felt we didn’t really need them - DH stopped after about 5-6 weeks, I stopped after a couple of months and I’ve been doing absolutely fine without them. A short while after I stopped, he read an article about the longterm risks of SSRIs and said he didn’t want to take them again and was glad he didn’t need to.

Things have gotten much better recently for a lot of reasons I won’t go into but life is going as well as it can be and better than it has for a long time, and yet DH is struggling again.

He doesn’t want to take the anti-depressants, but he is having a really tough time.

I know from reading up on this before that certain supplements can help some people (st johns wort, omega 3, folic acid if you have a folate deficiency). I found out last year that I had a severe vitamin D deficiency and since my levels went up I feel much better mentally - I suspect he’s deficient too as he works from home, at a computer all day every day.

Has anyone managed to treat depression without antidepressants? I’m generally opposed to all things woo, so not so much that stuff, but I know that vitamin and mineral deficiencies etc can have a huge impact on physical and mental health.

Has anyone had any success? His depression isn’t severe, he’s not suicidal or considering harming himself in any way - he just feels very low and like he can’t handle basic every day things which is exactly what I get like when I’m depressed.

The April 2019 of the magazine what doctors don't tell you reviews alternative approaches to treating depression.

The article talks qabout the evidence-based steps that depressed people can try safely instead of / before ads.

These are: exercise, walking in nature, hydration, omega-3 supplements, eating seeds and nuts. Vitamin deficiencies linked to depression are: folate, B12, B6, magnesium, zinc selenium. Other herbal remedies that have been shown to be effective are st. Johns wort, turmeric and saffron. Low levels of the amino acid tryptophan are also linked to depression.

I know a couple of people, one of whom tried every alternative but the only thing that really worked was the medication. Another, however, tried the meds and then switched to exercise and healthy living and found that to be as good as the meds. So I think it just depends on who you are and your situation etc. Both people seemed to have similar "types" of depression ie similar experiences that had happened.

Has anyone mentioned cold showers or swimming in cold water? I know someone who found them very beneficial, almost instant relief.
www.google.ie/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/inner-source/201407/cold-splash-hydrotherapy-depression-and-anxiety%3famp

Thank you so much everyone - I am so grateful for all these suggestions, I am making a to do list and a shopping list (otherwise I’ll forget)

Our current thinking is that trying safe alternatives can’t hurt as long as he seeks medical help urgently if things get worse. Last night he was feeling quite a bit better but he’s like me - very up and down when things are bad, and overwhelmed by everyday things, which is hard to manage when you have twins with multiple appointments a week, therapies to do etc.

This has been so helpful, I am so grateful - you guys have saved me hours and hours of hunting and reading and pondering. Thanks again! I will update in a few weeks :)

It depends completely on the person, I take ADs (have done for almost ten years), I have had CBT and I have regular therapy. They have all complemented each other, I can rely on my CBT when needed and I’m now okay if I go without therapy for a few weeks, but personally reducing ADs has never worked for me, so I’m remaining on them.

Have a look into rTMS, OP. It's expensive done privately but looks like will be available on NHS soon.