If you can't take antidepressants what do you do?

[onwardsandupwards2022]

What do you do that helps your mental health? Everything feels overwhelming and I need to fix it, before it gets a grip.

Can I ask why you can't take ADs? There are many different types, are you not able to take any of them?

Therapy, meditation, Vagus Nerve exercises & somatic exercises.

Why can't you take medicine?

Talking therapy can help too.

Op asked for other options, it’s their business why they don’t wish to take them. I won’t take them, not everyone can!

Yoga, healthy eating, fresh air every day and reading about cbt techniques really helps me.

I have a bleeding disorder and SSRIs triggered an episode, so I'm scared of them.

Older older drugs have more side effects, so I'd be reluctant to start taking them.

@crispsarny

Therapy, meditation, Vagus Nerve exercises & somatic exercises.

Vagus nerve exercises sound very interesting!

I have bipolar and can’t take antidepressants as they make me manic. What helps with my lows is making sure I eat, good sleep hygiene (I listen to headspace sleep casts), forcing myself out of the house and doing 15 mins housework a day. I also find having a routine helps.

Therapy and exercise.

I think exercise first thing in the morning is really useful - it took me a week or so of doing it every day to get the benefit, but after that it helped me to start each day in a more positive frame of mind.

Also, just appreciating small things and treating yourself in the evening - new nail varnish, face mask, bit of ‘special’ chocolate. Give yourself little points of difference in the day, something to look forward to.

Force yourself to socialise - a walk or coffee with a friend can do wonders, but if you really can’t face it even just go somewhere busy and soak up the atmosphere for a bit.

Are you taking vitamin d/probiotics, these can also impact your mood if you are depleted, but good to speak to a doctor and get advise on what medication is suitable for you.

Stay hydrated, take SAM-e supplement and ashwagandha, exercise, eat very well (whole foods, fish, meat, flax seed and a TON of veg). Meditation. Yoga. Vigorous exercise. Forest bathing and getting out in nature as much as possible, and really get down in the earth, touch it, smell it, get your bare feet on it. Get as much natural sunlight as possible and keep lighting low in the evening. Don't read/watch the news if it really affects you, or set aside a select amount of time to flick through, so avoiding doom scrolling. Delete Facebook and SM. Get 8hrs plus of sleep. Listen to positive affirmations every morning and do little basic care things like putting on hand cream or painting your nails or whatever floats your boat. These all keep me on an even keel. Sympathies! Depression sucks balls!

Does exercise have to be really intense to make a difference?

I go for walks and sometimes just feel more irritable sometimes they do help, but sometimes I feel annoyed out listlessly stomping the streets.

I used to love fitness studio classes before covid so maybe I should frogmarch myself back!

I take a much older antidepressant because I can't take SSRIs and honestly I was unsure as its reputation precedes it but I've not had any of these side effects bar a bit of a dry mouth.

Other than that, I started seeing a therapist, got a job that I didn't hate and started laying our some serious boundaries with my family.

I don't really feel depressed - more irritable and sad? Which is why I think I might be able to stop it in its tracks.

I mean I still have loads of interest to go and do things I'm keen on. But just no energy.

And got so irrationally pissed off earlier because we don't have a bath, and I am absolutely longing for being able to take a relaxed bath a couple of nights a week. It just feels so unfair. It's a bath and it's beyond my ability to have one.

Cold water therapy - I swim 2 or 3 times a week, for about 10 or 15 mins in current temperatures. A huge benefit to my mental health and meant I could stop taking ADs.

Very interesting to read what works for others. Thank you. I am making a list of things to look up and add to my self care routine.

@onwardsandupwards2022 it is, this is good resets your sympathetic nervous system. Some great suggestions in the thread from others.

All the best

Can I ask what bleeding disorder? I have a clotting disorder but have successfully taken citalopram for 20 years. Are you under a specialist haemotology unit?

@Nanny67

Can I ask what bleeding disorder? I have a clotting disorder but have successfully taken citalopram for 20 years. Are you under a specialist haemotology unit?

I'm not comfortable discussing it no, but sounds like the opposite of yours as mine causes too much bleeding rather than clotting.

I am glad citalopram is a good fit for you.

@crispsarny

Op asked for other options, it’s their business why they don’t wish to take them. I won’t take them, not everyone can!

If someone asks for advice it’s good to get the whole picture is it not?

Tyrosine has been a game changer for me - it's totally changed my outlook on everything - more positive, lots of energy and focus and really good sleep

I'm another person who takes an older tricyclic AD successfully - not much in the way of side effects apart from a dry mouth, which is pretty easy to manage with drinking some water and the occasional piece of sugar-free gum. I also find it helps with sleep, which then makes everything else more doable

There are other options as well - SNRIs and mirtazapine for example - if you don't get on with TCAs

In terms of other stuff for depression, I find walking helps as long as I make an effort to attend to stuff around me while I'm doing it. I find yoga useful, but it needs to be a reasonably hard class - too gentle just winds me up.

Overall, talking therapy is probably the most useful thing I've done, but I was able to engage with it better once I'd got the right meds and was less grumpy and anxious.

@CCSS15 may I ask, Tyrosine.. l-Tyrosine? And any recommendations on brand please? Thank you

Stay as far away from people as you can and surround yourself with dogs.
to all those here struggling with or without anti-ds.

Lift heavy shit in the gym