Natural/herbal anti-depressant?

[Thosewerethedays]

I have two DDs, 3 and 5. My 5 yo was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay from around 12 months. She is now at a special needs school. She does talk but only to indicate things that she wants (which she does by chanting the request over and over and has melt downs if she doesn?t get what she wants within a time frame). She?s still in nappies and is showing no signs of potty training or even knowing that she might need to go. She also hums incessantly. She has absolutely no understanding of danger and would still walk in front of a swing in the park or directly into the road in front of a car. I find caring for her very stressful. My dh and I split some time ago and whilst he does support us financially, he does very little else to help out with our DC. I have no family that help out, my DCs? two surviving grandparents are too old. I don?t know anyone to spend any time with and I can?t imagine anyone wanting to spend time with us because it?s usually so stressful and I can?t talk to anyone else when I?m with my DD anyway because I have to watch her constantly (I?m afraid my multi-tasking skills are non-existent). I have absolutely no prospect of meeting another partner because I can?t imagine anyone wanting to take on my DD. This is a bit of a ramble, but I guess I'm trying to explain why I feel depressed and isolated. Anyway, I have never taken any Ads and am very nervous about them. I have constantly struggled with my weight and I think if I were to gain weight it would make me even unhappier. It also worries me because the situation I?m in is not one which is going to go away or get better, and therefore, won?t I just feel as depressed the minute I come off the ads? But this morning my 3 yo (who is totally NT) asked me if it would stop me crying if she danced for me which made me feel truly awful and like I should probably try something... I definitely feel worse just before my period and I?m also feeling particularly down at the moment as I?ve had both girls at home for the half term which has been hyper stressful due to illness. Does anyone have any recommendations for anything natural/herbal I could try to begin with?

You could try St Johns Wort.

Don't be frightened to try ADs, they have improved so much over the years. I went in 20mg of Citalopram a few years ago due to stress and anxiety caused by my daughters MH problems. I came off them in the summer, with no problems, but have gone back onto 10mg.

I was terrified of going on them but they were a lifesaver.

St John Wort affects the pill, just in case you are on it .

Thanks Coco, I had thought about trying St Johns Wort. I spent all last night reading such awful stories about the side affects from various ads, I can't bear the idea of losing sleep (which is something I've never suffered) or as I mentioned the weight gain thing. Did you suffer any side effects from Citalopram?

5htp. Google it. you can get it from Holland and barret or online.

I'm with Branleuse.... 5HTP was great for me when I was going through a difficult period. St Johns Wort made me feel worse and made my eyes feel funny.

I ended up taking 5HTP and Rhodiola (which is good for anxiety, which for me accompanies depression). Lots to find if you google.

Have no experience of ADs, hit the 5HTP in an effort to avoid ADs.....

OK. Just had a look at some other threads re 5HTP and also googled and it looks like a lot of people have found it helpful so I've just ordered some. Here's hoping... Thanks Guys.

Best of luck with it, you sound as though you have a lot on your plate....

No I didn't really have many side effects apart from vivid dreams, but I had them anyway.

Best of luck, I hope the 5THP brings you some relief.