Dont want to offend anyone but ADS are not for me. What to do now then???!!! Any ideas?

[piscesgirl]

OK! I have posted a couple of times under this topic. I was taking ads but never happy about the side effects and did not feel that they dealt with the PND, just that they put it on hold (if that makes sense). It took me ages to wean off the ads - venlofaxine - as the withdrawal symptoms were so strong. Have now been off them for about 6 weeks and am just feeling that dullness again. I am determined not to go back onto ads though as I stated before - is there any evidence that they CURE depression or just put it on the back boiler? So my attitude is now to try and fight this bloody pnd with other stuff so am hoping there may be some MN's out there with some advice. Any good ideas for natural depression lifters needed. Thanks.
sorry if anyone else reading this is either on ads or thinking about goin on them, they may work for you but not for me x

It depends on the cause of your depression piscesgirl. If there is an inderlying reason for your depression then ADs won't make you better long term as you need to deal with that (through counselling etc). However if it is due to chemical imbalance in your brain then yes ADs can provide a cure as they bring those chemicals back into balance.

Have you tried other ADs? Venlaflaxine are quite strong - they suited me well when i had PND but the first Ads I tried where citalopram which didn't suit me at all. There are ntaural aids for depression such as St John's Wort and also vitamin B complex is supposed to be good as B vitamins are needed to make certain chemicals in the brain that effect mood.

Eat healthily/regularly, avoiding sugary/processed foods as these can lead to mood spikes
Avoid alcohol (it is a depressant)
Exercise
I found that getting outside as much as possible helped. Seeing some green. Fresh air. Getting a sense of perspective.
A shower, as cold as I could bear, helped me to shake off the 'dullness' you mention
Ask for help with the DCs (or buy it in if you can afford it) to get some time on your own to do the things that make you happy
It does sound as if you might benefit from counselling, have you spoken to your GP about this?

One little thing that helps me (in addition to a small dose of prozac to be fair!) is making sure I get lots of sunlight during the day; I sit in my front room which is south facing.

i joined an amateur choir. singing is very good for the body and your spirits - something to do with the vibrations i believe! Also, having a regular reason to leave the house, make my husband get home on time and put the kids to bed etc is great. and its become v sociable too. All good.

Regular exercise

Regular fresh air

Speak to friends often

Do something to help someone else every day

Do some sort of activity where you get really "into it" (this can be different things for different people, e.g. sport, dancing, art, playing music, embroidery etc)

Have a conversation with your partner every day

Watch less television

Try to do something which will make you laugh (e.g listen to a funny radio programme, read a funny book etc) on a regular basis

Think every day of some things you are grateful for (even though not all things go well in life)

I have been trying to do all these things lately, and it is starting to make a difference - I feel much more positive about life. Hope it works for you.

lightboxes are good, you can get them to put next to the computer.

Omega oils and good diet full of fruit and veg, fish etc... good too.

Also agree you may have been on wrong ADs. Citalorpram suits me, 20mg a day and I know about it if I miss. Mine is a chemical imbalance. Citalorpram was awful for my mate though so it's horses for courses.

Really hope you find something hun as it's no picnic

Also, dancing (of any kind) is supposed to be very good, as you get exercise, social contact, music, and use yourbrain to work out what you are doing.

(I know this isn't what you want to hear but I had a horrible time on sertraline, then switched to dothiepin/dosulepin and immediately began to get better)

Just to add I really wouldn't rule out ads as to me it sounds like you have a chemical imbalance but I could be wrong? I'd make a double appointment with your GP if I were you and get to the bottom of this.

find a gentle yoga class that offers an emphasis onpranyama (breathing) and relaxation. I am sure there are plenty of complementary therapies that could help you.

Wow - thanks everyone for your responses. I have been off line for a couple of days and have been itching to get back on the computer and see if anyone had replied to my message. Am grateful for all your suggestions and am milling over each one now!

I am off to see my doctor later and am going to look into dance/yoga classes in my area. Also have started on the St. Johns Wort but I know that may take a while to kick in.

Mmmm have just eaten two chocolate cup cakes though - that will be the hardest thing for me as I am seriously craving chocolates and things that are not good ! And as suggested good diet is important so must really try and follow a better diet.

And finally, I totally agree that fresh air/ sunshine are very important so am definately going to make sure I get out every day even if it is raining.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE

Will post again soon X

you sound better piscesgirl Agree strongly about the diet, do you like smoothies? You can do a fruit smoothie and add a supplement from the health shop full of b vits which are excellent for beating depression.

I'm into smoothies big time right now and am off myself tomorrow to get some. the kids and I have been watching you are what you eat and getting tips.