Can you “cure” your anxiety and depression without medication?

[Shouldreallystopwatchingtv]

I’ve been trying to do that for years. I have an excellent therapist, I eat the right things, I get exercise, and so on.

I don’t know if I’m perimenopausal or not, but I cannot dig myself out of my latest funk. I have things to be stressed about as everyone does (and I blow them out of proportion possibly), but life is generally good - or I should see it as good anyway.

I have a fear of taking antidepressants and have long avoided it (I know that’s part of my anxious personality), but I don’t know if I can get better just by changing my situation and doing CBT etc.

Did anyone manage?

Hi,

First off all well done for going so long without needing medication but don’t feel bad if you do need them. I have been on medication for anxiety/ health anxiety for 8 years and I can honestly say there were times I know I wouldn’t be here without them. They do have side effects that can make things horrible for the first few weeks but then then things should get better.

I did.

I started saying yes to everything. (instead of over thinking )

I changed the way I looked at everything. Always looked for the upside every conversation or decision.

It's worked for me

I was just about to start a thread like this!

I don't suffer with depression, only anxiety but after a particularly bad couple of weeks I dont think ignoring the problem and hope it goes away is going to work anymore.

I'd love some tips for good daily habits that might help. I'm starting to feel better after my last big anxiety but would love to be proactive and avoid falling so low next time.

But I'm at the point where it's really stopping me enjoying my life, so maybe medication will have to be the answer.

I did, well not cure, but learned to keep it at bay.

By running. It works like meditation for me, with a certain playlist and a focus on the world around me as I go. If I don’t run I can feel it coming back, so it’s definitely running that is my medicine.

i was on sertroline and bromazepan and neither seemed to work for me very well.

I also used to hate exercise, and still wouldn’t dream of setting foot in a class or a gym! I had tried running before as a weight loss thing and never got in to it, but now that it is my “medication” and not for any other reason I’ve kept it up for 18 months now. I’m so glad it has worked for me, it’s saved my life.

Thank you for these!

I like the idea of saying yes and not overthinking things. I am a terrible overthinker!

Quentin how often do you run?

In many cases, yes but it takes time and effort. For most people their first port of call is their GP who has around 8 minutes per patient and precious little additional resources to recommend - those that are available are on a months long waiting list. Add to that, the person in front of them is looking for immediate relief and that often comes from leaving with a prescription. We see it with the over prescription of antibiotics.

CBT is great, it works. As long as the therapist is not over worked and under resourced and the patient is determined to invest the (considerable) time and work involved to make difficult changes to the way they think, feel and behave.

Johann Hari wrote an amazing book called Lost Connections after he spent most of his adult life on the maximum dose of antidepressants and still felt like shit. This is his Ted Talk;

Thank you for that Ted Talk! I will watch it now.

I’ve recently gone through an unexpected few months of severe anxiety (came out of nowhere!) and what has really helped us a book called “Finding Peace in a Frantic World”. It comes with a CD of daily meditations (or you can find them on YouTube). It promises changes in 8 weeks if you stick to them religiously… which I did. And lo and behold, two months later I was feeling so much better. I also stopped drinking for a month (I was only drinking socially but still gave myself a break), forced myself to the gym as often as I could, avoided screen time from 8pm every night and read some good novels instead. Lots of relaxing baths, massages, nighttime herbal teas etc. Just gave myself some “me time” and really made sure I got as much rest/sleep as I could.
One day I just realised I wasn’t thinking about anxiety anymore, or at least it wasn’t controlling me. I’m still doing the daily mediations (only once a day now rather than three times) to give myself that 20min of focus.
Thats just my own personal, recent experience but everyone has their own battles and remedies. I’d definitely give the book a try though, what have you got to lose? Good luck!

Alot of anxiety and depression comes from not feeling in control or not feeling like you have the ability to cope if things go wrong.

It's all about changing your self-limiting beliefs, challenging and changing any unhelpful thinking styles, and processing positives that happen day to day.

I recommend the thrive programme by Rob Kelly! I'm working through it (workbook is 40 quid ish) and it's honestly changing my life.

I personally feel that there is a small group of people who have something genuinely off-balance in bio-chemical terms who definitely need medication. But I think the rest of us probably don't. Many therapists like medication because, frankly, it gives them an easy out.

Have you discussed with your therapist your goals, and have you gotten any useful answers?

Many therapists like medication because, frankly, it gives them an easy out.

Therapists can't prescribe medication.

My DH refused to believe for a long time that he had MH problems (anxiety) but when he finally accepted it he then pushed against antidepressants.
On two occasions, before he was diagnosed, he told me that he could not live like he was doing. That he would end his life, not in a depressed way, but he knew he couldn’t continue to feel the way he did forever.
The antidepressants were an actual life saver. I’m shocked at the news this week that they don’t work, they certainly work for my DH. I fear what would happen if they stopped prescribing them.

By running. It works like meditation for me

this ^. It’s the answer for many but not all

could be rowing, swimming, cycling a good 45 minutes every day

Changes the brain

look's like that paper has been misreported
DH has been on sertraline for many years and it definitely works for him

@KangarooKenny I’m shocked at the news this week that they don’t work, they certainly work for my DH. I fear what would happen if they stopped prescribing them.

I don't think is quite accurate. The news was that there is 'no convincing evidence' that depression is caused by low serotonin, not that antidepressants don't work.
I am not a doctor but I feel it's perfectly possible they work in a different way to that expected, or that they numb the symptoms rather than cure the issue. That can still mean they are helpful. They were a game changer for my DD when she started on them 18 months ago.

Whenever you find yourself immersing into negative/ anxiety inducing thoughts, imagine a little Pacman gobbling them up.

I have literally stopped these thoughts in their tracks now as for over 20 years ( I used to be sick with anxiety).

Other things I do is smile at myself in the mirror which actually makes me laugh.

Surround myself with funny pets and people.

Have a goal, however small.

Be creative and make something, however basic: it can be bread rolls, it can be a tiny vase or jug of flowers with a few daisies in it.

Write a diary to process your thoughts and see what can be done to improve things.

Not letting the obstacles in the mind become physical ones.

If nothing else works, rehaul your life: diet, fitness, job, living environment, friends.

Discontent is the catalyst for change.

Thank you for this tip - I have downloaded the book on audible and like it already!

Sunbathing in the rain, a cheerful book about depression, by Gwyneth Lewis is an excellent and funny book. For my monkey mind (over thinking, frazzled brain etc) and depression i do some meditation, it's not an easy thing to do though, for the uninitiated it can be incredibly difficult to get started, 2 minutes a day can make a difference.

Cycling, without it, i'd be long gone

Good to hear things that have helped others. I am struggling just now and after years of off and on depression and anxiety I feel like I need to make some changes to my life style.

Good thread.