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Alternatives to anti-depressants?

Hi,
Wondering whether to go back to my Dr who prescribed me anti-depressants a few months ago. I stopped taking them because they made me want to OD on them + after taking loads I was put off them.
My Dr said I was depressed when I went to see her but I know I'm only unhappy because I'm fat + hate myself for it. I keep failing when I try not to binge + feel like I'll never get better- but is that depression or just me being a big fat pessimist?
I'm trying to get over bulimia, with counselling + following a CBT program on the internet, it's not going well at the moment- so please don't tell me to feel better I need to eat healthily, drink lots of water, avoid caffeine + take exercise. If I could do those things I would never have got myself into this position! Within the program I have to do a 'Hospital Anxiety and Depression' Test, am pretty ok as far as anxiety is concerned but every week I'm rated as having a problem with depression. Has anyone else had to do this? I'm not sure how reliable it is.

I can just carry on this way, I don't need to enjoy life all the time do I?
I'm finding it hard to concentrate or motivate myself to do school work, but I'm not too worried about the exams- just hate being behind. I feel bad for my boyfriend because even though I make an effort to be cheerful around him I get snappy or teary easily + feel really guilty for not being energetic + good to spend time with. I know I won't OD again or commit suicide- I do think that some time in the future I might be normal again.

Is it worth me going back onto fluoxetin? My counsellor + form tutor are encouraging me against this because anti-depressants don't work a lot of the time + the side effects are horrible, but I don't feel like there's much alternative apart from 'just trying harder' which I can't force myself to do at the moment.

Reply 1

anjurdsg

11

smoke weed

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

anjurdsg

smoke weed

I would like to but haven't for ages because I have no money + none of my friends do it, wouldn't be quite the same on my own at home!

Reply 3

~Kirsty~

1

I've heard that an alternative to drugs is a natural remedy St John's Wort...thats supposed to work as an anti depressant. We did about it in our pharmacology module at uni, so i assume it works. Well its worth a try i guess..I think you can get it from pharmacies.

Reply 4

dsch

13

no, don't smoke weed. It's all about ecstacy, you'll hug everything and talk some real drivel but forget you're depressed.

Reply 5

foxo

17

Eat chocolate.

Wait, no.

Drink. That's it.

Reply 6

Barny

17

rhodiola rosea, nicotine, piracetem, aniracetam, acetly l-carnitine, tyrosine.

Reply 7

dan1982

coughsyrup

no, don't smoke weed. It's all about ecstacy, you'll hug everything and talk some real drivel but forget you're depressed.

yeah untill the next day when u wish the ground would swallow you up.

only proper alternative is diet and exercise.
There are alot of things in your food un dont know about that can cause small side effects.
Aspartame for instance is a chemical sweetner which is supposedly ment to be pretty nasty.
Exercise helps alot.

Reply 8

~Kirsty~

1

There are also other drugs, not just fluoxetine. Similar drugs which work by the same method are citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline. Maybe you could talk to your doctor, and see if he thinks its worth trying something else.

St John's wort has been shown to work though, and my friend has tried it for depression and it worked for her, so maybe its worth a try?

Reply 9

chaoringmeister

Acupuncture might help you get thinner as it seems that is the problem causing the depression. I do not believe in this antidepressant *******s, or even any antidepressant alternative treatments. I believe strongly in tacking the core of the problem that is causing depression, not the depression itself which will go away.

Reply 10

dsch

13

Who the **** neg repped me? If you're depressed a drug problem is an excellent thing to develop - you might get caught and forced into rehab so your character can be rebuilt at the expense of the tax payer. Who wouldn't want that?! Also the compulsive dancing involved with ecstacy is really gonna shift those pounds.

Reply 11

guitargirl03

13

Acupuncture... That's supposed to work!

Have you tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy? I had my first consultation today, and that made me feel slightly better!

Reply 12

~Kirsty~

1

chaoringmeister

Acupuncture might help you get thinner as it seems that is the problem causing the depression. I do not believe in this antidepressant *******s, or even any antidepressant alternative treatments. I believe strongly in tacking the core of the problem that is causing depression, not the depression itself which will go away.

I do agree. I believe a mix of treating the depression, and treating the cause would be the way forward. You seem to have what is termed reactive depression (this means theres a cause to the depression) and this type of depression does not respond as well to drug therapy anyway. I think you should talk through your options maybe with a counsellor or a doctor. The acupuncture could work, and is also worth looking into. I am studying dietetics so i would suggest if you are on a diet/exercise programme to not try any of the fad diets such as atkins, cabbage soup, etc. Maybe you could join a fitness class in your area, like pilates or something. Exercise is good because it will lower stress levels as well as helping the depression. The acupuncture could work. It depends on what you feel is right for you.

Reply 13

Sarky

18

I used to take antidepressants but came off them awhile ago because of the side effects. After doing some research i decided to take Rhodiola Rosea. It is a natural remedy and has really helped me. Its available from healthfood shops like GNC and unline St Johns Wort you can take it without worrying about it affecting other medications.

Reply 14

macintosh

Kink2000

I've heard that an alternative to drugs is a natural remedy St John's Wort...thats supposed to work as an anti depressant. We did about it in our pharmacology module at uni, so i assume it works. Well its worth a try i guess..I think you can get it from pharmacies.

yep, st john's wort is quite good but i think it varies from person to person. also be aware if you start taking it and you're on the pill because it can make the pill ineffective.

exercise and good diet is also key. exercise makes you release endorphins which is good for making you feel happier and a bad diet can have a profound effect on moods and stuff so it's worth taking a look at your diet and seeing if that can be improved.

good luck
xx

Reply 15

lawzer

suggest st johns..doesnt wrk 4 all. But def nt weed...if u do that u mite as well 4gt the whole think and fal into the depressive pit completely. I know its tempting but it wnt help

Reply 16

shinytoy

18

one of my friends has been on tetracyclis for many years and wants to cut down. she says herbal remedies sometimes help but i dotn remember the one. also i think she considered psychotherapy and counselling.

be care ful cos it can flare up once you come off, it took a while to come out the system then she was really depressed and had to see the doc. now shes on a lower dose, but also under supervision and herbals

Reply 17

Fluffy

15

Kink2000

I've heard that an alternative to drugs is a natural remedy St John's Wort...thats supposed to work as an anti depressant. We did about it in our pharmacology module at uni, so i assume it works. Well its worth a try i guess..I think you can get it from pharmacies.