Marcia Said:

Is there alternative medicines for depression and anxiety?

We Answered:

Wow...I typed out a whole answer to this question, and didn't see the Bipolar disorder bit. Are you Bipolar I or Bipolar II?

Many people who are Bipolar II aren't really Bipolar at all, they just get labeled as such by doctors because it's easy. Many people just struggle getting out of a depression and flip over into anxiety in the process. Back and forth until they get evened out, which can take years if the person is naturally emotional.

For true Bipolar disorder, you of course don't WANT to take the meds. They make you feel flatlined, like you just aren't happy. But the spike is what throws your brain chemistry off balance, sending you plummeting back into depression. And at the time, the manic state may feel normal to you, but your brain is in an altered state, so it's like there's a filter on keeping you from seeing how out of control your behavior gets.

There is a natural medicine for bipolar disorder II, which is basically a natural form of Lithium. I know one is called Serenity (info in sources).

If your doctors think that you are in no danger of harming yourself without meds, then you can try some of the suggestions in my initial answer below:
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There are, but first, it's important to find out the cause of the depression and anxiety. Then you can treat the symptoms with more success.

Depression can be caused by traumatic events in one's life, or it can be something as obscure as a food allergy. First, take inventory of what could be causing the depression emotionally over the past year (or more). Sometimes, even after those traumas are resolved, the brain perpetuates the chemical balance that has persisted for so long. It's the basic principle of homeostasis - the body tries to maintain its levels the way it is used to them.

Often, when a person is coming out of depression, anxiety starts to surface. Imagine that your neurons have been running on low voltage for months, and have atrophied to the point that they are "Wired" for less activity. When you perk up again, it's almost as if your neurons are being blasted with electrical activity. The brain dumps chemicals to try and handle the "overload" and upsets your seratonin balance. This can come in the form of social anxiety, agoraphobia (kind of wanting to stay at home or in familiar situations), or panic attacks. The overload, can often cause a person to flip back and forth between depression and anxiety simply from wearing themselves out!

Best advice I ever got for depression: allow yourself time to heal. Stay in bed, sleep at least 9 hours a night, and GO THROUGH whatever it is that you may be avoiding. This doesn't mean to wallow or indulge in it, just really observe the fact that you are hurting. Go through it until you get to a point where it's too much, and then give yourself a break. Watch a happy movie. Get out with friends (even if you don't want to). Go for a walk. Read. And when your feelings come up again, acknowledge them. Treat yourself the way you imagine the best mother in the world would treat her child. It can take 9 months or more for real chronic depression.

Next, you want your brain to regrow some neural pathways for happiness. Be happy every chance you get. Look for ways to increase your joy, even if it's just for the afternoon. You are retraining your mind to make happiness your baseline. Ignore negativity-perpetuating thoughts. "I am sad today" is OK. "I am always sad and I can't get better" is a lie. Don't believe it. Laugh it off.

Get really good at talking yourself out of anxiety. Imagine your best friend came to you and was somewhat irrationally upset over something. You would soothe them with calming thoughts, and be kind and supportive. Do this for yourself. Talk yourself out of negative thoughts. Don't focus so much on the emotions, look at the thoughts themselves as they come up. If you practice this for a few days, it becomes second nature. I never had another panic attack after I learned to stop the negative downward spiral. And I had them many times a day.

There were a few things that made me feel fantastic without fail when I had severe anxiety and depression: a good yoga class, massage therapy, and decent meditations. Anything that will put you in the Parasympathetic state, which is a state of almost perfect calm and balance. The breathing is slowed, the tension is gone, you are in a state of balance between inner and outer attention. It is the ultimate healing state for the mind and body. Breathe deeply and slowly when you feel out of sorts. Clear your mind of extraneous thoughts. It sounds too easy, but I can't tell you the importance of it.

If you have gone to the doctor, and you know your heart is Ok, and your thyroid function is good, and you don't have food allergies plauging you, and you are getting some moderate exercise, and enough sleep, and you are still depressed, try these things. Here are some supports if you find you need them along the way: for depression: St. John's Wort. Some days I take this and it's like being let out from under water. Things actually look 2 shades brighter when it kicks in. B Vitamins. If you get a good sublingual B6 B12 B2 Folic acid supplement, it will make a world of difference. I feel it within a couple of days if I have forgotten mine. Moderate amounts of caffeine. If you are consuming caffeine already, you should stop. It aggravates anxiety in a big way. But if you do not, a small amount of caffeine can give you enough boost to get moving and have good experiences for the day. I like the amount in Twig Tea or green tea. Not enough to spin me up.

For anxiety, I know it's considered risky, but I swear by Kava. It's hard to find now, but I buy it in drops and take half the recommended amount in some water. Works right away. In my worst times, I never needed it more than a couple of times a week, and that can't hurt you at all. For the knotted up muscles and pain, Valerian root is a great natural muscle relaxant. But it in a capsule - it's stinky. I tried hundreds of other remedies, and none of them worked for me.

I also highly recommend the Midwest Center's Attacking Anxiety and Depression course. It helped me more than anything else, and ultimately gave me the tools to stop 5 years of severe clinical depression and anxiety. And the next time horrible events came around, I was prepared so I didn't sink again.

Best of Luck to you ~*~
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PS: New Studies indicate that Bipolars are helped immensely by keeping VERY strict eating and sleeping schedules, and having a solid daily routine.

Edward Said:

Can some of the medicines for depression take away the conscience for being unselfish?

We Answered:

I don't know the answer for sure, but to be honest, I have been wondering the same thing. My bf started 2 diff antidepressants ohhhh 6 months ago and has become something else. He is uncaring, selfish, and doesn't even attempt common courtesies. It is hard to deal with at times, but I just have to keep reminding myself that it isn't really him that's acting this way; it's the depression and the meds.

But we're going to be starting a new round of meds to see if these actually help (the ones he's on now aren't) and I'm gonna hope that these behaviors go with them.

It's hard when someone is treating you this way, or if you're still there enough to realize that you're treating others that way. I'd suggest trying something different if you notice huge changes in behaviors. That's what our doctor recommended.

best of luck.

Pedro Said:

What are some good medicines for depression that do not cause weight gain?

We Answered:

I know you said Wellbutrin doesn't work for you, but maybe you weren't taking a high enough dose. I take 300 mg and I lost 32 pounds in the past 4 years and my depression is in remission. I have a lot of energy and weight loss is one of the side effects. Good Luck!

Laura Said:

Will ObamaCare cover depression medicines for the liberals?

We Answered:

This is a cry for help, isn't it?

Ivan Said:

What are the best medicines for depression?

We Answered:

Self confidence, beauty, money, and appreciation for life.

Velma Said:

Is there anybody who was cured of depression by medicines?

We Answered:

Not likely, there is no way of knowing, and their own research say that antidepressants are just placebos (nothing more than a 'belief' they arehelping, not actually doing anything).
Medications do not heal, in general, they take nutrients out of the body and suppress symptoms or mask them.
plosmedicine.org/article/infoidoi/10.1…
avalonhealthinfo.com/articles/the-depr…

I would have hormones incuding thyroid tested and balance by specialists liek these feelingfff.com thehallcenter.com
Iwould take and learn as much as possible about nutrition and get tested for food and other allergies.
Exercise
stay hydrated, 2 quarts of filtered water a day.
take 5-htp 600mg at night.
eat ony healty whole foods
and support healthy spiritual beliefs
dearpharmacist.com