[goldenglitters]

Any advice of what helps against depression?? Or at least to keep it less intense and manageable? ( without triggering mania )

Two weeks ago, while also feeling miserable, I took some saint John's wort supplement and that made me (what I think) hypomanic ( agitated, energetic, incredibly productive (finished like two huge university papers in two days!) social, happy...) for like two weeks, last night I started feeling anxious and guilty and then today I'm so indecisive and heavy I haven't even left the house yet and it's like 1 pm. I'm on a three month waiting list for evaluation and I'd like to know how I can manage this without giving up on university or just stay in bed all day, without taking more SJW and risking making it worse. Or could that be an ok temporary solution? To take them like once every tenth day to keep me high? Not sure that would work but maybe? Anything else that helps? Omega 3 pills? Exercise? Don't know? Thanks

C

I'm not a dr, but it's possible you won't become manic. You may become mixed instead (since you're already depressed)... and well, mixed is way worse than regular depression.

I'd say there's at least a 50-50 chance you'll induce a mixed state. Idk if it's worth it honestly, but that's just my opinion

[goldenglitters]

Yeah don't want to risk that.. I did get randomly depressed for a few hours during this "good time" as well. And the first days I was really anxious and spaced out so it's not all a miracle cure that's for sure...

[Coconutzo]

There are a handful of supplements that can be helpful for depression,but they do run the risk of causing mania. The ones I know of are St. John's wort, 5-htp, and SAM-e. I'm sure there are more. I was scared of them because I do get manic on antidepressants. Now I take 5-htp. The first few weeks I took it I felt a bit hypo, but that has leveled out over time. It's a good option for me.
My suggestion would be to take them supervised. Tell your partner or whoever is the most tuned into you and your behaviors. Have them let you know if you are falling out of character.
Other things that help me personally are fish oils, LOTS OF WATER, exercise and b vitamins.
And weed. Praise the great state of Oregon for allowing me to self medicate openly. *works well for depression but is TERRIBLE for mania... Use caution

[Camelot67]

Don't self medicate. Weed is not your friend when you're depressed just masked the problem thus making it worse. I've suffered from bipolar disorder for 25 years and got high for 10 of them. When I quit getting high and started exercising and eating right I felt better. This was a temporary fix until my meds kicked in. I'm currently struggling with depression right now and am trying to do what I suggested to you...eat right and exercise. I know it is easier said than done but it has worked for me in the past and I have great hope that it will work again. I would also suggest yoga or some kind of martial arts class. Helps work out the depression and helps calm your mind. Good luck!!!

[LucyG]

Amino acids are very effective in controlling depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD and other similar disorders as they enable the brain to produce the neurotransmitters needed to keep your mood on an even keel.

http://drjolee.com/Brain-Function-Questionnaire.pdf

I use amino acids to control my bipolar 2 with great success. My mood is a thousands times more stable now than when I was on meds. I can't believe the difference it's made in my life!

Other things to consider in controlling your depression are the minerals magnesium and iodine.

Here's some info on both:

Symptoms of Low Magnesium | Ancient Minerals

This is a video by a top naturopath on the need for iodine in the body.

[Sad Mermaid]

Originally Posted by goldenglitters

Any advice of what helps against depression?? Or at least to keep it less intense and manageable? ( without triggering mania )

Two weeks ago, while also feeling miserable, I took some saint John's wort supplement and that made me (what I think) hypomanic ( agitated, energetic, incredibly productive (finished like two huge university papers in two days!) social, happy...) for like two weeks, last night I started feeling anxious and guilty and then today I'm so indecisive and heavy I haven't even left the house yet and it's like 1 pm. I'm on a three month waiting list for evaluation and I'd like to know how I can manage this without giving up on university or just stay in bed all day, without taking more SJW and risking making it worse. Or could that be an ok temporary solution? To take them like once every tenth day to keep me high? Not sure that would work but maybe? Anything else that helps? Omega 3 pills? Exercise? Don't know? Thanks

C

If at all possible, do not take everything so that the evaluator can see you how you are, without the effects of supplements. Exercise and focusing on a task (from writing to doing dishes by hand - whatever holds your focus) might help in the interim. I do not know your healthcare system but just as an idea I would try to expedite the evaluation by stating that you cannot manage your symptoms and are at risk of dropping out of the university.

I know of two supplements that make my hypomanic or manic out of baseline; maybe they can help against depression without making you feel elevated. They are Piracetam and Phenibut. I do not recommend taking them, though, because there are risks inherent in being elevated.

[goldenglitters]

Originally Posted by Coconutzo

There are a handful of supplements that can be helpful for depression,but they do run the risk of causing mania. The ones I know of are St. John's wort, 5-htp, and SAM-e.
//
Other things that help me personally are fish oils, LOTS OF WATER, exercise and b vitamins.
And weed. Praise the great state of Oregon for allowing me to self medicate openly. *works well for depression but is TERRIBLE for mania... Use caution

Thank you! I will look into them. I think 5HTP is practically pure seratonin no? I know saint Johns wort work like an SSRI, since it blocks the seratonin reuptake. I prefer not taking anything though unless I just CANNOT anymore. I don't really mind being hypomanic since I don't get excessively intensense, like, I don't do anything I have to regret later, but I do feel the depression gets worse afterwards so I'd like to avoid it. Not sure if this is true but it feels like a general rule?
I suppose water and exercise and omega 3 are the less risky options Regarding the weed, I live in Amsterdam so it's easy to come by! However weed has never made me high, only low... so I'm not sure that's a good option for me either. If so the sativa strain. But I always feel detached for some days after smoking so I try to stay away from it in general. Thanks for your advice!

[goldenglitters]

Originally Posted by Sad Mermaid

If at all possible, do not take everything so that the evaluator can see you how you are, without the effects of supplements. Exercise and focusing on a task (from writing to doing dishes by hand - whatever holds your focus) might help in the interim. I do not know your healthcare system but just as an idea I would try to expedite the evaluation by stating that you cannot manage your symptoms and are at risk of dropping out of the university.

I know of two supplements that make my hypomanic or manic out of baseline; maybe they can help against depression without making you feel elevated. They are Piracetam and Phenibut. I do not recommend taking them, though, because there are risks inherent in being elevated.

Hi! Thank you The problem is I can't just stay at home and wash dishes, I need to go to class and I am also currently helping out in running a psychological experiment involving a lot of acting and social interaction and I feel that's just not working at all! I told my supervisor I feel a bit unstable and might not be able to join some days and she seemed understanding but I think if I miss too much I might get kicked out of the project, which is essential for me graduating. So I need whatever temporary solutions I can find to take myself through this for the next, say, 6 weeks? I will try to communicate this to the evaluators or whatever to call them, like hello help !? Three months sounds like a ridiculous time to wait.