overwhelmed

The depression is overwhelming, I can't take anti-depressants and I am losing my temper and getting irrational, help, what can I do?
I don't have a good doctor and I gave up asking them for help.

I don't have any really good advice right now, but know that you are not alone in this. I often feel that way myself.

Can I ask if there is a reason you can't take anti-depressants? Is it because you have tried some and had bad effects? Or is it that you don't like the idea? Taking drugs can be scary and distasteful to lots of people...

I react strongly to medicines and before that was realised they tried me with a whole range of anti-depressants and made me very ill and they had no impact on the depression. It came to a head when I ended up rushed to hospital with my heart struggling because of the anti-depressants. I am considering trying St. Johns Wort but am concerned that it is not intended for severe depression really.

I know the depression can get really bad, I get it too and often, is there a free clinic anywhere around where you are? maybe you just need someone to talk to?I'm new here and don't know how to use all these things to contact people but if you want to e-mail me i'm avlady@roadrunner.com

There are a couple of things you might try on your own if you feel it is safe.

There is a website called WebMD. If you have time to visit that site, you could check out something called "GABA". Also there is one called "5-HTP".

I have been using them for 6 months.
They have worked well.

Also, you might ask your Doc to check your Thyroid levels.

Hi, welcome, No, there is no free clinic, nothing where I am, the resources in my area are really bad and it is hard to get any help.

GABA is prohibited here but I have got some 5-HTP and started that, hopefully it will help.

5-HTP seems to be helping. I feel a lot calmer now.

Glad to hear that JayJay

Glad to hear the 5-HTP is helping! GABA is not the safest substance around.

Since you are so sensitive to substances, you might get more relief from the St. John's Wort than others report. Be sure to get a product that is made with standardized extracts (probably easier where you live than here in the USA).

It is possible for you to have side effects even with herbal products. They are still medicines. So if you decide to try it, use caution and stop right away if it doesn't feel right.

Also, for agitation, you might find chamomile and/or valerian root to be helpful. Same caution as above: They are still medications. Just because they are "natural" doesn't make them harmless.

That's good news Jay, keep us posted!

RJ

Perhaps now that things are a bit calmer,
would you consider some form of meditation
along with the herbal medication to help with the anxiety?
The need is to wean off of our old outdated survival tools (only the defective ones that is),
to learn new techniques and methods of dealing with "life on life's terms".
It seems that the only hope for me, was to give up hope.

"Hope and fear come from feeling that we lack something;
they come from a sense of poverty.
We can't simply relax with ourselves.
We hold onto hope, and hope robs us of the present moment.
We feel that someone else knows what's going on,
but there's something missing in us,
and therefore something is lacking in our world."