[misschristianmt]

Hi all. I have been suffering from depression for 35 years and have been tried on a ton of meds, none of which helped. Most made me sick to my stomach. I am wondering if anyone has tried anything other than meds and other than ECT (I won't even consider that)? If so, what did you try and what helped? I have been in therapy for years and even signed myself in to a psych ward after I lost my son to an evil ex, and nothing helps. Any advice most appreciated!

[Rohag]

Hello, Misschristianmt.

New but expensive: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - magnets, not electricity

PC Blog: Are New Treatments for Depression Right Under Our Nose? - Yogic breathing, laughing gas...

PC Article: Depression: New Medications On The Horizon - NMDA receptor antagonists, triple reuptake inhibitors (TRIs), melatonin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

By PC's Dr. Grohol: Alternative Approaches in the Treatment of Depression - references ketamine (an NMDA receptor antagonist) and links to a podcast, Intriguing Approaches to Overcoming Depression

One of my doctors was pushing me toward ECT, whereas my psychiatrist would rather I try TMS if it becomes available in my care system(s).

[vital]

Originally Posted by misschristianmt

Hi all. I have been suffering from depression for 35 years and have been tried on a ton of meds, none of which helped. Most made me sick to my stomach. I am wondering if anyone has tried anything other than meds and other than ECT (I won't even consider that)? If so, what did you try and what helped? I have been in therapy for years and even signed myself in to a psych ward after I lost my son to an evil ex, and nothing helps. Any advice most appreciated!

Hi misschristianmt,

I'm not surprised at your experience with meds. They often don't work and/or have bad side effects. Lucky for you, there are many things to try besides meds and most of them are great for your health anyway and are also quite likely to help. Here's what I think is the best plan:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/4262681-post105.html

You might also look in the "depression success stories" section of the site for more inspiration.

- vital

[Keyslost]

You prob already tried this but just in case: exercise over time helps. Motivational music can help me it speaks to me pretty well. Hope you find your answers

[Fuzzybear]

[misschristianmt]

Thank you all so very much!! I appreciate all the wonderful info!! And fussybear, I love that dancer. Too cute!!!

[vishee15]

Buddhism talks about letting go. In a few words what this means is to let go of attachment to things. And this will end all your suffering.

By Attachment what i mean is: Emotional investment that you put into something. It can be family, money, car or almost anything. I guess in your case your kid.
This might help you in some ways.

The other thing that is necessary for ending suffering is to let go of is your thoughts and emotions. What i mean is that you must not entertain any thoughts that negate your mind. (to achieve complete balance you must avoid even happy thoughts) This could be important because you might be clinging onto a happy thought thinking that it might be a rarity that you get happy thoughts, but that thought itself is untrue. Let go of all these things that affect your emotional response and you will realise that there is nothing to bother you anymore.