Managing depression and anxiety without drugs

I admire you Hopefully! This is a great thread with great responses.

Similar experience for me, I have been off anti-depressants (Mirtazipine - but previously had tried most others) for over a year now, at first, it was hard because although they were not helping my depression and anxiety (and also making me unwell physically) they were helping me sleep much better which at least was giving me the energy to keep going. When I came off even though I tapered it I suddenly lost the ability to sleep almost completely, and this wrecked all my other coping strategies which rely on me having the energy and motivation to use them, leaving me a vulnerable mess basically.

When I have enough energy I do use what might be seen as a version of Compassionate Abiding (although I'd not come across it before as a concept, it was just my own way of dealing after having tried so many other things and them not working) which was to allow myself to sink into and accept my feelings head-on rather than just trying to shut them down or 'manage' them and channel that creatively (art, poetry, music) instead of destructively (self-harm, suicidal thoughts, self-sabotage, self-neglect). But I don't always have the space for that, particularly when working, so do still do a lot of 'feeling the fear but doing it anyway' which works in the short term but takes a lot out of me.

Not prepared to go back to meds though, they all made me iller in different ways or just covered over the underlying problems and made me more vulnerable.

You're welcome.. hope you're able to get it and that it helps you. (Even 3% purity helps a lot. They make it thay low percentage only bc it's so hard to make it is so expensive, but even that purity helped me - just be sure it comes in a darkened vial and you only have to inhale it.) I used to get mine from Essential Oils, Soap Making Supplies & More | Bulk Apothecary not sure if they still sell it or not been awhile since I bought it. The 0.5oz bottle goes a long way if they do.

Yea I looked to see if that site still sells it. Here is the exact link for the size and type (they only have the 3% dilution)

Rose (Bulgarian) Absolute 3% Dilution Essential Oil | Bulk Apothecary

Thank you very much. You are very kind to share

Hopefully, I am presently trying to get myself off Prozac - again - which has been like a wonder drug for me. I'm gradually tapering off. We'll see how that goes because in the past it hasn't worked and I've ended up going right back on.

The reason I've decided to try once again is because I've seen how much I contribute to my own depression by constant negative thinking, constant putdowns of myself, lack of active appreciation for the many blessings I have in my life. And I know I can still get really down even on large doses of Prozac, so I figure my thought patterns must have a lot to do with my black moods.

So we'll see. And good luck to you too!

You're welcome ❤

Hi Mopey. Thank you for sharing your truth here. I took Prozac as an adolescent (as well as many other Rx over the years) and it did not go well. I felt completely wired, couldn't sleep at all, with zero improvement in mood. Very short duration. Isn't it fascinating (and frustrating) how different brains and bodies respond to the same drug?!

I applaud your efforts to try to reduce or cut the meds. The fact that you "can still really get down even on large doses of Prozac" is an important consideration. Your other comments in this post about your thinking patterns are also great insights on your depression and needs. Sounds to me like you are thinking along the right lines as someone who wants to live either drug-free or with a lower dosage if safely possible.

Of course I'm not a doc or psych provider. Though I do feel I could write a book on depression! Haha. Just based on my own lifetime of dealing with it.

Mopey, I would be interested to discuss your ideas in more depth if you would like. Feel free to PM me any time. No pressure. You may have already noticed that I created several threads on the Depression forum which are designed to help folks ameliorate depressed feelings via various practical strategies.

I'm happy to PM you a collection of the links so you have them all in one spot to choose from if you're interested. Several are based on research articles I read. And several are things I picked up along the way. I practice what I preach All those suggestions are things I make myself work on every day or at least every week. The folks from 'positive psychology' are now calling it working on your "happiness skills." I prefer that line of thinking because it suggests practical hope for all of us to feel better at any time. As opposed to a strict medical model which relies on a Dx/label and the perception of depressed folks as somehow broken and needing to be fixed or, worse still, not able to be fixed. What a terrible notion!
I'm not broken...I just need to work hard on improving my happiness skills and making it more of a natural habit. I'm already noting some improvement. I favor a holistic approach to boosting mind, body, and spirit. Though I always say: each to their own!

Thanks again for sharing your truth Mopey. I wish you peace and joy

I was just being silly. I really like onion rings. Whenever I post some kind of list here on the forums I often add onion rings or chocolate to the list.

I didn't have much luck with visualizing (and recalling other senses) as a calming or coping technique. I tried quiet meadows, lush forests, serene ponds ... but recalling onion rings worked better.

I'm glad you like the username. I explained it here: usernames I'm often surprised at how many people seem to recognize the term. I've also been partial to the term "shepherd moons".

Thank you for this thread.