So I just had a session with my T this afternoon. For those who don't know me, I struggle mainly with depression, some anxiety, have traits of BPD, and have struggled with an eating disorder in the past. My main current issue is the depression, and has been for a while. While I'm very functional, and the depression has been pretty stable with medication for a few years, I will hit a wall every so often and take a nose dive, which has happened a couple of times in the last three months due to a relational issue. And I've hit bottom pretty hard.

I've been in therapy on and off for 23 years. I've been on a medication list as long as my arm, different combos, different dosages, and nothing really seems to work very long-term. What I am currently on specifically for MI is 300mg Wellbutrin. I am also on Topamax, but that is for migraines, not MI, though T-Max has been prescribed as a mood stabilizer for me in the past, and isn't harming me in that aspect. Because I'm in a pretty bad spot right now, and I am someone who tends to be more open to alternative treatments, my T asked if I'd be open to her sending me a referral to ayurvedic practitioners.

I am wondering if anyone has experience with this? I am an RN, and I do know a little bit about alternative healing. Spiritually, I tend to lean a little more toward alternative and new age practices, so this is not too far out for me. In nursing school, we learned that acupuncture is evidence-based and my hospital actually has a holistic health clinic which offers it, as well as massage, reflexology, and some other alternative medicine.

Anyway, what are your thoughts?

[barbella]

I personally have not tried Ayurveda but I do know that it is an ancient practice and can be very helpful. You would need to find a reliable practitioner. I don't think Ayurveda is regulated (perhaps it is in India?) in North America - certainly not the way Chinese Medicine/acupuncture is. I also know that there is an incredible amount of research on traditional herbal medicines in India (pubmed is chock full of good studies), so that would give me even more confidence.
Perhaps another member will have more direct experience to help you more.
Wishing you all the best,
barbella
p.s. If you go ahead with Ayurveda, would you mind posting some updates? I'd love to know more. I have read some of Dr. Vashant (sp?) Lad's work on nutrition and find it very interesting.