[Anne2.0]

I'm interested in whether others have tried "alternative approaches" for symptoms of depression/anxiety/insomnia/physical pain or anything else you want to share. I'm mostly interested in what has worked and whether it has served as a supplement to or it was more helpful to you than therapy.

This is what I have tried:

acupuncture (25 years ago), cured my insomnia (also used it for gallstones 17 years ago when I was pregnant, and I still have my gallbladder)

chiropractic care (about 20 years ago) for physical pain in back to due trauma from childhood

St. John's wort oil (for nerve pain after surgery 5 years ago; topical application; some people take supplement or tincture for depression)

Lightbox ("Happy Light" by verilux), used for past 2 winters, helps with symptoms of depression and I sleep better, more deeply, too

Magnesium oil, physical joint pain and muscle pain especially when I've done an extra long walk. For me physical pain is also correlated with depression; what helps my physical pain also helps my depression and probably my anxiety too.

Anxiety symptoms (I used to have more severe PTSD symptoms, now it's more like garden variety anxiety due to stress), B vitamin supplement and especially Vitamin D. I recently added CBD oil and that seems to really help when I am in a state where I feel very overwhelmed-- by taking it 2x day regularly I feel much less that way, like I don't want to tear my hair out.

I've had a simple meditation practice for 30 years and done Tai Chi for 10, exercise (especially walking and swimming) I know are good for me and all of these help on the spot if I need to clear my head. Massage once or twice per month is also positive for my mental health. I'm not sure whether some things are "coping skills" or "alternative approaches" that help with specific symptoms.

I know that many of these have helped me above and beyond therapy as I started them after quite a few years of therapy. I also know that therapy has made me more open to trying alternative approaches although I try to stay away from doctors and would rather try something else first. My T is very supportive of all kinds of alternative modalities and does quite a few of them himself, and is willing to talk about his experience with them.

[unaluna]

I think i am getting good results from taking supplemental COQ10. I take a prescription beta blocker and statin(s), and coq10 is advised under those circumstances. It seems i DO have more energy and am more cheerful taking it rather than not. Like i did think i noticed when i last ran out.

[maybeblue]

I used to run and that helped a lot...better than therapy and medication. But it seemed like I had to do it a lot to keep up the effect. Then I got injured.

[healinginprogress]

I've been doing acupuncture for a couple months and it seems to help with my anxiety. If I could afford it I would go more often since I think that would help more.

[Anne2.0]

To whatever mod moved this: I would hope you can see that this is asking for how these treatments worked with psychotherapy, but whatever.