Medications used in the treatment of severe depression can be life-saving, but for less than half taking antidepressants, the symptoms remain, according to Jeanne Segal, managing editor of HelpGuide.org. Alternative treatments exist that can help treat the cause of the depression rather than just relieve the symptoms. Exploring these options might be in your best interest if prescription medications have failed you or you choose not to take medication.
How to Battle Depression Without Medication
Step 1
Go to your doctor. According to the medical experts at allaboutdepression.com, symptoms of depression might be an indication of a medical condition, including epilepsy, stroke, Lyme disease, diabetes, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and brain trauma. Before you can treat your depression, you need to treat the condition responsible for it. In some cases, treatment of the medical condition alleviates the symptoms of depression.
Step 2
Change your life. According to Segal, sometimes making simple changes to your life is the key to treating your depression. Two changes in particular can have a profound effect on your mood--sleep and exercise.
Lack of sleep can result in a negative mood or outlook. Ensuring that you get enough rest each night--between six and eight hours--might help alleviate the symptoms of your depression.
Exercise is another positive change you can make. Any form of exercise will help release endorphins (happy hormones) in your brain, which are responsible for elevating your mood. Even a short, 15-minute walk will cause this to happen.
Step 3
Go to a therapist. This is a two-step process. First you need to find the right therapist, and then you need to choose the right type of therapy to effectively treat your depression.
When choosing a therapist, pick one you feel comfortable with. This is important because you will be sharing your personal thoughts with her. Choose a therapist who encourages you to ask questions about her qualifications and does not pressure you into treatment. You should also choose one who is licensed and credentialed.
Once you have chosen your therapist, you must now choose the type of therapy you feel will be most effective for you. Your therapist will guide you through this process, but it will most likely involved some variation of talk therapy. Not only does talking help you treat your depression from more than one angle, it also helps prevent your depression from coming back. As you talk about your feelings, your therapist helps you rationalize and see them from a different perspective.
Step 4
Try relaxation techniques. Certain relaxation techniques can help treat depression while boosting feelings of well-being. Some of the more effective techniques include deep breathing, yoga, meditation and visualization.
Just as with medication, not every technique will work for every person. You need to experiment and find the one suited for you. The best way to accomplish this is by making time in your day, every day, to practice a specific technique. Be sure you are not tired when you practice. Finally, once you have chosen the technique you like best, incorporate it into your daily routine.
