Help with Depression, Guilt, Obsessive Thinking, Etc.

My daughter's pediatrician has some suggestions for alternative treatments on his website:

http://drjaygordon.com/faq/medicalconcerns/depression

I've been there, but I haven't been back in years. Naturally speaking, the two most helpful supplements for me are a high potency/quality omega 3 (like Nordic Naturals) and a high potency/quality Vitamin B-Complex. When I was at my lowest, I tried lots of St. John's Wort - it helped a smidgen, but not really. I personally believe in using antidepressants/ benzodiazepines very temporarily - (like when I was at my lowest) in order to get some physical relief so that I could begin to work on my problems.

There were three big things that helped me tremendously - and they happened with intentional diligence (a lot of reading) and they did not happen overnight.

1) I had to nurture my self-esteem.
2) I had to change the way I was living (it obviously wasn't leading me to joy and happiness - right?) and
3) I had to cultivate a relationship with God...which meant reading my Bible, praying and finding a church where I could fellowship with other believers. Right at the time of my lowest point, my mother invited me to a Beth Moore bible study called "Breaking Free". It couldn't have come at a better time, because I was surely in need of some setting free.

I have been depression, anxiety and OCD free for about 5 years now - and I live in God's joy and peace every day...some days it feels a little further off than others, but it is always there - as long as I stay connected to God and listen to his leadings.

Regarding diet - I do eat considerably more healthy now - a more vegetable rich/ alkaline diet...that helps with my stress and energy level.

Hi Karin,

Well... two things come to my mind right now. (Probably more would but it's after midnight, but I just wanted to share a bit in case there was a chance that it could help you.

Has anyone ever suggested that you get your hormone levels tested? Oprah and Dr. Oz did a show on this and I just remember how relieved this woman was when the tests came back showing how her levels were so unstable. Dr. Oz prescribe meds. to balance everything and she said she couldn't believe the difference in how she felt. (Maybe you could Google this to find out more.)
My second hunch was do you think your depression could stem from post partum deppression. I've heard that it can last a long time if not treated properly. (I just looked quickly at your profile pic and it looks like it's a pic of your baby. Not quite sure how old your baby is now, but this type of depression can go on for a long time.)

I wish the best for you. Good luck in feeling better.

*J.

Please start working out. I'm not talking about running miles or lifting heavy weights but just a 30 min walk outside can change your entire perspective. I know that when i tried committing suicide it was because i had no connection to my body and earth. This may sound hippy but smell the fresh cut grass, raise your head to the sun, and put your feet in some water. Just breath and think about the good things in your life. This is not to say that you shouldn't go see someone or take a supplement like you were thinking. Remember, depression is a chemical embalance that naturally gets out of wack. Dont think you can control it by only one thing something this serious needs to be attacked and taken care of before it gets any worse.

PRAY!! Whether you do it silently or literally get on your knees and speak out loud. Regardless, you will be heard. Let it be know that you need guidance along the way to help you through your situations. I guarantee, you will get answers soon enough.

For me personally, a Maca, Goji Berry, and Acai smoothie really helped me through some "rough patches". I have all 3 in powder form and mix with either yogurt or juice every morning. My hubby actually works at a Cardiology/Health clinic and thats what they recommend. Also, just getting in a good 1 hr. workout a day helps me tremendously with my moods which then motivates me to eat healthier. Oh, and lots of sunshine!! Good Luck!!

Have you considered counseling? Preferably someone who specializes in depression. It can really help to learn coping techniques and how to intercept these episodes.

For me, diet does really affect me mentally. When I eat a lot of sugar (anything refined, anything made with white flour) I am more prone to feeling down and getting depressed. When my diet is balanced, I feel more balanced in my life. This involves lean meats, fiber, dark greens, fresh fruit, and lots of water. Getting outside and getting vitamin D helps, too. Just being outside is great for the mood. Exercise helps me a ton. Adequate sleep (enough, but not too much. Too much sleep makes me feel depressed.) is a biggie for me.

Hey Karin,
I wrestle with depression due to hormonal issues and it completely stinks. I certainly takes away joy of life so I can very much relate. It is good that you are able to remind yourself of the truth when those negative feelings arise. Your ability to do so says that your depression is somewhat manageable.
I have done a gluten and minimal sugar diet along with high doses of fish oil (3 TBSP, 3x a day), I take digestive enzymes, walk 30 minutes outside every day, and have done three years of acupuncture. I did experience some relief. However, despite all I did, I still had this low lying depression as I came to the end of a cycle.
Have your doctors requested to have your hormone levels tested? Have you had your thyroid checked? Hormones, when out of balance, can make a sane rational person completely irrational and insane.
There are some other more natural products out there that do bring about that calm feeling. One I took was called GabaCalm by Apex Energetics. I took it for PPD, since I didn't want to take antidepressants and give up breast feeding my son. My DO said it was fine for nursing moms, so it's pretty gentle.
Since I have quit breast feeding my son I am now on bio-identical hormones and it's amazing how good I feel. I have more energy, I am losing weight, and I just feel happy.
I sincerely hope your doctor is able to get this all figured out for you so you can live a more joyful life.

Listening to Andrew Wommack has helped me put a lot of things in my life into proper perspective. I'm still working on it. I am learning to use positive affirmations as well and meditating on what I want to think about instead of letting my mind wander.

See... a Natruropath or Holistic Doctor.
If not, you will just be guessing and trying things without knowledge.

If you see a professional Naturopath or Holistic Doctor, then you will get answers, per YOUR situation. Not others.
Remedies, are not one sized fits all.
It is, customized. For you.

You said you are seeing a therapist. But this is not the same as a Naturopathic or Holistic Doctor.
A Therapist... does not have, medical background nor the capacity to prescribe medication.

And YES... as the poster below said, you need to consider your Hormones. If it is off balance.. then these symptoms can occur.

I can definitely relate to what are talking about and think that therapy is a VERY useful tool to resolve these issues. Check with your insurance to see about therapists in your area.

Of the options you listed, cognitive behavior therapy is probably your best bet, because it directly addresses your actual thoughts and deals with them. The other options probably won't work much, is my guess.

Talk therapy might actually be a really good idea for you, because it would get to the root of what is causing this thinking. And knowing that, and learning some new coping mechanisms for stress/triggers can really help. And no therapist can force you to take meds unless you are a danger to yourself or others (and you sure don't sound like you are. :)

I second the suggestion for a meditative practice, such as yoga or tai chi or sitting meditation. Martial arts (tai kwon do, karate, etc) can also help with it, as can 20-30 minutes of exercise per day (but the meditative practice will help more in balancing you---seriously, studies have proven this).

The only "natural remedy/natural medication" I have ever seen that has some scientific to it is omega 3 fatty acid supplementation. http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/fish-oil-to-trea.... It's not a cure, but it might help some.

My sister has struggled with depression for years. She is now on medication, but she staved off medicine for many, many years. She started yoga and swears by it. She couldn't afford classes, so she does it at home with DVDs. She also made sure to get plenty of sun (walked or ran at a local park). She also found a counselor through a local church. They let her pay what she deemed she could afford. The counselor did not specialize in depression, but simply having an outside party to vent to helped her tremendously. And she worked to do general things to stay healthy - eating right and drinking lots of water.

Hello
I too have had my share of depression and anxiety.. what I found that has helped the most is taking the omega (which you already do) but I switched from omega 3.6 9 to Dr. Mercola's KRILL oil.. so far, I like it better.

Additionally, getting more sleep (if possible has been a tremendous help) I know that sleep deprivation will add to your anxiety, which in turn, will make the Trichotillamania worse.. I know this because while I don't have that, I have had a history of nail biting which in part is similar to your problem in the sense that I have done it when VERY anxious or depressed..

of course , exercise is always very helpful..

Also, because I was becoming so anxious, I tried EFT.. emotional, freedom techniques.. you can read more about it on a FREE website, EFTUNIVERSE..
I wasn't sure that the "tapping" exercises would work... but actually... they have.. e.g... I never used to have a problem with going through tunnels.. until about two years ago, when I began to get VERY anxious while going through one. to the point of shaking and feeling like the walls were closing in on me.......... yikes....

after having tried many other things from visualization to acupuncture, (which didn't work for me)... I resorted to EFT.. now, since using the EFT techniques. I have gone through TWO tunnels (which took about 10 minutes) and have had no anxiety or that feeling of the walls closing in..

I do recommend that IF you were to do the EFT, you might want to find a practitioner who teaches it.. this way, you can learn in person how and why it works..

I will say that diet (as you probably know) plays a tremendous role... for me., I seldom drink and IF I did, I limit it to two glasses of wine.. anything beyond that causes me to feel down.. as does too much sugar in my diet..

good luck and keep us posted. :)
blessings

Maybe try acupuncture. It helped keep my hormones in check. I started acupuncture in 1994 once a month for 6 years and now I go as needed but I haven't had PMS since 1994. It totally keeps my hormones and feelings in check. Good luck! Hope this helps!