“What are natural remedies for depression?”
I'm 29 years old and I have been dealing with depression ever since I was a teenager. I've taken antidepressants for it before, but I want to try something that's more natural. Are there any natural treatments I can try for depression?
6 Answers
There are a lot of things you can try. Psychotherapy, Exercise, meditation, probiotics, fish oil, healthy sleep routine (google sleep hygiene). Sometimes healthy diets can be helpful or exclusion of certain things. In your case I would certainly work with a psychiatrist.
If the depression is situational, you do not need treatment. If it is a hormonal imbalance in the brain, you need antidepressant medications. I am not familiar with any natural foods for depression.
Depends on the person and the therapist. A therapist is important if you stop taking meds. If you decide to go neither way, then you need some type of mentoring A spiritual advisor, counselor, life coach, etc.
Exercise and maintaining regular sleep schedule probably have the most evidence. Healthy diet can be useful. Psychotherapy would be a treatment where you were not introducing any other chemicals.
Dear Asker,
I am not your doctor and the following is not medical advice. There are non-medication options that have evidence for depression, however often a combination of medication and therapy is most helpful. Psychotherapy alone may be utilized if you want to try with alternatives to medications. Exercise has evidence of benefit to mood. Also consider importance of good nutrition, as well as good sleep hygiene practices (you can research these further online). There may be some role for omega-3 fatty acids for depression, which come from fish in your diet, keeping in mind there is at least an increased theoretical bleeding with use of omega-3 supplements. Continuing with nutrition, deficiency states in vitamins D and B may also play some role in depression, so ensuring adequate intake can be helpful. Some people with a seasonal pattern to depression may find benefit from using “S.A.D. lights”, especially if you notice more depression in winter months. These are all things to discuss with a mental health provider. Best of luck.
I am not your doctor and the following is not medical advice. There are non-medication options that have evidence for depression, however often a combination of medication and therapy is most helpful. Psychotherapy alone may be utilized if you want to try with alternatives to medications. Exercise has evidence of benefit to mood. Also consider importance of good nutrition, as well as good sleep hygiene practices (you can research these further online). There may be some role for omega-3 fatty acids for depression, which come from fish in your diet, keeping in mind there is at least an increased theoretical bleeding with use of omega-3 supplements. Continuing with nutrition, deficiency states in vitamins D and B may also play some role in depression, so ensuring adequate intake can be helpful. Some people with a seasonal pattern to depression may find benefit from using “S.A.D. lights”, especially if you notice more depression in winter months. These are all things to discuss with a mental health provider. Best of luck.
Go to Dr. Amen's site and take the Brain Type assessment. Read your report. He is a big proponent of natural supplements, which he will suggest.
