[Jaxprat]

If you are thinking of going the herbal route, see someone who deals with hebal medicine such as a naturopath or acupuncturist/chinese herbal doctor. Those that are certified (and you can check that our through accrediting organiztions) will have had training in herb-drug interactions that most MDs don't. Also, make sure that if you go the western medicine route that you go to a psychiatrist or mental health nurse practitioner, not your obgyn or primary care doctor. They can do the same type of bloodwork to ensure you don't have something like hypothyroid which can be a root cause of depression.

The most commonly prescribed antidepressents come from the family of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (they allow more serotonin, a "feel good" neurotrasmitter, to stay in the bloodstream). The most common are celexa, lexapro, paxil, zoloft, prozac, and cymbalta. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, so foods that contain tryptophan, such as turkey, pineapple, pumpkin, tomatos, eggplant, and sunflower seeds, could be considered natural antidepressents.

[sumu1]

I was diagnosed depressive 3 years ago, although I've had episodes since grammer school. I had crying spurts almost every night for a year previous to finally fessing up to my doctor. There were days that I had to call in sick to work because I just couldn't face the day.

Anyways, my weight was okay, I'm 5'5", but I watched it go from @145- 180 in the first couple of months. Whenever I would try a new eating program my meds just held onto the weight for dear life. I was on Wellbutrin and Zoloft and then switched to Topamax because a side effect is a lift in depression and weight loss. I started to get frustrated, my meds which lifted depression were making me depressed by my gaining weight. Please understand, I have moderate depression. I have friends who are severely depressed and need to make their own choices. But I chose to seek another alternative to meds. I decided to go off my meds and see if I could change how my body works through proper diet and exercise.

Over the course of the last 5 months I've reduced my sugar intake drastically (almost pre-diabetic), started exercising regularly, and adding a Multi, B Complex and Omega Supplements to my diet. Getting enough sleep has been important and using the Food Pryramid as a guide 50 carbs/25 protein/25 fat and tracking on Fitday that my nutrition for the day is sufficient.

I still have my days but I haven't had one crying-jag. I have weepy moments but they pass ALOT quicker. I'm rarely lethagic and my focus is pretty good. And as you can see on my ruler, 21 lbs are gone. I've lost .5 lb per week and I've eaten out, ordered out and eaten everything I love. Of course, sugar-free versions of candy, cakes, and such are preferred. And I'm cooking more because I can cater to my needs better. And I KNOW I can keep this lifestyle for the rest of my life. I'm not perfect but I notice the difference when I slip back into old habits. I get tried and hazy again... and I also went into this knowing that if it didn't help, back onto the meds I would go...

Hope this helps, it sounds like a few here have had the same experience. Everyone take care.

[CherryAutumn]

Thank you Sumu1 for relating your experience. I do think my depression is usually moderate. I also think with good health habits and exercise that i could atleast feel 50% better than now. I would never just go off meds but i would like to find things that will help me.

[LABarb]

Excercise is a great idea, but if you have clinical depression, you may need a prescription med. I was the last person on earth that thought that I would EVER been on antidepressants, but I was seriously depressed, and after my doctor put me on meds, I felt SO MUCH better. I have been able to cut my dosage in half, and should be totally off of them soon. I stayed away from OTC and herbals. Good Luck!