If you can't afford therapy and don't want to go on medications (I never chose to take meds either), I recommend self-help books. They seem like a crock of ****, but some of them are good. I suggest cognitive behavioral therapy books. 2 of the ones I enjoy are Learned Optimism and The Feeling Good Handbook. It's not as expensive as therapy or medication, and it gives you something to do for those times when you just feel like staying in and avoiding people. best of luck
I am sorry, but I agree with hopefaith. Yes we can battle depression, but it is hard without medication. I can understand you not wanting to go down that road, but have no advice.
You can speak to a doctor, and take their advice. Keep going, make yourself do a little each day. However rich, however much you love and are loved, depression does not discriminate. Yes I am grateful for what, aand who I have, but without medication I cannot function, or live a "normal" life. I have tried and failed.
We are all different, and I do hope you find the answer. There is so much written about self help, diet, exercise, etc. You could try it all, and still be depressed. See what other people here say about tackling depressio9n without medication.
Good luck, and keep us informed.
Hi Pixiepie, my mum also had severe depression which has been passed onto me. I've been battling depression for 20+ years now, so I know the symptoms and you've described a few of them; feeling despair, feeling there is no point to anything. These are classic symptoms of depression and tie that together with a family history of depression and chances are pretty high that you have it. It's not your fault, it's not your mums fault. If you do have it, it's not something you can just shake off with positive thinking, although anything positive that you do is great! I can understand you not wanting to go on medication, none of us really "want" to be on it. But depression is an illness, a chemical imbalance in the brain, that can often be rebalanced with the right medication. It's helped me to live a 'normal' life. A good GP could really help you. Best of luck
If you want to get better, then you should do something, a regular doctor can only prescribe medication, or refer you to another physician who can. If you really don't want drugs then i recommend stress reduction techniques like meditation and yoga. They really work, but you must be committed and stay with them.
Just take it day by day. Set smaller goals that you can accomplish more efficiently. Don't rush yourself or over stress yourself over things you have no control over. No magic pills exist for inner sadness.
Denisse