When Meds aren't an option

[Highrish]

I have severe depression and am hypersensitive to antidepressants and antipsychotic meds. Any advice on how to deal with and be happy again?

[remar]

I would recommend therapy, if you're not already in therapy. Many people do well with CBT. You've most likely heard of this kind of therapy. Keeping your stress level dwon whenever possible will really help. Doing anything that makes you happy like a hobby is a good idea. So is any kind of exercise.

[hopefulforfuture]

what all he has said like exercise , cbt , decreasing stressful situations (some can be avoided )  will make ur depression less  ..
i have tried all these and thats why i am less depressed these days  ,, i was in bad shape long back but  not cured but better  .  medicines have their role  but  these also definitely help  ..

[nursegirl6572]

What all have you tried, and how long have you been dealing with depression?  Have you tried therapy (in-depth therapy)?  Have you tried to go a more natural route, with supplements?  You may want to try that, you would need to consult a naturopath for some ideas.

Of course there's all kinds of other approaches that people swear by, from accupuncture, hypnosis, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, etc.  

Medically speaking, if you've been trying to manage your depression for a long time and have tried many different things, you could always ask your doc about ECT or electroconvulsive therapy.  Of course, it remains somewhat controversial due to it's reputation.  That's unfortunate because it's come a LONG way. It's not the barbaric treatment people think it is, and while it's typically reserved for either more severe cases, or people who haven't responded to typical courses of treatment, it's definitely a viable option to consider.

Here's some info about it:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/electroconvulsive-therapy/MY00129

There are some risks, but they aren't as great as most people think they are.  The biggest risk is memory loss.  That's a more common side effect, and for most people it's mild and tolerable.

Hope that helps.  Update us when you can!

[Highrish]

Thanks. I have been depressed my whole life but never realized it until I was we'll into my 20's. I'm almost 40 now. Been through a lot of bad experiences and always seemed to be apathetic or emotionless thru all of these experiences. However when I lost my dad 2 years ago, I think that was the straw. I literally felt my happiness, my humor, my whole being just disappear. As for Meds I've been on basically everything, as I was misdiagnosed with bipolar back in 06, now no matter what I take I tremor, have symptoms of seratonin syndrome, feel like clawing thru walls so I said no more! I settled for Ativan to help control my anxiety but that eventually developed more anxiety and panic which landed me in the er. Stress is a difficult thing to control for me as my 20 yr old son had a severe onset of paranoid schizophrenia in December and I'm the only one carrying that load too. His father isn't involved. I feel like the blind leading the blind. I do need more support from family and I'm just not getting it and I guess that's what lead me here to this site.

[sara12345]

Sorry to hear about your problems with medications.  I wouldn't dismiss the suggestion by nursegirl about ECT.  It does greatly help people.  You could also try light therapy.  That's what treated my depression very well for a number of years.  I did have severe suicidal depression which responded to it.  You owe it to yourself to try whatever will work.  I haven't heard of anyone with severe depression responding to yoga, acupuncture, meditation or biofeedback, but they may worth a try.  Wish you the best.
Sara

[Highrish]

Thank you :)