List of Partners vendors. For many people living with depression, prescription medications can be life-saving drugs.
Antidepressants , such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs like Prozac fluoxetine and Zoloft sertraline , are the most widely prescribed medication for depression, and while they are often effective, they can have side effects and be expensive depending on your health insurance coverage.
There are many ways to counter some of the symptoms of depression that don't involve prescription medications. If you have depression, you might like to try managing it naturally without medication or supplement your antidepressant with other options. If so, check out these natural alternatives and then talk to your doctor about which might make sense as part of your treatment regimen. This article discusses some natural treatments that may help fight depression including lifestyle changes and supplements.
It also covers other strategies you might try such as practicing mindfulness or enhancing your home environment. Sleep and mood go hand in hand. Get too little of the former and the latter is bound to be affected whether you have depression or not. To support your emotional well-being, make sure you have what sleep experts call "good sleep hygiene.
This means you keep consistent bedtimes and wake-up times, your bedroom is set up for sound sleep it's dark, quiet, and uncluttered , you have a relaxing bedtime routine that doesn't involve sitting in front of a screen, and so on. The relationship between sleep and depression can be complex. Not only is poor sleep thought to contribute to the onset of depression, but depression may then cause low quality sleep.
Whether you can't seem to get any sleep or can't seem to stop sleeping, there are steps you can take to try to improve the quality of your sleep:. Also, try to spend a little time outside each day, even on days when you are tempted to draw the shades and hide indoors. Light plays an important role in regulating sleep cycles and circadian rhythms, so a lack of sunshine may be making it more difficult to sleep at night. Coffee, tea, soda, and even chocolate are steeped in caffeine.
It's fine to consume a reasonable amount of caffeine in the morning if you enjoy it, but avoid it after late afternoon so it doesn't interfere with sleep.
If you do tend to rely on caffeine, try cutting back gradually in order to avoid unpleasant symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. When you are craving a soda or cup of coffee, try going for a short walk around the block instead. There's some evidence that a vitamin D deficiency could play a role in depression.
If you aren't getting enough vitamin D through your diet and lifestyle like sun exposure , ask your doctor if you should try taking a supplement. Certain nutrient deficiencies can play a role in depression symptoms.
If you are having a difficult time spending enough time outdoors or if overcast weather conditions make it hard to get sunshine, a supplement may be useful. Some research suggests that there are natural antidepressants that may be helpful for reducing symptoms of depression.
For treating mild to moderate depression, dietary supplements such as St. Research has shown that St. John's wort is more effective than a placebo at relieving symptoms in those with mild-to-moderate depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids have also been investigated for their potential impact on depression. One study found that taking omega-3 supplements may help reduce symptoms of depression in both adults and children, although researchers are not entirely sure how or why. While natural remedies can be good options for depression treatment, you should always consult your healthcare provider before taking them.
Just because they're available without a prescription and are touted as natural doesn't mean they're always safe. Additionally, research on some of these natural antidepressants remains inconclusive and some may cause unwanted side effects or drug interactions. For example, mixing St.
Some herbs and other supplements may work as natural antidepressants, but that does not mean that they are safe and appropriate for everyone or come without side effects. The effectiveness of these natural remedies is also not always clear, so always talk to your doctor first.
Religion can be an impactful source of support for many people dealing with depression, but there is no need to join a church, synagogue, or mosque unless you wish to. Simple daily practices such as meditation or adding to a list of things you're grateful can help boost mood and overall well-being. Meditation can have a range of beneficial effects such as lowering stress levels and helping people to become more aware of their thoughts and reactions. Research indicates that an intervention called mindfulness-based cognitive therapy MBCT , which combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy CBT with mindfulness meditation, can be helpful in treating depression and preventing future relapses of symptoms.
Studies also suggest that different types of mindfulness meditative practices can also be effective in the treatment of depression. There are many different types of meditation, but you can get started with a simple meditative exercise with these steps:. Getting more exercise doesn't have to mean training for a marathon, but it does mean putting in a half-hour or so of low-intensity activity each day, which has been found to be effective in improving mood and quality of life.
Even better, take it outdoors. Fresh air and sunshine are especially healing for folks dealing with a special form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder SAD. While research has shown that regular physical activity can be effective in both the prevention and treatment of depression, it can be hard to start an exercise habit when you're depressed. Lack of energy and low mood may mean that you simply feel too fatigued to get up and get active. Some things that you can try to stick to your habit:.
Alcohol in and of itself is a depressant. You can start with these databases:. Sticking to your treatment plan is one of the most important things you can do. All types of treatment can take a few months before you notice a difference. Never stop treatment without consulting your doctor first.
You should feel comfortable talking to your therapist. You should also talk to your therapist about your feelings toward your therapy sessions and your overall treatment plan. Finding the right treatment is often a trial-and-error process.
You should experience relief from depression within 3 months of starting a medication. Depression can be one of the greatest challenges in life.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your treatment plan may include a combination of medication, therapy, and complementary remedies. Make sure to talk with your doctor to figure out the best plan for you. Depression symptoms get worse for a variety of reasons. Find out what might be going on and what you can do to find relief. Here's how they're related and what you can do. Take this quiz to test your knowledge about depression symptoms, causes, treatments, and more.
Watching a friend live with depression can be painful, but there are ways to help. Learn what to do, avoid, and how to recognize the signs of suicidal…. People who experience anhedonia have a decreased ability to feel pleasure. Learn causes, risk factors, and treatments for anhedonia.
A SAD lamp can help alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Learn more about SAD lamps, how to use them, features to look for, and products…. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme fluctuations in thinking, mood, and behavior, known as depression and mania or…. Experts say mushrooms contain a number of nutrients, including potassium and B vitamins, that can boost physical as well as mental health. Persistent depressive disorder, formerly known as dysthymia, is a form of chronic depression.
Learn about its symptoms, causes, treatment, and more. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Some women become depressed when they are pregnant or after they give birth. Other women notice that their depression gets worse during pregnancy. No one knows the exact cause of depression during or after pregnancy. It may have something to do with:. Depression can make it hard for a woman to take care of herself and her baby. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your feelings.
Also, try to get some help from your family, friends, or a support group. Having a baby can be a joyful time. However, some women cry a lot and feel sad right after they have a baby. If you still feel sad after two weeks, go to your healthcare provider or clinic. You may be depressed. This type of depression is called postpartum depression because it starts after a woman has a baby.
A woman can have this kind of depression up to one year after she has a baby. Pregnancy Exposure Registries are research studies that collect information from women who take prescription medicines or vaccines during pregnancy. Pregnancy registries can help women and their doctors learn more about how depression medicines affect women during pregnancy.
The FDA does not run pregnancy studies, but it keeps a list of registries. If you start taking medication for your depression, it may take time to determine the therapeutic dose that works for you, and you may need to try several different medications. Ask your doctor how long it should take for your medication to work. They may suggest another medication that may be more effective in relieving your depression. More states are legalizing medical marijuana, but what does that mean for people with depression?
Learn more about medical marijuana as a possible…. Living with chronic illness can open the door to depression. These are the challenges I faced, and how I overcame them. Depression can be debilitating for those that experience it. But there are many effective treatments available that can help you manage your symptoms. Watching a friend live with depression can be painful, but there are ways to help. Learn what to do, avoid, and how to recognize the signs of suicidal…. People who experience anhedonia have a decreased ability to feel pleasure.
Learn causes, risk factors, and treatments for anhedonia. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. What Medications Help Treat Depression? Atypical medications. Side effects. Natural treatment options. Finding the right antidepressant. Read this next. Is Your Depression Treatment Working? Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph.
Can Medicinal Marijuana Treat Depression? Lifestyle Changes for Depression. Can Caffeine Treat Depression? Aromatherapy for Depression. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.
How to Help Someone with Depression Watching a friend live with depression can be painful, but there are ways to help.
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