I am looking to ween off my treatment (Medication) that the doctor (GP) has recommended me and I am looking to treat my depression and Insomnia naturally, and my body isn't reacting well with my medication so I am going to try ween my way off the medication.
Have you gone natural for you depression and Insomnia?
If so what natural products did you use and was it successful?
How long would you have to take the product/products for?
Other information: I also have anixity as well.
St. johns wort worked for me for the depression. You can pick this up at any drug store. Try working out for the insomnia. Usually if you work out 3 times per wk your body will allow you to go to sleep easier.
St. johns wort worked for me for the depression. You can pick this up at any drug store. Try working out for the insomnia. Usually if you work out 3 times per wk your body will allow you to go to sleep easier.
References :
melatonin is really good if you take about 30 minutes before you fall asleep. I heard valerian root is really good too.
References :
melatonin from experience
Good evening,
This is a very tricky question to answer. I have recently began treatment for an eating disorder and have tried a variety of medications in treating my anxiety/depression. First my doctor attempted to treat the depression side which cause terrible side effects (including insomnia). Then I went with no medication and tried a variety of home remedies (teas, vitamins (B B6 B-1), yoga, meditation, breathing exercises etc) and although I started to see positive results I still showed increase signs of anxiety. My doctor then explained that many time depression can be confused with anxiety. They typically come hand in hand but it can be hard to determine which one to treat. For instance depression typically causes anxiety but you'd use a proper mood stabilizing drug for treatment however anxiety can cause depression but you would use another form of medication to cure the anxiety. Make sense? WELL to make a long story short I would have another discussion with your doctor about being on the proper medication. Many times it takes a few trial and errors until you find something your body will react well too - however I can vouch for it being worth it in the long run
(I'm currently on BuSpar for my anxiety an what a difference it has made. I feel like i have my life back!)
Good luck in your venture to finding the 'right' answer!
References :
I've had depression off and on again for most if not all of my life. When I was fifteen or sixteen I began taking Prozac. Since then I've been on Prozac, Effexor (Booo! This one killed my emotions and made me more depressed!), and Zoloft. Zoloft worked for me and brought me out of my emotional death in an incredibly short period of time. Without medication, depression is sometimes really difficult to overcome. I'm still not sure it's possible? My mom swears by St. John's Wort (sp?), but I don't know if I trust the stuff. You could also read a book my psychologist recommended for me: "The Mindful Way Out of Depression." Some therapist recommend that depressed patients live their lives as if they were not depressed (apparently this helps reduce severity of depression). My family doctor said a study was performed, and the results showed that formerly depressed people who exercised regularly recieved the same benefits that formerly depressed people received on anti-depresants.
In regards to your insomnia…
Don't eat or exercise shortly before bed. I think it's recommended that you stop eating/exercising two hours before bed time.
Also, go to bed at a regular time every night, use your bedroom for only sleep purposes, don't have any light on in your room when you go to sleep, turn off your cell phone if you keep it near your bed at night, exercise regularly (minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day), eat healthy, and reduce the stress in your life (if you can)! These all should help you fall asleep more easily.
References :
I too have heard good things about melatonin for sleep. Some people like valerian herbal tea. I've heard good things about fish oil from people in my depression support group. Exercise and eating well help too, as I'm sure you know. And getting out in the sun for vitamin D.
Have you talked to your doctor about the reaction problem? Do not wean yourself off the medication on your own! The dose can be lowered or you can be switched to another drug. There are many out there. One poster here hated Effexor, but it made me so much better. It varies from person to person. Effexor is thought to help both depression and anxiety, which is why I'm on it.
Please see a psychiatrist for depression treatment. I have known too many people misdiagnosed or given the wrong Rx by GPs, who aren't trained for this stuff.
Have you tried counseling? The medication takes care of one side, the counseling another. Just make sure you find someone who works on depression and anxiety.
Medications change brain chemistry, as do herbal treatments and even behavioral changes, so "natural" isn't as straightforward as it seems.
Good luck!
References :
dbsa.org