After the birth of my twins, I did not cry or refused to when I returned back to work. Months later, I felt anxious when I knew I would be leaving work to go home and depressed when I would wake up and had to go to work. I was dealing with the guilt of leaving my children with a nanny and the stress of a demanding job (Quality Process Engineer). My OB prescribed a anti depressant and I talked to my Boss (female) about coping with work and life. My hubby really kicked in to help me and has not let up since. I could not have come out of it had it not been for the support of my husband and boss.

By jojokelly225 on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:01PM

Biofeedback using a person's own EEG is a fantastic way to lift a depression, even the so called "black depression" that will sometimes send someone to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) when various medications fail. I have found that the website of the EEG Institute in Los Angeles has a directory where people can find someone capable of doing this work (essentially 'brain training') near where they live. It's a mystery why the word hasn't gotten around regarding this gentle, effective (not just for depression, but for anxiety too) process that does not rely on drugs.

I've been helped with my inattentiveness and regularly recommend this.

Grayce Marie

By Grayce Stratton on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:07PM

My personal and professional experience with this problem indicates that not only whether we are going to experience episodes of blues but also for how long we will feel depressed is not necessarily determined by the genetics but especially by environmental factors as well as the degree of the strengths of our inner with God. We are dual in nature and feelings, where negative or positives always originate from our line of thoughts.


HC

By Helena on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:10PM

I have been on zoloft since i was about 10 for my depression and anxiety disorder. I know everyone thinks that I was too young to be put on the meds, but it definately changed my life and helped me to have a childhood. I'm 18 now and i still take zoloft. it works!!!

By uneakfreak279 on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:11PM

I use St. John's Wort. It works the same as an anti-depressant but without the side effects. I also try to get some exercise in. The endorphins help boost my mood. If that doesn't work, I have some chocolate. Most importantly, I be kind to myself. I can be my own worst critic, but when I feel down I lay off and give myself a break.

By song7breeze on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:36PM

I have suffered from depression and anxiety for years and recently after researching these problems I found a natural solution. I have been taking cardiovascular research's 125mg magnesium taurate, vitamin shoppe 500mg taurine and glutamine, and a gnc sport multivitamin once a day and I have not felt this mentally peaceful in a long time. It really has worked for me and I would recommend that anyone searching for a cure, try these vitamins/minerals out. I buy all of these products at my local vitamin shoppe and gnc. I would recommend starting off at about 2 of each pill per day (once in morning and night)for a week or two and then just one of each in the morning after that. Since taking these I havent had an anxiety attack and things that previously made me anxious or triggered depression dont bother me anymore. Do your self a favor and try this out.

By Sean on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:26PM

so if there are ways to treat depression without medication why don't you list those ways instead of just offering medications?

By rocker1215 on Nov 13th 2008 at 12:07AM

Had depression once for about 9 months. Got rid of it by accident. #1 I got a Kenalog shot they use for allergies.#2 started taking ephedra,this totally speeded up my immune system,got in shape and have never had it again. Why do you think they out-lawed ephedra and why don't they tell you about the kenalog shot for allergies,because it all works. They as in doctors. When your depressed your tired. Not with ephedra,also with allergies your sick and tired all the time.Kenalog kicks it right out,it is a form of steroid, I get it once every two years By the way the ephedra i used was called diet-boost. It works,what else works that you have tried? Told a friend that was depressed with allergies now he is a believer with two new twins. Good luck

By Swaze on Nov 13th 2008 at 9:59PM

Please take a look at my web site for many practical, understandable and proven techniques to reduce depression. Type the word depression into my search engine and find 100's of columns on the topic of depression. www.haplecrone.com

By Dr. Hap LeCrone on Nov 12th 2008 at 10:10PM

I tried all of the newer antidepressants, all of which had UNACCEPTABLE sexual side effects, before doing my own research and deciding to try an older one, trazodone (brand name, Desyrel) which has NO negative (at least for me) sexual side effects (it does have one sexual side effect: priapism, which is inappropriate or excessively prolonged erections)but hey, as a guy, I can CERTAINLY live with THAT one!

By Jim on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:51PM

telling yourself the bitter truth and heading your own words goes a long way,,,,,removing people you hate from your life works wonders,,,,and remember to talk to god,he answers..

By crazyolman on Nov 12th 2008 at 9:52PM

Ten years ago (Happy Anniversary Doc) I was diagnosed with major depression which had progressed to a psychotic state. I had no idea what was going on and I honestly wanted to die. I was so scared, and I was tired. Severe anxiety that was almost constant was more than I could bear. If it wasn't for my 2 small children and my wonderful husband, I would've let go and that would've been that. But I couldn't do that to them. My doctor didn't recognize the symptoms until I had gotten into such a crazy state, so I was sent to a Psychiatrist. Thank You God for this amazing doctor. A word of advise...NEVER let a family physician prescribe any psych meds for you and not refer you to a psychiatrist. Mine had me on Prozac and for six months I grew more and more delusional, which my psychiatrist said was due to the Prozac not working on the depression...a fact that I beg to differ. But anyway, it's been 10 years and it was an amazingly hard journey back to reality and I still suffer from anxiety and depression occasionally. It is alot of trial and error with psych meds and it may take a long time to find the right combination, but don't give up. The more you want to feel better, the faster you will. Exercise and eating right go a long way to speed the healing process. Talk therapy may be very helpful for some, but it may take several tries before you find a therapist that "clicks" with you. I will probably be on medication the rest of my life due to hereditary factors, but that's okay. I am not taking anywhere near what I had to take 10 years ago. The list includes, Prozac, Zyprexa, Risperdal, Celexa, Remeron, Provigil and the combination that has been working for me for about 5 years is zoloft (200mgpd) klonopin (1.5mg throught the day) and Provigil (100mgpd). I have stopped the Provigil due to insurance reasons and I am not feeling as well as I had been feeling. I've tried a few of those vitamin B liquid shots and I really think they help quite a bit. Also, I found out that I have sleep apnea and now sleep with a CPAP machine and I really feel alot better when I wake up. I was told that I never reached level 3 sleep...that's not even really sleeping. My airway would close just as all my muscles relaxed, so it'd wake me up to take a breath. Now I breath in a rhythmic pace and I am reaching restorative sleep. I'm sorry about the rambling, but there are so many factors that affect each person differently and it's up to YOU to work at finding the right combination of all the elements that will help you. It's a challenging, sometimes steep uphill battle. Have faith and don't give up. Keep a journal to help you keep track of what you've done each day and how it made you feel...stay the course...but don't ever be ashamed to ask for help and if you ever feel at all like you want to give up, tell someone. You are never alone...reach out....call 911 if you can't think of anything else to do....but tell someone. I could go on forever, so I pray that everyone out there that suffers from depression finds relief that works for them and that they have the support they need to get through the tough times...you're not alone!

By Priscilla on Nov 12th 2008 at 10:20PM

The most depressing thing about these blog entries is the number of entries that are strictly commercial. I was fine before I scrolled down the page, now that I see all the ads for stuff I feel depressed.

By deb on Nov 12th 2008 at 10:20PM

It is such a shame that these comments are all advertisements, not real help. If you are thinking of buying anything, consider a high lux light to make up for the lack of sun hitting you retinas or some psychotherapy to help you over this rough patch.

By Dana on Nov 12th 2008 at 10:22PM

I would like to say that I have been depressed most of my 45 years on this earth. My doctors have finally gotten me on the right medication. I take xanax and celexa. He wanted me to take wellburtrin also but the other drugs are helping right now. Its been very hard getting a divorce and moving from FL back to WV where there is absoulutely nothing to do nowhere to go. I live in a small country town and hate it. Everyone please do what you doctor tells you to do. That has been an important factor in my depression. Thanks for reading.
Ann Patrick

By Ann on Nov 17th 2008 at 9:57PM

Rum is a good antidepressent, hell I've had 3 rum & cokes and I feel pretty damn good.

By Gman on Nov 12th 2008 at 11:15PM

VERILUX MAKES EXCELLENT LIGHTING THAT HELPS DEPRESSION A GREAT DEAL. THIS WAS RECOMMENDED TO ME BY AN COGNITIVE NEUROLOGIST AND INDEED, IT REALLY DOES HELP. EFFEXOR IS NOT ONLY AN EXCELLENT ANTI-DEPRESSENT FOR SOME, BUT DID FIND IT WAS EXCELLENT TO CONTROL HOT FLASHES IN LIEU OF HORMONES AFTER HAVING A HYSTERECTOMY. MY INTERNIST AND 2 GYN SURGEONS RECOMMENDED EFFEXOR WITH SWEET POTATO EXTRACT. GO FIGURE!

By VERA REEDER on Nov 12th 2008 at 10:52PM

DEPRESSION IS LIKE A HEAD ACHE, WE BRING HALF OF IT ON OURSELVES. THE CURE FOR DEPRESSION AND HEAD ACHE IS A MATTER OF STAYING BALANCED AND CENTERED. PERIOD.

By larry on Nov 12th 2008 at 11:28PM

I've tried Lexapro and Zoloft and did not like how they made me feel. They made me tired and I felt like my body was there, but I wasn't.
I found out I was perimenopausal and was given progesterone cream, DHEA, and cortisol. Along with exercising regularly, I think I have been able to keep my depression under control.

By Kelly M. on Nov 12th 2008 at 11:34PM

Our family has written a new book NO MORE SECRETS - A FAMILY SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. The Dr. Phil show contacted us but two of my older children did not feel comfortable being on television. We welcome interviews and speaking engagements. e:mail yngsparro@aol.com

By Patricia Gallagher on Nov 13th 2008 at 12:06AM