11 Natural Treatments For Depression: An MD’s Tips For Skipping The Prozac

As an MD, I’ve watched too many of my colleagues yank out anti-depressant samples every time a patient starts to cry. So on behalf of physicians everywhere, let me apologize for our trigger-happy prescription-writing behavior. I don’t mean to diminish the pain someone who is depressed might experience. But tears are healthy. Sadness doesn’t always need treatment. And it’s important to remember that the pain muscle and the joy muscle are the same. If you can’t feel one, you won’t feel the other.

That said, clinical depression sucks, and if you’re someone who suffers from it, my heart goes out to you. I’m in no way intending to diss anti-depressants or suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice. I know anti-depressants can be life-saving for people. But unless you’re suicidal or otherwise in dire need of urgent medication, before you dose up on side-effect laden pharmaceuticals, it’s worth considering some natural treatments that might help lift your mood.

How To Treat Depression Naturally

1. Consider why you might feel depressed. Sometimes depression is a symptom of something circumstantial in your life, rather than biochemical imbalances. Does your job require you to sell out your integrity every day? Have you been unable to admit that you need to end your marriage? Are you feeling spiritually disconnected or sexually restless? Are you suffering from creative blocks? Is your body failing you? Are you facing financial ruin? Be honest with yourself about what might be off-kilter in your life, and make an effort to get to the root of why you might be feeling depressed.

2. Move your body. Exercise releases happy-making endorphins, which act like natural anti-depressants. Runner’s high, anyone?

3. Never skip a meal. Keeping your blood sugar stable reduces mood swings.

4. Eat a serotonin-enhancing diet. Many anti-depressants like Prozac act by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by receptors in the brain, thereby increasing serotonin levels. But you can increase your brain’s serotonin levels by eating foods that boost your serotonin levels naturally.

Serotonin-enhancing foods include:

Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as wild salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies, which are even higher in omega-3 fatty acids than other fish)
Healthy fats like coconut oil
Eat a high protein diet, especially proteins high in tryptophan, like free range turkey

5 Best Snacks to Boost Your Mood

5. Avoid caffeine, which reduces serotonin levels. If you need an energy boost, supplement with L-Tyrosine (500 – 1000 mg).

Next: Mood-enhancing supplements and test your hormone levels

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Rupanzal S.

4:41PM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

Natural remedies focus not only on quickly relieving your depressive state of being, but also balancing physiological, endocrine, neurotransmitter and immunological factors that go hand in hand with depression. The Homeopathic remedies such as DP Balance and herbal remedies such as Sumenta tablet help by Activating relaxation mechanisms in your body, without depressing functions of your nervous system.

April 11
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Karis A.

3:42AM PDT on Sep 17, 2012

This formula takes care of depression. Make juice of aloe vera whole leaf at 40% and add 50% of grape juice and add 7% lemon juice and 3% African bush
honey blend together.
Dosage: Take 2 ounce in the morning and 4 ounces at night.
More at http://www.commonherbalcures.com

September 17
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Mandi R.

7:02AM PST on Dec 19, 2011

I gave up coffee for three days last week and I was a monster. Pretty sure my bf was almost ready to break up with me. I had the worst headaches and did nothing but eat, cry, try to sleep...repeat. I then decided to have a cup and it was an automatic reaction. I was my bubbly self again. Coffee makes me happy... I'm addicted, it's my guilty pleasure. I wish I wasn't hooked on it, but I am.. It makes me happy.

December 19
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Carmen S.

8:55AM PST on Dec 1, 2011

thanks for sharing this useful information

December 1
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Mariana R.

5:16PM PST on Nov 24, 2011

Great post!

November 24
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Diana P.

4:34PM PST on Nov 24, 2011

Emily W.

1:38PM PST on Nov 18, 2011

I would like to add that yoga also helps with depression since it stimulates the vegas nerve, which has shown to help alter mood in a positive way. & omega-3's you can get from other sources too other then fish. I'm sensitive to fish, so it always bugs me a bit when people list the fish references (We already know you can get it from fish, they list that everywhere! Where else can we get it from? Walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, cloves, eggs, soy/tofu, certain vegetables, even dried oregano!).

I was diagnosed with depression back 10 years ago. I wish I had this doctor that wrote this article since anti-depressants made me so much worse, & most the suggestions listed here were the only things that helped me. NATURAL THINGS HELPED ME, MEDICATIONS MADE ME WORSE. Of course that's just me; everyone is different. You would think though that if you're not suicidal, all doctors would try the "healthier, natural, alternative" first. I mean lets face it, medications are chemicals itself....

Finally found out 2 years ago that I have heavy metal poisoning as well, which can contribute to symptoms of depression (as well as other mental illnesses). So I think tests such as a heavy metal test (if suspected) should be carried out if a person has depression (it's just a simple blood test). There are probably other causes of depression too.

November 18
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Mary R.

2:24PM PST on Nov 16, 2011

I will try everything on this list (except number one...it doesn't apply) Thanks a ton! :) Be happy, everyone!

November 16
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Ankita R.

6:13PM PST on Nov 12, 2011

thank u

November 12
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Judith C.

7:08PM PST on Nov 11, 2011

I find that once you are on the drugs the doctors who prescribe them want people not too happy and not too sad even if the situation calls for it.If someone has just died rather than allow natural grief they will increase the dose.Try natural remedies if you are able.