Treating mild depression

Former Member

Hiya

So In the past I've had 'severe' anxiety and 'moderate' depression when I was at uni, and for a period after uni.

Past 18 months have been really good though, although I'm starting to acknowledge that I have a little bit of the good old depression sneaking back in.

Problem is, going to doctor, getting medicated up, taking time to fit in therapies and all that atm, is actually going to have a larger negative impact on my life than the depression on its own. I am sure if I ignore the depression, it will go away itself, its only been perhaps the last two months.

I do do the usual exercise / sleep / eat stuff. I don't know if there's any 'lower level' shit I can do to take the edge off. I don't need to cure it completely as its one of those things that for me seems to come and go. Just yea, want to minimise its impact as much as possible without doing anything which is actually going to have a larger impact on me.

Former Member

Mindful way through depression might help. Have you thought about going to a meditation group maybe?

Former Member

I actually did meditation quite a few months ago and found it super good. I stopped for some reason . I don't know why, time maybe?

I hadn't thought of going to a group but it might be interesting. I'm not sure what you gain over meditating with other people as opposed to meditating on your own though?

Former Member

are you eating properly and taking vitamins?

What about a short course of st johns wort or 5htp to get you through till spring?

Former Member

on that note i could lend you my SAD light

Former Member

SuzyCreamcheese wrote: »

are you eating properly and taking vitamins?

What about a short course of st johns wort or 5htp to get you through till spring?

I am eating properly but not taking vitamins. Maybe I should look into that. What does st John's do? I used to take kalms which I think have at john's in them.

Former Member

st johns wort is a mild antidepressant that you can buy in boots or online. Works best if you take it regularly, but it can be taken occasionally too.
5htp is pretty good for anxiety and depression and you can buy it in holland and barrett. I took it for a while and it worked brilliantly, and that can be taken on an as and when basis too. Good for sleep problems

Former Member

I find that if I don't have the time for meds and therapy sessions and things like that then small work like re-balancing my life can really help. For example if you've ever heard of doing a grid of life? You make a 9 box grid (like noughts and crosses) and write in 9 significant parts of your life, e.g. sleep work hobby friends partner family and over a week make a mark everytime you do something relating to each part. You can see if you are working too hard , not sleeping, not spending enough time with friends/partners/me time.
And second good diet and vitamins

Former Member

Benefit of meditating in a group is that you're more like to do it if it's something you have to turn up to, rather than get round to at home in the evenings after work.

Make sure you're getting outside in the fresh air and daylight - quick walk around the block at lunch.

Former Member

Spending time with friends is important too!!! Like going down the pub more often (not too often though!)

Former Member

I'm actually mostly off the alcohol these days :-)

Former Member

I'm not surprised after that dodgy cider we had!

I did think about going to a pub quiz night though, might be a good way to socialise.

Former Member

Heh I don't think the cider was too bad, just a lifestyle change for me. Things alcohol gives me vs problems it causes me. Not worth it really.