How do you deal with depression without taking medication?

has anyone here ever been really depressed due to continuous environmental problems that no matter how hard you try, you just cant resolve? if so, what coping mechanisms have you used which have helped you? medication is extremely addictive and im trying everything to avoid it. im not suicidal but i have been feeling depressed for a few years now.How do you deal with depression without taking medication?Distractions are the key to coping.



Also, just talking it out can help.



What I think would work the best is doing some sort of cognitive therapy. I've been doing it, and it helps. There are plenty of workbooks if you can't/don't want to see a therapist.How do you deal with depression without taking medication?
%26gt;"how do you deal with depression without taking medication?"



I guess that's up to the individual.



%26gt;"due to continuous environmental problems"



Not sure what you're referring to, can you be a little more specific?



%26gt;"medication is extremely addictive"



Antidepressants have side-effects, but they're not additive. Maybe you're mixing up antidepressants with certain type of sedatives and/or stimulants. Perhaps you should make an appointment with a professional, whomever you're getting your information from is practicing without a license and doesn't know what they're talking about. Also, your depression is clouding your judgment, which is a symptom of depression.How do you deal with depression without taking medication?When you get bored of Jesus, try music and writing and walking. When I get really depressed I either turn up the cheerful music really loudly, go for a walk (accompanied with cheerful music, naturally) or write a story. I have a few ongoing "novels" for when I'm feeling different ways. I find that what I write effects my mood dramatically (if it's happy, I become happier, if it's sad, I become more depressed, etc).



Now I might just be crazy. But that's what works for me. It's only a temporary fix, but it's not medication, and I believe it's quite healthy.How do you deal with depression without taking medication?
Jesus.How do you deal with depression without taking medication?I get down all the time! and its very common for people to get depressed.

Sometimes it can start off bieng about something really bad, then it can just carry on and you can end up getting down over nothing, you just wake up and feel like a pile or rubbish (thats me)



Its best to try and figure out what are your pick me ups. But also dont force yourself to do something you dont want to.

So if you feel like laying in bed for a day.. do it.. its fine., its only a probly if it starts to become a problem and you dont leave bed. And if your feeling ready to try a pick me up.. then just take a deep breath and get on with it... for example..



My pick me ups can be simple little things you can do around your house....



Having a shower.. washing my hair and self in something yummy smelling (bodyshop makes me feel alive!!)



Making yourself something tasty to eat, or buying sweets!



Make a to do list that you can start ticking things off..



(random.. but i like to clean sometimes, i think the feeling of acomplishing something and making something look good helps)



haha, dancing round your room naked...make ur self laugh...or i used to bounce on my bed to loud music



Decorate something, i usually put pictures up on my wall, im a photographer you see...



and last but not least.. a hobby.. something to get out of bed for...



As much as on the days i feel down i dont want to believe it.. your actually in control of your own mind and can create happyness if you just think positive thoughts.. (not as easy as it sounds, i know)



Well, hope something here will inspire you to be happier :)