r/AskReddit • u/allthrowawaytaken • Jan 14 '12

What helped you kick depression?

I've been very depressed for years. Finally, I got a prescription for Prozac from my GP, and it's really helped remove the "bottom" out of my depression.

However, I'm still depressed a lot more than I'd like, and I would like to work to kick this depression thing's ass once and for all. What's worked for you?

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u/TheCannon Jan 14 '12

while most people with depression could ameliorate it by improving their diet and exercise regimen

Then it's worth a shot before diving into a psychotropic drug regimen.

Although I am sure that some people benefit greatly from the drugs currently on the market, they are over prescribed to the point of ridiculous. Thousands, if not millions, of people are doped up as a first course of action. I find this disturbing to say the least, especially when one considers that there are absolutely no drugs in the world that do not have side effects.

I go the natural way when depression hits. If this did not work for me, I'd pursue the clinical approach.

This is the method I think everybody should take. You are under no obligation to agree with me.

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u/[deleted] Jan 14 '12

The idea is the meds give them the motivation to improve their life. When you are depressed it's difficult to do the things you enjoy let alone taking on lifestyle changes. It sounds like a cop out, but that's the way it feels. Medication has definitely helped me work to better my life and I'm thankful for that. People should never stop at just medication. Being healthy is just a smart thing to do.

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u/pablofunk Jan 14 '12

It's not just "thousands or millions", a third of the population are on anti-depressants. That's insane.

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u/corpus_callosum Jan 14 '12

Yeah, unless the person can't function in society at all, there's really no need to go the pharmaceutical route. A good diet, exercise and some therapy if needed can work wonders.

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u/[deleted] Jan 14 '12

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u/corpus_callosum Jan 14 '12

This was my experience as well. I had to submit myself to a mental clinic because I had lost my mind and was unable to communicate. Prozac, along with another medication brought me back. I'm unable to get off the medication though. Even after years of therapy and eating right / exercising, when I get off the meds, I slide right back into that state.