Overcoming depression | ExpatWoman.com
 

Overcoming depression

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:14

Without depression medication. Is it possible? Did you do it? How?

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EW MASTER
Latest post on 18 February 2011 - 12:06
I've just realized that my last post sounded somewhat racist - it's just that I know that for such a personal thing, I prefer to see someone who is likely to come from a similar background to me - I have seen two Swiss German counsellors in my time and they did nothing for me, part of it was that we were speaking in French, which was neither of our mother-tongues, but also because there was no empathy based on things we had in common, if that makes sense. Anyhow, Dr Sabina Christensen is an Irish clinical psychologist who you can contact through the Dubai London Medical Clinic - they will give you her phone number. I've only spoken to her on the phone, but I thought at the time that if I felt depressed, I would find seeing her a great help!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 February 2011 - 11:49
After many years of suffering from crippling, severe depression my sister-in-law has found a balance which works for her and she's now on great form, the best I can ever remember since I met my husband nearly 20 years ago. She's tried everything under the sun really - medication, counselling, hypnotherapy, psychics... Although she still takes some medication, and will have to do so for life, she says the thing that has helped her the most is listening daily to Paul McKenna CDs which encourage her to have a positive outlook on life. Worth a thought anyway, I was amazed when she told me...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 February 2011 - 07:56
And whoever you see should do tests to exclude any physcial conditions that could make you depressed, e.g. thyroid, etc.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 February 2011 - 07:54
Brokenheart, if you do a search on this forum under counsellor/ therpaist/ psychologist and psychiatrist, you will find some names being recommended. As I said before, it is a very personal choice, and who works for you may not work for someone else, so you should just try it and see. But at least the names given give you a head start. Good luck.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 23:22
I will take your advice and go see a therapist. Good luck. If you are of Anglo-Saxon origin, I have heard that there is a female doctor at the Dubai London Clinic who may be of help to you. She sounded great when I talked to her but I can't remember her name. She is for adults.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 22:58
I will take your advice and go see a therapist.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 22:57
Nothing excites me, nothing makes me happy, I don't look forward to anything....:( You're my teenaged daughter. Sorry I'm such a lousy mother.. Seriously, can you tell us what is going on? Did something happen to kick off these feelings, or have you been this way for no apparent reason for a long time? Oh no! Porr girl. This is a terrible feeling for a teenager. Honeslty its for no apparent reason no of my circumstances have changed. I have been feeling this way for a couple of months now. PLease get her all the help she needs. Its really not fair for a teenager to be feeling what I am feeliing! Too young!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 22:31
First, big hugs to you, brokenheart. I know how it feels. The first step is to acknowledge how you feel. That is already a huge step and took a lot of courage. Second, I urge you to find a professional (therapist/ counsellor/ psychologist/ psychiatrist) that you feel comfortable with. You may have to see more than one person (each for a few sessions) before you click, but hopefully you will find the right one immediately. If not, do not give up. Keep trying as "clicking" with your therapist is so important, and of course so individual. Third, I am not a doctor which is why I urge you to see one, but to answer your question, it may or may not be possible. From personal experience, i have been trying this route (tried different meds but had severe side effects that made taking them pointless). It is a long and bumpy road for sure, but if you are determined to help yourself heal and to re-discover who you are, I believe it can be done. Am not there yet myself, but can now see some light at the end of the tunnel.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 22:20
Nothing excites me, nothing makes me happy, I don't look forward to anything....:( You're my teenaged daughter. Sorry I'm such a lousy mother.. Seriously, can you tell us what is going on? Did something happen to kick off these feelings, or have you been this way for no apparent reason for a long time?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:16
Nothing excites me, nothing makes me happy, I don't look forward to anything....:( Do you get out much? Have fun with the girls? Has anyone died recently - when my dad died that took away my spark for a looong time. Are you happy here?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:14
Nothing excites me, nothing makes me happy, I don't look forward to anything....:(
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:11
So broken heart, why do you think you're so sad? :(
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:51
And broken heart, are you broken hearted :(? Oh your comment was so genuine and sweet. No, my 7 year old niece picked my username! Don't ask why, maybe she thought I am! edited by brokenheart on 17/02/2011 Glad to hear that :) x
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:50
And broken heart, are you broken hearted :(? Oh your comment was so genuine and sweet. No, my 7 year old niece picked my username! Don't ask why, maybe she thought I am! <em>edited by brokenheart on 17/02/2011</em>
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:46
What I am about to say is not a wind up. I don't drink. Never wold i have thought alcohol, was a downer. Everyone drinking it seems so happy and they are excited about drinking it even before hand. Beat me! Some alcoholic drinks are stimulants, some are depressants... it's well known that gin, for example, can push someone who's a bit down even further. Tequila, on the other hand, is often happy-happy. Most of the time though, it just accentuates the person's current feelings, so can bring out all kinds of emotions because they are less in control. Some people like being less in control, and so turn to drinking to alter their perception of things.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:45
And broken heart, are you broken hearted :(?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:44
How long have you been in Dubai? Do you like it here? Do you know many people? <em>edited by Nobbles on 17/02/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:42
What I am about to say is not a wind up. I don't drink. Never wold i have thought alcohol, was a downer. Everyone drinking it seems so happy and they are excited about drinking it even before hand. Beat me!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:40
Can you ride out a headache without medication? Yes, I guess so, but you don't get a medal for doing so and really, is it worth it? Other things to try (in conjunction with medication, or not) would be: - multivitamins, including magnesium and iron - aromatherapy (I swear by frankincense) - yoga/ pilates/ t'ai chi or other exercise - meditation. One of my t'ai chi teachers explained to visualise yourself sitting on the bank of a river, watching the river flow past. Your thoughts will come and go in your mind as if swept away by the current - by all means think about them (there's no such thing as a totally blank mind), but let them go with the flow of the river. Frankincense will help you let go of them. - talk about it. Write it down just express it as a healing tool towards understanding - take action - this is the hardest thing to do. Not in a "get a grip" kind of way, but by making a small difference in your life. Start a new exercise class, do a detox, set yourself a mini-goal and work towards it, even if it's "i will remember to eat at 20h".
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:38
Regular daily exercise and a good diet are two good ways to start - just brisk walking every day for 30 - 60 minutes can help a lot for mild depression - the weather is good now, get out in the sunshine - hopefully there's somewhere "interesting" to walk near you, even in the city. Avoid alcohol - it's a downer and it interrupts your sleep as well - a good sleep pattern helps you feel better too (and it has been shown to help in controlling weight to a degree, bonus) Hope you feel better soon
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:30
Brokenheart can you tell me how you feel? There are many kinds of depressions just the fact that you are here is a good sign so good for you for taking the first step.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:28
Been lurking on here for years, no one knows me so it's alright. I thought folic acid was for prgnant women? It is thats but read the link.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:27
Not sure why the link isn’t working do a google search for this "[b'>Can Folic Acid Help Ease Depression[/b'>?" [b'>By Karen Schroeder Kassel, MS, RD, MEd[/b'>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:25
Been lurking on here for years, no one knows me so it's alright. I thought folic acid was for prgnant women?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:23
Folic Acid, you will have to talk to your physician before taking supplements, also change ur user name and if you can tell us why you are depressed, talking is the best therapy. https://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=af362d97-4f80-4453-a175-02cc6220a387&chunkiid=40045 <em>edited by Frances on 17/02/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:19
I think it depends on how depressed one is? I think mild depression can definitely be overcome with no meeds in my opinion?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:16
Try Vitamin B6. It's for PMT, but may help. Also Evening Primrose Oil. See a naturopath? Are there any naturopaths here?
 
 

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