There are many reasons why people may want to consider managing symptoms of depressive disorders without medication. Fortunately, there are a number of things people can do to treat depression without using traditional, prescription medications.
Traditionally, when people are dealing with depressive disorders and seek help, they are provided with the option to utilize prescription medications that are typically taken orally. While these medications work for many people who are living with depression and help to reduce the severity of symptoms, other people who use medications may not have the best response. For example, some people find that symptoms of prescription medications for depression are uncomfortable or may decline in quality of life. Other people who have tried prescription medications for depression may not get the relief they need from depressive symptoms. In either case, it’s important that people who are not responding well to depression medication find alternatives to treatment.
Fortunately, there are other forms of depression treatments and even daily routines and lifestyle changes a person can make to better manage symptoms of depression without the use of psychiatric, prescription medications. If you’re looking for ways to manage symptoms of depression without using medication, here are some things you can try:
Sleep quality is crucial for mental well-being. Many people who struggle with symptoms of depression also do not get enough quality sleep. So, if you can’t or don’t want to utilize prescription medications for depression, it can help to get more and better quality sleep. To do this, try making and sticking to a sleep schedule. You can do this by going to bed at night every night at the same time. And, waking up every morning at a specific time. You can also do things to make it easier to fall asleep including making your bedroom a comfortable place to sleep, keeping screens out of your bedroom, and only laying in your bed if you’re going to sleep.
Another natural way to help manage symptoms of depression and even improve sleep is to get enough exercise. Exercise can help to tire out both the body and mind, better preparing you to get a good night’s rest. Furthermore, exercise can help improve the body’s natural mood management system as it can increase the production and release of endorphins which are crucial to managing moods. So, getting enough exercise can greatly help people living with depression, especially those who don’t wish to or can’t use prescription antidepressant medications.
Diet plays a crucial role in helping to manage symptoms of mental health issues like depression. The food that we put into our bodies gives our brains nutrition to function properly. So, if you find that medication isn’t something you can use to manage symptoms of depression, it can help to feed your body and brain a more healthy diet that incorporates foods that are good for mental health. For example, eating more foods with omega-3 fats can help to provide the brain with the nutrition it needs for better management. And, staying away from high-sugar foods, high-fat foods, and red meats can help to reduce symptoms of depression as these types of food can actually reduce the proper functioning of the brain and other bodily systems.
While lifestyle changes do a lot to help people manage symptoms of depression without using prescription medications, making these changes may not completely eliminate symptoms of depression. In this case, it’s important to find and consider alternatives to prescription medications for depression. Some examples of non-prescription medication treatments for depression that are effective and safe include:
TMS: TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a treatment for depression that uses a machine that sends magnetic pulses into the brain. This allows for the stimulation of specific areas of the brain that aren’t functioning properly and releasing mood-regulating neurotransmitters. This can help to reduce symptoms of depression greatly even for people who haven’t had successful results with prescription antidepressant medications in the past.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy: Ketamine infusion therapy is a type of depression treatment that introduces low doses of ketamine into the bloodstream intravenously. Ketamine is a medication that helps to improve brain function and reduce symptoms of depression in people struggling with depression diagnoses, even if they haven’t had success with prescription medications or other types of depression treatments.
Find out more about TMS and Ketamine Therapy available at Delray Brain Science today.
