Anonymous asked this question on 5/6/2000:
I am having severe problems in dealing with my depression at the moment. i am not at the lowest I have been, and have been seeing a doctor, but am not willing to start taking anti-depressants again, as it would seem that this is going to be a lifelong depression. I have seen psychiatrists and counsellors and the general consensus is that my depression is simply a lack of serotonin. I am looking for alternative means to stop myself cutting myself, being an insomniac, and generally being apathetic. I also have a tendency to overdrink and have been taking quite a lot of ecstasy. I would greatly appreciate any help or advice you could offer.
jillyk gave this response on 5/6/2000:
Depression is life long, it can be controlled by restoring the chemical impbalance in the brain. Yes, it is simple, Serotonin is what you are lacking, however that is what many anti-depressants are made from. Your aversion to return to anti depressants are not helping your attempt in restoring the imbalance.. Look at what you have told me, you are self mutilating, drink and on drugs that can kill you! Ecstacy is designed to greatly speed up your heart rate. Heightening your feelings of well being for up to 36 hours and then plummet down to further down in the depths of depression than you were before the ecstacy was taken. Insomnia is caused by all the thoughts you are unable to control due to the imbalance, if you are still determined to avoid all anti-depressants then I suggest you get in contact with your mental health centre. Do not go to your GP for psychiatric medication, go to your psychiatrist. Also check with your mental health clinic to see if there are any support groups that are held for people with depression like you, enrol in this support group and discuss your experiences with all the other members. You might be able to share experiences and strategies which may be of benefit to you. Also, you might like to check out a homeopathic centre and discuss alternative herbal remedies as a possible alternative or compliment to and with a lowered dose of medication. All the best to you,. Feel free to write again should you feel the need, :)Jill.