yes exercise eat excellent, and have a sleep sample you can stick to. see a dr if you reckon you should

Is it possible the medications didn’t work since you were misdiagnosed to start with?

I reckon you need to get your doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist; if you’ve already seen one, go to another one for a second opinion.

I’m no expert and can only talk from personal experience; in my case the depression never lifted so that I was ‘fine and pleased’ as you describe happening. I was depressed, period.

So I’m wondering if maybe something specific is triggering your depressive episodes? Either something psychological, or something physiological. Do go and get a new psych evaluation; then you have more opportunity of getting the right medication.

Perhaps you should keep a diary of your moods, then you can see if there’s any sample.

If you really don’t want drugs, then by all means try other methods. Organise some counselling, see a homeopath, or a herbalist; these are all things that can help.

Change the way you eat also; cut out caffeine, see if that makes any difference. You might even have a food allergy.

Alternatively, could it be an extreme case of PMS? If you reckon it could be this, you need an endocrinologist.

Okay, first I want to question, have you considered the possibility that you could be bi-polar (or manic-depressive)? Your reference to your moods as being “like a rollercoaster” doesn’t exactly describe straight clinical depression, since that would have you be in a funk for a long period of time (about two weeks to a month). A lot of public fail to tell their doctors about their manic episodes, since they reckon those are the times they’re “fine and pleased,” then they crash into depression, and THAT’S when they seek help. Being treated for depression only, when you really have a manic-depressive disorder, will make things worse. I would suggest you keep a journal for a few weeks of your moods and what is going on in your life, then have your doctor look over it to confirm your diagnosis of depression, or to deliberate if you have manic-depression. If you’re medicated for the actual problem you have, it could help, not make things worse.

Okay, in addition to that, keep in mind that if you truly have a chemical imbalance in the brain, anything else you do may or may not be sufficient to help much. Even for public who are on anti-depressants or have other mood-related disorders, there are a few things you need to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle, that will also help you maintain excellent mental and emotional health (and therefore, excellent physical health, as well).

Eat healthy. Get sufficient (I suggest six small meals a day, rather than three better ones), but don’t overeat. Eat healthy, high protein foods, and lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, and whole grain. Keep your diet low in stout and sugar. If you go a lot of caffiennated drinks, REALLY limit them, to about one or two a day, and don’t go anything with caffienne after around 7:00 at night. Take vitamins, and go lots of water.

Exercise. It releases endorphins that promote energy and a sense of well-being. Not to mention, it’s just healthy, and it can help combat an unhealthy body image.

Talk to someone. I’m of the belief that there are very few, if any, public out there who couldn’t benefit from the services of a excellent therapist. I don’t urge taking anti-depressants without also doing counseling, and if you are wanting to overcome (or keep at bay) depression WITHOUT meds, you really need to have a excellent, understanding therapist.

Get rest. Figure out what really works for you. Most adults need between eight and ten hours of sleep a night. Most adults average about six or seven hours of sleep a night. Long-term sleep depravation can cause you to be distracted, temperamental, ill, and stressed out, all of which are major problems if you have depression.

Don’t overact it. I have a friend who will drop one major project, since she knows she’s doing too much, and surrounded by two weeks will have taken on three others, to fill all the spare time she didn’t have. Learn to say no. Pace yourself. Accept help if it’s offered. If you are not taking care of yourself, not getting sufficient sleep and you keep trying to do more than you’re physically, mentally or emotionally able to, your depression will make something worse.

There are some certain herbal or non-drug remedies for depression. But, most of these are unproven, or have very mild, if any, effects. Go to a local health-food or herbal remedy store, or question your pharmacist, to see if they have any suggestions.

But I would look into the possibility that you have manic-depression or bipolar before you choose for excellent that meds aren’t for you. If you’re treated for the problem you really have, you could notice a major positive difference if you’re on meds. It couldn’t hurt.

Best of luck to you!

You are already addicted to meds,.

But voluteer work, where no expectations or dread of loss is involved, will help a fantastic deal.

go to a theme park , watch the Simpson ( if you like them), don’t read depressing things and be around public as much as possible, and remember, if your feeling depressed, nothing lasts forever. I know what your going through,i was all ways temperamental. don’t worry

I have suffered from depression for many years. I have learn to function normally on my every day life by keeping myself busy. I like making arts and craft now and that is something that I never thought I would do. I like to play word games on the computer that keep me concentrated on the game and not on my depression

Hope I can give you the best answer you need to struggle your depression and sadness, but the only alternative medicine I have for you is that you find confort and strenght on praying to be closer to God, a medical study made at the Vatican they found public with the same problems and healed after a constant and conscience process of approach with God via praying and also the blood difficulty of that public was normalized after that and have a stablished mood with excellent attitude!

Excellent luck and God be with you! You Have To Got Faith!

I was in a depression for 2-1/2 years, my family just continued around me and I would do my duties on automatic pilot but I reckon prayers pulled me out of it. I just knew it would be okay eventually and one day I woke up and it was!
I know you not wanting to take drugs. Try taking daily walks and meditation.

Get to the reasons you’re depressed. If you don’t work those out, your problems will continue.
If you can’t afford therapy start with a journal and write write write.
Also, eat well and make sure you’re getting everything your body needs to be healthy and focused.

exercise is the best non-medical cure for depression

endorphins are fantastic
and self confidence always helps