6 Things Not To Do When You Have Depression

Here are 9 common things I do for patients before prescribing antidepressant medication.

1️⃣ Check thyroid hormones (if needed) 🩺
2️⃣ Optimize vitamins & omegas (B12, D, folate, etc.)
3️⃣ Elimination diet for 3 weeks
4️⃣ Add colorful fruits & veggies
5️⃣ Eliminate negative thoughts ‍
6️⃣ Exercise: Walk 45 min, 4x/week (as effective as meds!) ‍7️⃣ Add a daily supplement (saffron, curcumin, zinc, or magnesium)
8️⃣ Take probiotics daily
9️⃣ Bright light therapy (20-30 min with 10,000 lux lamp) ☀️

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#mentalhealthawareness #depressionhelp #AmenClinics

[juliacoggins]

Self medicating with alcohol for years. Nearly 10 months sober now! My depression hasn't gone away, but I'd like to think I handle it a lot better now.

[Underneath.It.All.]

I have been off all my psychiatric medication’s for over a year, on top of being clean from alcohol for over 6 years. I had to face my past, and learn how to process it, manage my emotions, use coping skills, build a strong support system with diverse 12 step programs, and build a connection to myself and The Universe in order to improve my mental health. Also came from growing up in dysfunctional abusive environment, therefore I had to face that and learn about the dysfunction, and overcome my trauma!

Mental illness is a sign that something is going on unaddressed within ourselves! Face that, process that, learn from it, accept it, and let it go! Healing is a Choice, and reprogramming the brain is possible! ❤

[SarahJames]

I'm so lucky I had a psychiatrist in my 20s that refused medication and sent me to a behavioral therapist. I watched my grandma and mother take what was prescribed and they both lost their minds many times. Even though ADHD meds work for me, it was too hard to get them so I learned work around ways to accomplish my goals. Do not let a regular MD prescribe mental health scripts willy nilly. It's like going to a carpenter when you need an electrician.

[ThePeoplesReflections]

Wishing everyone a blessed and positive start to their weekend

And always sending my sincerest love and positive vibes ❤️

[perso]

Dr. Daniel, thanks for your empaty to people in the all world 🙏

[Calladim]

Easier said than done but I'm working on it.
Better diet and exercise go a long way!

[marquinarawlings]

The depression getting heavier throughout the day after you’ve gone back to bed is SO real! 😮‍💨

Also, I’ve had the prescription without a full evaluation before. I was postpartum, and maybe doctors thought it was a “quick fix”. I took the medication and stopped when I thought I felt better, but the doctor had me fill out a questionnaire and, upon seeing my results, immediately wrote me out another prescription. (It was years ago and I’m good now - prescription-free!)

[samanthamartin]

When I started having severe panic attacks and became extremely depressed, I was never really checked out by any of the doctors I went to. They just handed my antidepressant after antidepressant, I literally got prescribed 5 different meds. I only ever tried one of them (low dose of sertraline), which made me suddenly suicidal and hallucinating after just two days. It took 9 months of highly debilitating 24/7 anxiety and panic for anyone to bother to run some basic tests to figure out if it could be a medical condition. I just got the standard labs every time I ended up in the ER, which were all good enough. Turns out, my hormones are all wonky and I am getting a diagnosis for a genetic disorder that affects my adrenal glands.
Through all of this, I have come face to face with how isolated I am, and can confirm that isolation will make your depression SO MUCH WORSE. If you have ANYBODY, reach out and nourish that relationship like both of your lives depend on it.

[avaDesdemona]

So, just don't be depressed? It's so easy to recommend this things when you're not dealing with depression. I mean, when I'm well, i don't understand why i can't get up when I'm depressed, why i can't eat like a normal person when I'm depressed, why sleep is such a struggle in general...
I mean... we know what makes us worse, we just can't not do it when we're depressed.

[CreatorsBurnoutBrilliance]

such great reminders to help with the pains of depressions experienced by many. 👏🏼💯

[jodigraves]

Thanks Dr Amen I did self medicate since I was 8 yrs old. I can say I haven't self medicated in years til I'm self medicating with ur vitamin system!! Um getting so healthy mentally and my deep depression is getting better. Thanks so much

[Ari_Izzy]

Wow I’ve been doing 3 of these things self isolation, eating junk food, and smoking pot daily I’ve been dealing with bad depression

[veronicaatkins]

I agree especially with the getting lab work. I thought I was just tired and depressed turns out I had an iron deficiency and anemic which can lead to depression. Please everyone have your doctor do lab work.

[monnaiemolly]

Which lab work needed before taking the medication?

[aliposhtpazan]

Many thanks for the tips. God bless you

[jenniferpetrellicarslearni]

The problem sometimes is that it winds up exhausting you and I know you don't want to lay down you feel like you are so exhausted that you have to.

[SuzannePoschet]

This is all true. I learned the hard way by being prescribed antidepressants by my OBGYN who first thought I had postpartum depression then my regular dr continued to add on more. I became more isolated as I struggled to raise two kids. This started 15 years ago. There’s now so much information on YouTube. Information is power, and it’s the best thing about the internet.

[karenlowes]

Thank you. I agree, get up and get dressed right away.

[hannahkozie]

I actually try my best to go out even while I'm very depressed. It's extremely hard because even when I'm out with my husband and kids, I still feel that heavy weight on my chest and my brain just feels so off then I also feel very very disconnected. What would help with this?

[rogutamusic]

But for some people, mixing with people who never let them express makes their depression even worse.