About ten years ago following a consultation with a doctor, I got diagnosed as having “treatment resistant depression.” I gather this is maybe not the most broadly accepted terminology out there, but having tried out a few SSRIs and an SNRI (and multiple therapists) to absolutely no results or worse, I’ve come to respect it as the only diagnosis that makes any sense to me, and accurately describes the situation.
Anyway, I’m still here and still not on any kind of meds. I get a lot of exercise and have a physically active job that keeps me off the computer/phone for long stretches of time, get lots of sleep (always been great at sleeping), try to eat decently, cut back on drinking, do wholesome activities with others, see friends when I can, etc. I’m sure I would be doing a lot worse if I wasn’t doing all those things, but I’m always looking for ways to make life more bearable.
So I guess I’m wondering: chronic depression havers of hexbear whomst are not on meds for whatever reason, what are your strategies for gettin’ by? (Or if you are on meds but don’t find them sufficient as a sole strategy I guess.) Much love to you all and here’s to getting through a lot more years.
it’s not regulated like prescriptions are so going by the dosage alone made me almost abandon this near the beginning; also their recipes/formulas are perpetually changing.
instead: i keep track of my behavior over the last month to identify my episodes and switch brands & dosage if there are any. when i realize that i have to switch it up, i intentionally “over do” it at the beginning each time and reduce gradually, if it has effectively mitigated any episodes.
it’s a pain in the ass for me since it requires me to journal at least once a day since my neuro-divergence has a clear impact on my memory and i have to perpetually be on the hunt for new brands & sources; but it’s been unquestionably worth the effort.
my therapists cautions me about self medicating; but he’s onboard with my actions since he too has seen the improvement to my well being without the meds.