Having good diet is very important and if you don't have that, take vitamin supplements esp selenium and iodine. Don't over take anything. Depression is an imbalance (of mostly brain chemicals).
sam-E, Valarian, GABA, Gotu Kola, Skull Cap.
I'm a firm believer in people are different and need to find their own solution (which may involve going to professional and subscription drugs). It took me several years to find what works for me. St John's Wort did not at all. YMMV
I guess most those are anti-anxiety / mood levelers which works for me but I'm probably MD.
The thing that has broken me out of depression the most is sunshine! Just going out and standing in the sun, eyes closed face towards sun. I also take off my glasses and let reflected sunlight directly into eyes. 2-5min. Preferably around middle of day. Which I'm guessing is some combination of vitamin D and getting my circadian rhythm straitened out.
St. John's Wort
Omega-3 fatty acids
Sam e
Folic Acid
5-HTP
Diet (sugar, caffeine, alcohol, vitamin b6, magnesium)
exercise
sunlight
etc.
I suppose you might include psychotherapy, various other non drug therapies, a whole range of activities, socialisation, sex, pets...
Most of those probably wouldn't be considered drugs at all. I think the jist is that you can get good results managing depression with a mix of treatments (that may include drugs), which will vary from person to person. I think it is similar to how HIV or high blood pressure gets treated. You need to find what works by trial and error.
I like the fact that in the above list it is not obvious where the lines are: drug or non drug, medicine, paramedicine, pseudo medicine, alternative medicine or old wives tale. That kind of blurriness also applies to the diagnosis of the condition itself.
sam-E, Valarian, GABA, Gotu Kola, Skull Cap.
I'm a firm believer in people are different and need to find their own solution (which may involve going to professional and subscription drugs). It took me several years to find what works for me. St John's Wort did not at all. YMMV
I guess most those are anti-anxiety / mood levelers which works for me but I'm probably MD.
The thing that has broken me out of depression the most is sunshine! Just going out and standing in the sun, eyes closed face towards sun. I also take off my glasses and let reflected sunlight directly into eyes. 2-5min. Preferably around middle of day. Which I'm guessing is some combination of vitamin D and getting my circadian rhythm straitened out.