I am not an expert on medication, however, many have asked if there are supplements they can try before going the route of medication or use with the medication they are presently taking. This tab is dedicated to collecting data you can evaluate on your own with your physician or psychiatrist.

I love to hear from my readers. If you have had experiences negative or positive with medication or supplements, please send me an email.

Medication vs. Supplements and Other Natural Methods of Recovering from Depression

Many people, including myself, would rather only a natural approach to recovering from depression but this is not always possible. My “Quick Ideas to Beat the Blues” list has many natural methods to handle depression, however, when our neurotransmitters are malfunctioning those methods may not be enough as explained in my Q&A section http://www.patriciapotts.com/Q&A.html. Sometimes we either need a jump start or in some cases, like me, we need to continue taking medication for life.

My purpose in including this tab is so that we can share with each other ideas that work and ideas that don’t work.

Medication

The biggest “ideas that don’t work” I heard came from a woman who ended up in serious trouble with the law because the medication she was taking caused her to become angry and violent. She said “The medicine I took works well for many but it made me crazy! I wish I would have asked my family to pay strict attention to me when I’m beginning a new med. I also wish I would have paid more attention myself to the anxiety and anger that filled me and worked with my psychiatrist to change it. Much heartache could have been avoided.”

One idea I believe in whole heartedly is to ask others to pray for you during your psychiatrists visit. With so many meds to choose from our Doctors can use all the divine direction they can get!

I would love to hear your ideas, suggestions or experiences with medication.

Foods and supplements helpful for Good Mental Heath

• Zona's Health Quiz

I took a health quiz from Zona, a woman who is very knowledgeable about natural remedies. Her suggestions have helped me with anxiety, muscle pain and more!

• Try Neuro-science

After years of dealing with depression this is what my friend, Darla, said in the Q & A tab of my website:
I can quickly rise above normal discouragement by changing my focus from negative to positive. Reading scriptures, listening to inspiring music, or watching a good movie pulls me out of it and helps me maintain a happier feeling. However, if I’m dealing with a chemical imbalance, the change of focus helps only for the duration of the activity. The instant my focus on the song, movie, or scripture ends, I feel the overwhelming darkness again. Most recently I received tremendous help from a chemical imbalance through neuro-science natural supplements which help normalize the neuro-transmitter levels. After week one of the six-week regime, I began to feel normal happy feelings again. I was referred to the testing and the supplements by a nurse practitioner, but anyone can access the tests on the web site: nuerorelief.com andorder the supplements wich the tests indicate you need by on the Neuro Science web site: professionalsupplementcenter.com. She also said her nurse practitioner was able to get the insurance to pay for the testing!

I have been using a natural product for a few years now that helps me with anxiety (not that I ever have any reason to be anxious!) It is not a multi-level product. It comes out of a company in Orem and is called “Neurozone.” When I order they ship it out in a few days. It costs about $38.00 with shipping and lasts me about 3 months. Their number is 1-800-529-4715 if you are interested.

• Check out the search engine for helpful foods on my friend’s Search Engine

• Try Foods that make a difference

Highly beneficial nutrients for bringing the body back to balance, giving the body the power to reverse depression, disease, acidity and aging include:
1. Complex carbohydrates in the form of fruits and vegetables which include the most powerful fruits and vegetables: carrot, parsley, beet, broccoli, kale, cabbage, spinach, tomato, apple, orange, pineapple, cranberry, acerola cherries and papaya.
2. Soybeans and soy products
3. Beans, nuts, seeds, dried fruits
4. Whole grains such as brown rice, wild rice, kamut, rye, millet, barley, spelt, quinoa
5. Salmon, white fish, range fed turkey, eggs
6. For sugar, use honey, molasses, cane sugar, stevia
7. Minerals/vitamins - selenium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, chromium, niacin, Vitamin D, B vitamins - all of which are best derived from food rather than specific supplements. (It is important to understand that supplements may be needed for short term treatment of a depletion, but how do we know when that depletion is filled?)

• Check out oils

Many people benefit from Lavender on a regular basis. There are many oils and other ideas suggested on at The Light Point Healing Center.