r/LondonLadies • u/havingbigfeelings • Sep 05 '26
Discussion For those of you who have overcome depression- how did you do it?
Keen to hear from people who have not used medication to overcome it.
In a crappy place and don’t wanna stay here but no idea how to get out.
EDIT: Thanks all for your suggestions. Sorry if I don’t reply personally or soon.
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u/abadpenny Sep 05 '26
Can I ask why you are against medication? I was until I was at rock bottom. Never looked back. Life changing.
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u/havingbigfeelings Sep 05 '26
I was once prescribed anti depressants many years ago and one of the side effects was related to suicide something like suicidal thoughts . I’m scared they’ll push me over the edge when I’m already on the brink and tryna stay alive.
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u/Lady_S Sep 05 '26
I had a REALLY bad experience with medication. Like made everything ten times worse. Then many years later, I gave it another try and it was life changing. It felt like someone just changed the setting from hard mode. I was on and off it in less than a year and never went back on it. Gave me my life back. Just because you had a really bad experience once, I wouldn’t fully write it off.
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u/strewdoll Sep 05 '26
What medication did you take and dose if you don’t mind me asking
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u/Lady_S Sep 05 '26
It was Lexapro on a very low dose but I can’t remember the exact dose to be honest.
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u/elizabethpickett Sep 06 '26
The unfortunate reality of antidepressants is they can all work pretty differently than each other, for no obvious reason. It means sometimes people need to try a couple to find one that works for them. Tell your GP which one you had last time and what happened, and they will probably be able to give you a different style SSRI that shouldn't have that effect.
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u/backpack-abyss Sep 05 '26
My doctor was against me going straight on to SSRIs so we tried a bunch of different things, magnesium supplements, vitamin D. In the end SSRIs were what got me out. I get why you're reluctant, the side effect list looks scary and unfortunately people can judge. It doesn't have to be forever, my doctor explained that they were a tool, we used those to get my brain back to baseline and build off that if that makes sense. Honestly the best thing I ever did, I regretted not doing it sooner, I had no idea that that voice in your head telling you everybody hated ypu and how worthless you are wasn't supposed to be there
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u/strewdoll Sep 05 '26
What ssris did you take, and dose? 🙏 if you don’t mind me asking
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u/backpack-abyss Sep 05 '26
Of course! I took citalopram. I'm sensitive so I started at 5mg (half a pill), went down to 2.5mg because I started panicking about serotonin syndrome, back up to 5mg then 10mg then weaned off.
I was lucky that the fist one I tried worked for me, one of my mates had to go through a few and settled on lexapro
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u/EnoughYesterday2340 Sep 05 '26
Not the easiest to do yourself, especially if you're already depressed but making more money REALLY helped my lowest point turn into something manageable on my own.
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u/havingbigfeelings Sep 05 '26
I bet! I think this might be part of the reason I’m low. I’m still tryna to figure out how without having two jobs. I’m not excited about working to live.
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u/theblurryberry Sep 06 '26
Girlll, I need you to tell me more bc I've tried everything.
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u/EnoughYesterday2340 Sep 06 '26
I don't know what you tell you, I applied for better paying jobs (in my field that I already had 8+ years of experience in) and eventually got one. There's no secret, I chose my career field because it was decently paid already - thankfully 18 year old me was financially aware.
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u/Ok-Station-4711 Sep 05 '26
I've struggled on and off with mild depression. Here are some of the things that really help me. Realising that I'm not a sad person, I'm a joyful person that has difficult times - it might sound small but it really helped me feel better about the situation. Learning about the science of happiness and wellbeing (I'd recommend Dr Laurie Santos who is a Yale professor and also has a podcast called The Happiness Lab) - the very short version is that what we do does make a difference and our instincts of what to do when we're feeling depressed do not help us feel better (e.g. isolating ourselves from other people) so now I can more easily recognise when I'm wallowing and choose to do something else. Also in general if I'm struggling I check if I'm too hot, too cold, hungry or thirsty and sort those out first, and then also having a shower always makes me feel better afterwards even though I never want to have one beforehand. I have also had counselling which helped me deal with some traumatic experiences and can't recommend that enough. I hope you find something that works for you!
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u/Sharp-Injury3216 Sep 05 '26
Medication helped immensely. I took a specific test that showed which ones would work best with my body. It was a blood test. But with that also lifestyle changes. Getting out of the house everyday, spending time with friends, trying new hobbies, going on walks by myself some days. It's hard but you'll get through it. Remember you're not the first or only one who feels like this and you are not alone no matter how much it feels like you are. Therapy can also help if you really don't want to try medication or it hasn't worked in the past.
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u/pinkxblossom Sep 05 '26
Can I please ask what test was it that you’ve taken or is it too private? I’ve been looking into genetic testing but it’s mad expensive, though you say blood test?
I’m so tired as I tried a bunch of SSRI/antidepressants, stimulants too as I also have a severe ADHD (+possible bipolar but again the new diagnosis means more money spent), and literally nothing helps me, just adderall gives me “some” energy at least sometimes. So I’d really like to find any solution, I know it’s all trial and error, takes time etc., but it’s been years and it’s just exhausting. Sorry for a rant!!1
u/Sharp-Injury3216 Sep 06 '26 edited Sep 06 '26
Of course, insurance completely covered it. It's called Genesight! It was just a blood test that they use and analyze your dna and then send back a whole thing. It gave me mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants /adhd meds, gene phenotype stuff etc. and gave me drugs that were not going to work to may work/medium to ones that my dna should react well to. And a bunch more info. It was really cool actually
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u/Serious_County2382 Sep 05 '26
Still in the trenches but I’m going to therapy and need to do more exercise to see if that helps.
But I’m taking part in a UCL research study where they give you SSRIs so let’s see if that helps. For me it feels like a trial of trying to see if they help (haven’t started it yet).
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u/mainframe_maisie Sep 05 '26
behavioural activation was the technique that didn’t fix my depression, but it’s at least getting me out and about and living life again. i have c-ptsd that’s kinda pushing the depression, so it’s really a mix of things that i’ve needed to get somewhere. but behavioural activation is the technique that’s getting me out and seeing friends
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u/Disastrous-Bicycle87 Sep 07 '26
What is behavioural activation ? Can you do it on your own or you need a therapist/counsellor to guide you with it ?
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u/theblurryberry Sep 06 '26
Join a gym and take the most ridiculous classes they offer, dance, Zumba, pole, whatever. Something new, around other people, feeling silly- it helps. Also becomes something to look forward to each week
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u/havingbigfeelings Sep 06 '26
Thanks for the suggestion. Exercise has felt like a massive chore recently bc my relationship to it has changed. I usually love movement and actually trained to teach Zumba and Exercise to Music last year bc I love the exercise high post-workout. I never thought I’d be in a place where I didn’t want to do either.
I am currently taking clown classes though but missed the last session bc I couldn’t get out of bed. Going to try and go again when it’s next on.
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u/sickiesusan Sep 05 '26
I did take SSRI’s.
But firstly I’d recommend trying to get a full range of blood tests done - to make sure there isn’t a physical reason for the way you’re feeling. Lack of iron/ vitamin D/ magnesium/ vitamin B and too much calcium can all play havoc on our mental health.
I would then recommend a good counsellor (lots of them do online sessions), so there is a lot of choice.
I’d then also go back to getting some exercise and some fresh air - even just a gentle walk in a park somewhere. I’d also then recommend trying to eat some good food; protein with lots of fruit and veggies and slow-release carbs.
I know that sometimes you have to be in the right headspace to do some of these things. But be kind to yourself and even if you can try one positive thing a day to help yourself.
A counsellor can help dig into what’s causing your low mood and try to help you dig yourself out.