Has anyone here treated severe depression with diet?
My hubbie has been diagnosed with severe depression. He is going to be put on medication and is starting therapy. I’ve been doing a lot of reading about the link between diet and mental health. Has anyone treated their depression with diet? Can you direct me to books or websites?
I want to help him as much as possible. I’m vegan – hence my screen name – but he is not so that’s not an issue.
Thanks!
He is definitely going to therapy and will take the medication they give him. I would like to think that meds are a quick temporary fix to help with healing. I would hate to think that he will have to take them for the rest of his life. I think that a lot of people are over medicated and that we should try not to be so dependent on medication. I’m sure that’s easy for me to say since I don’t have to take any. I’m not trying to be flip – I’m just trying to find a healthy non-medicated way of balancing him.
alicatsam – I’m glad you are feeling better now. I’ve read that fruits, nuts, fish and green leafy veggies are the key. That sounds like what you are doing. I’m glad to hear you are no longer taking meds!
Gives me hope that my hubbie will be able to get a handle on this without having to be dependent on meds forever.
DeMerick C – I didn’t know that going off anti-depressants will make it harder for them to work if he goes back on! I still have a lot to learn. I’m not against medication. I think it’s completely necessary. I’m not opposed to him taking them for life if that’s what’s needed. I just worry about so many people being over medicated.
Thank you for your answer! I have so much to learn. He was just diagnosed this morning.
Diet can definitely impact how bad or good we feel. If you’re the primary cook, creating meals that are healthy, low fat and high in vitamins such as B6 can augment his therapy. Fish is good for Omega 3 and drinking water keeps a person hydrated and provides energy.
Some people are able to end a course of antidepressants, but many do require them for life. Your husband may start feeling better and since you feel that the antidepressants should only be temporary, stop taking them. This can bring back the depression and make it harder for the antidepressants to work when he starts taking them again. Be aware that helping him may require that you alter your opinion on the antidepressants. Medications saved my life and they may do the same for him.
It wont work. Depression is a thing that someone is born with. Even though your husband was not diagonosed of it until now, he has always had it. Now that it is apparent, the doctors shall give him drugs to change the way his mind thinks about certain things and everything will be kittens and rainbows again.
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The only thing that has helped me is to cut out sugar and to cut down on caffeine, to make sure that I eat regular meals, and not to eat heavy food late at night. Lack of sleep, or too much sleep, not enough energy, are problems with depression, and I found that I wasn’t doing the obvious because I wasn’t motivated.
Wishing him all the best.
edited to add–meds and talk therapy first
References :