“I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.” 

~ Robin Williams

How to Overcome Depression Without Medication, is not going to happen without starting with first things first.

What’s that? What is the first thing?

It is taking responsibility for all your choices. You and I have choices, which we make everyday. 

There are situations in our lives that we have no control over. We do not choose them; they seem to choose us. However, what we do have control over is our choice of response to those situations.

I do understand that making some choices are very difficult because of a variety of reasons. But, at the end of the day, we still make choices.

I’m saddened by the death of a beloved comedian and incredible actor, Robin Williams who died by suicide. The reports are that he has battled depression for a very long time. 

I’m not sure what efforts were made to address these depressive bouts. I would think that he availed himself to resources that specializes in treating these conditions.

As a therapist, I’ve seen scores of people who battle this condition. It is horrible. I’ve felt the pain in my heart as I listen to stories after stories from depressed clients. It’s heart wrenching. My heart goes out to clients who want to get past this mental handicap, but can’t muster the strength to do so.

Some people have to deal with other maladies on top of their depression or as a result of their depression. 

One of the most difficult conditions is the diagnosis of bipolarity. A patient who has this mental condition, has mood swings of highs and lows. Some have extreme highs and extreme lows. It’s at the extreme low point, the alarm bells go off. This can be a danger spot.

There are medication available for both conditions – the depression and the bipolar condition.

Some clients do not want to take meds. They see meds as something negative. For some, it is a form of weakness or admittance that they are mentally sick. They may not have a problem admitting to physical sickness, but do so for mental “sickness.”

I encourage my clients to see a specialist who can help to determine if they need medication. I am not against meds. I take meds for physical and biological reasons. Do they have side effects? Yes. And so does the food we eat and the liquids we consume. It’s very difficult to consume anything without some side effects.

Having said all of that, I want to point out some flaws with the statement of the late Robin Williams. It sounds good and I do think many are posting and reposting it all over the internet; understandable so.

Here is the conclusion he (Robin Williams) came to: “… people make you feel alone.” 

Here is my problem with that; it’s blaming people for the way I feel.

 

I am the one who create a narrative around what people do, hence my feelings.

Take Responsibility For Your Feelings:

I know this might be difficult to hear. However, it is the truth. We create our story around events. Yes, people may be jerks and insensitive and mean and … but I can choose to story their behavior in a way that guards me from them”. 

Secondly, every person in the world is not that way. We can make new friends who are totally the opposite. We cannot use a handful of people and make a generalized conclusion that all people are jerks and mean and insensitive and …

We can therefore choose to find other people to surround ourselves with. We can choose a more helpful story to tell ourselves. It’s a choice thing.

Here is one of the most potent antidote for feelings of depression … GRATITUDE. Yes I said it. Be thankful. I find that many people who find themselves dealing with depression, are not grateful. 

Let me hasten to exclude severe cases of depression as noted above where there are other more complicated mental conditions. I want to be clear on that. These severe cases are the minority among the majority of depressive cases that exists.

Second thing to combat depression is be active. Find an activity to be involved in.

I know this might be the last thing a depressive person wants to do, but it must be included in your daily regimen. See it as not wanting to drink water but you do because of the importance of it.

Thirdly, surround yourself with positive people, music and talk programs.

Listen to a strong dosage of uplifting messages by people who you can trust. 

Fourthly, see a professional Therapist and get some help.

Carefully choose one that is high on the side of empathy and who understands depression. I would add, and this might be controversial, but I’ll say it: choose a Christian therapist.

Why a Christian Therapist?

He or she can pray with you and invoke the power of God to help you. This is a serious condition that needs divine help. I make no apologies for saying so. I know it works. I’ve seen it work.

Fifthly … pray.

Make sure you are in touch with your Maker. He knows all about this condition. I believe Jesus felt the anguish of depression before he was crucified. He made this statement: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!”

How much deeper can one get. He felt lonely. He felt like everyone had abandoned him … even his Father. However, he pivoted by remembering the words he spoke earlier, “not my will but your’s be done.”

Here is the summary of the five ways to combat depression:

1. Take responsibility for your feelings
2. Find an activity to be involved in
3. Surround yourself with positivity
4. Get professional help
5. Pray

Would you add any other ways to combat depression to this list? I would love to hear your thoughts on the list or on this article. Leave your comments below.