Natural Antidepressant Without Sexual Side Effects?

Increase calcium intake to 1000-1500mg / day, esp before your period.

Make sure you're getting enough iron and folate / folic acid (Depression is often linked to low levels of folic acid, B vitamins and iron)

Take a complete B vitamin supplement - I take Emergen-C 3x a day. It helps you hydrate, replenishes electrolytes, provides minerals and B vitamins and vitamin C, which is essential for immune health, energy and overall wellness.

Make sure you're getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids. Fish oil is a great source, but there are plant-based sources, too.

Have your hormone levels checked - you may have a thyroid issue.

Get at least 30 min of AEROBIC exercise a day (60 would be better). Studies now are finding that aerobic exercise - within your target heart rate) has the same effect as anti-depressants because it releases endorphins. No matter how tired or unmotivated I am, I never regret the effort. It really helps me to feel much more balanced.

There are so many afflictions that are directly related to what we eat, which makes sense! I take a wonderful vitamin / supplement called Biovaxine that provides everything I mentioned. You can PM me if you want any more info about it.

I would do all of these things before taking any meds for depression. There are so many side effects that it's not worth it to me. Try them for at least a month before determining whether or not they were effective for you.

Good luck!

I believe in education not medication. There are MANY natural things you can do for your body.
1. What is the root of the depression? Is it chemical, physical or emotional?
2. What are you EATING? Triggers?
3. What kind of exercise are you getting? Endorphins help relieve the pressures)
4. What are you doing for you?

My advice is always to take a look at what you are feeding your body. Trust me depression is NEVER a lack of drugs in the body...so then the logical treatment would be to find out the root CAUSE and not band-aid the symptoms.

I blogged on this about teens, but the answer holds true for adults as well.
http://heyyougetreal.com/momblog/teens-and-depression/

Have you ever done a nutritional cleanse? www.SoYouWantToCleanse.com
You might be surprised at the results.

B.
Family Success Coach

If your antidepressant is causing sexual side effects, then switch to one that doesn't. I used to take Paxil and had the same problem. My doctor switched me to Wellbutrin and... voila! No more side effects! It's all an experiment until you get the right combo.

If you're looking to go natural, exercise is very good. I've heard good things about SAMe, and also taking a good quality Omega-3 supplement. I haven't tried either of those, though, because I no longer suffer from depression (Yay!).

Good luck!

Are you doing anything else for the depression such as therapy? I was severely depressed for most of my life. I tried every type of antidepressant and only had severe side effects. So, I decided to get off all the meds and I took charge of my own healing. I was fortunate enough to be in the middle of my graduate program for psychology and had a couple of really great classes that helped support a couple of ideas I already had about depression.

One, I discovered a direct link between suppressed anger and depression. So, I started "anger journaling." I gave myself permission to feel all the anger I had stuffed deep in my body and started pouring all the toxic anger onto paper.

Two, I started working with different therapy modalities that supported me becoming aware of my unconcious, irrational core beliefs. I began to discover all the "I'm not good enough" and "I'm not worthy" beliefs and thoughts that I had and I began to question them. I also began to question all the limiting and lack-based belief systems as well.

Third, I learned all I could about boundaries and self-care. I had been very co-dependant in all my relationships. I was never allowed boundaries as a child (thus the resevoir of anger deep in my body) and I came to understand how damaging that was. As I began to use the tools of saying no, retreats, "mommy time", etc, I began to find myself and to heal.

I am thrilled to say that I no longer suffer from depression. I have down days like everyone else, however, they are nothing like the "walking in mud up to my chin" life that I used to have.

Antidepressants can be of use short-term. However, antidepressants are not a cure. They do not get at the root of the issue. Depression may be a chemical imbalance in the brain, however, that chemical imbalance was created by irrational negative belief systems. There are other resources available that can actually cure depression and that do not have any negative physical side effects.

If you are experiencing mild to moderate depression, regular vigorous exercise works as well or even better than most medication (read "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" by John J. Ratey and Eric Hagerman). There have been several scientific studies that have shown this to be true.

If you are experiencing severe depression, I would suggest working with your doctor to adjust or change your medication.

No matter the level of depression you are experiencing, counseling or coaching should be part of your treatment.

Unfortunately, that is a side effect to most anti-deppresents out there ;()( or perhaps that is a fortunate thing for some-lol! However, I have heard of b12 helping with depression which is more of a natural approach I guess.

Exercise and sunlight?

I understand your fustration since my fiancee too takes antidepressants and he does not have much desire for sex. The doctor told him to start taking a second medicine welbutrin which is supposed to help with the above mentioned issue. Stay on your medicines and may be try exercising also and see if it helps. Good luck

Why on earth wouldnt a doctor be willing to help you to try and find something more natural? Maybe its just my doctor but I know its a fight to geta prescription of any kind out of her. She much prefers to try all available options before putting me on meds. Sorry you are going thru this and I hope all works out
Good Luck
PS I second the vitamin B12

You could try St. John's Wort but talk to your doctor before stopping your prescribed antidepressant and starting an herbal.

Any and all bananas, as much as you can stand. Same goes for apples.

Slow release Niacin

St John's Wort