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Thread: Alternatives to depressants

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    WWW Alternatives to depressants

    Not exotic dancing...

    i casually mentioned to my old dance teacher that once i finish college,i would love to open maybe a dance studio or some type of private practice offering dance sessions to clients. I suffer from manic depression & I remember when I was on the verge of suicide dancing really got me back together.I do understand meds work for some,but for ME I hate them! So what do you think? Would you do something like this? No they wouldn't need to know how to dance and it would be more than just saying lets go dance but...you get the point. Lol.



    I'll be be majoring in psychology,hoping to become a psychologist. Was also interested in psychNP,but changed my mind.

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    Featured Member luvnrockets's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    I'm sorry, but research has shown that bipolar disorder is not really managed well without meds. Figuring out the right combo is a sucky long ass process for some, but any other therapy should be in addition to medication for bipolar disorder...Maybe you yourself are fine, and it's ultimately your decision to be on or off meds, but I don't think it's ethical to advertise dancing as an *alternative* to medication.

    I wouldn't call these meds "depressants" though; they are typically referred to as mood stabilizers.
    Last edited by luvnrockets; 02-08-2016 at 08:35 PM.
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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    This may not work for you but I will tell you my personal experience....

    I have anxiety like a MF, always had since a child...I've been on SSRIs and benzos and like you, I'm not too fond of them. SSRIs fuck you up in the head if you forget a dose- lord knows I have the worst memory and it just makes me feel funny. Benzos just knock me out and make me not want to do anything. For years, I've been searching for an alternative.

    I found that diet and excersize helped some. You're already physically active so are you eating OK? More water for sure helps. If you look it up, water is vital for mental health. I personally drink nothing but water and tea with no sugar. (And alcohol but thats a diff story) Cut back on salt, sugar and processed foods. Eat cleaner.

    I tried many supplements as well that claim to treat such conditions- such as B vitamins, St Johns Wort, 5HTP blah, blah, blah- didn't really do much for me but maybe you should try, it may work for you. But what DID work WONDERS for me is Mucuna Pruriens and L- Tyrosine. I highly recommend the L- Tyrosine. Mucuna Pruriens works for me in higher dosage. I originally started taking them for working out, it improve muscles or something but it also helps with brain health- look it up! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE look into L- Tyrosine!! It fucking works. L- Tyrosine is a dopamine supplement...and we all know our dopamine levels are fucked up because we have anxiety and depression. Look it up!!

    Meditation. It took me awhile but nothing is more amazing than a quieter mind. Also sound therapy...binaural beats, monaural beats and
    isochronic tones....Listen to music that has 432 hz. Check out You Tube to find the right one for you. Some of them sound like horrid noise and some of them clicks for you. Everyone is different- I would post my favorite binaural beats but it may not work for you. Check them out. I believe in sound and music therapy because it effects the brain activity. Did you notice a certain song would make you feel good or cry? Here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnWLnt5lsBE

    Another treatment that I ran into accidentally is Modafinil. I suffer from chronic fatigue and a member of this site who I am extremely thankful for suggested this to me. Modafinil is a stimulant that is similar to adderal but waaay waaayyy better. You don't get the jitters on this stuff at all it just simply keeps you alert. You don't feel like you're on anything at all- you are just sharper. I took this to be more productive but then I noticed it relieved a lot of my anxiety symptoms. So I did more research on the medication and sure enough, theres some evidence that it could treat anxiety and depression. Look up Modafinil and read up on it. If you are curious, you can PM me about where to get some for cheap. (They are pretty expensive on the market)

    And here is the best for last. My personal favorite. RALPH SMART!!!! After years of phycologist that I felt was just "doing their job" years of fucking therapy- this man has changed my life!!!! He is a life coach and a phycologist his self. Out of all the motivational speakers I have watched online, this man is the best. He will capture your heart, he is full of life, you can see his amazing energy, he will make you feel good..every single one of his videos are very insightful and go beyond the title of the video. I love this man with all my heart and I mean it. Here is his You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjt...k6A6f_CiY2ZOlQ

    Here is a list of vids I think would speak to you personally with your particular situation:https://www.youtube.com/user/Kemetpr...ession+anxiety

    GOOD LUCK BABE

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    I just realized how long my reply was, sorry! To cut to the chase, I hope you at least try the last suggestion and L- Tyrosine...

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Bipolar disorder is very, very different than anxiety and quite different than unipolar depression. Those things JoJoX mentioned are options to try for anxiety or depression, but don't really address the mania issue.

    I hate when people lump "mental illness" into this one category. Anxiety to bipolar disorder is apples to oranges.

    Additionally, I'd argue that modafinil is probably not a good idea for someone with bipolar disorder. These people frequently lack sleep as a result of manic episodes, so a drug to help them stay awake can be counterproductive.

    By the way, modafinil is not a stimulant. It works on the caudate nucleus of the brain which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
    Last edited by luvnrockets; 02-08-2016 at 09:31 PM.
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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by JoJoX View Post
    I just realized how long my reply was, sorry! To cut to the chase, I hope you at least try the last suggestion and L- Tyrosine...


    I don't mind! Lol I appreciate all of that.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by dancingdiva1 View Post
    Hi Jojox - do you know where to buy modafinil online?
    You need a prescription to buy them legally (at least in the US).
    "Do you do tech support in exclusive?"

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Regarding purchasing modafinil; for a long time, Americans bought it in Mexico and carried it north the border, however, now it is a little bit more complicated, a prescription is required for purchasing it (this prescription would be kept by the pharmacist), and a second prescription for crossing the border with it. So Mexico is not an option anymore.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by luvnrockets View Post
    Bipolar disorder is very, very different than anxiety and quite different than unipolar depression. Those things JoJoX mentioned are options to try for anxiety or depression, but don't really address the mania issue.

    I hate when people lump "mental illness" into this one category. Anxiety to bipolar disorder is apples to oranges.

    Additionally, I'd argue that modafinil is probably not a good idea for someone with bipolar disorder. These people frequently lack sleep as a result of manic episodes, so a drug to help them stay awake can be counterproductive.

    By the way, modafinil is not a stimulant. It works on the caudate nucleus of the brain which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
    I'm sorry but where did she say anything about Bi-Polar? Maybe I missed something.....

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by dancingdiva1 View Post
    Hi Jojox - do you know where to buy modafinil online?
    I will PM you.

    edit- I havent been here in forever, how do you message someone?

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by JoJoX View Post
    I'm sorry but where did she say anything about Bi-Polar? Maybe I missed something.....
    Manic depression is another name for bipolar disorder, although the former has begun to fall out of use.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by JoJoX View Post
    I will PM you.

    edit- I havent been here in forever, how do you message someone?



    You should be able to click the profile to the left and click send message.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Why not talk to a doctor?

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by slowpoke View Post
    Why not talk to a doctor?
    Last I checked, a prescription for modafinil for psych purposes is considered to be off-label. A psychiatrist would probably never prescribe it for bipolar disorder, especially if the person in question is not already on a mood stabilizer. If she wanted modafinil for another purpose, she'd have to demonstrate some sleep issue. Even then, it's expensive as hell and insurance tends to kick it back. No wonder people love buying it illegally.
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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Do they no longer use lithium carbonate for manic depressive/bipolar disorder?

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by slowpoke View Post
    Do they no longer use lithium carbonate for manic depressive/bipolar disorder?
    It is still used, but decreasingly so because it puts a lot of pressure on the kidneys and you need regular blood tests. Newer antipsychotic meds are frequently prescribed instead, such as Haldol, Seroquel, and Latuda.
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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by slowpoke View Post
    Do they no longer use lithium carbonate for manic depressive/bipolar disorder?
    They do in the UK, probably in USA too. I take it for mood stabilisation for my psychotic depression. But OP says she doesn't want to take meds.
    Imo I haven't faced any particularly bad side effects from lithium. Maybe it's a bit harder to lose weight? It's well worth it for me. I'm not entirely pro meds myself, I'd love to get off the antipsychotics I also take, but maybe it's worth reconsidering?
    Last edited by pinkpvc; 02-10-2016 at 04:11 PM.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by slowpoke View Post
    Why not talk to a doctor?


    Doesn't work for...ME.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    I've found exercise to be very helpful mentally.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by eagle2 View Post
    I've found exercise to be very helpful mentally.
    For bipolar disorder?
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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    I agree with luvnrockets; modafinil is used under very specific situations on a patient with bipolar disorder; lithium is still the golden standard, however it is problematic because its serum contcentrations fluctuate easly (excersise, hot weather and even eating salty food can produce variations) and therefore, its use require blood tests, in the other hand, a minimal kidney disfunction can be catastrophic.

    In the other hand, antipsychotics are much easier to use, particularly aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, lurasidone and asenapine, however, all of them have some very problematic side effects: mainly weight gain and somnolence.

    I think it is not uncommon that bipolar patients usually prefer to have mild symptoms of mania rather than euthymic (normal mood), and I fully understand it, who does not want to be a little bit too happy all the time, unfortunately, it can have some serious consequences because patient may not notice their mood is going out of control until something really bad happens.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by samanthamx View Post
    I agree with luvnrockets; modafinil is used under very specific situations on a patient with bipolar disorder; lithium is still the golden standard, however it is problematic because its serum contcentrations fluctuate easly (excersise, hot weather and even eating salty food can produce variations) and therefore, its use require blood tests, in the other hand, a minimal kidney disfunction can be catastrophic.

    In the other hand, antipsychotics are much easier to use, particularly aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, lurasidone and asenapine, however, all of them have some very problematic side effects: mainly weight gain and somnolence.
    on
    I think it is not uncommon that bipolar patients usually prefer to have mild symptoms of mania rather than euthymic (normal mood), and I fully understand it, who does not want to be a little bit too happy all the time, unfortunately, it can have some serious consequences because patient may not notice their mood is going out of control until something really bad happens.
    I heard about a guy who was suffering from renal failure, and the docs wanted to say he didn't have capacity to make medical decisions because he wanted to stay on lithium, which had controlled his bipolar disorder for his entire life. Guy was in his 50s; psych came in and said that it's a quality of life issue: if he wants to live a shorter life and let his kidneys die, but not return to his days without lithium, he has every right to make that decision for himself.

    But someone in their 20s trying to find the right med combo? Most psychs, especially younger ones, wouldn't give them lithium first.

    It's sad, but yeah, unfortunately people with controlled, medicated bipolar disorder tend to lean towards the depression side rather than the mania side. Bipolar disorder is so hard to manage because for a large chunk of time, the person is actually in the "normal" range.

    Nothing is perfect.
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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Quote Originally Posted by luvnrockets View Post
    For bipolar disorder?
    Just in general.

    I have a friend who is bipolar. She does running and yoga. She also does meditation.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Exercise was a big part of my recovery. Went from barely being able to walk to the mailbox to doing ten miles a day on the elliptical.

    Lithium helped, too.

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    Default Re: Alternatives to depressants

    Although I suffer from multiple mental illnesses, I don't have bipolar disorder nor do I have professional training in psychology, so I don't feel qualified to give an opinion on that. But I'm really happy for you that you're still here with us and sharing your story, and that you were able to find some agency and healing through dancing.

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