Antidepressant alternatives: Natural drug-free first aid kit for depression and anxiety

The loss of my mother-in-law recently prompted me to relook at depression and anxiety. Certainly there is a difference between temporary grief and chronic depression but the two can feel similar. I took antidepressant Paxil for years and my husband was on Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I gained 100 pounds during the time on the drug and also lost a stillborn child. So those were both obviously depressing but it was more than just that. Paxil (paroxetene) made me disoriented and lethargic.

So I searched out natural antidepressant alternatives. Here's my supplement and herbal first aid kit for depression. Using five simple "ingredients" my husband and I have been able to wean off antidepressants and treat anxiety. It's not a perfect solution but then nothing is--and it's certainly better than where we were. We're actually happier off the happy pill! Here's what you need:

magnesium (preferably powdered effervescent magnesium--we use Mellow Mag by True Goodness)
vitamin B complex with extra B-12
vitamin D
St. John's Wort
Kava Kava (found primarily at health food stores)

We also work to eat healthier and keep refined sugar and processed foods out of the diet. 

How quitting antidepressants healed depression which sparked my weight loss

I've never been what you'd call a confident person. I might give the impression of positive self-image, but it's a mask I where to keep people from seeing how really fragile I am emotionally. But one thing that has boosted my self-esteem is weight loss. I <---lost ----="" 100="" and="" confetti="" dance="" do="" joy="" of="" pause="" pounds="" that="" the="" throw="" to="">

I feel prettier now. Not beautiful--operative suffix pretty-ER. I have also noticed that I have become more self-aware as I gain confidence. I'm more mindful of how I speak and don't babble nervously as much as I used to. Even my writing has improved because I can think more clearly. That's partly due to quitting anti-depressants and switching to herbal, healthier mood management.

St. John's Wort, magnesium, kava kava and B-12 have eased depression so much more than Paxil ever did. And they don't cause weight gain--of which the medical community doesn't warn you--like Paxil and other SSRI. And let me tell you, that IS depressing. So quitting the antidepressant helped me get out of the drug-induced mind fog, see the weight gain clearly so I could lose weight which reduced anxiety, panic attacks and depression which helped me see everything more positively and think more clearly, which helped...you get the idea. It's been a

happy spiral up instead of a vicious cycle down. #winwinwin

'My 600-lb Life' patient blames obesity on poverty, weight loss fail on GoFundMe

As "My 600-lb Life" gears up to explore weight loss successes in season 6, one patient's fail may be just as enlightening and surprise Steven Assanti. It's LaGordis Pellegram who was accepted on "My 600-lb Life" and started a GoFundMe to pay for bariatric surgery costs. Many reality TV [VIDEO] patients like Chad Dean have successfully fundraised to pay for travel costs or skin removal plastic surgery. But this young mom didn't raise a dime. And the reason illustrates the difference between weight loss success and failure.   'My 600-lb Life' patient blames obesity on poverty, weight loss fail on GoFundMe

'My 600-lb Life': Dr. Now dishes up surprising gastric bypass weight-loss diet

Do you ever wonder how TLC's Dr. Younan Nowzaradan gets such dramatic weight-loss results from his gastric bypass patients on "My 600-lb Life"? Thanks to the good doctor, show participants like Chad Dean and Sean Milliken (to name recent ones) have shed hundreds of pounds. The reality television surgeon dished up his famous baratric surgery diet. And what's on the menu might surprise you!   'My 600-lb Life': Dr. Now dishes up surprising gastric bypass weight-loss diet

Literature based movies: Psychology, PTSD, abuse, mental illness, schizophrenia

May is Mental Health Month and important part of understanding mental health is understanding emotional and mental illness. That's what abnormal psychology studies. General psychology explores "normal" or standard development and behavior that works. Abnormal psychology explores behavior that doesn't work--emotional and mental illness, personality disorder, schizophrenia, dysfunctional behavior, addiction, child abuse, past trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  Literature based movies: Psychology, PTSD, abuse, mental illness, schizophrenia | Examiner.com

Mothers Day gifts for women, distinctively different presents to impress | Examiner.com

 Sick of the stereotypical Valentines Day gifts of card, candy and flowers? Want to get your lady something really special? Here are distinctively different Valentines Day presents for women. These are presents to impress her plus win you brownie points for being cultured and creative. First, ditch mainstream stores, Go off the beaten path to local antiques stores, consignment shops, secondhand retailers, even Good Will. Seriously, you'll find distinctive Valentines Day gifts reasonably priced. Valentines Day gifts for women, distinctively different presents to impress | Examiner.com

Relationship glue recipes learned from epic fails for Romance Awareness Month

Going into marriage, most people are ignorant, idealistic and ridiculously romantic. Some stay that way and that's what keeps those relationships strong. That youthful naivete glues relationships and so do these other relationship glue recipes, learned from epic fails, for Romance Awareness Month.   Relationship glue recipes learned from epic fails for Romance Awareness Month | Examiner.com

Texas dad Ronald Jackson jailed for keeping daughter's cellphone to punish her

Texas dad Ronald Jackson was jailed for keeping his daughter's cellphone to punish her. Yahoo News reported Jan. 27 that Texas police arrested the father for theft of his daughter's phone. On first glance, this story reads like a case of state trampling on parental rights. Or it may sound like another example of entitled kids' and their obsession with cellphones. After all, Ronald Jackson was just exercising his fatherly duties disciplining his child, right? But read on because it's a little more complicated.    Texas dad Ronald Jackson jailed for keeping daughter's cellphone to punish her | Examiner.com

Lenten sacrifice, almsgiving, prayer and fasting: Live simply and at peace | Examiner.com

The Catholic penitential season of Lent starts early in 2016, on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10. Through acts of prayer, fasting, meditation, a Catholic seeks to imitate Christ's suffering and passion. Those acts give back, too, in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. They're the deepest Christian expression, but they aren't exclusively Christian. Most major religions have similar elements. No human could really imitate the divine. But it shouldn't prevent trying. Here's how a Catholic family can observe Lenten sacrifice from a world religions perspective.  Lenten sacrifice, almsgiving, prayer and fasting: Live simply and at peace | Examiner.com

Lenten fasting: Give up for Lent, lose weight, illness, debt, depression

Mardi Gras is a Catholic festival season that culminates on Fat Tuesday and takes the faithful into Ash Wednesday and the penitential season of Lent, The commonly known practice is Lenten fasting or choosing something to give up for Lent and it's not just for the Catholic. Everyone, Catholic or not, should quit feasting on Fat Tuesday and pick an addiction to give up for Lent. Don't worry, that's no religious agenda, just common sense. Lenten fasting is healthy for everyone! Give up junk food for Lent and you might lose weight, illness, debt, and depression! You don't have to fast for religious reasons but a spiritual fast can be very healing.   Lenten fasting: Give up for Lent, lose weight, illness, debt, depression | Examiner.com