When is it time to stop treating a prolonged low mood naturally?

Definitely not my field of expertise, but I question why there’s no mention of treating the person’s thoughts.

Great question. To answer it for myself,.. I would have to say I’m not sure. But I’ll take the time now to develop a company policy. :) Ok here goes..

I believe both depression and happiness are often in large part lifestyle-driven conditions where the individual has mostly trained their bodies and minds to be “good at” one or the other. I believe that from one condition, you can switch your lifestyle and begin training to become good at the other.

Given that, I would say meds should only be used when a person is so far gone down the path of depression and despair that they are lacking the ability to begin the mental and physical training required to reverse their condition.

Could only take their opinion for it I guess. :( But if it doesn’t seem quite that urgent, I would try being an encouraging, information sharing, opportunity-providing friend first.

Tough question….I would say if and when they are consistently falling short of meeting their daily tasks would be time for professional/medical intervention. Either that or it’s time for a change of scenery and daily tasks.

Life is too short to spend the majority of it miserable. Even if daily responsibilities are being met, if every day feels like hell… what is the point? It may take me a while to realize when someone is in this position, but as soon as I do, it’s time for a talk. Speaking as someone with personal experience, life is so much better on the other side of depression. Treat it, whatever it takes.

Dunno really.

But a low mood for a long period of time cannot be a good thing. Tried some counseling ?

Sorry for you.

It’s such a matter of personal preference. I have extremely low periods in my life but have never gone on anti-depressives. For some foolish reason, that is a matter of pride to me. However, I would never be critical of anyone who is on meds. If you are talking about a close friend or yourself, it never hurts to suggest it, but I would not try to force it on anyone.

Go to a sunny place, go out and take a walk. Running helps too.
Some fresh air and sunshine can do stuff that no meds or counselling can.

If they are doing everything they can on their own, and it’s not getting better, then it’s time to bring up the idea that depression can be a biologically based illness that can’t always be managed by lifestyle changes.

@BarnacleBill This is the very problem. They exercise daily, interact with friends, go for walks, eat healthily – pretty much what I stated in the description. This is not for the lack of trying very hard to manage this. Thank you all for the replies.

I guess it would depend on the person and what they want to do to solve said issue. Some may never want to deal with doctors and meds, while with other people might want to give it a shot after a while. I guess it just depends on the person really.

Do Access Consciousness work.

It works on a totally different level to erase the programs that run circles round your head…to re-program your thinking…without drugs. Very successful and extremely easy to do. Find a practitioner in your area.

I was one that always went the homeopathic route for everything. I never believed in modern medicine. But when my liquid Valerian Root and St Johns Wort didn’t help my moods, I sought out help a few months later. Which I am glad I did. Depression is really not something to mess with. I would say if its been going on longer than 2 months to seek some help.

I agree that medication should be the last resort. I, too, have bouts with low moods and what helps me is to do something out of the ordinary; outside the normal routine. Going somewhere new or somewhere loud and full of people will jolt me out of my own misery. Strange as it sounds, even talking to the elderly has a positive effect. Sort of a reminder.

A saliva hormone test might be in order for this person, and it would certainly be advisable before you start medicating with prescription drugs. I know many people who insist that a blood drawn hormone test is better than a saliva hormone test, but the truth is that both kinds of tests have advantages and disadvantages. Here’s one link. http://www.hormonesalivatest.org/

Low levels of D or B can also cause depression (and B-12 either needs to be administered with a shot or sublingually).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) might be a cause.

A sleep disorder can also cause depression. I’d look into each of these things, (and there may be other causes as well).