DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! We do not employ doctors or licensed medical professionals, so we do not provide medical advice. Nothing presented here is a substitute for the advice of a DOCTOR or other licensed health care provider. Never stop, start or add medications or supplements to your health or mental health care regime without first checking for interactions or other problems, and thoroughly researching the substance. Before you employ any information here, consult your health care professional. No information here is the result of valid clinical trials.

How To Deal with Depression
– Without Using Drugs

Depression treatment - lifestyle

Please spend some time working through it and - if you can - discussing possibilities with someone supportive: friend, family, counsellor, colleague, cat, dog.

Before you tick the NEVER box, think carefully whether that could be a MAYBE. Or even a YES. I know depression causes so many mental and physical problems. I know because I have lived through it. But I also know that choosing just ONE of these and giving it a chance will give your brain something new to focus on.

These are in no particular order.

All my life, I thought I could not paint, people laughed at my sense of colour, "Are you colour blind??!!" Invited to a group painting session, I loved it and went again and again because the right teacher always "makes anybody feel like a somebody".
I don't like dogs. I dislike them for so many reasons, someone (me!) should really have said "Don't marry her! She likes dogs. You will never survive." I didn't. So, don't try things you know, deep down, will not work.
Finally, don't beat yourself up about the things that you'd like to do but know you realistically can't. Just tick the right box and move on.

This works. Give it a try.
Just try one new thing. See what happens.


THINGS TO TRY (Add anything else you think of)	NEVER!! (Sure??)	MAYBE (Try one!)	YES!! (Tried this!)	Successful 1-10 (How well did it work?)
Work to develop friendships	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Work to improve family relationships	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Join a club	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Do regular physical activity	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Do daily mental activity	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Follow your religion	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Be kind to yourself	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Be generous to yourself	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Monitor your health	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Be actively kind to others	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Spend time in nature	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Socialise with colleagues	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Keep learning new skills and knowledge	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Focus on other people's happiness	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Volunteer	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Marry / Commit to a relationship	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Don't actively seek happiness	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Be generous to others	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Set yourself manageable goals	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Enjoy everything	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Get regular and enough sleep	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Set up a regular savings plan	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Stop feeling guilty or to blame	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Accept yourself as you are	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Seek challenges	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Make sure you have safe surroundings	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Laugh as often as you can	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Get good health insurance	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Seek a purpose in life	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Keep a list of things you are grateful for	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Optimise your bedroom for sleep	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Seek a way of life that fits you	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Avoid long commutes	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Keep out of debt	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Seek a job that fits you	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Train to have a positive attitude	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Recognise your strengths	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Painting by Numbers	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Painting Pebbles	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Invest in experiences	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Opt for a house that fits you	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Keep a positive experiences journal	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Take holidays that you really enjoy	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Choose to live near family	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Find at least one happy new friend	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Get a garden or work in someone else's	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Live in an environment of trust	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Develop skills for happiness	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Read books	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Invest in durables and savings	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Limit your work hours	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Develop social media skills	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Develop face-to-face social skills	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Join a public speaking club	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Live in a "bubble" day-to-day	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Eat healthy	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Get a pet	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Join a walking group	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Develop arts appreciation	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Take a painting course	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Take up meditation	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Create a "meditation" space	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Monitor your happiness	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Take professional advice on lifestyle	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Monitor your health	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Write your mission statement / mantra	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Give money regularly to charity	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Get plenty of sunlight	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Get fresh air and a short walk every day	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Become known in a gym or coffee bar	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Go to church regularly	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Practise yoga	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Go swimming	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Spend time in a sauna or steam room	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Spend time with children	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
De-clutter	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Go self-employed	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Become a vegetarian	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Become a vegan	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Don't monitor the news	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Own your own home	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Move out of the city	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Remove negative people from your circle	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Recognise the value of your free time	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Make your own food	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Work part-time or flexibly	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Drink lots and lots of water	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Take control of your medication	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Limit how much you watch TV	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Take responsibility for your own happiness	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Spend a careful amount of time with screens	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Get an anthem, something that works for you, play it non-stop	Never	Maybe	Yes	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CHW FAQ and Key Definitions

These are simple questions, mostly with short answers. The key words will help you search the “CHW Files” list for documents giving more detail. Use the “Search” box on the CHW FB page to see what others have said about (key word) and see what they have experienced.

CHW Tapering Off Multiple Drugs

There are three schools of thought on tapering multiple drugs: 1) Taper one drug at a time in order to connect decreases to withdrawal symptoms.2) Taper all at once – very slowly 3) The stair-step method, where one drug is slow tapered for awhile, and then tapering that drug is stopped before tapering the next drug begins.

CHW Reinstatement Guidelines

There is only a 2 (possibly 3) week reinstatement window where it is (somewhat) safe to go back onto the drug to try to reverse the withdrawal, but only if other drugs have not been added and the person did not alternate days more than 2 (possibly 3) weeks. After that window passes, the person is left to deal with whatever comes their way. There is no known “cure” for protracted withdrawal once it settles in. It just takes time to resolve on its own.

CHW Bipolar Alternatives to Drugs

Bipolar is purely subjective. Many times the bipolar diagnoses is really side effects from prescription or street drugs and alcohol, and/or problems with blood sugar regulation and nutrient absorption. Not saying that people aren’t truly suffering but the way to heal is not with powerful, toxic pharmaceutical drugs.

CHW Managing Withdrawal Symptoms

Natural and over-the-counter methods for managing many different withdrawal symptoms.

Avoid These Foods and Supplements

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! We do not employ doctors or licensed medical professionals, so we do not provide medical advice. Nothing presented here is a substitute for the advice of a DOCTOR or other licensed health care provider.…

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How To Deal with Depression – Without Using Drugs