I Tried Literally Everything for Depression and This is What Worked

Tldr; for me, the secret to healing is a holistic approach.

In an attempt to dig myself out of the deepest depression of my life, I tried quite literally everything, from traditional western medicine to extremely nontraditional witchy shit.

I’ve included a snapshot of my favorite modalities below. Over the coming weeks, I’ll take a deeper dive into the ones that helped me the most! Bookmark this page and keep an eye out for more info that I’ll be linking below.

Yoga

I know “Have you tried yoga?” can sound like condescending advice to someone in the depths of depression, but hear me out. The meditative aspects of yoga encourage a profound connection between mind and body, alleviating stress and anxiety. Research has consistently shown that regular practice can reduce symptoms of depression and improve overall mental resilience. No, one yoga class is not going to change your life, but if you incorporate this practice into your regular routine, it will help tremendously.

Therapy

Therapy is a pretty broad term. Some people dabble (typically dipping a toe in with traditional talk therapy or CBT) and are turned off due to an experience with one therapist. Finding the right therapist (and the right type of therapy) is crucial to a positive experience. There are truly SO MANY different types, and luckily, I’ve tried like all of them and am planning to share specifics on my favorites over the coming weeks. Modalities such as polyvagal theory, Internal Family Systems, and somatic psychology have been most helpful to me.

Psychiatry

The landscape of psychiatry is evolving beyond traditional pharmacological interventions. I definitely believe in medicine, but I didn’t want to just numb myself out, so I sought out a holistic psychiatrist who wouldn’t just throw pills at me. Before even touching her prescription pad, she did a full diagnostic analysis complete with bloodwork to identify any nutritional deficiencies.

Psychedelics

In recent years, a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics has captured the attention of both researchers and mental health practitioners. Substances like psilocybin, found in certain mushrooms, MDMA, and ketamine have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These substances are not seen as mere intoxicants but rather as tools that, when used in controlled and supervised settings, can catalyze transformative psychological experiences. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is offering a new paradigm in mental health treatment, facilitating introspection, and often leading to breakthroughs in understanding and healing. I’m on Spravato and it’s been incredibly transformative for me.