What Can Be Done About Clinical Depression If Antidepressants Don't Work?

Electroshock Therapy has been used for many years for stubborn cases. There are many new antidepressant drugs. keep trying, they may get it right, it just takes awhile. I have had the shock treatments, which worked to some degree. Keep an open mind and continue working with your doctors, and give the drugs some time to work. I hope you get this under control, Blessings and Good things are wished for you.

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Moving your body everyday, eating right (lot's of raw fruits and veggies), staying away from alcohol, keeping your body hydrated (FYI prescription drugs dehydrate you and also makes your body acidic), meditation, and giving to others. It's about changing your lifestyle and outlook on life. All these things may sound simple, but they're very hard to do. Trust me on this, I have been depressed most of my life. I never wanted to take drugs, so I found another way. I still have my moments, but you deal with those hard times, and it gets easier each time. Oh, also read a book called Conversations With God. There are Books 1-3. These books changed my life.

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A therapist who is effective in treating depression is essential.  To learn how to treat this takes as much training as heart surgery.  That doesn't mean that ineffective therapists will refrain from offering treatment.  If treatment isn't working, perhaps a change in therapists is in order.
There are different types of antidepressants.  They don't all do the same thing and not everyone needs the same thing.  It might take some time to get it right.  Antidepressants are only a very small aspect of treatment for depression.  It is unlikely they ever work if they are the only treatment.  Most depressed people need pretty regular help from someone else to get started on the road to recovery.  A healthful diet, regular exercise, and psyhcotherapy are essential.  A sunny day now and then helps a great deal.  There also needs to be a remedy for out of balance brain chemicals (this is where antidepressants come in).  There are a number of other ways to attempt to adjust brain chemicals including the various shock therapys.
I just made that up from things I've heard & read over the years but it seems right.

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Some people find relief using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). This site has a wealth of information and links to practitioners, many of whom will work with you over the telephone. It can work much better than conventional therapies because it aims to get to the root of the problem. No drugs are involved. www.emofree.com Thankswing is correct: diet can have a lot to do with it. I would add sugar and corn syrup to the list of things to avoid. I've found that my body likes organic fruits and vegetables much better than those that are "conventionally grown"--and they taste better, too.

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Dozens of studies have shown that:
Exercise and Meditation are just as effective as antidepressants.
The worst thing that can happen when you take antidepressants is that they work! Because now you can become dependent on them to solve your problems.
The withdrawal symptoms can be nasty. [PICTURE: VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE]

Serotonin is known as “The Molecule of Happiness”, and “The Wonder Drug.” Serotonin regulates your thoughts, mood, behavior, sleep, and appetite.
 
Low levels of serotonin in the brain can cause depression, aggressive behavior, bipolar, impulsiveness, addictions, and sleep disorders. 
 Serotonin comes from an ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID called L-Tryptophan. L-tryptophan is an ESSENTIAL amino acid because it *cannot* be produced by your body. You must obtain it from your diet. Some foods that contain L-Tryptophan are milk, turkey, poultry, bananas, eggs, and salmon. Vitamin B is also essential in the conversion of L-Tryptophan to serotonin.
“Mother Nature knows best.” ♥ Ya girlfriend & I hope this helps!!!♥NASSY
 

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I think that it will vary from person to person, but I know that when I was on Zoloft, it did not help me at all.  It made me much worse, it made me angry and suicidal - I was very young, though. 

So I got off of it, and I got a new job and I started running.  And things got better.  I left people who were negative influences, and I started to treat myself better. 

Does doing things like this cure it?  No.  I still have bad days, and meltdowns.  But for the day to day, eating healthier, having something or someone to look forward to, and exercise can really help.

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This may or may not help but what the heck.   I was diagnosed with "Major Depression" about 7 years ago and it has taken all that time to, finally, find the right combination of medications to do the trick. Many just didn't help others had bad side effects.
 
My depression was not occasional or even once or twice a week---it was with me all the time.  The faith I had in my psychiatrist kept me from giving up.  The last medication added to my coctail was a godsend.  Even if it did take me 3 1/2 years to get my health carrier to agree to ok it. 
 
Diet and exercise are certainly good for you but, if you are like me I had no desire or interest to do anything.  Sleeping and eating were my activities.  Taking part of life just had no meaning.  I wanted out but all I managed to do was join the "disabled" community. 
 
Now, I have the desire and motivation to live life.---Now, I can get myself on the 'walking' track for exercise. Now,, I can concentrate enough to read a book....I haven't been able to do that for the last 15 years. 
 
For me, those group talk sessions are a joke.   I had no interest in anything let alone talking to strangers about how I felt. I couldn't talk to anyone in my family because because they think depression is a lot of bunk.
 
OK,  I've rambled on enough.  Give the meds another shot, have patience.  One more thing, my shrink prescribed amphetimes to get me moving-------but, no effect.  I might as well have been taking baby asprin.  So I do know what it'll like to not respond to a med. 
 
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

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