Update: The winners for this giveaway have been chosen. They are: Marsha Law and Talya Price.
I experienced my first bout of depression at twelve years old, and by seventeen I so frequently felt despondent that my boyfriend questioned if I could go one day without crying. I could not.
My life became a series of self-destructive habits, from binging and purging, to drinking, to cutting myself—the first two to numb my feelings, and the last to feel something, a pain of my own choosing, which somehow felt like relief.
In my senior year of high school, I was prescribed medication—and then another, and another, and another after that.
At one point, I took seven different daily pills, some to offset the side effects of others. Sure, I didn’t feel as depressed, but that’s because I rarely felt anything. I now had bulimia in pill form, because quite frequently, I was numb.
I may have been treating the symptoms, but I wasn’t addressing the root cause—at least not effectively. I was in therapy, but I believed my depression was chemical, and that there was no hope of relief without antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and tranquilizers.
It certainly didn’t help that someone in my life (whose actions likely contributed to my depression) would frequently say, “What’s wrong? Forget your meds?” whenever I expressed healthy, normal emotions in response to mistreatment.
But that was my lesson to learn—that it was okay to feel my feelings, and if I did, I could learn from them what really caused my depression.
While I still experience sadness from time to time, as we all do, I have been medication-free for over seven years, and I have a number of tools—including meditation, deep breathing, and physical exercise—that help me stay relatively balanced and emotionally healthy.
I know that everyone’s experience is different, and I also believe medication can serve a purpose in treating mental illness. Please know that I am not suggesting that no one should be on medication, and that anyone who is should stop taking it cold turkey.
But I believe we are vastly overmedicated, on the whole, and often at the expense of treating the underlying issues that lead to depression.
And I believe this is because it’s most profitable to treat depression in pill form, and to convince people they have a chemical imbalance that will need lifelong pharmaceutical treatment.
But there are other options—and one pioneer in the field, Jonathan Robinson, has dedicated his career to helping people learn to utilize them.
In this interview, he shares a little about his latest book, Find Happiness Now, and his new program, From Sad to Glad: How to Overcome Stress, Anxiety, and Depression and Feel Happy Again.
This interview contains a giveaway. To enter to win one of two free copies of Find Happiness Now, leave a comment below sharing something that always helps improve your mood. For an extra entry, tweet or Facebook the following:
Learn how to treat depression w/out medication & enter to win a free copy of Find Happiness Now by Jonathan Robinson http://bit.ly/11cgqdm
You can enter until Thursday, November 20th at 12:00AM.
Before you read any further, I’d like to once again highlight what I wrote above: I know that everyone’s experience is different, and I also believe medication can serve a purpose in treating mental illness. I am not suggesting that no one should be on medication, and that anyone who is should stop taking it cold turkey.
I’m merely presenting an alternative approach, as I wish this information had been available to me years ago.
1. I know that you’ve reached over 250 million people through your work, and that you’ve spent over three decades studying the most practical and powerful methods for personal development. What originally motivated you to pursue this kind of work?
I was fortunate to have grown up in a highly dysfunctional and violent family. I say “fortunate” because, by age twelve, I was severely depressed by my life’s circumstances.
I started to look for anything that might help me deal with the pain and violence I was surrounded by. I turned to self-help books, and through such books, I found hope that my life could be made better if I did something different. After all, I couldn’t change my family, but I could change myself.
By age thirteen, I was into hypnosis, meditation, and reprogramming my subconscious. I guess you could say I had an early mid life crisis, and once I saw that certain methods really worked, I ended up making a career of teaching others what I had learned.
2. In your latest book, Find Happiness Now, you share fifty ways we can bring more love, joy, and balance into our lives. Can you share some of the simplest tools from your book—things anyone can do every day to increase their joy?
Different methods work for different types of people. That’s why I offer a lot of methods. However, studies show that some techniques work for almost everyone. For example, performing an act of kindness for a stranger or a friend immediately boosts your own level of happiness.
Also, I encourage people to schedule time each week to do activities that make them feel wonderful. That might be a walk with a friend or time to go out dancing. In this crazy busy age we live in, sometimes people forget to do what truly brings them joy.
By scheduling quality time and experiences each week, it helps us to be our best. As for me, one of my favorite things to do is to think of three things each day that I could feel grateful for. I also like to rub my dog’s belly and tell her how much I love her. She likes it too.
3. You recently launched a powerful program called “From Sad to Glad: How to Overcome Stress, Anxiety and Depression and Feel Happy Again.” Can you tell us a little about the program and what makes it unique?
Sure. It ends up that about 10% of the U.S. population is on antidepressants—despite the fact that studies show that these medications work no better than placebos for the vast majority of users.
In addition, they have plenty of negative side effects, they cost a lot, and are bad for your long-term health. Therefore, I teamed up with well-known physician Dr. Emmett Miller to create a program for helping people overcome stress, anxiety, and depression without having to take medications.
In the program, we offer all the best scientifically proven methods that help people to immediately feel better. The program is very holistic, meaning we provide people with methods for their mind, body, spirit, and relationships.
We even suggest a lot of healthy supplements people can take that really work, and methods that can be done in under a minute a day that can dramatically improve your mood.
It is the only holistic home study course for easily overcoming stress, anxiety, and depression in a simple, step-by-step manner.
4. It’s interesting to see both “sad” and “depression” within the program name, since many people would say that there’s a big difference between being sad and depressed. Can you tell us what differentiates the two?
Sadness happens to everyone from time to time. We each face loss and various challenges, and sadness is often a normal and healthy reaction to such difficulties. Yet, when a person is sad for a long time, and/or has a hard time functioning effectively due to how they feel, you can say that depression has set in.
Depression is sometimes triggered by challenges, but sometimes its causes are not so clear. When a person becomes depressed, it’s important that they seek help—or else their health, relationships, finances, and day-to-day life will continue to suffer, or perhaps even get worse.
5. In your experience, what have you found to be the most common causes of depression?
Depression is often triggered by a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or even something like the loss of a job. Or one might have a genetic predisposition, or a hidden health challenge that can lead to depression. Often, there are many factors that lead to depression, which is why antidepressants tend to not be an effective long-term treatment for people.
In the “From Sad to Glad” program, we attend to the six most common factors that lead to depression—so that one’s recovery from it can be faster and more lasting.
6. How do Americans rate in terms of depression compared to other nations, and why do you think so many Americans are on antidepressants?
Americans seem to be rated #1 or #2 of industrialized nations in being depressed. I think this is partly due to the breakdown of family and community, and that our ways of dealing with depression are largely ineffective.
Drug companies spend billions of dollars in marketing, convincing us that the best way to overcome depression is with antidepressants. When given the choice between a pill or just being depressed, people choose a pill—even if that pill is mostly ineffective, expensive, and has nasty side effects.
That’s why it’s important that people become aware of effective methods for overcoming depression that don’t require medications.
7. How did you come across the methods described in the program, and how effective are they?
Dr. Miller and I came across our approach to depression and anxiety by working with thousands of people and seeing what worked, as well as reading about effective methods in journals and self-help books. Also, in our younger years, both Dr. Miller and I suffered from depression, so we saw what worked for ourselves.
As I mentioned before, different techniques work for different types of people, but research indicates that various methods that we detail in our “From Sad to Glad” program have a higher rate of success than medications.
For example, high rates of success have been found for overcoming anxiety and depression using CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), as well as specific supplements and certain types of exercise.
When you use more than one approach at a time (as we suggest), the success rates tend to be even higher, and results tend to be even faster.
8. Can you share one of the methods that people have found to be the most helpful?
There are so many methods that it’s hard to choose just one. Yet, some of my favorite methods are ones that take under a minute to do.
For example, we have guided meditations that can help people immediately tap into feelings of energy, confidence, and passion.
In one of our guided meditations, we have listeners focus on a person, child, or animal they have great affection for, and have them focus on times they felt great care and appreciation for this being.
By giving people an experience of love and affection, the feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression can often quickly melt away.
9. I know you’ve interviewed some inspiring people in doing research for some of your books. What did you learn from your interview with the Dalai Lama about happiness?
The Dalai Lama said something that really struck me. He said, “Kindness is my religion.” He also said, “Happiness is our birthright. The purpose of life is to be happy.”
Some people think happiness is a selfish thing, but research shows that happy people are the most giving and productive people in the world. It’s hard to be a good partner, parent, or employee if you don’t feel good. Therefore, I think it’s key that people learn how to be happy, and from their happiness, they can better spread their kindness and good feelings to others.
10. What is the most important thing you want people to get from your program?
I want people to get that with the right ideas and methods, anyone can learn to naturally overcome their anxiety and depression and feel better. In addition, I want folks to know that by working on themselves, they’ll be helping everyone they care about to become happier and healthier as well.
You can find Jonathan’s book, Find Happiness Now, on Amazon, and learn more about his program, From Sad to Glad here.
Happy woman throwing leaves image via Shutterstock
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
- Web |
- More Posts
Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
Medication has helped me a great deal along with family, friends. Tiny Buddha has been my companion out of depression and I’ve spent countless hours finding comfort in the articles knowing that I wasn’t alone in my struggle. Depression hasn’t completely left me and I live under its scary shadow every day but hope I will be able to go back to normal for good one day..
I think we greatly underestimate the power of nature – and by that I mean nothing more than getting outside and breathing in fresh air. Winter is the hardest but most important time of year to force yourself outside to marvel at the little things such as birds, icicles and plants. Whilst beautiful and amazing, nature also demonstrates a determination to keep going no matter what life throws at it and that’s pretty inspiring.
Wow, I love this. When I was in the midst of suicidal depression, so many people told me to just go on medication. Instead of taking the time to really get to the heart of my depression, the people around me all insisted that I take a pill. Not only did they think it would be easier for me, but it would be easier for them. However, I always felt like there was a way, even if I had to fight for it, that I could get better without resorting to pharmaceuticals. I’m so happy I never gave in. Even though the fight was nearly unbearable, I survived. And not only did I survive, I found I could overcome the challenges of life without relying on medication. I have a lot of respect for anyone with mental disease who makes the brave decision to change his or her life, including if that means medication, but I am overjoyed to find people like me who don’t want to depend solely on medication.
great !
thanks mr. jonathan robinson for your great book .. and for this wonderful interview ..
One idea that comforts me is that as you travel through life and pick up all the little scars that the journey throws at you, it gives new meaning to the good.
When I was a kid and I looked at a piece of art it was simply a pretty thing but now after coming through my depression I find so much strength, comfort and MEANING in cinema, poetry, music.
Where a friend was once a commodity, a source of diversion, a drinking buddy – now I find real joy in connecting to those close to me.
And I know that no matter what life throws at me in the future, I’ll find solace here on earth, the place from which every single reference point for my conception of beauty or love or happiness comes from.
The sadder the tragedy the better these biggie records will sound.
So universe, do your worst. I don’t give a shit.
Thank you so much for this amazingly timed article Lori & Jonathan… I’m currently trying to battle depression sans medication 😉 I am focusing on holistic methods and yoga and meditation are my go-to’s for improving my mood! I also have a Pinterest board of inspiring images and quotes for instances when I don’t have time for yoga or the privacy I prefer for meditation. For a quick “happy-shot” 🙂 I am also seeing a therapist to help me with my journey. I have a question though… my family doc is trying to convince me to take anti-depressants for a “boost”, arguing that the holistic methods take too long to start being effective and so I should take meds in the meantime for 6 months to a year. What are your thoughts on that? I prefer not taking the meds, but I don’t want to be stubborn… I trust my doc, but we can’t seem to agree on this. Thanks! Have a wonderful day 🙂
I have been working on Living From Happiness and found that writing/journaling at my new blog (of the same name) has helped me…of course being in nature is a wonderful place to find bliss and solace.
Something that always improves my mood…
Writing down five things I’m grateful for or participating in a “grateful exchange” text with a friend.
Listening to ambient/chill music while centering my thoughts on gratitude.
Pet therapy!!!
I walk a mile to and from work, and this allows me time to decompress from work and focus on home.
Thanks for this. It’s nice to get the info out there that we don’t need meds to help ourselves feel better. Thanks for the tips. Meditation and breathing techniques help a lot.
After years of being bounced around on different medications – I feel better being off of them. It seems that they never helped the issues but helped me avoid them. Years later I’ve found exercise, meditation, and looking for the silver lining in bad situations have really helped. I’m a work in progress. I love all of me.
Thanks for this article!
When I want to improve my mood, I usually go for a long walk, dance, sing, read inspirational books/articles.
I loved this post. I think it’s important to remember that there is so much more to healing ourselves than taking medication and that we have a lot of power within ourselves. I know I sometimes forget… I have been taking antidepressant for about a year now and they were great in the beginning as they helped me stabilize and get more energized. I have been making a ot of changes since then and now I find myself thinking about going off my meds. It scares me at the same time. Thoughts like “What if I didn’t change or learn anything at all and simply felt better because of the medication?” come to my mind then. I know deep down it’s not true but I guess I need at little more time and probably professional support.
As for what always helps me feel better and what was a significant part of my recovery from depression and anxiety – there are a couple things that I try to integrate in my daily life.
Being creative always makes me feel better, especially painting and writing. It’s a great way to express yourself and helped me a great deal in handling my emotions.
Sharing how I feel also makes me feel better. I used to never talk about why I felt sad or anxious or why I hated myself. Now I try to more open. It reminds me that there are people who care, people who maybe feel the same way and while doing that I found that I am not alone.
Spending time in nature, going for a walk, grounding myself in my body through meditation or yoga is incredibly soothing as well although I often underestimate its magical power. Dancing and singing out loud to my favorite songs helps me when I start to get lost in my head, it’s a way to remind myself that I don’t need to take anything so serious. 🙂
I think what had the greatest impact on my life is that I vowed to be my best friend, to treat myself kindly no matter what to, to encourage myself instead of putting myself down, and to trust myself. Knowing that I have my back made me less afraid and even though there are times when I forget and start criticising, judging or berating myself, I become more and more aware and start replacing harsh words with gentle nudges and hugs.
A good “escape” book that brings me to a geographical region/season/etc. I want to be in….always helps 🙂
exercise is a critical component, even during our worst times, a little bit will boost spirits incrementally.
Honestly the most effective mood lifter for me is spending time with my two dogs. When I arrive home at the end of the day, their enthusiasm is absolutely contagious! No matter how down I am feeling, they always help my mood!
My son is my single greatest source of joy. However I continue to struggle with what is now being called “treatment resistant chronic depression”. I have spent most of my life dealing with this problem and while I know some of the sources of this I am no closer to putting it in remission (for lack of a better term).
Thanks for the post and the interview. Very interested in learning how to deal with my depression. I find the best way to feel better is to give my dogs some love and attention. They love back, and it clears some of the fog.
Ways to improve mood: I try and see things in degrees of strength rather than degrees of weakness. When we see things (persons, places, etc.) for all of their strength and beauty we, in turn, fill our hearts with love. It’s not always easy and it takes practice and perseverance, but it ALWAYS turns a sour mood into a smile.
Thank you. I am currently on a major cocktail of antidepressants and mood stabilizers and all I feel is depressed and worthless. The only thing keeping me going is my new granddaughter. I would love to chuck the Prozac, Abilify, Klonopin, and whatever else and just be me, but I am “caught in the system”.
I was going through a very hard time in my life, so hard that at times I couldn’t find strength to get out of bed. It was a very depressing time. So instead of waiting on time to heal me (A prescription almost everyone is willing to prescribe) I decided to seek healing. I was never open to prescription drugs but I was considering it. Instead I decided to pick up a few books and turned to holistic herbs. I read “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and it changed my life. I started applying some of the techniques from the book and my outlook changed drastically. I also started taking St. Johns Wort (I have never believed in holistic herbs but my sister who is a nurse suggested it). after taking it for about 2 weeks, I really noticed a big difference in my mood. I still am in mental anguish some days but I am in a way better spot then when I first started. So rather than waiting to feel better, don’t be afraid to take matters in to your own hands to speed up the healing process.
When I had a dog, playing with her immediately helped my mood (I hope to be getting another soon). I also find helping others brings me joy, as well. There’s something about getting outside of myself that really shifts things for me. I’ve been medication free for 5 years and have used acupuncture, herbs, energy work, mindfulness, breath work, and yoga to support balanced emotional/mental/spiritual health.
A change of scenery always helps me. A change in the location where I work, a new project or a new team to work in. Routine seems to set off more depressive events as it seems to reinforce status quo. A change gives hope.
Thanks for sharing! I have been going through a lot of changes in the past 2-years and the one thing that has helped me the most, besides my amazing therapist, is meditation. Through meditation I have been able to quiet my mind and focus on the little things. It reminds me to stay in the present moment and not worry about the future.
This message is so timely for me. Thank you for sharing this. For me personally I have recently discovered the power of yoga, meditation, and learning to be grateful as the most powerful forces to fight depression. I can’t wait to read these books as well.
Thank you!!! Whenever I am sad I dig really deep down and write a list of ten things I am grateful for, even if it is as simple as “I am so happy and grateful for the food I eat..”
I try to do this outside because when I am in nature or even in the middle of a city, outside, I don’t feel alone. By the end of the list I am always smiling!
My husband is seriously depressed and I do my best to get him to do this, but I think he would be able to absorb it more if he were to get lost in this brilliant book!
One thing that always helps improve my mood is a walk with my dog. The hard part is forcing myself to go when I’m not feeling it, but once I ask him if he wants to go, I can’t back out. The exercise and fresh air help, but so does seeing him having fun. Being responsible for him and my other rescued animals is one of the few things that keeps me functional. I am interested in learning more about Mr. Robinson’s work.
Snuggling my cat is sometimes the only thing I can do.
I focus on my blessings every day and actively push negative thoughts from my brain to avoid a downward spiral. I say my personal affirmations out loud while looking in the mirror.
Much like most of us who have read and connected with this post, I have had the cloud of depression around me for as long as I can remember. I tried all the escape routes of alcohol and sex as a teenager, high levels of busy-ness through my twenties and thirties. I moved a lot, jumped from one relationship to another, worked out & ran and changed jobs every couple of years. I had life-level ADD ’cause if I sat still for thirty seconds it just hurt.
It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with MS in my forties and was forced to sit still, that I began to understand that I couldn’t escape me and so I’d better learn to enjoy being with myself or it was going to be a long sh*tty rest of my life.
After a couple of years of yoga, walking (not running or pushing myself as hard as I could), a lot of time by myself, constantly giving myself permission to slow down, and a new filtering process for decision making – why do I want to do this – escape or healthy challenge? I was able to drop the anti-anxiety/depression meds and wade through six months of tortuous withdrawal.
Appreciating, doing something for a stranger, petting my cat, being creative, having a laugh with a friend all help but the urge to paste ‘busy-ness’ over everything is a constant. The urge for the ego stroke, to have others see me as successful is still a constant. Its the little, daily, healthy habits that I have created that keep me on track, and for someone who previously raged against routine this has been a significant learning curve.
Each month, each year is a little easier than the last as I come to terms that every decision I make will either make me stronger and happier or weaker and sadder. Today I am writing to my sister, eating well, and going to yoga. Today I choose happier!
Thank you for the great read. It’s so timing because I believe I’m boarderline depressed. One thing that does help me when I recognize I’m slowing drifting into my dark moods is, exercising. I distract myself with physical activity (even though I hate it) so my mind can stop from whatever it is about to do. I get up and walk, or start doing jumping jacks, anything from sitting down and thinking/feeling. Right after my quick exercise, I tell myself something positive. As you’ve mentioned above, bring in good feelings of love and acceptance to drive out the depress feelings. This process has helped me get through difficult times however, I also noticed it’s a challenge every time. Try to do a variety of things so you can engage your mind differently each time.
I am inspired to fight harder for me! Reminded by this interview &
simple words that only I can create the change for me, for my day to day
coping and to believe and feel that I deserve and can achieve a
brighter, more “at peace” future. I can’t change my past, I can’t change
other people, but I can help myself find the methods that work for me
to allow me to stop being another customer waiting for my prescription,
and own my recovery and healing. I can’t wait to feel whats real again,
and manage!
What a wonderful post. Something that always improves my mood is to walk outside, and simply look up. The huge, amazing world we live in inspires me.
Something that helps me improve my mood is singing along with a song that really pumps me up.
Listening to fun songs from when I was a teenager always cheers me up.
I take anti-depressants; they have helped me immensely and I definitely feel they have a place but I agree, it is also important to make changes to your lifestyle. Economically I am poorer as I work part time but I am richer in that I have more free time and less stress. I also try to get lots of fresh air and eat healthily. Sure pills alone cannot and will not cure you but they can definitely ease your journey. As always, it’s a case of different strokes for different folks I guess.
This is a great article. Something that always cheers me up is a walk with my dog.
doing art.
Writing helps me. I was able to come off medication, and have been off it for two years’ now with the help of writing: Journal writing and fiction writing – any kind of writing helps me to understand why I feel the way I feel and how better to manage.
I’ve struggled with depression for over a decade , the majority of the time I’ve been on antidepressants. While I won’t argue that at times I think they have lessened my suffering, they are definitely not a cure. During times when I really struggle I like to read articles or blogs online that relate to what I’m experiencing, this helps me feel like I’m not alone. Tiny Buddha has been a great resource for me . Thank you for this Article , I definitely plan on looking into the book and program mentioned.
I meditate daily, speed walk three times a week and practice yoga – all of which help with depression besides medication. Almost daily, when I see people on the street or in the subway holding a map/book and looking around, I go over to them and ask where they want to go; I meet many people from round the world and often this gives me an opportunity to practice my Italian, French and German. I almost always feel good after assisting these ‘lost’ people, they get to their destination and have a feeling that Americans are friendly and I feel good that I’ve met interesting people and helped them in a new/strange city.
I am battling suicidal depression at the moment. I find meditation and going into nature to lift my moods, sometimes a funny movie helps. I want to live, I want to live a happy life but I feel that there is no hope left for me. I have tried medication and it simply does not work, only numbs the pain for awhile. Thank you for posting this article it has helped me a little.
The best tools I have found to fight depression are running and getting into “flow” experiences. Flow jus when challenge and skill level meet so that you are engaged and challenged but simultaneously able to perform and execute without too much effort. This puts us into a meditative state of heightened awareness and relaxation. I get this through climbing and running. Dance is another way to tap into flow. There are many ways. Art, music, performance, sports.
Sometimes reading something funny helps me, other times it is “dancing” in the car to happy tunes. I love to watch sunrises or sunsets, or birds at my birdfeeder. Petting animals, or snuggling them, hugs from friends.
I truly appreciate this article – so timely for me, and I hope for many others!
I have found that my dogs have always been a great source of comfort. Dogs have been consistently in my life since I was a newborn. They will give so much back and expect so little. I find as I am going through a very difficult time now that when I get home and they are so happy it does lift my mood.
Riding my push bike to my favourite seat by the mouth of a river and watching the waves, the birds, the dogs and their walkers and seeing how the sand changes the way the river flows out to the sea always, always lifts my spirits. Sometimes I journal while I’m there and sometimes not. I’m always reminded that I can be like a wave and just gently keep trying until a find away around, over or past an obstacles in my life
My old reliable go-to has always been music – listening and especially playing. Blasting something upbeat or pounding can get my endorphins flowing more than any run or workout. And playing, well the level of concentration required drives a lot of unnecessary thought right out of my head. And that can be a good thing 🙂
Cleaning my house helps me when I’m feeling really upset. It’s like I’m mentally cleansing myself at the same time. Watching my fav sport on TV helps…reading to take my mind off things helps…but exercise is probably the best thing to do…
Knitting and sewing improves my mood. I feel good creating something beautiful. On top of that my cat gives me company because he likes crafty things.
Awesome! Very true and wonderful!! I was taught from a dear friend and physician that gave me the choice, medication or meditation? I chose the one with least side effects though probably harder but had longer lasting effects. It wasn’t easy but something I worked real hard to overcome my anxiety & depression. I am forever grateful for this holistic western trained MD that remembered why he became a healer. Always be in the moment. Try not to hold on to your past or worry about the future. Be hear in the now. Be mindful! His lasting advice was always take your M.E.D.S (Meditation, exercise, diet, and sleep). 🙂