I'm thinking of trying Kalms as I'm still extremely relunctant to go for antidepressants from the doctor.

Has anybody tried these? Are they actually good for depression? I've got into a rut and can't get myself out, I really need something just to get me through college otherwise I'll end up dropping out.

Also, as I have complications with bleeding/DVTs would I need to run it by a pharmacist/doctor? Or would they not cause problems?

Thanks :)

Hi Lotti, sorry to hear you're feeling low :( .

Kalms are intended for use with stress and anxiety, and therefore, I presume, have a depressant effect on the system and shouldn't be used for depression.

A natural remedy that really is supposed to work is St Johns Wort, but this mustn't be taken if you are on the pill or other antidepressants. With your other medical problems I'd strongly suggest you see your GP before taking anything, natural or otherwise. If you stress that you don't want to take antidepressants (which I don't blame you!) they can't put you on them, but they should be able to help you with alternatives. Good luck :thumbsup:

I think Kalms are promoted more as anti-stress tablets, as opposed to an anti-depressant agent. They contain gentian, valerian and hops powder. I have heard that hops are supposed to promote relaxation and sleep, but I don't know about the two herbs.

If you want a mild natural anti-depressant effect, you'd be better off considering St John's Wort. In this case, you would need to discuss with the pharmacist any other medication you might be taking re the bleeding/DVTs issue.

[EDIT: Posted before seeing Twiglet's response. I second the recommendation of talking to your GP.]

Thanks guys,

That's what I thought, but someone suggested them! I don't want anything that will send me to sleep!!!! I spend far too much of my time asleep as it is! I can be sat in college and just doze off - thankfully the teachers are used to me now and they just ignore me :blush:

Hi Lotti,

Why not try reading the collected posts of Don_Kiddick instead? They are sure to cheer you up!

Hi Lotti,

Why not try reading the collected posts of Don_Kiddick instead? They are sure to cheer you up!

lol thanks but the idea is to give me motivation to get out of an internet addicted rut so that I get my college work done!

Hi Lotti,

St John's Wort is supposed to be the best natural remedy for depression - just beware that it decreases the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill.

Definitely think twice before asking for anything stronger on perscription - I know there are mixed vews on anti-depressants and I don't want to start a heated debate, but I'm of the opinion that sometimes they can do more harm than good. The ideal option would be counselling in many cases, but with a nine-month wait on the NHS drugs can be the doctor's only other alternative.

The other thing is that if you are only feeling mildly down, once you've come out of the other side you'll feel much better and stronger as a person for doing it on your own, without anti-depressants. And therefore more able to cope next time you're feeling low insead of turning back to the drugs.

It's worth bearing in mind that a lot of lifestyle things like diet can increase feelings of depression, so also make sure you're eating healthily and getting plenty of fruit and veg. Do a google search for foods to beat depression and you should find loads of stuff. Get out in the fresh air when you can (I know this is sometimes hard for you), and do things that expand and engage your mind. Read about subjects that interest you, for example.

Hope you're feeling better soon xxx

The fact it is dark most of the time also gets people down. The nights are getting lighter and spring is on the way, you may find that next month you start to feel much better anyway.

Hope your ok Lotti.

My exes little brother had a bit of a bad temper and got really hyperactive, he had them and they really worked.

i do think you should run it by your doctor first though, even though its herbal. Like JBee said St. Johns Wort affects contraception and I started to take them, read the instructions and everything, only to find out on here that it can affect contraceptive pills/ implants. That could have been a messy situation hmm...

Anyway chin up chick and hope you feel better soon!

xxxx

You can get St Johns Wort tea, which is supposed to be good. But like all others above advise consult the doc first.

Only 'calming' drug I ever had was green and came in a small polythene bag :P

Kalms seem to have no effect on me, nor do St Johns Wort. I have heard nothing but good things about the latter though.

Thanks guys...

I shall take the idea to the doctor ;)

Thanks again

My mum is often taking Kalms tablets as her job gets her very stressed and anxious. She says that they are very affective and advised me to take them for when i've been nervous about things, piano and singing exams, presentations etc, to be honest, i didnt feel much of a effect but i geuss that'll be because i'm not a regular user of them. hope ya feel better soon x

I used them a while ago and they worked a treat! However they wont combat depression... As people have mentioned; they are there to help relax you in times of stress / anxiety etc. The best thing to do would be to see your doctor about anti-depressants, and take Kalms alongside them. Hope you feel better soon

Hope you feel better soon Lotti.:)

You could try homeopathic doses of St Johns Wort, the dose is diluted many times, but they still work. I was prescribed some by a homeopath when I was studying and things got me down. I got them afterwards from the chemist on Abbeydale road, the brand was Weleda Hypericum.

I suffer with anxiety and find calms and lavender oil very helpful, I sometimes have panic attacks and prefer to take these then anything that the doctor can give me (dodn't know whether it it is psychological). I have also suffered with depression and wouldn't think these tablets would help. As depression can make you feel very unmotivated and the Kalms would probably only add to that. I do belive in the power of herbal remedies and vitamins though and would advise you to go to a health shop and ask them to point you in the right direction, It is worth a try at least. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi Lotti,
As I can stay up all night (but then feel dreadful in a morning), I often use Kalms to knock me out at night. Think if you take less it's better during the day.
A good thing if you are feeling anxious is Bach's flower remedies. Rescue remedy - i used to hate flying and would often take that for it.
If you've felt down for a long time it might be worth having a chat to your doctor though or if you know it is college that is causing it, a friendly lecturer?
Hope you are feeling better soon.

By recommendation from colleagues, I did take some a little while back too. I don't think it combats clinical depression, but as others have said, it relieves stress. I personally do think that the ingredients like valerian and hop do messes the chemical in your brains a tad. Hence it can be seen as an anti-depressant of sorts. To me, it did work, cos it numbed my brain from thinking too much. It doesn't help you sleep though, which my ex did try some for. Though I think it did relief his mind from thinking too much, and does in that sense promotes sleep.

I still have a lot left, but I don't try and take it if I can help it. To me, I'll see it as a last resort.

If it's college work, and general tiredness. You may wanna look into your diet. I know when I first started work, my sleeping pattern was really bad, but once I got into a routine, and did exercises which work off the rest of the energy, I just flop to sleep naturally. Without resorting to anti-depressants first, just eat a lot of veg, fruits, and cut out caffeine and sugar. See if this makes a difference first.

[added] Oh, when I was a student, and come exam times. I just had a lot of fish. Or taking cod liver oil is good for your brain. Also, budgeting time away from studies or any intensive brain-numbing work does help. Go to the gym, have a dance lesson, or play footy. Anything like that helps.

Apparently omega 3 oils are good for depression, so try shovelling down the cod liver oil pills. Also, if your diet is poor in complex carbs you might feel depressed (ie when eating a low carb high protein diet) so it might be a good idea to eat more wholemeal bread and pasta and stuff. Cod liver oil on toast anyone?:hihi:

HI Lotti, sorry to hear you are feeling low. I have only just realised how depressed i was during the whole of my university years because i am now feeling so much better, and so much more human than i did before. One counselling session is all it took and i wish i had gone alot sooner rather than letting myself suffer and denying there was a problem.
Before i went to see a counsellor, i took a B-vitamin complex which i found really useful to keep me awake and more alert. B-vitamins look after your nervous system which is why they are good for combatting/managing depression. I recommend that you just pop down your local herbal store and pick up a bottle.
Hope this helps. :)

I would agree with Squidge about the counselling. I saw a really excellent counsellor at University over a period of time and it really helped. Also as she was the university counsellor it was free!!! which was great!

Kalms are great for relaxing you, take them before you go to bed and you will get a great nights sleep. As for depression i cant see it curing that but will make life a lot less stressful, hopefully this will cheer you up without anti depressants :) x

i bought a months supply of st john's wort a few years ago when i needed help lifting outta a rut, took one every day - they did the trick for me!

I know students who take them and swear by them! Each to their own...

I know students who take them and swear by them! Each to their own...

as in furkin kalms they're a loada sheet

I'm thinking of trying Kalms as I'm still extremely relunctant to go for antidepressants from the doctor.

Has anybody tried these? Are they actually good for depression? I've got into a rut and can't get myself out, I really need something just to get me through college otherwise I'll end up dropping out.

Are you just down? or depressed lotti?
Theres a big difference, you havent given enough info to see which it is.

either way, hope everyone giving you help in here helps you.

ash

I have only taken kalms twice and both times had such vivid frightening dreams that they are they are still clear in my mind years later.
Kalms were obviously not for me.
hazel

I just started taking Kalms, and my appetite has just gone I feel quite nauseous. Is this normal.

I had them when I was a kid, coz I had bad nerves and ocd. They do actually calm you down. I don't think they'd work for me now though somehow, as my depression is really bad.:(

I just started taking Kalms, and my appetite has just gone I feel quite nauseous. Is this normal.Kalm down kalm down you've only just started taking them:)