How can I battle depression without medication?

I eat healthy and exercise everyday.
I have a therapist who helps, but I am still bad.
She tells me it's "environmental depression" rather than "chemical depression", because I am happy sometimes. (Meaning its this city and my family...)
I live in a really dysfunctional family and HATE being home.
I just don't know how to get through the next year when I'll turn 18.

One of my tricks is I make sure I always have something to look forward to. Have a poster and put things on it you look forward to. Even if it is going to the mall with a friend. Make everyday happenings for you an event. Keep light in your room and keep from dark places that you know make you down. They help. Read a really funny story and this one might sound dumb, but watch bugs bunny cartoons or ones that are full of laughter. It really will bridge these days for you. Don't explain your bad days more than the good ones. They are the best.. Good luck!

Well you're seeing a therapist so that's a good step. Without medication it might be tough, but it's still possible. Just keep reminding yourself that you only have one more year to go & then you're free. Chances are if it is environmental depression your situation will improve greatly once you leave home. Something you can do in the meantime is make preparations to leave once you've turned 18. That way you'll have something to look forward to.

A plan to get out and a goal.
Hope it is not abusive environment but anyhow, if it was, your therapist would have reported it.
Here is how I dealt with mine.
A part time job might help if you havent got one, keep you out of there and money will earn you confidence, possibly buy things you enjoy.
Respect and take part in your household priorities so there is no leeway of being hanged for something so you can be invisible and not be blamed for something.
Look forward to getting to college/university, education will change your life to get a better job, and set a goal not to be the kind of people you hate.
A routine schedule you check out, to keep your mind of what you hate.

Read the book "FEELING GOOD". This is awesome self help book.
It opens your mind to appreciate what you have, and look positively on people, rather than dwelling on to what you notice that is annoying abou them to Look at the brighter side of things.
Sometimes, when we cannot change our surroundings, the only way is acceptance of our situation, and change what we can control, which is our mind.
I learned it the hard way, but it pays in the end. Be patient.
There is hope at the end of the tunnel.

I've been there and know what you mean. I'm glad you are staying healthy and exercising, though... that's a great step!

Talking to people usually helps, so I'm glad you're seeing a therapist.

Another thing I would suggest that has REALLY helped me is meditation. My father is a Zen Buddhist and I thought a lot of the Buddhist stuff was crappy until I tried it. Who knew that sitting in front of a wall for long periods of time could help...

Haha...

Pretty much you just sit in half-lotus and focus on your breathing. That will be a good start...

Also, if you can find a Buddhist community in your area, the people there are usually really cool (though most are in the generation of our parents, I've discovered).

Well hearing what you are currently doing it sounds like ur in the right place. eating healthy and eating enough is very important. plus getting enough exercise and fresh air is also needed. it's great that your going to a therapist and that you realize that living at home isn't good for u and that u need to get out. my advice would be to try journal it might help purge your feeling and relieve the depression. plus i would advise you to try some sort of medication (maybe over the counter) it could be a chemical depression also which means a medicine to help balance the in balance in your brain could be needed-don't be ashamed if u do need it. take care of yourself.

Here is a list of herbs that help depression:
http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/D...

Do you want to stop depression? Someone Does Need You!

http://www.epressreleases.org/event-news...

You can't.