SELF HELP TO Treat Depression Homeopathically-SELF HELP
INTRODUCTION
Depression is a serious illness that affects
more than 18 million adults in the United States alone. Experts say that
depression is the second most common illness among adults, with heart disease
being the most common. People that suffer from depression have a hard time
dealing with daily life and may have trouble forming or staying in
relationships, holding a job, or even just going outside.
Depression can affect anyone at any age and
could come from any number of causes. Depression can be brought on by a severe
trauma in a person’s life that they have trouble dealing with. Or depression
can just appear seemingly out of nowhere and with no obvious cause.
There are a lot of physical problems that are
attributed to clinical depression. So if you’re suffering from serious aches
and
pains and you’ve seen a doctor and the doctor
can’t find a physical reason for the pain, the cause might not be physical; it
might be mental. The cause might be clinical depression.
Depression is not the same for every person who
suffers from it either. There are, in fact, many different types of depression.
Sometimes depression lasts for months or even
years and sometimes it lasts only for a few weeks depending on what type of
depression you have.
Depression is a psychological condition that
has a physical component so generally, unless the psychological condition is
treated, the depression will come back over and over again until the underlying
psychological problem is dealt with.
Because depression is such a common illness, Western
medicine and the big drug companies have created many different kinds of drugs
to treat depression. The problem is that not all of these drugs are effective.
Even worse, some of these drugs can have serious side effects that include a
deepening of depression and even suicidal thoughts. Some drugs can also cause
additional psychological problems.
The truth is that drugs alone cannot cure
depression. The best that drugs can do is to manage the symptoms of depression
and many drugs only mask the symptoms.
Because depression is such a common problem and
because of the serious side effects associated with drug therapy for
depression, millions of people are looking to alternative therapies like
Homeopathy to manage their symptoms and treat their depression. Homeopathy as a
medical practice has been practiced for thousands of years and there is
evidence that Homeopathy and other alternative treatments can be effective for
managing depression.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Depression is categorized by doctors as a mental
health disorder even though it does have physical components. It is a disease;
it isn’t “just all in your head” and it is not simply a matter of needing to
cheer up. Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness. Depression is
usually considered to be a feeling of apathy towards life in general or a
feeling of not caring about things that persists for more than two weeks.
Depression can be hard to diagnose as a
condition because everyone feels sad or apathetic towards life at some time,
usually after a major life change or a traumatic event.
There are many different symptoms that are
associated with depression and each person experiences those symptoms
differently. Because each person responds in a unique way to depression, it can
be hard to find a therapy that will help each person deal with the symptoms of
depression and people that are suffering from depression may need to try
several different medications before finding one that helps them.
There are also five different types of
depression. Some, like clinical depression, can last over a period of years
while others like Seasonal Affective Disorder or postpartum depression are
relatively short-lived because they are tied to cycles of life. Depression tied
to recent life events, such as a tragedy, are also short- lived.
Depression can also be a symptom of other
illnesses. When depression is combined with another illness it can be difficult
for doctors to know if the depression is only being caused by the other ailment
or if the depression is a separate condition.
Doctors have found that depression is often a
problem for people that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, social phobia, anxiety, panic, and sometimes
even substance abuse.
People that suffer from depression are
statistically more likely to also have substance abuse problems because they
will often try to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol to alleviate the
symptoms of their depression. Since drugs and alcohol actually tend to
intensify the symptoms of depression instead of stopping them it becomes a
vicious cycle of depression and dependency.
People trapped in this vicious cycle usually
end up needing treatment for the underlying depression even more than they did
before they started trying to get rid of their symptoms with drugs and alcohol.
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Because each person experiences depression in a
different way doctors often have trouble diagnosing depression. Some studies
have estimated that more than 15 million people suffer from undiagnosed
depression in the United States alone every year.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
Because depression has both physical and mental
components depression can be caused by many different factors. Some people
might develop depression because of chemical imbalances or other physical
illnesses while some other people might find their depression triggered by
emotional or psychological issues.
Sometimes depression can run in families but
not always. It is complicated and depression can also have more than one cause
in a person. Untangling the web of causes can be difficult.
The most common causes of depression are
childhood trauma, interpersonal problems, prescription medications, trauma,
other illnesses, and substance abuse.
Childhood Trauma
Adults that suffered from abuse or a traumatic
childhood often suffer from depression later in life. This may be the case even
if the symptoms of depression did not begin in childhood. Children who are
sexually or physically abused are very likely to develop depression at some
point. Death or other tragedies in the home at a young age can trigger
depression as a child or later as an adult.
The trauma does not have to be severe. Mild
cases of depression can result later in life from simply a lack of love or
safety in childhood. Children who grow up in households that aren’t outwardly
abusive but are still emotionally or economically unstable also are more likely
to battle depression when they get older than children who grow up in more
stable homes.
Oftentimes, the person suffering from
depression caused by childhood trauma has no conscious awareness of the trauma.
The painful memories of the trauma may be consciously repressed but still cause
psychological harm. Some schools of psychological thought believe that most if
not all depression is caused by issues of childhood trauma.
Interpersonal Problems
People who are having ongoing conflicts with
family, friends, co-workers, or other people in their lives are at high risk
for developing depression.
This is especially true within abusive
relationships. The problems do not have to be hugely traumatic though. Little
things or constant tensions and strife can build up over time. Nor do the
relationships
have to be significant to cause problems. A
stressful work environment can cause depression or an unhappy living situation.
Left untreated, a depressive episode caused by these conflicts can become
clinical depression, which is more serious and harder to treat.
Prescription Medications
People who take certain medications for
physical illnesses might find themselves suddenly fighting off depression as
well. Because drugs alter the body’s chemistry they may throw off a person’s
chemistry in such a way that it manifests as a kind of depression. Many
commonly prescribed medications can cause depression in people that take them.
It is always important to read medication labels to see what the side effects
may be. Depression is a common side effect. If you are on medications for
physical problems and you notice that you are depressed but you have never had
depression before, the cause could be the medications that you’re taking.
Trauma
Getting hurt physically or emotionally can also
be damaging in causing depression, either immediately or even years later.
Anyone who suffers a major loss in their lives like the death of a family
member or friend, or even the death of a pet, can become depressed. A car
accident, the loss of a job that you’ve had for many years, or any major life
change can also trigger depression for some people. For some sensitive people,
witnessing trauma to others can throw them into depression.
Other illnesses
Depression can be a part of another illness
like Social Anxiety Disorder. If you have a disorder that causes you to be
uncomfortable around others the social isolation can also trigger depression
and feelings of sadness that could become clinical depression. This becomes a
vicious cycle of guilt, embarrassment, sadness, and regret.
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Substance abuse
Many people develop depression as a result of
addiction to drugs or alcohol. The impact of illegal drugs or too much alcohol
on your body can cause chemical imbalances and other problems that can lead to
depression. In addition, the psychological effects of dependence on drugs and
alcohol can also increase feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and sadness.
WHO IS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING DEPRESSION?
Almost anyone can develop depression at any
time. Because the causes of depression are so varied it’s possible for people
to become depressed for hundreds of reasons. But some groups of people do have
a higher risk of becoming depressed.
If you fall into one of these categories then
you might have an increased risk of depression without even knowing it:
Women
Studies show that women as a group are more
likely to develop depression than men. Research indicates that at least a
quarter of all women will suffer from depression at some point in their lives
but only about 12% of men will struggle with depression. That’s one out of
every four women.
Some experts think that more men do suffer from
depression but since men are less likely than women to admit their feelings or
seek professional help for depression the number of men with depression seems
low. Even if this is so, women are more prone to need help for depression.
Since so many women also have to face additional stresses and pressures in
life, depression in women is more common than in men.
Childbirth is one of the causes of depression
in women. It is known as postpartum depression. Long scoffed at by doctors, who
were mostly men, postpartum depression is now recognized as a real issue that
occurs in some women who have given birth. The hormonal changes of pregnancy
and birth set off physical and emotional changes that trigger depression in
some women.
Some women also have short or long-term
depression caused by hormonal issues. These issues can include the normal
menstrual cycle and also menopause. Because depression can be triggered by
changes in the body’s chemistry, even the regular and very normal hormonal
changes of the menstrual period can trigger depression.
Married Men and Women
Not all in marriage is wedded bliss. Research
shows that men and women who are married are more likely to become depressed
than single men and women. This is mostly because of the stresses and problems
that occur within relationships. This is not to say that marriage is bad or
that even most marriages are causing depression. However, if people are not
able to deal with the pressures and conflicts of marriage, or lack the help
they need to deal with them, then depression can be a result.
This is not to say that being single is not a
cause for depression. Loneliness can very definitely be a cause for depression
in some people distressed by that situation. However, single people have less
interpersonal conflict because they do not have a spouse.
The Elderly
Men and women who are over the age of 65 are
especially vulnerable to depression. Many aging experts believe that depression
occurs among older men and women because of the life changes that come with old
age such as retirement. For women, menopause can ignite depression. Other
hormonal changes may also be occurring in old age. Medical science is only just
beginning to study and understand the effects of aging.
Also, the elderly have significant life issues
to deal with that could cause depression. Loneliness is common among the
elderly. Loss of friends and family can be a cause for depression. Plus, loss
of capacity, physical and mental, can throw some people into depression.
People with a Family History of Depression
While the medical jury is still out on whether
or not depression is hereditary, it has been proven that people who have family
members that suffer from depression are more likely to become depressed
themselves. This is especially true if the family member is a parent or
guardian. Having a close family member that suffers from an illness related to
depression like bipolar disorder can also influence whether or not someone
develops depression during their lifetime. It remains unknown if this influence
is psychological, environmental, or physical, but it is certainly real. People
who do have a family history of depression need to be extra aware of their own
symptoms. They are not sentenced to depression if it runs in the family, but
they do need to realize they are more prone to it.
People who Work in Medical or Emergency Fields
Scientists have found that people like doctors,
nurses, and other health care and emergency services workers who work in careers
where they are routinely exposed to tragic circumstances are more likely than
other groups to develop depression.
No doubt much of this is due to the nature of
their work. Medical and emergency people are dealing with trauma every day. The
fact that the trauma is happening
to others does not mean it does not affect
them. Also, the stresses of working in those fields are huge.
Smokers
New research has shown a link between smoking
and depression. If you are a smoker you could face an increased risk of
depression. Smoking screws up your body chemistry, especially in your brain.
In case you needed another reason to quit
smoking there it is – you can lower your risk of becoming depressed if you quit
smoking.
Studies show that women as a group are more
likely to develop depression than men.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
The symptoms of depression can be hard to
recognize, even for a trained doctor. Because the symptoms of depression vary
in their intensity and because each person will have a different combination of
the symptoms of depression, it can be difficult to know if you are suffering
from depression or another illness.
Diagnosing depression can also be hard because
the symptoms of
one particular type of depression might not be
the same symptoms as another type of depression.
Because this is such a complex matter and every
person is different, it is not a matter to be taken lightly. Self-diagnosis can
lead to almost worse results than leaving depression untreated.
Also the symptoms a person has might seem to
come and go if the depression is cyclical or based on a season as is the case
with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
No one knows you as well as you do though and
yes, your feelings, thoughts, and concerns do matter. This is about you.
If you feel like something isn’t right or if
you have two or more of these symptoms then you might be suffering from
depression:
• Difficulty
concentrating
• Inability
to make decisions, even about small things
• Extreme
fatigue
• Feeling
lethargic or unmotivated
• Feeling
guilty
• Feeling
worthless
• Feeling
hopeless
• Being
afraid of social situations or of other people
• Feeling
helpless and unable to change your current situation
• Sleeping
all the time
• Not
sleeping, or waking up frequently throughout the night
• Extreme
irritability
• Feeling
restless
• Not
being interested in activities or hobbies that you used to enjoy
• Overeating
• Not
eating at all or not having any interest in food
• Extreme
aches and pains that don’t seem to go away
• Digestive
troubles and other upsets that don’t go away even with treatment
• Feeling
empty all the time
• Feeling
anxious
• Feeling
sad or “blue” all the time
• Having
suicidal thoughts or thinking that life just isn’t worth living
These are just some of the more common symptoms
of depression. Depending on what type of depression you have there might be
other, more specific symptoms that are harder to notice because they relate
directly to the type of depression that you are suffering from.
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
There are at least six intense types of
depression that people can suffer from including Chronic Depression, Major
Depression, Bipolar Depression, Seasonal Depression (also sometimes called
Seasonal Affective Disorder), Psychotic Depression and Postpartum Depression.
There are also other, less intense forms of
depression that are less common but can affect anyone, even people that already
suffer from a more serious type of depression.
These are depression disorders that occur as a
symptom of another illness, or that have no physical cause that doctors can
find, or that occur as a result of another illness. Sometimes a secondary
depressive condition is a result of prescription medication that is given to a
person by a doctor to treat a serious medical condition.
As mentioned earlier, understanding an
individual’s depression and its causes is a complicated matter, No two people
have the exact same set of symptoms. It is important not to expect simple
answers or to pigeonhole yourself or others into one type of depression.
CHRONIC DEPRESSION
Chronic depression is also called dysthymia.
Chronic depression is, as the name implies, a type of depression that lasts for
a long time. Usually, chronic depression goes on for at least two years,
sometimes longer. Unlike some of the other intense depressions, chronic
depression isn’t debilitating.
It will still have an impact on the daily life
of someone that has it but it won’t interfere too much with a person’s ability
to function. Think of this type of depression as a long, slow simmering of
symptoms, a dull ache but not a sharp pain.
Scientific research has linked chronic
depression with chemical imbalances and hormonal changes that happen to people
throughout their lives.
People who have low serotonin levels in their
brains are more likely to have Chronic Depression than people with normal
serotonin levels. Serotonin is the chemical that your body produces during
times of stress to help you deal with traumatic events.
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Chronic Depression can also sometimes be caused
by an underlying illness like hypothyroidism or any disorder that disrupts the
body’s chemistry and causes some chemical or hormonal imbalances that reduce
Serotonin levels and raise Cortisol levels.
People that have Chronic Depression can still
hold a job, take care of a family, and do all the things that they normally do
without seeming as if they are depressed although they might seem more unhappy
than most people. Even without having severe symptoms that person will still be
suffering from the symptoms associated with depression like feeling worthless,
being unable to concentrate for very long, feeling sad and anxious or hopeless.
The first symptoms of Chronic Depression can
appear as early as late childhood in some people.
Girls are statistically more likely to suffer
from Chronic Depression than boys, especially as the stresses and worries of
puberty set in.
Women are much more likely than men to have
problems with Chronic Depression.
Figures show that as many as 25% of all women
have suffered from
Chronic Depression at some point during their
lives.
The National Institute of Mental Health
estimates that more than 10 million per year suffer from Chronic Depression.
Because Chronic Depression isn’t severe enough
to limit a person’s activity there are most likely millions more cases that go
undiagnosed each year because the people suffering from it don’t recognize the
symptoms and don’t realize they have Chronic Depression.
MAJOR DEPRESSION
Major depression is also called clinical
depression. Estimates are that one in ten people are suffering from major
depression at any given time. Doctors and health experts say that as many as
30% of the population will experience at least one episode of major depression
during their lifetimes.
Major Depression is different from other types
of depression because of the intensity of the negative feelings that someone
experiencing it has. People that suffer from major depression report feeling
very strong feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, sadness, and anxiety for
most of the day every day during a period of major depression. A period of
major depression can last anywhere from a week to years, depending on the
person.
Major depression is often caused by a
triggering event. The loss of a loved one or family member, childhood abuse, a
major change in life circumstances like changing jobs or moving to another
place, or surviving a natural disaster like a flood or hurricane can all be
triggers of major depression. Also, experts say that children of parents who
suffer from major depression are more likely than other children to suffer at
least one episode of major depression. Once you have had an episode of Major
Depression you are a high risk to have another whenever another trigger
presents itself. That doesn’t mean you will necessarily have one, but it is a
good idea to pay close attention.
Even though major depression develops as the
result of a triggering factor there is a physiological change in the body that
causes prolonged depression. This makes the person more likely to suffer from
another major depression later on. So far at least, science doesn’t know how
exactly the physical component of major depression and the mental component of
major depression intersect, but medical science does admit that clinical
depression has both physical and mental components.
Major depression can be treated but not
eliminated. Once you have had a bout of major depression it’s important to stay
on guard and watch for any triggers that might cause you to have another
episode of Major Depression. If you are aware of the triggers that can touch
off your depression you will be able to take the extra steps that you need to
take in order to fight off depression when a triggering event, like the death
of a loved one or the loss of a job happens.
Major depression is not a sentence to a life of
misery. People who suffer from major depression can still learn how to handle
and treat the symptoms and have a productive life. It is like any other disease
that can be managed.
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BIPOLAR DEPRESSION
Bipolar depression used to be called manic
depression. Bipolar depression is an illness where the person that has it
swings between a period of clinical depression and a period of self induced
elation called mania. Sometimes the person affected can stay in the depression
phase of the illness for weeks or even months, and sometimes just minutes.
The extreme changes in the person’s mood can
make the symptoms of depression more severe and often, almost uncontrollable.
There are two types of Bipolar Depression, Type
1 and Type 2. Type 1 is the more serious type. People that suffer from Type 1
Bipolar Depression usually end up being hospitalized in a psychiatric facility
at least once during their lives due to the severity of the symptoms that they
are suffering from. Someone with Type 1 Bipolar Depression that is in a
depressed mood will often talk of suicide and may even attempt it.
Type 2 Bipolar Depression is less serious and
can usually be managed if the person suffering from it makes an effort to get
treatment and is aware of their changing moods. Even though Type 2 Bipolar
Depression is less serious it still can have a dramatic impact on the lives of
the people that are close to the person that has it. People that suffer from
Bipolar Depression have all the usual symptoms of clinical depression but also
may suffer from extreme paranoia and episodes of rage that can be dangerous.
Bipolar Depression usually is recognizable in
children as young as 3 or 4. Often, adults that have Bipolar Depression will
exhibit signs before they are 24; there are cases of people developing this
type of depression after that age.
However older people that have never been
diagnosed may still be exhibiting all the symptoms of the disorder but might
not be aware that they are suffering from Bipolar Depression.
Bipolar Depression can be hard to treat because
when the person is in the mania phase they will feel elated and happy and often
will feel that they are not sick and don’t need to continue to treat or manage
their illness. So making sure that a person that has Bipolar Depression
continues to manage their symptoms on a regular basis is critical to keeping
that person from falling into rapid cycling.
Rapid cycling is when a person’s moods switch
extremely quickly, sometimes within minutes, from depression to elation and
back to depression. When a person with Bipolar Depression is rapid cycling that
person might become out of control and need to be hospitalized.
SEASONAL DEPRESSION OR SEASONAL AFFECTIVE
DISORDER
Lots of people feel blue in the winter months
when there isn’t as much sun, but if you have extreme depression during the
winter you could have Seasonal Depression, which is also sometimes called
Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Seasonal Depression affects hundreds of thousands
of people every year to varying degrees.
There are actually two types of Seasonal
Depression, one type that occurs during the winter months and one type that
occurs during the summer months. Fall seasonal depression or winter seasonal
depression is far more common. Summer Seasonal Depression occurs only in very
rare cases.
Seasonal Depression almost never occurs in
places that are sunny and warm year round, which is one of the reasons that
scientists and doctors think that Seasonal Depression is caused by a physical
imbalance rather than a triggering incident like other types of depression.
Most doctors and medical professionals think
that seasonal depression is the result of the brain producing less serotonin.
Serotonin is a natural chemical produced by your body that makes you feel calm
and happy.
It’s been proven that sunlight and regular
exposure to daylight makes your brain produce more serotonin. So in the winter
months when there is less sunshine, and less daylight, your brain produces less
serotonin.
This slow down of serotonin production can
cause some people whose serotonin levels are already low to suffer from
depression.
Even though most people find themselves feeling
a little sad or sleeping more during the winter because of the weather people
that have Seasonal Depression will usually experience extreme symptoms that
can’t be mistaken for normal periods of sadness that occur during the winter
months. Some of the most common symptoms of Seasonal Depression are:
• Excessive
fatigue - Feeling like you just can’t drag yourself out of bed in the morning
or like you want to collapse into bed at the end of the day could be a symptom
of depression.
• Weight
gain – It’s normal to gain a pound or two during the winter months, especially
around the holidays, but if you regularly put on a lot of weight in the winter
and drop it in the summer the cause might be Seasonal Depression
• Craving
starchy foods or carbohydrates – Starchy foods or foods high in carbs stimulate
the brain to produce Serotonin. People that have Seasonal Depression will often
crave these types of foods because eating them will boost their Serotonin
levels.
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PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION
Psychotic depression is the most serious type
of depression. Most of the time people that have psychotic depression end up
hospitalized to try and control their symptoms and keep them from harming
themselves or others. Of the people that are admitted to the hospital for
depression every year, one in four of those people are usually suffering from
psychotic depression.
What makes psychotic depression so serious is
the intensity and scope of the symptoms. A person that has psychotic depression
will suffer from the well- known symptoms of depression like feeling sad and
hopeless, feeling anxious or scared, feeling lonely and so on but will
experience those feelings very intensely, almost to the point of being
overwhelmed and debilitated. The person can even experience violent episodes.
In addition to the serious clinical depression
that they feel, people who have psychotic depression also experience symptoms
associated with psychosis that can be made worse by the depression they are
already experiencing. Psychosis is dangerous and can lead to very serious
problems not just for the person suffering it but to those around them.
The symptoms of psychosis that are associated
with psychotic depression include:
• Being
highly agitated most of the time
• Experiencing
hypochondria
• Experiencing
extreme paranoia and anxiety
• Being
unable to think or speak clearly
• Having
extreme insomnia
Because of the seriousness of the illness most
people that have psychotic depression need to be hospitalized and receive
regular doctor’s care to make sure that they don’t hurt themselves or someone
else.
Diagnosing psychotic depression can be hard
because, in many cases, people that suffer from the symptoms of this disorder
know that their thoughts are irrational or that they are depressed and they are
ashamed and want to hide their illness rather than get treatment for it. But
because of the extreme nature of the illness, getting regular treatment is the
only way to manage psychotic depression.
Having a psychotic depression also makes a
person more likely to develop bipolar depression and major depression.
It is a very serious condition and even when the
symptoms are managed the person needs to be closely monitored. It is still
possible for a person suffering from psychotic depression to return to a
somewhat normal life.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Postpartum depression is often experienced by
new mothers. There is a difference between postpartum blues and postpartum
depression. Most of the time women experience mood swings for up to four days
after giving birth because of the rapid hormonal shift taking place in their
bodies after the birth.
But postpartum depression can take months to
fully develop even though doctors think that it is caused by the hormonal
shifts a woman experiences after giving birth.
Postpartum depression can be very serious and
can significantly impact a mother’s ability to care for her baby. Even though
postpartum depression is caused by a physical shift in the body’s chemistry,
environmental stress like lack of sleep, not enough help caring for the new
baby, and other triggers can intensify the symptoms of postpartum depression and
make it much harder for the new mother to manage her symptoms.
For far too long the medical establishment
ignored or scoffed at women who complained of postpartum depression.
Fortunately, that has changed in recent years.
Now, doctors routinely tell new mothers that
they should be aware of the symptoms of postpartum depression and they should
get treatment for postpartum depression if they exhibit symptoms like:
• Insomnia
or sleep problems
• Crying
easily or crying all the time
• Intense
feelings of guilt
• Intense
feelings of hopelessness
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
Some women report having thoughts or desires to
hurt their babies. Usually, if a woman is having thoughts about harming herself
or her baby she is suffering from postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum psychosis is similar in nature to
postpartum depression but commonly has symptoms that are specifically
associated with psychosis like hallucinations, thoughts about hurting the baby,
extremely irrational thoughts or actions, disorganized thinking, and feeling
removed or detached from the baby.
TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION
When it comes to traditional medical treatments
for depression there are really just two types of treatments: psychological
counseling to deal with the mental components of depression and drug therapy to
treat the physiological causes of depression. Most doctors prescribe
anti-depressants for patients even though some anti-depressants can have
terrible side effects. Some of the anti- depressants on the market include
depression and suicidal thoughts as side effects.
Psychological counseling is an effective
treatment for depression when the patient learns a lot of coping skills in
addition to dealing with the triggers and stressors that are causing his or her
current depression. Having better coping skills helps people that have a
tendency to be depressed learn how to not give into their feelings of
depression.
Drug therapy isn’t always effective at treating
depression although some people find that a combination of psychological
therapy and the right medications can really help them deal with their
depression and learn how to function in the world.
Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is sometimes
used to treat cases of extreme depression and cases of psychotic depression
where the person suffering from the depression is in danger of hurting
themselves or someone else
There are non traditional or alternative
therapies to treat depression as well, and these alternative therapies are
becoming increasingly popular. Alternative therapies can also be very
successful at treating specific types of depression like Seasonal Depression or
Postpartum depression. Light therapy, Homeopathy, and Acupuncture are just a
few of the alternative treatments that have been successfully used to treat depression.
No matter what type of treatment is used to
treat a particular case of depression chances are good that the treatment will
need to be ongoing. Depression is not usually an illness that someone has once
and then gets rid of it. It’s always around, and once you have had an episode
of depression you are much more likely to have another in the future.
Ongoing treatment helps people that have
depression learn to manage their symptoms and learn what triggers their
depression so that they can avoid falling into depression. Relapses and
remissions come and go but someone that has been diagnosed with depression will
always be susceptible to having another depression episode in the future.
COGNITIVE THERAPY
Cognitive therapy is a psychological treatment
that was developed specifically to treat depression. It was created by a
psychiatrist named Aaron Beck in the early 1960’s. The basic theory behind
cognitive therapy is that people who suffer from depression have a negative
view of the world.
They learned this negative view of the world
from a parent that suffered from depression or from being rejected by their
peers or generally negative attitudes in the home while they were growing up.
According to cognitive therapy theory the depression that they suffer from is
the result of negative attitudes and beliefs that aren’t necessarily true. So,
correcting the negative way of thinking and helping people that are depressed
learn to think in a positive way will eliminate their depression.
Distorted Thinking Addressed Through Cognitive
Therapy
Cognitive therapy also stresses that along with
a negative world view people who are depressed also tend to have a distorted
way of viewing the world, other people, and themselves. These distorted ways of
thinking include:
Arbitrary Inference
When someone is operating under the influence
of arbitrary inference they jump to a negative conclusion about a situation
that reinforces a fear or a negative belief that they already have and reject
any other possible explanation of the situation.
For example, if a woman is dating a man and she
calls that man up on a night when they don’t have plans and he doesn’t answer
the phone and she assumes that means he’s out on a date with another woman that
is an arbitrary inference. This is clearly unreasonable and irrational, yet the
woman still thinks it. Men have similar insecure thoughts.
Selective Abstraction
Selective abstraction is when someone focuses
on one perceived flaw and makes an assumption based on it.
For example, if a man thinks that because he
doesn’t have the right kind of car no woman will want to date him then he will
convince himself that without that car he will never get a date, even if he has
a lot of other positive attributes that make him popular with women. Or a woman
will convince herself that no man will want to date her because her nose is too
big and will ignore the fact that she does get asked out on dates regardless of
the size of her nose.
Overgeneralization
Overgeneralization is when someone draws a
broad conclusion based on one event and without all the facts.
For example, a teenager decides to dye a piece
of her hair blue. A parent decides that the teen couldn’t possibly have thought
of that on her own so she must have gotten the idea from her friends. Then the
parent concludes that the girl needs to make new friends because all of her
friends are bad influences.
That would be an overgeneralization about the
girl’s friends.
Magnification
As the name implies, magnification is taking a
small event and making it much more significant than it is.
For example, if a person that has a tendency to
over magnify things gets a traffic ticket, instead of viewing that ticket as
just a mild annoyance that person will see it as a major life tragedy. If a
waitress forgets to bring that person his or her iced tea at lunch that person
will be sure the waitress did it deliberately to insult them.
Minimization
Minimization is not valuing your own attributes
or not believing in your own worth because you are focusing on a perceived
flaw. One is minimizing their own self or value.
For example, if someone gives you a compliment
and you immediately start pointing out all your flaws you are minimizing that
compliment. If you look in the mirror and focus on one particular flaw instead
of seeing the whole picture that is also minimizing.
Goals of Cognitive Therapy
The goal of cognitive therapy is to correct
those distortions in the mind of the person that is suffering from depression
and teach them more accurate and better ways to see and interpret the world.
Once the person has corrected their thinking they will be less likely to get
pulled into negative thoughts that can cause depression.
Cognitive therapy can also help people learn
better coping skills so that they are able to handle the setbacks, losses, and
stress that come with life. If a person has strong coping skills they won’t be
thrown into depression by a job loss, the death of a loved one, having to move
to another state or another country, or any of the other stressful things that
can trigger depression for people.
Cognitive therapy can be very effective at
treating the mental components of depression. It does not deal directly with
physical components of depression, though alleviating the mental components can
help with the physical ones.
People who prefer to use alternative therapies
to treat depression usually find that some cognitive therapy combined with the
alternative treatments can be a great way to manage their depression.
Managing depression over the long term is the
goal of any depression treatment. Using cognitive therapy is an important part
of managing depression because it teaches people that are suffering from
depression how to change the way that they think and the way that they see
themselves. Once they see themselves in a more positive way and react with less
suspicion and fear to the rest of the world they usually find that the symptoms
of depression gradually lessen or disappear entirely.
Cognitive therapy isn’t an easy fix or a quick
fix. Sometimes cognitive therapy can take years to be effective but cognitive
therapy is a depression management
technique that has been proven to have great
results for treating most types of depression, especially clinical depression.
LIGHT THERAPY
Light therapy was first developed as a
treatment for seasonal depression. Since natural light triggers the production
of serotonin and seasonal depression is caused by a serotonin
imbalance that is due to the lack of sunlight
during the winter months, it makes sense that using lights that simulate
natural light will be a help in restoring the serotonin balance in the body.
But light therapy does more than just treat
seasonal depression. Light therapy has been proven as an effective treatment
for many disorders including acne and psoriasis, jet lag, and jaundice. Light
therapy is also used to treat sleep disorders, which can indirectly contribute
to depression.
Using light therapy, doctors can help people
that have had chronic sleep disturbances and sleep problems realign their
body’s natural clock so that they can get back into a natural sleep pattern.
Since lack of sleep and insomnia can be causes of depression, using light
therapy to treat sleep problems also can help prevent depression.
Light therapy is also used to treat non
seasonal depression. The practice is still in the early stages so doctors
aren’t quite sure how effective light therapy will
prove to be in treating non seasonal depression
but the early tests and trials indicate that light therapy can be just as
effective at treating non seasonal depression as it is for treating seasonal
depression.
There are some side effects that come with
using light therapy though. Because light can burn skin some people end up with
the equivalent of sunburn after light therapy sessions. Light therapy can also
make people jittery or jumpy or make them feel “wired” because of the rush of
chemicals to the brain. Overexposure to light therapy for treating other
conditions may end up causing sleeplessness or wakeful sleep.
Even though there are some side effects that
are possible from light therapy many people that suffer from depression like
light therapy because it’s natural and doesn’t involve taking drugs that might
have a lot more serious side effects than feeling wired or not being able to
sleep. Light therapy is still considered an alternative treatment but it’s one
of the most popular alternative therapies for treating depression.
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Light therapy combined with other alternative
treatments like homeopathy can be an effective natural way to manage seasonal
depression for most people. It does not effectively treat all types of
depression but it can be helpful for people whose depression is tied to the
seasons.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
There is another psychological treatment for
depression, Psychotherapy, which is usually used in conjunction with cognitive
therapy. Cognitive therapy focuses on changing the way that a person interprets
the world and their place in the world, which will help them fight off
depression in the future but at the same time that person needs help and
support to deal with the feelings of loneliness, pain, sadness, and despair
that result from the depression.
Psychotherapy is a lifeline for people that are
dealing with extreme depression because it gives them an outlet for the pain
and sadness that they are feeling. Depression feeds on negativity, so when a
person is sad and lonely and anxious because they are depressed it’s hard for
them to break that negative cycle in order to start to get better.
Psychotherapy combined with cognitive therapy and other treatments are much
more effective for treating depression than just using cognitive therapy alone.
Psychotherapy is not an ongoing treatment for
depression but can be used whenever the symptoms of depression are acute or
when a person enters cognitive therapy. If someone that has had episodes of
depression in the past experiences a trauma in their life that they feel might
set off another episode of depression they might choose to enter psychotherapy
as a preventative treatment to make sure that they don’t fall back into a
depression.
One of the drawbacks to Psychotherapy is that
often the patient will feel much better because he or she is getting a lot of
care and support from the therapist and might decide to stop treatment.
Psychotherapy treats the immediate symptoms of depression but that person that
is suffering from depression still needs to learn the right coping skills and
mental attitudes to deal with life that are taught in Cognitive Therapy.
The statistics show that more than 80% of the
people with depression that go to Psychotherapy start feeling better and notice
an improvement in their depression. But in order for depression patients to
fight off depression over a long period of time they really need to have
Cognitive Therapy in addition to Psychotherapy to make sure that they correct
the negative thought patterns that contribute to their depression.
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DRUG THERAPY
Drug therapy is the most common form of
treatment for depression, but it’s also controversial. Many patients are
concerned that the drugs that are prescribed for depression don’t cure
depression and might even make depression worse. Many of the drugs that are
commonly prescribed to treat depression can have very serious side effects like
increased risk of cancer or other illnesses, or having suicidal thoughts.
The drugs that doctors prescribe to treat
depression are very different but work in very much the same way. They all
increase natural chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters that are
supposed to help the body and mind deal with stress and manage emotions. When
the brain creates these chemicals they are used by the body and reabsorbed.
Anti-depressant medications block the
neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed into the body so that there are higher
levels of these chemicals in the brain, which should make a person that is
normally depressed start to feel better and less negative.
The biggest problem with using prescription
anti-depressants to treat depression is that they don’t work for everyone.
Most patients will respond to the drugs but
even in the best case scenario the drugs only partially alleviate the symptoms
of depression. Without ongoing cognitive therapy or other treatments the person
will continue to suffer from some level of depression even if they are taking
anti-depressants.
Anti-depressants can have very bad side effects
that some people just can’t tolerate even if the medication helps their
depression. When a depression patient first starts getting treatment for
depression it could take months for doctors to find out what the best
anti-depressant for that person is. Only a long process of trial and error can
show the patient and the doctor which drug seems to work the best and which one
the patient can tolerate the best.
There is always a danger that people who are on
anti-depressants could become dependent on them. Most of the drugs used to
treat depression are expensive and are considered controlled substances and are
subject to a lot of special handling rules because there is a strong chance
that they could be misused or even sold. Because of the risks involved in
taking anti-depressants that might not work at all or might only partially work
many people are searching for alternative therapies that can treat depression.
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Those patients that choose to stay on drug
therapy have several different types of drugs that that they can try that might
help them manage their depression.
TRICYCLIC ANTI-DEPRESSANTS
Tricyclic anti-depressants were the first
anti-depressants developed to treat depression. This particular type of drug
increases the amount of two particular neurotransmitters, serotonin and
norepinephrine in the brain. TCA’s, as they are called, were first used for
treating depression in the 1950’s.
They are also used sometimes to treat ADD/ADHD
and migraines as well as other pain disorders. Some research has found that
TCA’s might also be useful in treating bedwetting in children.
TCA’s are not usually the first choice of
doctors to treat depression. Increasingly, they have become a treatment only of
last resort when all other methods are not getting results.
Many doctors will only prescribe TCA’s if the
patient doesn’t respond to other types of drug therapy because TCA’s are known
to have severe side effects that many people can’t tolerate.
TCA’s also are known to have bad reactions with
many other common drugs so patients that are put on TCA’s have to be very
careful about taking other drugs.
Some of the side effects that are commonly
experienced by people who take TCA’s include:
• Dry
Mouth
• Dry
Nose
• Hyperthermia
(where the body produces too much heat)
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Confused
thinking
• Irregular
heartbeat
• Nausea
and vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Muscle
breakdown
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Patients that take TCA’s for a long period of
time usually develop a tolerance for the medication and when they increase the
dosage they might find that they develop side effects that they previously
haven’t encountered.
MAOI
An MAOI is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. This
class of drug is used to treat depression but also has been proven effective at
treating social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, Parkinson’s disease, and also
can sometimes treat migraines depending on the patient. There is growing
evidence that MAOIs might also help smokers quit smoking.
MAOIs were developed around the same time as
TCA’s and were originally meant to be an alternative drug that people who
couldn’t tolerate the side effects of TCA’s could use to treat their
depression.
MAOIs have less severe side effects than TCA’s
but still there are some serious risks associated with using MAOIs so doctors
usually will not prescribe MAOIs unless other drugs have not been effective.
MAOIs have been very effective at treating atypical or unusual depression so
patients that have unusual or overly severe symptoms of depression might get
relief from MAOIs.
The biggest danger when using MAOIs is the
danger of serious interactions with certain kinds of common foods and beverages
that people consume. MAOIs stop the body
from breaking down chemicals in foods so this may make a normal food harmful.
For example, if a person is taking MAOIs and
eats or drinks items containing chemicals like trypophan, which are broken down
by the body into neurotransmitters, then the body will be off balance because there
will be too much of that particular neurotransmitter.
Other side effects of MAOIs include:
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Sudden
drop in blood pressure when standing
• Weakness
• Sexual
dysfunction in men and women
• Chest
pain
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Migraines
SSRIS
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SSRIs are selective serotonergic reuptake
inhibitors. SSRIs are most often prescribed to treat clinical depression but
they also are commonly used to treat anxiety, personality disorders, and
premature ejaculation. Some of the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants
that most people are familiar with belong to the SSRI class. Prozac, Paxil,
Lexapril, and Zoloft are all SSRIs.
SSRIs are different from the other types of
anti-depressants used to treat depression because they work only on the
Serotonin neurotransmitter. Because of this SSRIs are considered by doctors to
be safer than other types of anti- depressant drugs. There are also less severe
side effects from SSRIs than there are from other types of anti-depressants.
SSRIs are controversial because in 2004 a study
found a link between the use of SSRIs and teen suicide. While most doctors feel
that SSRIs are still the most effective anti-depressants to use for treating
some types of depression it’s not recommended for doctors to prescribe SSRIs to
teens or to the elderly until more research is done to see if there really is a
link between the use of SSRIs and suicide. Suicidal thoughts have been reported
as a side effect of SSRIs.
Other side effects of SSRIs include:
• Nausea
• Sleepwalking
• Teeth
clenching
• Migraines
• Dizziness
• Vivid
dreams
• Weight
gain or loss of more than 7 pounds rapidly
• Increased
sensitivity to light
• Sexual
dysfunction
• Liver
damage
THE CONTROVERSY OVER ANTI-DEPRESSANT SIDE
EFFECTS
Most people that take anti-depressant drugs
don’t suffer from the severe side effects that can cause permanent damage to
their bodies or cause suicidal thoughts. But even in mild forms the side
effects of anti-depressants can hurt the treatment of someone suffering from
depression.
Many people feel, after being on
anti-depressant drugs for awhile, that they feel worse on the drugs than off of
them.
One of the most common side effects of
anti-depressant drugs is anxiety.
People that are already suffering from
depression and anxiety who take a drug that causes more anxiety most likely
won’t find that treatment to be effective. Anti-depressants don’t get rid of
the depression. These drugs just help people manage the symptoms of depression.
Many anti-depressants have side effects that
mimic or enhance the symptoms of depression and have a lot of other negative
effects on the body. For these reasons, critics of anti-depressants argue that
the drugs don’t actually work and can cause the delicate chemical balance of
the body to become permanently altered.
Some people who have been on anti-depressant
drugs claim that even though they stopped taking the drugs they have never felt
the same again. The medical community is still split on this issue.
For many patients the process of finding an
anti-depressant that gives them some relief from depression and doesn’t have
terrible side effects is a long one and can result in a lot of pain and
chemical imbalance.
Taking one medication for awhile and then
switching to another and then to another is not good for the body but that’s
the only way to find an anti-depressant that works for each person since the
symptoms of depression are experienced differently by different people.
Critics of anti-depressants also argue that anti-depressants
are over prescribed and that doctors put their patients on anti-depressants
without even trying other forms of treatment that might be as effective, or
more effective, and won’t have the dangerous side effects that anti-depressants
can have.
Because of the controversy over the use of
anti-depressants more people are exploring alternative therapies to treat
depression.
As more research is done about the long term
effects of anti-depressant use and people become more informed about their medical
options they are choosing to use anti-depressants as a last resort.
Parents, especially, are turning to alternative
medicine to treat their children for depression, anxiety, ADD, and other
problems because they are afraid of the side effects that anti-depressants
have.
ANTI-DEPRESSANT DRUGS DON’T CURE DEPRESSION
It would be nice if there was a silver bullet
to cure depression. If there was a simple pill everyone could take and all the
symptoms of depression would go away forever then so much suffering would be
healed. Sadly, this is not the reality.
There has been a great divide in the medical
community for years over the issue of using anti-depressants. Despite their
concerns some doctors continue to prescribe anti-depressants for patients
because they believe that even with the risks and the side effects their patients
will benefit from taking them.
But new research shows that the drug companies
that manufacture anti- depressants may have been manipulating data and only
putting out studies that showed their products work and might have ignored data
that anti-depressants aren’t effective for treating depression.
Doctors have known for a long time that
anti-depressants don’t cure depression. What anti-depressants are supposed to
do is to help make the symptoms of depression manageable so that the people
diagnosed with depression can live their lives without having to deal with the
sometimes severe symptoms of depression.
Anti-depressants are also supposed to help
alleviate the symptoms of depression while a patient is in therapy so that they
can get some relief from the symptoms long enough to concentrate on changing
the negative thought patterns that lead to depression.
But a study published in February 2008 in the
Public Library of Science journal found that anti-depressants did not even
reliably alleviate the symptoms of depression for many people. In this study a
group of people were given a
placebo pill, and then they were given an
anti-depressant. According to the data the anti-depressant worked only slightly
better than the placebo at getting rid of the symptoms of depression.
In addition, an article recently published in
the New England Journal of Medicine provides proof that the companies that make
anti-depressants have been misleading doctors and the public for years about
how well their products work by only releasing data that shows good results for
anti-depressants and hiding studies that show anti-depressants don’t work to
get rid of depression.
With all the new scientific data about the
effectiveness of anti-depressants now coming out, people that were already
concerned about taking anti-depressants because of the possible side effects
are now actively looking for alternative therapies to manage their depression.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES AND DEPRESSION
People who have not received results from standard
anti-depressant drugs, or people who are leery of the side effects of those
drugs do have an alternative.
Actually, they have many alternatives. Because
depression is so wide-spread and such a huge problem, many people around the
world have devoted themselves to developing treatments that are alternatives to
conventional drug therapy.
There are several different types of
alternative treatments that are regarded as being very effective for treating
depression.
Alternative treatments combined with cognitive
therapy can do wonders to help depression.
Some of the most commonly used alternative
treatments for depression are acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, diet and
exercise therapy, homeopathy, hypnosis, Kampo, and massage therapy.
Stress management techniques and meditation can
also help lessen the symptoms of depression because stress can be a big
contributing factor to the onset of depression symptoms.
Alternative therapies have not always been
widely embraced in the US but these days millions of people who are worried
about the effects of traditional drug therapies are researching alternative
therapies to help battle depression.
WHY ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES WORK
So why do alternative therapies work to treat
depression when anti-depressant drugs don’t work? Alternative therapies can be
better at treating depression because it’s easier to adapt alternative
therapies to fit each person’s unique form of depression. Everyone experiences
the symptoms of depression in a unique way and experiences symptoms to
different degrees, so it makes sense that in order to treat the symptoms each
person would need to have a treatment plan that was unique.
Alternative therapies are also more effective
than drug therapy for treating depression because of the mental component of
depression. Therapies like meditation, exercise, and proper nutrition can help
the body naturally fix any chemical imbalances that might be causing depression
so that the body can fix itself without the need for drugs. Anytime a treatment
helps the body to correct an imbalance without using drugs the results will be
longer lasting than any results that come from drug therapy. Also, there are no
harmful side effects involved when using alternative therapies.
Another advantage to alternative therapies is
their method of approach. The anti- depressant drugs are harsh while
alternative therapies are gentle. Many alternative therapies aim not to force
the symptoms away or dramatically alter a person’s body chemistry but instead
to gently nudge a person into a more healthy state over time.
Depression, unlike many other illnesses, is
directly affected by your body and your mind. Alternative therapies stress
creating a balance between mind and body and taking care of both, which will reduce
stress and help fight off depression.
WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?
Homeopathy is an alternative health care
practice that first began being widely practiced in the 1800s.
Homoeopathy is based upon the idea that in
order to fix the body of certain illnesses it’s necessary to ingest herbs that
produce the same symptoms that the person is already suffering from, but in
such small doses that the herbs don’t harm the person or make the condition
worse.
Homeopathy was widely regarded until the early
20th century when it fell out of favor and was replaced by a more scientific
emphasis in medicine.
In the 1970’s homeopathy became popular again
and schools
opened to teach homeopathy and train
homoeopathic practitioners, called homeopaths.
Homeopathy is based on two basic principles;
the Law of Susceptibility and the Law of Similars.
The Law of Susceptibility
The Law of Susceptibility states that the body
has an internal vital life force that can grow strong or weaken based on
surroundings, stress, and other factors.
When the vital life force fluctuates or is
drained for any reason then illness will occur. When the vital life force is
restored then the body will once again be balanced and healthy.
The Law of Similars
The Law of Similars states that in order to get
rid of illness in the body it’s necessary for the person to eat or drink herbs
that will produce the same symptoms that the person is already suffering from
if given in large enough doses. The herbs are never given full strength; they
are diluted with water to make sure that the person doesn’t end up suffering
from more of the same symptoms.
In Homeopathy it is believed that illness or
disease in the body is caused by a miasm, or anything that drains vital life
force. The founder of Homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, believed that miasms are
responsible for chronic and long term illness and believed that restoring the
body to full energy and getting rid of the miasms that were draining the
person’s life force would help people get rid of chronic depression and other
chronic illnesses.
HOW HOMEOPATHY WORKS
“Like fixes like” is the best way to sum up how
Homeopathy works. The Law of Similars states that giving a sick person small
doses of a medicine that would cause the same symptoms that the person is
already experiencing in a healthy person will be enough to alleviate that
person of those symptoms.
Homeopathy seeks to help the body’s natural
defense mechanisms reactivate and strengthen. By giving people small doses of
herbs that produce like symptoms, the body will learn to adapt to soothe those
symptoms.
It’s not just Homeopathy that has this belief.
In traditional Western medicine children are given vaccines that are made from
the very virus that the vaccine is supposed to prevent.
The theory is the same - that giving the child
a dose of the virus that has been made safe will be enough to help the body fight
off the real virus if the body is exposed to it.
Homeopathy also uses the person’s individual
energy to help alleviate the symptoms.
The goal of Homeopathy is to treat the symptoms
that the person is experiencing and also to clear out the miasm, or energy
blockage, so that the illness doesn’t return.
In order to clear the blockage and treat the
symptoms a Homeopath will pick a particular herbal treatment known as a
Similium. The Similium is carefully
chosen after a lengthy consultation to make sure that the Homeopath has a clear
understanding of both the mental and physical issues that are causing the
illness.
The Similium, when taken according to the
Homeopath’s directions, will clear the energy blockage and help treat the
symptoms of the illness, which will make the depression go away.
Like most alternative treatments there is no
clear scientific understanding of how exactly Homeopathy works on the body
because there is a mental component to Homeopathic treatment as well as a
physical one. But patients who use Homeopathic care to treat depression report
that mild forms of depression can be quickly helped by Homeopathic treatments.
Some people that suffer from chronic depression
have a harder time getting relief from Homeopathic means but eventually, most
report that the Homeopathic treatments did help their depression.
If the depression is caused by negative
thinking then Homeopathic treatments combined with psychotherapy and cognitive
therapy can treat the immediate symptoms of depression and prevent the
depression from returning. As with any therapy, a combination of therapies
works best.
WHAT TRAINING DO HOMEOPATHS GO THROUGH?
Homeopathy is a field that requires a lot of
study. Even though there is no nationally recognized or required license to
become a Homeopath there are three different types of certificates that many
Homeopaths get to reassure their clients that they have completed advanced
training in Homeopathy:
CCH (Certified Classical Homeopath)
Any Homeopathic practitioner can study for this
certificate. When you are choosing a Homeopath it’s always a good idea to check
their educational credentials carefully because there is no required license
that a person has to have in order to prove they have been trained and are
capable of practicing Homeopathy
DHt (Diplomate in Homeotherapeutics)
This certification is only for medical doctors
that decide to specialize in Homeopathy. This certificate is proof of advanced
training in the medical applications of Homeopathy and the education uses
medical techniques and terminology that medical doctors are familiar with.
DHANP
(Diplomate of the Homeopathic Academy of
Naturopathic Physicians) - Naturopathic physicians are professionally certified
in the US because Naturopathic Medicine is a recognized alternative medical
practice. The DHANP serves as proof that a certified Naturopathic physician has
completed a thorough education in Homoeopathy that complements their original
Naturopathic medical training.
IS HOMEOPATHIC APPROPRIATE FOR EVERYONE?
No treatment for depression is appropriate for
everyone. Because many people that suffer from depression are worried about the
side effects of anti- depressants, the question of whether or not homeopathic
treatments are safe and who they are safe for is a very important one.
Homeopathic treatments are regarded as safe for everyone, including children
and babies, and are not known to have any bad side effects at all.
The reason that homeopathic treatments have no
side effects is that they are made from all natural ingredients. They are not
“drugs” per se; they are herbal remedies that don’t have the same harsh side
effects that drugs have. Also, they are heavily diluted to make them less
potent. Because there are no side effects homeopathic treatments are
appropriate for almost everyone.
HOMEOPATHIC FOR CHILDREN
Parents that have children who suffer from
depression or have depressive tendencies are often concerned about putting
their children on anti-depressants because there is evidence that kids using
anti-depressants might suffer from even worse depression or might even start to
have suicidal thoughts.
But parents can give Homoeopathic treatments
for depression to their kids without fear. Because there are no known side
effects associated with using Homeopathic treatments even small children can be
given Homeopathic treatments.
Homeopathic treatments, when given regularly,
can also help boost a child’s immune system, manage their stress levels, and
keep them from developing any of the symptoms of depression. Homeopathic
practitioners are experts at knowing how to help children homeopathically.
HOMEOPATHIC FOR DEPRESSION
If you or someone that you love is suffering
from depression and you want to try some homeopathic treatments but you’re not
sure which homeopathic treatments you should try here is a brief guide to the
homeopathic treatments that are most often used to treat depression.
Often, these Homeopathic treatments are
available at any natural food store or natural health practitioner. You can
also order them online, usually at a much cheaper price.
If you’re not sure which remedy you should be
using it’s a good idea to schedule a few treatments with a certified Homeopath
that can give you the guidance you need to pick an effective Homeopathic
treatments for depression.
Arsenicum album
This homeopathic treatment is commonly
recommended for people that are suffering from anxiety or insecurity. People
that have perfectionist tendencies or need to be perfect all the time can also
benefit from this herbal remedy. Anyone that has bouts of despair or fears
about money can also find relief with this treatment.
Aurum metallicum
People who are overly focused on being high
achievers or being successful and feel like they never quite measure up can
usually benefit from taking this homeopathic remedy. Also, people who have
symptoms like feeling discouraged, overly sensitive to humiliation, or who
suffer from feelings of emptiness or worthlessness should take this remedy.
Calcarea carbonica
This herb alleviates anxiety and worry. This
remedy is recommended for people that become overwhelmed with worry, stress, or
fear. People who frequently get sick or have bouts of self-pity,
discouragement, or dread can find relief taking this homeopathic treatments.
Also, people who feel lethargic a lot of the time or are always cold should
take this.
Causticum
A person who feels depressed because of grief
and loss (either recent or over time) may benefit from this remedy. Frequent
crying or a feeling of mental dullness and forgetfulness (with anxious checking
to see if the door is locked, if the stove is off, etc.) are other indications.
People who need this remedy are often deeply sympathetic toward others and,
having a strong sense of justice, can be deeply discouraged or angry about the
world.
Cimicifuga
People that have clinical depression, or are
unusually dark and sad most of the time should take this homeopathic treatment.
People who suffer from irrational fears and excessive anxiety about tragedies
occurring, like being afraid the house will catch will fire or the car will
crash, can find relief taking this.
Ignatia amara
This homeopathic remedy is most often
recommended for people that are going through a period of grief after losing a
loved one, a pet, or even a job or home. Anytime that someone is grieving, this
remedy can help. This remedy is also appropriate for people that are overly
sensitive, moody, or have a tendency to cry easily.
Kali phosphoricum
This has a calming and focusing affect. When a
person is having trouble concentrating on their work, or has a tendency to
drift from topic to topic or job to job or person to person this remedy can
help. People who have attention deficit disorder symptoms including being jumpy
or overly alert and paranoid can usually benefit from taking this homeopathic
treatment.
Natrum carbonicum
The people that can benefit the most from this
homeopathic remedy are people who are overly sensitive by nature. Often, people
that are very sensitive lapse into depression as a result of feeling hurt or
beaten down by the outside world. They internalize that hurt and become
depressed. People who are sensitive, lonely, and feel isolated should take this
remedy.
Natrum muriaticum
This remedy works best for people who outwardly
seem very capable and not likely to be depressed but still suffer anyway. Even
though these people keep their feelings carefully hidden they can be very
susceptible to depression because they tend to brood about perceived slights or
insults. These people often experience insomnia, back pain, and migraines that
can all be helped by this homeopathic treatment.
Pulsatilla
This remedy is often recommended for children.
It is very helpful for children and for people who have a tendency towards
child like behavior. When someone is moody, whiny, gets jealous very easily and
is overly sensitive this remedy can really help. This remedy is also
particularly useful for girls and women that become depressed or irritable when
they hit puberty or during certain parts of their menstrual cycle.
Sepia
Loners who tend to get crabby and lash out at
others when they are depressed should take this remedy. People who keep their
feelings buried may get angry when they really feel like crying and might seem
very irritable and nasty to those around them when they are depressed. Taking
Sepia can help alleviate those symptoms.
Staphysagria
People who suffer from depression as a result
of childhood trauma often find this remedy very effective. It is particularly
good at alleviating the depression associated with feelings of shame, hurt,
guilt, resentment, and other suppressed emotions. People who suffer from
episodes of rage can also benefit from doses of this remedy.
FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD SEE A TRAINED HOMEOPATH
FOR TREATMENT
If you or a loved one suffers from depression
but you are hesitant to try anti- depressants because of the risks, Homeopathy
can be a great alternative therapy to treat depression. It is common now to
find pre-packaged Homeopathic products for sale in health stores, even some
grocery stores. But, when you are first starting to use Homeopathic depression
treatments it’s always a good idea to consult with a trained Homeopath first.
Here’s why:
1. Homeopathy
is a specialty
Just because they sell Homeopathic treatments
over the counter doesn’t mean that everyone knows how to properly use them.
Everyone is different, and consulting with a trained Homeopath means that you
will have someone who knows what they are doing tell you how much of that
remedy you need to take.
2. Someone
needs to monitor your progress
Don’t you want to know if the remedy is working
or not? Just because you are feeling better doesn’t necessarily mean the remedy
is working or that it will continue to work long term. Regular visits to a
trained Homeopath can help you because you will have a qualified professional
keeping track of your progress and making suggestions if you need to change
treatments.
3. You
might need custom blends
Homoeopathy isn’t an exact science, it’s an
individual one. Each person is different and you might need to have a blend of
several remedies to help get rid of all of your symptoms. A trained Homeopath
can prepare unique herbal blends that will be made specifically for your unique
combination of symptoms.
4. A full
understanding of Homeopathy takes years of education
Because everyone’s depression is different it
takes a lot of skill and education to decide upon a course of treatment and to
figure out what herbal remedies are right for you. A Homeopath with years of
education in Herbalism and Homeopathy is better qualified than you to decide
what treatments you need and they are there to help.
5. Homeopathy
can treat more than depression
Homeopathy can be used to treat a wide range of
health conditions, not just depression. Going to a trained Homeopath can help
you get the treatment you need for all your medical problems. Homeopathy is
designed to treat the whole person not just isolated symptoms. As such, it is a
great way to achieve whole health by working with a Homeopath.
FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK A HOMEOPATH BEFORE YOU
BEGIN TREATMENT
If you do decide to seek out a trained
Homeopath to help you treat your depression naturally there are a few things
that you should ask before you agree to let that person treat you. Remember,
you are going to trust this person with your health so you have a right to ask
questions beforehand. Check into their background and make sure they actually
have been properly trained and certified in their discipline.
To make it easier to assess each Homeopath you
should schedule a short session so that you have time to sit down with the
person one on one and talk about your health, your symptoms, and his or her
qualifications. Here are five things that you should ask a Homeopath or any
alternative health care practitioner before you start treatment with them:
1. What
is your educational background?
Many Homeopaths have a medical background. Some
of them are even medical doctors who have chosen to pursue a career in
alternative therapies instead of traditional medicine. If the person that
you’re meeting with doesn’t have at least a college degree from an accredited
school and several years of training as a Homeopath it’s probably a good idea
to move on and find another person to treat you.
2. What
experience do you have treating depression?
Homeopaths treat all kinds of health problems
and, like doctors, some specialize in treating particular kinds of problems.
Not all of them have experiences treating depression. Always ask if the person
has experience specifically treating depression before you agree to be treated
by that person. It doesn’t make them unqualified if they never have
specifically treated depression before, but it may be worth it for you to go to
another Homeopath who has.
3. Can I
speak to some of your patients?
Any good alternative health care practitioner
won’t mind if you want to speak to former or current patients that provide a
reference. Be suspicious if the practitioner doesn’t want you to talk to their
patients. Understand though that there are some legitimate privacy concerns.
Not all patients want to have their identities known.
4. Do you
accept insurance?
Not all practitioners will accept medical
insurance for Homeopathy treatments, and not all insurance companies will cover
it. If you’re worried about the cost of the treatment ask up front whether or
not whether insurance is accepted and then see if you can get your insurance to
cover the cost of the treatments.
Even if the Homeopath doesn’t take insurance,
or your insurance company won't cover the treatment, the Homeopath may be
willing to make financial arrangements to help you afford treatments. It
certainly does not hurt to ask.
Some Homeopaths also treat on a sliding scale.
A sliding scale means that people pay what they can afford. This means
revealing your financial situation to
the Homeopath, which may be of concern to you;
but it may help you to afford your treatment.
5. What
does a typical session involve?
If you’ve never had a Homeopathy treatment
session before, ask for details about what the session will be like, how long
it will take, what kind of information the practitioner will need from you and
so on. You deserve to know beforehand what to expect. When you do know what to
expect you can come to your first treatment session with any paperwork or
documents or medical information that the Homeopath might want to have for
reference.
It is also a very good idea to get from the
Homeopath a broad view of the proposed treatment. How long will it last? How
long will it be before you start to see results? What are you expected to do
and for how long to help in your healing? You deserve to know everything about
what you are getting into and any reputable Homeopath will be more than happy
to tell you the answers.
Knowing those answers can prepare you.
KAMPO – JAPANESE HERBALISM AND DEPRESSION
Kampo is a Japanese based herbal treatment
system that is just starting to be used in the West to fight depression. Kampo
has been used in Japan for thousands of years and is based on traditional
Japanese medicine. Unlike Homeopathy which uses particular herbs in small doses
to treat depression, Kampo uses blends of different herbs together to treat
depression. There are some individual herbs used to treat depression under the
Kampo system but these are generally used to treat mild cases of very specific
conditions rather than depression as a whole.
Kampo is based on the belief that depression is
a purely physical illness but that the physical illness causes the mental and
emotional symptoms that are associated with depression. So Kampo uses herbs to
treat specific conditions of the body, which will then alleviate the other
symptoms that people suffer like paranoia, irritability, sadness, and so on.
Kampo refers to depression as a “broken heart”
and classifies depression into one of three types:
1. Depression
that is caused by not enough nutrients reaching the heart. The primary symptoms
of this type of depression are night sweats, insomnia, and irritability.
2. Depression
that is caused by too many nutrients flowing through the heart. This condition
usually causes excitability, redness of the face, mania, and mental illness
3. Depression
that stems from the liver. This type of depression is rooted in anger and often
causes the physical systems of chest pain, anxiety, and bloating.
Once a person has been diagnosed as having one
of those types of depression a Kampo healer will then use a series of
treatments to fix the imbalance in the body and the physical symptoms will
disappear as the body heals. Most Kampo treatments are only to be taken
according to the direction of a Kampo healer but some of the individual
treatments that are used to treat mild or chronic cases of depression can be
used every day, or regularly over a long period of time, to keep depression
from returning. Communicate with your Kampo healer and be sure you understand
what you can and cannot do with the herbs they give you.
Your healing depends on it.
Some Kampo practitioners tell their patients
that Kampo herbal remedies for depression can be taken with anti-depressant
drugs but because of the potential for bad interactions most doctors and Kampo
healers would suggest that the Kampo treatments not be taken in conjunction
with anti-depressants. It is very important that you be very open and honest
with your Kampo healer about what other drugs, supplements, even vitamins, that
you are taking. This way your Kampo healer can help you avoid dangerous
interactions.
COMMONLY USED KAMPO HERBAL TREATMENTS FOR
DEPRESSION
Here is a brief overview of some of the most
commonly used Kampo herbal treatments to fight depression:
Individual Kampo Treatments
These treatments use a single ingredient.
Barley Sprouts
Barley sprouts are used in Kampo by adults that
have diabetes or ADD. Barley sprouts are given to alleviate mild depression
with loneliness and sadness.
Biota
Biota is an herb usually recommended for memory
loss and depression that is commonly found in older or elderly people. This
herb is not usually given to anyone but the elderly.
Ginkgo
Most people are familiar with this herb that
you can get at any drugstore. Ginkgo has been proven to help treat the symptoms
of mild depression, especially in older people.
Licorice
Licorice extract or licorice tea is used to
treat people that suffer from chronic painful disorders that can cause
depression like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Licorice stimulates the brain to
produce Cortisol, a neurotransmitter.
Morinda
This herb is often given to men that suffer
from depression because it works like an anti-depressant but it increases male
sexual function. It increases the amount of tryptophan in the brain without
affecting the other neurotransmitters the way that anti-depressant drugs do.
Kampo Multi-Herb Formulas
These treatments use two or more ingredients
together.
Biota Seed Pill
This remedy works directly to alleviate the
symptoms of chills, poor blood circulation, insomnia, agitation, and vivid
dreams.
Bupleurum Plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell
Decoction
This bizarrely named Kampo herbal formula helps
treat depression with migraines, and also can alleviate confused thinking,
delirium, irritability, and chest pain.
Coptis Decoction
This treatment is used for people who suffer
from symptoms like fevers, red face, tension headaches, and nervousness as a
result of their depression.
Drive out Stasis from the Mansion of Blood
Decoction
This bizarrely named remedy is used
specifically for people that tend to also have symptoms that are induced by
their depression like chronic headaches, insomnia, mood swings, fever, all over
body pain, and nausea or vomiting. It helps to lessen those symptoms.
Frigid Extremities Decoction
This remedy is used to treat nausea and
vomiting.
Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Nutritive Qi
This formula is specifically to treat
depression induced by high levels of stress. It can also help people that are
suffering from lack of sleep and a general run down feeling because of their
depression. It boosts the immune system too.
Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction
This remedy acts as a sedative and is great for
calming people who have intense feelings of sadness or anger as a result of
their depression. It has a sedative effect that is similar to that given by
opiates but it has no opiates in it. It’s often given to children who cry a lot
or show symptoms of depression.
Restore the Spleen Decoction
This remedy is used to combat depression that
comes from the liver, or depression with strong anger. It’s also a good
treatment for people that have trouble with their memory, or are overly tired
all the time.
Because Kampo is still relatively new in the
United States there aren’t too many qualified Kampo practitioners who are
active in the United States. If you decide to learn more about Kampo as a treatment
for depression, make sure that you visit several different Kampo practitioners
to find one that is highly qualified and has been trained in Japan in the art
and science of Kampo.
There are many people who claim to have cures
and claim to have knowledge about Kampo or other herbal treatments. Not all of
them do have the knowledge they claim. Check into a person’s background and
make sure they actually have been properly trained and certified in their
discipline and method of healing.
CONCLUSION
Depression is a very serious illness that
should never be taken lightly. There are a lot of different treatment options
for people that are suffering from depression that encompass both traditional
Western medicine and alternative therapy. There are so many, in fact, almost
everyone should be able to find some combination that helps them in their
unique circumstances.
There are different kinds of depression and
each type has particular symptoms, but every person that suffers from
depression will have different combinations of symptoms and those symptoms will
vary in intensity for each person. It is important not to expect simple answers
or to pigeonhole yourself into one simple diagnosis of depression.
Psychotherapy and cognitive therapy are very
effective and should always be a part of any long term depression treatment
plan. Anti-depressants and other drug therapies do carry some heavy risks, and
people that are worried about the serious side effects of these drugs should
consider alternative therapies to treat their depression. Still,
anti-depressants do provide relief for some. Those for whom anti-depressants do
not work or those for whom the thought of possible side-effects are too
worrisome have a number of alternative treatments for depression to consider.
Acupuncture and acupressure, diet and
nutrition, exercise, Kampo, and Homeopathy are all good alternative therapies
that can be used to successfully fight depression. Kampo and other herbal therapies
have no known side effects and can be very effective at dealing with
depression. Homeopathy has no side
effects and can be a big help when it comes to
managing the symptoms of depression that can make day to day life difficult,
like feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, and hopelessness.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember
about depression is that it is not a cause for shame. It is not your fault that
you suffer from depression. Depression is a disease and should be treated as a
disease. Depression is also a very treatable disease. It is not a condition
that people have no choice but to put up with it.
If you or a loved one suffers from depression
don’t give up hope. There are lots of effective ways to treat and manage
depression. With a little effort and the knowledge you have gained from this
book about treating depression you can move forward and make a plan with your
doctor to treat your depression and live a happy life again.
Good luck!
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