Use Alternative Medicine to Ease Depression

Depression is a problem that faces many of us, young or old; baby boomers or generation X. We have a fast lifestyle, we're working between sixty and eighty hours a week and we have long commutes into the office keeping us away from our families. Pressures, stress and anxiety can gang up on us to cause an uncontrolled depression. Depression can be a symptom of this stress, or it can have a physiological cause as well. If you have cancer, heart disease or chronic pain, you might know all about depression and how debilitating it can be in your life. If you are one of the millions of people suffering from depression, what can you do about it? Are you ready to jump into the world of antidepressants that your doctor so quickly prescribes? We all want the magic bullet, the answer to just make the pain go away.

If you really want answers, sometimes it isn't that easy. If you want to make the symptoms of depression go away; you have to first find the cause. Modalities through alternative medicine, can assist you with finding exactly why you have depression and give you ideas on how to ease the pain.

If you are someone that believes in mind-body experiences, you know that taking a placebo can have an effect on your body and what you are experiencing physically. The experts can't agree if an antidepressant works because of the medicine, or because of the placebo effect. There are so many complementary therapies out there for you to try and experiment with. They may not all be for you, but if you are honest with yourself and are patient; you may find something that works for you without taking pharmaceutical drugs. Some of the options available to you include:

? Bibliotherapy ? reading self help books gives you a wealth of information to help you understand what may be happening to you and why. Knowledge is power.

? Ayurveda is the practice of knowing yourself and the 3 doshas of your body. If your body is out of balance, you may become depressed. You may not have a deep understanding of self. Medication and prayer are other ways to become tuned to the Universe giving you answers within. Spirituality and becoming closer to a higher power may be enough to have you feel connected and not so alone.

? Herbal treatments such as St. John's wort, Siberian ginseng, licorice, basil, clove, ginger, thyme increase serotonin in the brain and may help you with depression.

? Essential oils used in aromatherapy can scientifically help you to feel relaxed if you have anxiety or stimulate you if you feel lethargic. Sometimes when we smell a scent that we love, we just feel better too.

? Acupuncture or acupressure can touch the power points of the body and release blocked energy you are experiencing.

? Yoga, Pilates, or just moving to a type of exercise you enjoy can immediately make you feel better; lifting a depression. These are only a few of the options available to you.

Diet is a huge issue when it comes to depression. Do you drink too much caffeine, or consume too much sugar? Are you drinking too much alcohol? Do you have enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet? You might have food allergies or are you lactose intolerant causing you to feel sluggish and depressed. A thorough examination by a doctor can tell you if you have a deficiency of some kind and what you can do about it. Imbalances of any kind can cause disease physically and emotionally. I have heard it said that if you put junk into your mouth you are digging your grave with your teeth. So what can you do to stop the progression of making poor choices when it comes to eating? Fresh fruits and vegetables or cereals and beans are a good place to start. Avoid the processed stuff because most of the nutrients have been removed. If you consume complex carbohydrates, such as pasta, pancakes, potatoes and oatmeal; you can increase the levels of serotonin in the brain as well. We often forget about vitamins and having the right balance in the body. Make sure you have enough thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin B12 and C. Without the right amounts on a daily basis; you could experience irritability, depression, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion and more. Combine minerals such as calcium, magnesium, chromium, selenium, iron and zinc with your other vitamins in a daily regimen and you will feel better too.

The body and mind are very complex; and by giving yourself the right combinations of treatments, diet, information and medical attention, you will have a better chance of staying healthy and strong. Combine the modalities of alternative medicine with the care of your physician and you are well on your way to feeling better mentally, emotionally and physically.

Beverly Marshall is a successful freelance writer, certified Aromatherapist and Feng Shui consultant. Her many articles offer guidance, suggestions and common sense ideas to change your life. If you are interested in products and information regarding alternative medicine, vitamins, osteoporosis, menopause, essential oils, insomnia, anti aging, dry skin and more; her many articles can be found at http://www.alternative-medicine-4u.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Know the Signs of Depression and Improve Your Life

Typical signs of depression actually show a change in the... Read More

Raise Your Feeling Frequency with a Loving Smile

In every moment of our life we have the choice... Read More

The Cost of Giving Up

I'm sure at times of deep crisis many of you... Read More

Anxiety and Depression Treatment - 5 Tips for Beating Depression

Everyone has days when they are down, worn out and... Read More

Quick Steps To Reduce Your Worries

Looking for a way to reduce the amount of worrying... Read More

Depression and Procrastination: Twins in the Job Search

My definition of procrastination is that a person delays and... Read More

Depression - Causes and Treatments

Depression has long been considered a character flaw indicative of... Read More

Stress and Depression are Killing Us!

A short generation ago, families could set their watch by... Read More

The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

INTRODUCTION Everybody has a story. My... Read More

Fighting Depression by Restoring Your Routines

When we have depression, one of the things we drop... Read More

Depression: Bringing Yourself Down

Sometimes it's hard to see the forest from the trees.... Read More

25% of Americans Suffer From a Mental Illness and do Not Get Adequate Relief From Antidepressants

According to the June 7th issue of the Wall Street... Read More

It Aint Easy Being Brave

A zoo attendant entered a lion cage carrying only a... Read More

Are you suffering from Depression?

Millions of people sufferaround the world from a depressive illness.... Read More

The Formula for Preventing Depression

While it is arguable that depression is not always preventable,... Read More

Senate Finance Committee Delays FDA Approval of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression

On June 15th, 2004, FDA's Medical Devices Panel recommended that... Read More

Andropause and Depression

Andropause correlates directly with depression ? a major player in... Read More

Learn To Take Control of Depression

While depression is a growing epidemic in western society, it... Read More

Seven Steps to Good Mental Health

Psychological well-being is something that we all have a right... Read More

Reclaiming Your Life From Anxiety Symptoms

Only somebody who has lived with anxiety ? as either... Read More

Vagus Nerve Stimulation: What are the Benefits and How Does It Relieve Depression?

Vagus nerve stimulation is more effective than antidepressants and is... Read More

Ten Tips For Beating Depression

I heard about a woman who was suffering from depression,... Read More

A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications

While it may be easy to recite the various brand... Read More

Biological Psychiatry Confirms of Efficacy and Safety of VNS Therapy for Depression

The September 1, 2005 issue of Biological Psychiatry confirmed the... Read More

Chronic Depression: Disease or Charcter Flaw?

A major survey on depression symptoms from the National Mental... Read More

ADHD and Depression -- More Common Than Thought

"Thanks for Noticin' Me" says Eeyore. He walks slowly. He... Read More

How Do You Know if You Have Manic-Depression

Nancy was doing very well until about two years ago... Read More

How To Help A Stressed Or Depressed Loved One

Having lived with a depressed partner for 3 years and... Read More

New FDA Approved Therapy for Depression: Timeline from Prescription to Procedure

On July 18, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)... Read More

Depression in Long Term Care Heart Patients Often Goes Untreated

Cardiologists, other doctors and long term care staff might be... Read More

How You Can Learn To Treat Depression

When a person undertakes a course of therapy through their... Read More

Depression: 14 Universal Laws for Recovery

The Law of BlueJust sort of feeling blue, kinda out... Read More

Depression And Celiac Disease

Depression is a condition which affects about 15% of the... Read More