Alternative Treatments for Depression

Depression does not describe a single disorder calling for a straightforward course of treatment. Often misused as an umbrella term, depression actually includes several different disorders and may be a symptom of a different disorder, rather than a condition unto itself. According to the Cleveland Clinic, many different causes are recognized, including bipolar disorders (BPDs), substance-induced mood disorders, and mood disorder due to a general medical condition. The form of depression most recognized by the public is referred to as major depressive disorder (MDD). Many overlapping or interacting causes can trigger the onset of depression, including genetic luck of the draw, temperamental makeup, typical behavior of the subject (for instance, a history of substance abuse and a number of environmental risk factors. The most common symptoms of MDD include many types of anxiety, physical pain such as headache, backache and general "aches and pains," sexual dysfunction or addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Traditional medical treatment for MDD has involved prescribed drugs, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A number of alternative approaches exist, some of which have not yet been embraced or endorsed by the medical community. Here are some of the most often used alternative therapies. The Mayo Clinic advises that most are "effective for mild, but not more severe forms of depression."

Chiropractic Treatments

Some patients have sought the help of a chiropractor for depression with varying degrees of success. There has very little clinical investigation of chiropractic treatments for depression, and successful outcomes have also been attributed to patients' positive response to touch, attention and human interaction.

Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements

The herbal treatment most often used for depression is St. John's wort, the effectiveness of which has never been proven. It can, however, cause interaction problems. A 2000 Food and Drug Administration advisory indicated that St. John's wort may interfere with prescription drugs for depression, heart disease, cancers, seizures and organ transplant rejection. Omega-3 fatty acids, easily consumed in either fish oil or flax oil, may be beneficial in regard to depression (and it has many other physical benefits as well).

Mind-Body Techniques

Alternative practitioners employ techniques designed to address the connection between the mental and physical aspects of health, including acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, meditation and guided imagery, which is being accepted in many hospitals. According to the National Institutes of Health, guided imagery is "a therapeutic technique that allows a person to use his or her own imagination to connect their body and mind to achieve desirable outcomes such as decreased pain perception and reduced anxiety."

Hypnosis and Biofeedback

Clinical hypnosis is attracting significant attention in medical circles for its perceived ability to improve therapeutic outcomes in patients also receiving conventional treatments. According to NeuroHealth Associates, biofeedback is effective in treating anxiety and stress but less so in coping with depression as such.