Approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population, are living with major depression at any given time, and while many treatment options exist, some patients with depression do not respond to drug therapy or cognitive / behavioral therapy, says the National Institutes for Mental Health. For these patients, acupuncture may offer hope for a significant improvement in symptoms with very low risk and few side effects.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by chronic and often debilitating sadness, apathy, and withdrawal, according to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV." Depression is characterized by sadness, a loss of interest in activities, insomnia, fatigue, and possibly, suicidal thoughts or actions. Depression can leach a lot of the pleasure out of life, making it hard for sufferers to enjoy their relationships, activities, and careers. Severe depression can result in suicidal behavior or other self-destructive activities such as substance abuse or self-mutilation.
Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. According to a 2005 study in the journal "Archives of General Psychiatry," nearly 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders annually, many of whom also suffer from depression.
Depression is also often hard on the families and friends of sufferers. Divorce, isolation or a loss of employment may result in loneliness and financial stresses that contribute to the depression, perpetuating a vicious circle of worsening circumstances.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine that is approximately 2,000 to 4,000 years old. The basis of acupuncture is that it allows for manipulation of the flow of energy through the body, or "qi," pronounced "chee." The Eastern explanation for how acupuncture works says that it re-balances the "yin" and "yang" of the body by regulating the energy of body, spirit, and mind. Practitioners believe that placing small, very fine needles into the skin can treat a variety of conditions from headaches to infertility to inflammation. The needles are placed precisely on trigger points in the body and left in place for a period of time while the patient relaxes. A mild electrical current may be applied to the needles to intensify their effect. Patients may feel a small prick as each needle is inserted, but can usually rest comfortably with the needles in place.
Acupuncture and Depression
The goal of any treatment for depression is twofold; first, make the symptoms go away, and second, make sure they don't come back. Traditional medical treatments for depressive disorders often require years to complete, including therapy and years of changing medications to help patients.
The effectiveness of acupuncture in alleviating depression has been demonstrated in a number of small peer-reviewed studies. In 1998 a study at the University of Arizona showed a 43 percent drop in depression symptoms among 34 women tested. In February 2010, another study indicated that depression in pregnancy may be relieved with acupuncture, a significant benefit since acupuncture treatment is nonpharmaceutical and therefore poses no danger to a developing baby, according to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Acupuncture treatment for depression is relatively cost-effective when compared with traditional Western medicine. Antidepressant medications may cost anywhere from $40 or so per month all the way to $3.35 a tablet for newer, brand name drugs such as Cymbalta, according to the Antidepressant Drug Database. Acupuncture costs roughly $60 to $100 per treatment and in general, a few initial visits are suggested followed by "maintenance" visits every three months or so for a year. Insurance companies often cover acupuncture as an adjunct to traditional Western therapy.
How To Find a Practitioner
The first thing to look for in finding an acupuncturist is the person's compliance with legal certification or license requirements in your area. Ask the practitioner about his or her experience, area of training emphasis, and philosophies. Find someone you are comfortable working with, and do not be afraid to be honest about your condition or how well treatments are working for you. You can check an acupuncturist's certification status by contacting the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Acupuncture.com.
A New Hope
Being proactive, open-minded, and honest in seeking treatment for depression is more likely to result in a successful treatment plan. With a coordinated and individualized approach, depression can be manageable or even curable. Acupuncture may be an effective and useful part of such an approach. This ancient treatment may provide a new hope for people living with depression, promoting happier days, more stability, and better mental health.
References
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (2010, February 4). Acupuncture found effective against depression during pregnancy. ScienceDaily.
- National Institutes for Mental Health Statistics On Mental Health Disorders in America
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)
- Acupuncture.com
- State laws on acupuncture licensure / certification
