According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 20 Americans, ages 12 and older, suffer from depression, a common and debilitating condition that only 29 percent actually seek treatment for. Though there are a variety of medications available for those who are diagnosed with depression, these medications often only relieve the symptoms rather than treat the condition itself. To avoid the side effects of these medications, you may opt to treat your condition naturally.
Step 1
Visit your doctor. In some cases, depression can be caused by a medical condition, and its symptoms are an indication of this condition. Treating the medical condition can often cure your depression and alleviate the symptoms that accompany it.
Step 2
Seek therapy. Many people take medication when therapy can be just as effective. The most common type of therapy used is talk therapy; with the guidance of your therapist, you are able to determine the underlying cause of your depression and develop techniques that enable you to defeat depression for good.
Step 3
Choose your therapist. Before beginning therapy, you need to choose the right therapist for you. Ask your primary care physician for suggestions. Indications that you have found a therapist who is right for you is your comfort level; you will be sharing your innermost feelings and thoughts with her, therefore you need to feel at ease to do this.
Your therapist should also want you to ask questions about her qualifications--this is another test of your patient-therapist compatibility. Finally, be sure she is licensed and credentialed.
Step 4
Try stress reduction. Stress plays a large role in depression; finding ways to relieve it may have a profound impact in treating your condition. One means of doing this is to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Whether this be a 15-minute walk or a 30-minute kickboxing session, you can relieve your stress levels and enhance your mood. Exercise releases dopamine and serotonin, the chemicals in your brain responsible for how you feel.
Another option is to practice techniques such as yoga, visualization techniques and meditation. All of these may help reduce your stress levels; practicing them on a daily basis may help you treat your condition permanently be keeping your stress levels consistently low.
Step 5
Take vitamins. Vitamins and nutritional supplements may be an option for those whose depression is a result of a nutritional deficiency, though they have not been scientifically proven to work. St. John's Wort has proven itself to be a promising herb; however, it may interact negatively with prescription drugs such as blood thinners and birth control pills.
