Depression is one of the greatest problems in the Western world. According to the Uplift Program, it affects approximately 9.5 percent of the population over 18 or 18.8 million Americans and everyone will at some time be affected by depression, whether it is their own or a significant other. Unfortunately, 54 percent surveyed believed that depression was a personal weakness and not related a physical or hormonal change in the body. Additionally, 80 percent of people who suffer from depression don't seek treatment and 15 percent will commit suicide.
About Depression
According to the Merck Manuals, there are five major classifications of depression by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. (DSM-IV) The exact cause isn't known but researchers are sure that heredity plays a role. Other theories focus on neurotransmitter levels, neuroendocrine levels and psychosocial factors. If you are depressed, you'll experience poor concentration, fatigue, loss of sexual desire, depressed mood, menstrual abnormalities, anxiety, sleep disturbances and loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Other symptoms include feelings of worthlessness, recurrent thoughts of death, occasional agitation and changes in weight or appetite.
Remedies
In traditional Western medicine, treatment protocols are often based around the causative factors. In other words, to treat the problem you have to know something about how an illness develops and what chemicals are involved. This knowledge has led to the development of medications. However, alternative remedies for depression are also used by holistic practitioners and psychologists. According to Health, some of the alternative therapies used for depression and anxiety include relaxation techniques, hypnosis, massage, exercise, self-help or support groups, yoga, dietary modifications, spiritual healing, laughter and some herbal supplements. St. John's wort is an herb that has been found to be effective in treatment of depression but can have adverse reactions with other medications. According to Mental Help, you can include Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B, acupuncture and SAMe in the list of alternative remedies to treat depression. Exercising as little as three hours each week can have a powerful effect on symptoms. Researchers theorize that exercise releases neurotransmitters that have an impact on mood.
Warnings
Alternative therapies can be used alone or in conjunction with traditional treatments to help people cope with their depression. However, if you have thoughts of suicide or think death is a viable alternative to your experience then it is time to seek the care of an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist. According to Health, integrating natural treatments for depression with traditional medicines can increase the success rate of treatment. Depression is an indication that there is something in your life that is out of balance and no one intervention or single supplement is likely to work. Incorporating medicine, counseling and alternative remedies for depression will help to restore balance in your life and improve the success of your treatment.
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