SELF HELP TO Treat Depression Homeopathically-SELF HELP - Health And Fitness Lounge

Tuesday 22 December 2020

SELF HELP TO Treat Depression Homeopathically-SELF HELP

 SELF HELP TO Treat Depression  Homeopathically-SELF HELP

 


INTRODUCTION

 

Depression is a serious illness that affects more than 18 million adults in the United States alone. Experts say that depression is the second most common illness among adults, with heart disease being the most common. People that suffer from depression have a hard time dealing with daily life and may have trouble forming or staying in relationships, holding a job, or even just going outside.

 

Depression can affect anyone at any age and could come from any number of causes. Depression can be brought on by a severe trauma in a person’s life that they have trouble dealing with. Or depression can just appear seemingly out of nowhere and with no obvious cause.

 

There are a lot of physical problems that are attributed to clinical depression. So if you’re suffering from serious aches and

pains and you’ve seen a doctor and the doctor can’t find a physical reason for the pain, the cause might not be physical; it might be mental. The cause might be clinical depression.

 

Depression is not the same for every person who suffers from it either. There are, in fact, many different types of depression.

Sometimes depression lasts for months or even years and sometimes it lasts only for a few weeks depending on what type of depression you have.

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Depression is a psychological condition that has a physical component so generally, unless the psychological condition is treated, the depression will come back over and over again until the underlying psychological problem is dealt with.

 

Because depression is such a common illness, Western medicine and the big drug companies have created many different kinds of drugs to treat depression. The problem is that not all of these drugs are effective. Even worse, some of these drugs can have serious side effects that include a deepening of depression and even suicidal thoughts. Some drugs can also cause additional psychological problems.

 

The truth is that drugs alone cannot cure depression. The best that drugs can do is to manage the symptoms of depression and many drugs only mask the symptoms.

 

Because depression is such a common problem and because of the serious side effects associated with drug therapy for depression, millions of people are looking to alternative therapies like Homeopathy to manage their symptoms and treat their depression. Homeopathy as a medical practice has been practiced for thousands of years and there is evidence that Homeopathy and other alternative treatments can be effective for managing depression.

  

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WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

 

Depression is categorized by doctors as a mental health disorder even though it does have physical components. It is a disease; it isn’t “just all in your head” and it is not simply a matter of needing to cheer up. Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness. Depression is usually considered to be a feeling of apathy towards life in general or a feeling of not caring about things that persists for more than two weeks.

 

Depression can be hard to diagnose as a condition because everyone feels sad or apathetic towards life at some time, usually after a major life change or a traumatic event.

 

There are many different symptoms that are associated with depression and each person experiences those symptoms differently. Because each person responds in a unique way to depression, it can be hard to find a therapy that will help each person deal with the symptoms of depression and people that are suffering from depression may need to try several different medications before finding one that helps them.

 

There are also five different types of depression. Some, like clinical depression, can last over a period of years while others like Seasonal Affective Disorder or postpartum depression are relatively short-lived because they are tied to cycles of life. Depression tied to recent life events, such as a tragedy, are also short- lived.

 

Depression can also be a symptom of other illnesses. When depression is combined with another illness it can be difficult for doctors to know if the depression is only being caused by the other ailment or if the depression is a separate condition.

 

Doctors have found that depression is often a problem for people that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, social phobia, anxiety, panic, and sometimes even substance abuse.

 

People that suffer from depression are statistically more likely to also have substance abuse problems because they will often try to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol to alleviate the symptoms of their depression. Since drugs and alcohol actually tend to intensify the symptoms of depression instead of stopping them it becomes a vicious cycle of depression and dependency.

 

People trapped in this vicious cycle usually end up needing treatment for the underlying depression even more than they did before they started trying to get rid of their symptoms with drugs and alcohol.

 

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Because each person experiences depression in a different way doctors often have trouble diagnosing depression. Some studies have estimated that more than 15 million people suffer from undiagnosed depression in the United States alone every year.

 

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

 

Because depression has both physical and mental components depression can be caused by many different factors. Some people might develop depression because of chemical imbalances or other physical illnesses while some other people might find their depression triggered by emotional or psychological issues.

 

Sometimes depression can run in families but not always. It is complicated and depression can also have more than one cause in a person. Untangling the web of causes can be difficult.

 

The most common causes of depression are childhood trauma, interpersonal problems, prescription medications, trauma, other illnesses, and substance abuse.

 

Childhood Trauma

 

Adults that suffered from abuse or a traumatic childhood often suffer from depression later in life. This may be the case even if the symptoms of depression did not begin in childhood. Children who are sexually or physically abused are very likely to develop depression at some point. Death or other tragedies in the home at a young age can trigger depression as a child or later as an adult.

 

The trauma does not have to be severe. Mild cases of depression can result later in life from simply a lack of love or safety in childhood. Children who grow up in households that aren’t outwardly abusive but are still emotionally or economically unstable also are more likely to battle depression when they get older than children who grow up in more stable homes.

 

Oftentimes, the person suffering from depression caused by childhood trauma has no conscious awareness of the trauma. The painful memories of the trauma may be consciously repressed but still cause psychological harm. Some schools of psychological thought believe that most if not all depression is caused by issues of childhood trauma.

 

 

 

Interpersonal Problems

 

People who are having ongoing conflicts with family, friends, co-workers, or other people in their lives are at high risk for developing depression.

This is especially true within abusive relationships. The problems do not have to be hugely traumatic though. Little things or constant tensions and strife can build up over time. Nor do the relationships

 

have to be significant to cause problems. A stressful work environment can cause depression or an unhappy living situation. Left untreated, a depressive episode caused by these conflicts can become clinical depression, which is more serious and harder to treat.

 

 

Prescription Medications

 

People who take certain medications for physical illnesses might find themselves suddenly fighting off depression as well. Because drugs alter the body’s chemistry they may throw off a person’s chemistry in such a way that it manifests as a kind of depression. Many commonly prescribed medications can cause depression in people that take them. It is always important to read medication labels to see what the side effects may be. Depression is a common side effect. If you are on medications for physical problems and you notice that you are depressed but you have never had depression before, the cause could be the medications that you’re taking.

 

 

Trauma

 

Getting hurt physically or emotionally can also be damaging in causing depression, either immediately or even years later. Anyone who suffers a major loss in their lives like the death of a family member or friend, or even the death of a pet, can become depressed. A car accident, the loss of a job that you’ve had for many years, or any major life change can also trigger depression for some people. For some sensitive people, witnessing trauma to others can throw them into depression.

 

Other illnesses

 

Depression can be a part of another illness like Social Anxiety Disorder. If you have a disorder that causes you to be uncomfortable around others the social isolation can also trigger depression and feelings of sadness that could become clinical depression. This becomes a vicious cycle of guilt, embarrassment, sadness, and regret.

 


 

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Substance abuse

 

Many people develop depression as a result of addiction to drugs or alcohol. The impact of illegal drugs or too much alcohol on your body can cause chemical imbalances and other problems that can lead to depression. In addition, the psychological effects of dependence on drugs and alcohol can also increase feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and sadness.

 

WHO IS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING DEPRESSION?

 

Almost anyone can develop depression at any time. Because the causes of depression are so varied it’s possible for people to become depressed for hundreds of reasons. But some groups of people do have a higher risk of becoming depressed.

 

If you fall into one of these categories then you might have an increased risk of depression without even knowing it:

 

 

Women

 

Studies show that women as a group are more likely to develop depression than men. Research indicates that at least a quarter of all women will suffer from depression at some point in their lives but only about 12% of men will struggle with depression. That’s one out of every four women.

 

Some experts think that more men do suffer from depression but since men are less likely than women to admit their feelings or seek professional help for depression the number of men with depression seems low. Even if this is so, women are more prone to need help for depression. Since so many women also have to face additional stresses and pressures in life, depression in women is more common than in men.

 

Childbirth is one of the causes of depression in women. It is known as postpartum depression. Long scoffed at by doctors, who were mostly men, postpartum depression is now recognized as a real issue that occurs in some women who have given birth. The hormonal changes of pregnancy and birth set off physical and emotional changes that trigger depression in some women.

 

Some women also have short or long-term depression caused by hormonal issues. These issues can include the normal menstrual cycle and also menopause. Because depression can be triggered by changes in the body’s chemistry, even the regular and very normal hormonal changes of the menstrual period can trigger depression.

 

 

Married Men and Women

 

Not all in marriage is wedded bliss. Research shows that men and women who are married are more likely to become depressed than single men and women. This is mostly because of the stresses and problems that occur within relationships. This is not to say that marriage is bad or that even most marriages are causing depression. However, if people are not able to deal with the pressures and conflicts of marriage, or lack the help they need to deal with them, then depression can be a result.

 

This is not to say that being single is not a cause for depression. Loneliness can very definitely be a cause for depression in some people distressed by that situation. However, single people have less interpersonal conflict because they do not have a spouse.

 

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The Elderly

 

Men and women who are over the age of 65 are especially vulnerable to depression. Many aging experts believe that depression occurs among older men and women because of the life changes that come with old age such as retirement. For women, menopause can ignite depression. Other hormonal changes may also be occurring in old age. Medical science is only just beginning to study and understand the effects of aging.

 

 

Also, the elderly have significant life issues to deal with that could cause depression. Loneliness is common among the elderly. Loss of friends and family can be a cause for depression. Plus, loss of capacity, physical and mental, can throw some people into depression.

 

 

People with a Family History of Depression

 

While the medical jury is still out on whether or not depression is hereditary, it has been proven that people who have family members that suffer from depression are more likely to become depressed themselves. This is especially true if the family member is a parent or guardian. Having a close family member that suffers from an illness related to depression like bipolar disorder can also influence whether or not someone develops depression during their lifetime. It remains unknown if this influence is psychological, environmental, or physical, but it is certainly real. People who do have a family history of depression need to be extra aware of their own symptoms. They are not sentenced to depression if it runs in the family, but they do need to realize they are more prone to it.

 

 

People who Work in Medical or Emergency Fields

 

Scientists have found that people like doctors, nurses, and other health care and emergency services workers who work in careers where they are routinely exposed to tragic circumstances are more likely than other groups to develop depression.

 

No doubt much of this is due to the nature of their work. Medical and emergency people are dealing with trauma every day. The fact that the trauma is happening

 

to others does not mean it does not affect them. Also, the stresses of working in those fields are huge.

 

 

Smokers

 

New research has shown a link between smoking and depression. If you are a smoker you could face an increased risk of depression. Smoking screws up your body chemistry, especially in your brain.

 

In case you needed another reason to quit smoking there it is – you can lower your risk of becoming depressed if you quit smoking.

 

 

 

Studies show that women as a group are more likely to develop depression than men.

 

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

 

The symptoms of depression can be hard to recognize, even for a trained doctor. Because the symptoms of depression vary in their intensity and because each person will have a different combination of the symptoms of depression, it can be difficult to know if you are suffering from depression or another illness.

 

Diagnosing depression can also be hard because the symptoms of

one particular type of depression might not be the same symptoms as another type of depression.

 

Because this is such a complex matter and every person is different, it is not a matter to be taken lightly. Self-diagnosis can lead to almost worse results than leaving depression untreated.

 


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Also the symptoms a person has might seem to come and go if the depression is cyclical or based on a season as is the case with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

No one knows you as well as you do though and yes, your feelings, thoughts, and concerns do matter. This is about you.

 

If you feel like something isn’t right or if you have two or more of these symptoms then you might be suffering from depression:

 

   Difficulty concentrating

 

   Inability to make decisions, even about small things

 

   Extreme fatigue

 

   Feeling lethargic or unmotivated

 

   Feeling guilty

 

   Feeling worthless

 

   Feeling hopeless

 

   Being afraid of social situations or of other people

 

   Feeling helpless and unable to change your current situation

 

   Sleeping all the time

 

   Not sleeping, or waking up frequently throughout the night

 

   Extreme irritability

 

   Feeling restless

 

   Not being interested in activities or hobbies that you used to enjoy

 

   Overeating

 

   Not eating at all or not having any interest in food

 

   Extreme aches and pains that don’t seem to go away

 

   Digestive troubles and other upsets that don’t go away even with treatment

 

   Feeling empty all the time

 

   Feeling anxious

 

   Feeling sad or “blue” all the time

 

   Having suicidal thoughts or thinking that life just isn’t worth living

 

These are just some of the more common symptoms of depression. Depending on what type of depression you have there might be other, more specific symptoms that are harder to notice because they relate directly to the type of depression that you are suffering from.

 

TYPES OF DEPRESSION

 

There are at least six intense types of depression that people can suffer from including Chronic Depression, Major Depression, Bipolar Depression, Seasonal Depression (also sometimes called Seasonal Affective Disorder), Psychotic Depression and Postpartum Depression.

 

There are also other, less intense forms of depression that are less common but can affect anyone, even people that already suffer from a more serious type of depression.

 

These are depression disorders that occur as a symptom of another illness, or that have no physical cause that doctors can find, or that occur as a result of another illness. Sometimes a secondary depressive condition is a result of prescription medication that is given to a person by a doctor to treat a serious medical condition.

 

As mentioned earlier, understanding an individual’s depression and its causes is a complicated matter, No two people have the exact same set of symptoms. It is important not to expect simple answers or to pigeonhole yourself or others into one type of depression.

 

CHRONIC DEPRESSION

 

Chronic depression is also called dysthymia. Chronic depression is, as the name implies, a type of depression that lasts for a long time. Usually, chronic depression goes on for at least two years, sometimes longer. Unlike some of the other intense depressions, chronic depression isn’t debilitating.

 

It will still have an impact on the daily life of someone that has it but it won’t interfere too much with a person’s ability to function. Think of this type of depression as a long, slow simmering of symptoms, a dull ache but not a sharp pain.

 

Scientific research has linked chronic depression with chemical imbalances and hormonal changes that happen to people throughout their lives.

 

People who have low serotonin levels in their brains are more likely to have Chronic Depression than people with normal serotonin levels. Serotonin is the chemical that your body produces during times of stress to help you deal with traumatic events.

 


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Chronic Depression can also sometimes be caused by an underlying illness like hypothyroidism or any disorder that disrupts the body’s chemistry and causes some chemical or hormonal imbalances that reduce Serotonin levels and raise Cortisol levels.

 

People that have Chronic Depression can still hold a job, take care of a family, and do all the things that they normally do without seeming as if they are depressed although they might seem more unhappy than most people. Even without having severe symptoms that person will still be suffering from the symptoms associated with depression like feeling worthless, being unable to concentrate for very long, feeling sad and anxious or hopeless.

 

 

The first symptoms of Chronic Depression can appear as early as late childhood in some people.

 

Girls are statistically more likely to suffer from Chronic Depression than boys, especially as the stresses and worries of puberty set in.

 

Women are much more likely than men to have problems with Chronic Depression.

 

Figures show that as many as 25% of all women have suffered from

Chronic Depression at some point during their lives.

 

 

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 10 million per year suffer from Chronic Depression.

 

Because Chronic Depression isn’t severe enough to limit a person’s activity there are most likely millions more cases that go undiagnosed each year because the people suffering from it don’t recognize the symptoms and don’t realize they have Chronic Depression.

 

MAJOR DEPRESSION

 

Major depression is also called clinical depression. Estimates are that one in ten people are suffering from major depression at any given time. Doctors and health experts say that as many as 30% of the population will experience at least one episode of major depression during their lifetimes.

 

Major Depression is different from other types of depression because of the intensity of the negative feelings that someone experiencing it has. People that suffer from major depression report feeling very strong feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, sadness, and anxiety for most of the day every day during a period of major depression. A period of major depression can last anywhere from a week to years, depending on the person.

 

Major depression is often caused by a triggering event. The loss of a loved one or family member, childhood abuse, a major change in life circumstances like changing jobs or moving to another place, or surviving a natural disaster like a flood or hurricane can all be triggers of major depression. Also, experts say that children of parents who suffer from major depression are more likely than other children to suffer at least one episode of major depression. Once you have had an episode of Major Depression you are a high risk to have another whenever another trigger presents itself. That doesn’t mean you will necessarily have one, but it is a good idea to pay close attention.

 

Even though major depression develops as the result of a triggering factor there is a physiological change in the body that causes prolonged depression. This makes the person more likely to suffer from another major depression later on. So far at least, science doesn’t know how exactly the physical component of major depression and the mental component of major depression intersect, but medical science does admit that clinical depression has both physical and mental components.

 

 

Major depression can be treated but not eliminated. Once you have had a bout of major depression it’s important to stay on guard and watch for any triggers that might cause you to have another episode of Major Depression. If you are aware of the triggers that can touch off your depression you will be able to take the extra steps that you need to take in order to fight off depression when a triggering event, like the death of a loved one or the loss of a job happens.

 

Major depression is not a sentence to a life of misery. People who suffer from major depression can still learn how to handle and treat the symptoms and have a productive life. It is like any other disease that can be managed.

 



 

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BIPOLAR DEPRESSION

 

Bipolar depression used to be called manic depression. Bipolar depression is an illness where the person that has it swings between a period of clinical depression and a period of self induced elation called mania. Sometimes the person affected can stay in the depression phase of the illness for weeks or even months, and sometimes just minutes.

 

The extreme changes in the person’s mood can make the symptoms of depression more severe and often, almost uncontrollable.

 

There are two types of Bipolar Depression, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is the more serious type. People that suffer from Type 1 Bipolar Depression usually end up being hospitalized in a psychiatric facility at least once during their lives due to the severity of the symptoms that they are suffering from. Someone with Type 1 Bipolar Depression that is in a depressed mood will often talk of suicide and may even attempt it.

 

Type 2 Bipolar Depression is less serious and can usually be managed if the person suffering from it makes an effort to get treatment and is aware of their changing moods. Even though Type 2 Bipolar Depression is less serious it still can have a dramatic impact on the lives of the people that are close to the person that has it. People that suffer from Bipolar Depression have all the usual symptoms of clinical depression but also may suffer from extreme paranoia and episodes of rage that can be dangerous.

 

Bipolar Depression usually is recognizable in children as young as 3 or 4. Often, adults that have Bipolar Depression will exhibit signs before they are 24; there are cases of people developing this type of depression after that age.

 

However older people that have never been diagnosed may still be exhibiting all the symptoms of the disorder but might not be aware that they are suffering from Bipolar Depression.

 

Bipolar Depression can be hard to treat because when the person is in the mania phase they will feel elated and happy and often will feel that they are not sick and don’t need to continue to treat or manage their illness. So making sure that a person that has Bipolar Depression continues to manage their symptoms on a regular basis is critical to keeping that person from falling into rapid cycling.

 

Rapid cycling is when a person’s moods switch extremely quickly, sometimes within minutes, from depression to elation and back to depression. When a person with Bipolar Depression is rapid cycling that person might become out of control and need to be hospitalized.




 

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SEASONAL DEPRESSION OR SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

 

Lots of people feel blue in the winter months when there isn’t as much sun, but if you have extreme depression during the winter you could have Seasonal Depression, which is also sometimes called Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal Depression affects hundreds of thousands of people every year to varying degrees.

 

There are actually two types of Seasonal Depression, one type that occurs during the winter months and one type that occurs during the summer months. Fall seasonal depression or winter seasonal depression is far more common. Summer Seasonal Depression occurs only in very rare cases.

 

Seasonal Depression almost never occurs in places that are sunny and warm year round, which is one of the reasons that scientists and doctors think that Seasonal Depression is caused by a physical imbalance rather than a triggering incident like other types of depression.

 

Most doctors and medical professionals think that seasonal depression is the result of the brain producing less serotonin. Serotonin is a natural chemical produced by your body that makes you feel calm and happy.

 

It’s been proven that sunlight and regular exposure to daylight makes your brain produce more serotonin. So in the winter months when there is less sunshine, and less daylight, your brain produces less serotonin.

 

This slow down of serotonin production can cause some people whose serotonin levels are already low to suffer from depression.

 

Even though most people find themselves feeling a little sad or sleeping more during the winter because of the weather people that have Seasonal Depression will usually experience extreme symptoms that can’t be mistaken for normal periods of sadness that occur during the winter months. Some of the most common symptoms of Seasonal Depression are:

 

   Excessive fatigue - Feeling like you just can’t drag yourself out of bed in the morning or like you want to collapse into bed at the end of the day could be a symptom of depression.

 

   Weight gain – It’s normal to gain a pound or two during the winter months, especially around the holidays, but if you regularly put on a lot of weight in the winter and drop it in the summer the cause might be Seasonal Depression

 

   Craving starchy foods or carbohydrates – Starchy foods or foods high in carbs stimulate the brain to produce Serotonin. People that have Seasonal Depression will often crave these types of foods because eating them will boost their Serotonin levels.

 


 



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PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION

 

Psychotic depression is the most serious type of depression. Most of the time people that have psychotic depression end up hospitalized to try and control their symptoms and keep them from harming themselves or others. Of the people that are admitted to the hospital for depression every year, one in four of those people are usually suffering from psychotic depression.

 

What makes psychotic depression so serious is the intensity and scope of the symptoms. A person that has psychotic depression will suffer from the well- known symptoms of depression like feeling sad and hopeless, feeling anxious or scared, feeling lonely and so on but will experience those feelings very intensely, almost to the point of being overwhelmed and debilitated. The person can even experience violent episodes.

 

In addition to the serious clinical depression that they feel, people who have psychotic depression also experience symptoms associated with psychosis that can be made worse by the depression they are already experiencing. Psychosis is dangerous and can lead to very serious problems not just for the person suffering it but to those around them.

 

The symptoms of psychosis that are associated with psychotic depression include:

 

   Being highly agitated most of the time

 

   Experiencing hypochondria

 

   Experiencing extreme paranoia and anxiety

 

   Being unable to think or speak clearly

 

   Having extreme insomnia

 

Because of the seriousness of the illness most people that have psychotic depression need to be hospitalized and receive regular doctor’s care to make sure that they don’t hurt themselves or someone else.

 

Diagnosing psychotic depression can be hard because, in many cases, people that suffer from the symptoms of this disorder know that their thoughts are irrational or that they are depressed and they are ashamed and want to hide their illness rather than get treatment for it. But because of the extreme nature of the illness, getting regular treatment is the only way to manage psychotic depression.

 

Having a psychotic depression also makes a person more likely to develop bipolar depression and major depression.

 

It is a very serious condition and even when the symptoms are managed the person needs to be closely monitored. It is still possible for a person suffering from psychotic depression to return to a somewhat normal life.

 




POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

 

 

Postpartum depression is often experienced by new mothers. There is a difference between postpartum blues and postpartum depression. Most of the time women experience mood swings for up to four days after giving birth because of the rapid hormonal shift taking place in their bodies after the birth.

 

But postpartum depression can take months to fully develop even though doctors think that it is caused by the hormonal shifts a woman experiences after giving birth.

 

Postpartum depression can be very serious and can significantly impact a mother’s ability to care for her baby. Even though postpartum depression is caused by a physical shift in the body’s chemistry, environmental stress like lack of sleep, not enough help caring for the new baby, and other triggers can intensify the symptoms of postpartum depression and make it much harder for the new mother to manage her symptoms.

 

For far too long the medical establishment ignored or scoffed at women who complained of postpartum depression. Fortunately, that has changed in recent years.

 

Now, doctors routinely tell new mothers that they should be aware of the symptoms of postpartum depression and they should get treatment for postpartum depression if they exhibit symptoms like:

 

   Insomnia or sleep problems

 

   Crying easily or crying all the time

 

   Intense feelings of guilt

 

   Intense feelings of hopelessness

 

   Paranoia

 

   Anxiety

 

Some women report having thoughts or desires to hurt their babies. Usually, if a woman is having thoughts about harming herself or her baby she is suffering from postpartum psychosis.

 

Postpartum psychosis is similar in nature to postpartum depression but commonly has symptoms that are specifically associated with psychosis like hallucinations, thoughts about hurting the baby, extremely irrational thoughts or actions, disorganized thinking, and feeling removed or detached from the baby.

 

TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION

 

When it comes to traditional medical treatments for depression there are really just two types of treatments: psychological counseling to deal with the mental components of depression and drug therapy to treat the physiological causes of depression. Most doctors prescribe anti-depressants for patients even though some anti-depressants can have terrible side effects. Some of the anti- depressants on the market include depression and suicidal thoughts as side effects.

 

Psychological counseling is an effective treatment for depression when the patient learns a lot of coping skills in addition to dealing with the triggers and stressors that are causing his or her current depression. Having better coping skills helps people that have a tendency to be depressed learn how to not give into their feelings of depression.

 

Drug therapy isn’t always effective at treating depression although some people find that a combination of psychological therapy and the right medications can really help them deal with their depression and learn how to function in the world.

 

Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is sometimes used to treat cases of extreme depression and cases of psychotic depression where the person suffering from the depression is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else

 

There are non traditional or alternative therapies to treat depression as well, and these alternative therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Alternative therapies can also be very successful at treating specific types of depression like Seasonal Depression or Postpartum depression. Light therapy, Homeopathy, and Acupuncture are just a few of the alternative treatments that have been successfully used to treat depression.

 

No matter what type of treatment is used to treat a particular case of depression chances are good that the treatment will need to be ongoing. Depression is not usually an illness that someone has once and then gets rid of it. It’s always around, and once you have had an episode of depression you are much more likely to have another in the future.

 

Ongoing treatment helps people that have depression learn to manage their symptoms and learn what triggers their depression so that they can avoid falling into depression. Relapses and remissions come and go but someone that has been diagnosed with depression will always be susceptible to having another depression episode in the future.

 

 

 

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COGNITIVE THERAPY

 

Cognitive therapy is a psychological treatment that was developed specifically to treat depression. It was created by a psychiatrist named Aaron Beck in the early 1960’s. The basic theory behind cognitive therapy is that people who suffer from depression have a negative view of the world.

 

They learned this negative view of the world from a parent that suffered from depression or from being rejected by their peers or generally negative attitudes in the home while they were growing up. According to cognitive therapy theory the depression that they suffer from is the result of negative attitudes and beliefs that aren’t necessarily true. So, correcting the negative way of thinking and helping people that are depressed learn to think in a positive way will eliminate their depression.

 

Distorted Thinking Addressed Through Cognitive Therapy

 

Cognitive therapy also stresses that along with a negative world view people who are depressed also tend to have a distorted way of viewing the world, other people, and themselves. These distorted ways of thinking include:

 

Arbitrary Inference

When someone is operating under the influence of arbitrary inference they jump to a negative conclusion about a situation that reinforces a fear or a negative belief that they already have and reject any other possible explanation of the situation.

 

For example, if a woman is dating a man and she calls that man up on a night when they don’t have plans and he doesn’t answer the phone and she assumes that means he’s out on a date with another woman that is an arbitrary inference. This is clearly unreasonable and irrational, yet the woman still thinks it. Men have similar insecure thoughts.

 

Selective Abstraction

Selective abstraction is when someone focuses on one perceived flaw and makes an assumption based on it.

 

For example, if a man thinks that because he doesn’t have the right kind of car no woman will want to date him then he will convince himself that without that car he will never get a date, even if he has a lot of other positive attributes that make him popular with women. Or a woman will convince herself that no man will want to date her because her nose is too big and will ignore the fact that she does get asked out on dates regardless of the size of her nose.



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Overgeneralization

Overgeneralization is when someone draws a broad conclusion based on one event and without all the facts.

 

For example, a teenager decides to dye a piece of her hair blue. A parent decides that the teen couldn’t possibly have thought of that on her own so she must have gotten the idea from her friends. Then the parent concludes that the girl needs to make new friends because all of her friends are bad influences.

That would be an overgeneralization about the girl’s friends.

 

 

Magnification

As the name implies, magnification is taking a small event and making it much more significant than it is.

 

For example, if a person that has a tendency to over magnify things gets a traffic ticket, instead of viewing that ticket as just a mild annoyance that person will see it as a major life tragedy. If a waitress forgets to bring that person his or her iced tea at lunch that person will be sure the waitress did it deliberately to insult them.

 

Minimization

Minimization is not valuing your own attributes or not believing in your own worth because you are focusing on a perceived flaw. One is minimizing their own self or value.

 

For example, if someone gives you a compliment and you immediately start pointing out all your flaws you are minimizing that compliment. If you look in the mirror and focus on one particular flaw instead of seeing the whole picture that is also minimizing.

 

Goals of Cognitive Therapy

 

The goal of cognitive therapy is to correct those distortions in the mind of the person that is suffering from depression and teach them more accurate and better ways to see and interpret the world. Once the person has corrected their thinking they will be less likely to get pulled into negative thoughts that can cause depression.

 

Cognitive therapy can also help people learn better coping skills so that they are able to handle the setbacks, losses, and stress that come with life. If a person has strong coping skills they won’t be thrown into depression by a job loss, the death of a loved one, having to move to another state or another country, or any of the other stressful things that can trigger depression for people.

 

Cognitive therapy can be very effective at treating the mental components of depression. It does not deal directly with physical components of depression, though alleviating the mental components can help with the physical ones.

People who prefer to use alternative therapies to treat depression usually find that some cognitive therapy combined with the alternative treatments can be a great way to manage their depression.

 





Managing depression over the long term is the goal of any depression treatment. Using cognitive therapy is an important part of managing depression because it teaches people that are suffering from depression how to change the way that they think and the way that they see themselves. Once they see themselves in a more positive way and react with less suspicion and fear to the rest of the world they usually find that the symptoms of depression gradually lessen or disappear entirely.

 

Cognitive therapy isn’t an easy fix or a quick fix. Sometimes cognitive therapy can take years to be effective but cognitive therapy is a depression management

 

technique that has been proven to have great results for treating most types of depression, especially clinical depression.

 

 

LIGHT THERAPY

 

Light therapy was first developed as a treatment for seasonal depression. Since natural light triggers the production of serotonin and seasonal depression is caused by a serotonin

imbalance that is due to the lack of sunlight during the winter months, it makes sense that using lights that simulate natural light will be a help in restoring the serotonin balance in the body.

 

But light therapy does more than just treat seasonal depression. Light therapy has been proven as an effective treatment for many disorders including acne and psoriasis, jet lag, and jaundice. Light therapy is also used to treat sleep disorders, which can indirectly contribute to depression.

 

Using light therapy, doctors can help people that have had chronic sleep disturbances and sleep problems realign their body’s natural clock so that they can get back into a natural sleep pattern. Since lack of sleep and insomnia can be causes of depression, using light therapy to treat sleep problems also can help prevent depression.

 

Light therapy is also used to treat non seasonal depression. The practice is still in the early stages so doctors aren’t quite sure how effective light therapy will

 

prove to be in treating non seasonal depression but the early tests and trials indicate that light therapy can be just as effective at treating non seasonal depression as it is for treating seasonal depression.

 

There are some side effects that come with using light therapy though. Because light can burn skin some people end up with the equivalent of sunburn after light therapy sessions. Light therapy can also make people jittery or jumpy or make them feel “wired” because of the rush of chemicals to the brain. Overexposure to light therapy for treating other conditions may end up causing sleeplessness or wakeful sleep.

 

Even though there are some side effects that are possible from light therapy many people that suffer from depression like light therapy because it’s natural and doesn’t involve taking drugs that might have a lot more serious side effects than feeling wired or not being able to sleep. Light therapy is still considered an alternative treatment but it’s one of the most popular alternative therapies for treating depression.



 

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Light therapy combined with other alternative treatments like homeopathy can be an effective natural way to manage seasonal depression for most people. It does not effectively treat all types of depression but it can be helpful for people whose depression is tied to the seasons.

 

PSYCHOTHERAPY

 

There is another psychological treatment for depression, Psychotherapy, which is usually used in conjunction with cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy focuses on changing the way that a person interprets the world and their place in the world, which will help them fight off depression in the future but at the same time that person needs help and support to deal with the feelings of loneliness, pain, sadness, and despair that result from the depression.

 

Psychotherapy is a lifeline for people that are dealing with extreme depression because it gives them an outlet for the pain and sadness that they are feeling. Depression feeds on negativity, so when a person is sad and lonely and anxious because they are depressed it’s hard for them to break that negative cycle in order to start to get better. Psychotherapy combined with cognitive therapy and other treatments are much more effective for treating depression than just using cognitive therapy alone.

 

Psychotherapy is not an ongoing treatment for depression but can be used whenever the symptoms of depression are acute or when a person enters cognitive therapy. If someone that has had episodes of depression in the past experiences a trauma in their life that they feel might set off another episode of depression they might choose to enter psychotherapy as a preventative treatment to make sure that they don’t fall back into a depression.

 

One of the drawbacks to Psychotherapy is that often the patient will feel much better because he or she is getting a lot of care and support from the therapist and might decide to stop treatment. Psychotherapy treats the immediate symptoms of depression but that person that is suffering from depression still needs to learn the right coping skills and mental attitudes to deal with life that are taught in Cognitive Therapy.

 

The statistics show that more than 80% of the people with depression that go to Psychotherapy start feeling better and notice an improvement in their depression. But in order for depression patients to fight off depression over a long period of time they really need to have Cognitive Therapy in addition to Psychotherapy to make sure that they correct the negative thought patterns that contribute to their depression.

 


 

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DRUG THERAPY

 

Drug therapy is the most common form of treatment for depression, but it’s also controversial. Many patients are concerned that the drugs that are prescribed for depression don’t cure depression and might even make depression worse. Many of the drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat depression can have very serious side effects like increased risk of cancer or other illnesses, or having suicidal thoughts.

 

The drugs that doctors prescribe to treat depression are very different but work in very much the same way. They all increase natural chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters that are supposed to help the body and mind deal with stress and manage emotions. When the brain creates these chemicals they are used by the body and reabsorbed.

 

Anti-depressant medications block the neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed into the body so that there are higher levels of these chemicals in the brain, which should make a person that is normally depressed start to feel better and less negative.

 

The biggest problem with using prescription anti-depressants to treat depression is that they don’t work for everyone.

 

Most patients will respond to the drugs but even in the best case scenario the drugs only partially alleviate the symptoms of depression. Without ongoing cognitive therapy or other treatments the person will continue to suffer from some level of depression even if they are taking anti-depressants.

 

Anti-depressants can have very bad side effects that some people just can’t tolerate even if the medication helps their depression. When a depression patient first starts getting treatment for depression it could take months for doctors to find out what the best anti-depressant for that person is. Only a long process of trial and error can show the patient and the doctor which drug seems to work the best and which one the patient can tolerate the best.

 

There is always a danger that people who are on anti-depressants could become dependent on them. Most of the drugs used to treat depression are expensive and are considered controlled substances and are subject to a lot of special handling rules because there is a strong chance that they could be misused or even sold. Because of the risks involved in taking anti-depressants that might not work at all or might only partially work many people are searching for alternative therapies that can treat depression.

 


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Those patients that choose to stay on drug therapy have several different types of drugs that that they can try that might help them manage their depression.

 

TRICYCLIC ANTI-DEPRESSANTS

 

Tricyclic anti-depressants were the first anti-depressants developed to treat depression. This particular type of drug increases the amount of two particular neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. TCA’s, as they are called, were first used for treating depression in the 1950’s.

 

They are also used sometimes to treat ADD/ADHD and migraines as well as other pain disorders. Some research has found that TCA’s might also be useful in treating bedwetting in children.

 

TCA’s are not usually the first choice of doctors to treat depression. Increasingly, they have become a treatment only of last resort when all other methods are not getting results.

 

Many doctors will only prescribe TCA’s if the patient doesn’t respond to other types of drug therapy because TCA’s are known to have severe side effects that many people can’t tolerate.

 

TCA’s also are known to have bad reactions with many other common drugs so patients that are put on TCA’s have to be very careful about taking other drugs.

 

Some of the side effects that are commonly experienced by people who take TCA’s include:

 

   Dry Mouth

 

   Dry Nose

 

   Hyperthermia (where the body produces too much heat)

 

   Restlessness

 

   Anxiety

 

   Confused thinking

 

   Irregular heartbeat

 

   Nausea and vomiting

 

   Hallucinations

 

   Seizures

 

   Muscle breakdown

 


 

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Patients that take TCA’s for a long period of time usually develop a tolerance for the medication and when they increase the dosage they might find that they develop side effects that they previously haven’t encountered.

 

 

MAOI

 

An MAOI is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. This class of drug is used to treat depression but also has been proven effective at treating social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, Parkinson’s disease, and also can sometimes treat migraines depending on the patient. There is growing evidence that MAOIs might also help smokers quit smoking.

 

MAOIs were developed around the same time as TCA’s and were originally meant to be an alternative drug that people who couldn’t tolerate the side effects of TCA’s could use to treat their depression.

 

MAOIs have less severe side effects than TCA’s but still there are some serious risks associated with using MAOIs so doctors usually will not prescribe MAOIs unless other drugs have not been effective. MAOIs have been very effective at treating atypical or unusual depression so patients that have unusual or overly severe symptoms of depression might get relief from MAOIs.

 

The biggest danger when using MAOIs is the danger of serious interactions with certain kinds of common foods and beverages that people consume.  MAOIs stop the body from breaking down chemicals in foods so this may make a normal food harmful.

 

For example, if a person is taking MAOIs and eats or drinks items containing chemicals like trypophan, which are broken down by the body into neurotransmitters, then the body will be off balance because there will be too much of that particular neurotransmitter.

 

Other side effects of MAOIs include:

 

 

   Insomnia

 

   Dizziness

 

   Sudden drop in blood pressure when standing

 

   Weakness

 

   Sexual dysfunction in men and women

 

   Chest pain

 

   Anxiety

 

   Nausea

 

   Migraines

 

SSRIS

 


  

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SSRIs are selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs are most often prescribed to treat clinical depression but they also are commonly used to treat anxiety, personality disorders, and premature ejaculation. Some of the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants that most people are familiar with belong to the SSRI class. Prozac, Paxil, Lexapril, and Zoloft are all SSRIs.

 

SSRIs are different from the other types of anti-depressants used to treat depression because they work only on the Serotonin neurotransmitter. Because of this SSRIs are considered by doctors to be safer than other types of anti- depressant drugs. There are also less severe side effects from SSRIs than there are from other types of anti-depressants.

 

SSRIs are controversial because in 2004 a study found a link between the use of SSRIs and teen suicide. While most doctors feel that SSRIs are still the most effective anti-depressants to use for treating some types of depression it’s not recommended for doctors to prescribe SSRIs to teens or to the elderly until more research is done to see if there really is a link between the use of SSRIs and suicide. Suicidal thoughts have been reported as a side effect of SSRIs.

 

Other side effects of SSRIs include:

 

 

   Nausea

 

   Sleepwalking

 

   Teeth clenching

 

   Migraines

 

   Dizziness

 

   Vivid dreams

 

   Weight gain or loss of more than 7 pounds rapidly

 

   Increased sensitivity to light

 

   Sexual dysfunction

 

   Liver damage

 

THE CONTROVERSY OVER ANTI-DEPRESSANT SIDE EFFECTS

 


 


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Most people that take anti-depressant drugs don’t suffer from the severe side effects that can cause permanent damage to their bodies or cause suicidal thoughts. But even in mild forms the side effects of anti-depressants can hurt the treatment of someone suffering from depression.

 

Many people feel, after being on anti-depressant drugs for awhile, that they feel worse on the drugs than off of them.

 

One of the most common side effects of anti-depressant drugs is anxiety.

People that are already suffering from depression and anxiety who take a drug that causes more anxiety most likely won’t find that treatment to be effective. Anti-depressants don’t get rid of the depression. These drugs just help people manage the symptoms of depression.

 

Many anti-depressants have side effects that mimic or enhance the symptoms of depression and have a lot of other negative effects on the body. For these reasons, critics of anti-depressants argue that the drugs don’t actually work and can cause the delicate chemical balance of the body to become permanently altered.

 

Some people who have been on anti-depressant drugs claim that even though they stopped taking the drugs they have never felt the same again. The medical community is still split on this issue.

 

For many patients the process of finding an anti-depressant that gives them some relief from depression and doesn’t have terrible side effects is a long one and can result in a lot of pain and chemical imbalance.

 

Taking one medication for awhile and then switching to another and then to another is not good for the body but that’s the only way to find an anti-depressant that works for each person since the symptoms of depression are experienced differently by different people.

 


 

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Critics of anti-depressants also argue that anti-depressants are over prescribed and that doctors put their patients on anti-depressants without even trying other forms of treatment that might be as effective, or more effective, and won’t have the dangerous side effects that anti-depressants can have.

 

Because of the controversy over the use of anti-depressants more people are exploring alternative therapies to treat depression.

 

As more research is done about the long term effects of anti-depressant use and people become more informed about their medical options they are choosing to use anti-depressants as a last resort.

 

Parents, especially, are turning to alternative medicine to treat their children for depression, anxiety, ADD, and other problems because they are afraid of the side effects that anti-depressants have.

 

ANTI-DEPRESSANT DRUGS DON’T CURE DEPRESSION

 

It would be nice if there was a silver bullet to cure depression. If there was a simple pill everyone could take and all the symptoms of depression would go away forever then so much suffering would be healed. Sadly, this is not the reality.

 

There has been a great divide in the medical community for years over the issue of using anti-depressants. Despite their concerns some doctors continue to prescribe anti-depressants for patients because they believe that even with the risks and the side effects their patients will benefit from taking them.

 

But new research shows that the drug companies that manufacture anti- depressants may have been manipulating data and only putting out studies that showed their products work and might have ignored data that anti-depressants aren’t effective for treating depression.

 


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Doctors have known for a long time that anti-depressants don’t cure depression. What anti-depressants are supposed to do is to help make the symptoms of depression manageable so that the people diagnosed with depression can live their lives without having to deal with the sometimes severe symptoms of depression.

 

Anti-depressants are also supposed to help alleviate the symptoms of depression while a patient is in therapy so that they can get some relief from the symptoms long enough to concentrate on changing the negative thought patterns that lead to depression.

 

But a study published in February 2008 in the Public Library of Science journal found that anti-depressants did not even reliably alleviate the symptoms of depression for many people. In this study a group of people were given a

 

placebo pill, and then they were given an anti-depressant. According to the data the anti-depressant worked only slightly better than the placebo at getting rid of the symptoms of depression.

 

In addition, an article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides proof that the companies that make anti-depressants have been misleading doctors and the public for years about how well their products work by only releasing data that shows good results for anti-depressants and hiding studies that show anti-depressants don’t work to get rid of depression.




 

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With all the new scientific data about the effectiveness of anti-depressants now coming out, people that were already concerned about taking anti-depressants because of the possible side effects are now actively looking for alternative therapies to manage their depression.

 

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES AND DEPRESSION

 

People who have not received results from standard anti-depressant drugs, or people who are leery of the side effects of those drugs do have an alternative.

 

Actually, they have many alternatives. Because depression is so wide-spread and such a huge problem, many people around the world have devoted themselves to developing treatments that are alternatives to conventional drug therapy.

 

There are several different types of alternative treatments that are regarded as being very effective for treating depression.

 

Alternative treatments combined with cognitive therapy can do wonders to help depression.

 

Some of the most commonly used alternative treatments for depression are acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, diet and exercise therapy, homeopathy, hypnosis, Kampo, and massage therapy.

 

Stress management techniques and meditation can also help lessen the symptoms of depression because stress can be a big contributing factor to the onset of depression symptoms.



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Alternative therapies have not always been widely embraced in the US but these days millions of people who are worried about the effects of traditional drug therapies are researching alternative therapies to help battle depression.

 

 

WHY ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES WORK

 

So why do alternative therapies work to treat depression when anti-depressant drugs don’t work? Alternative therapies can be better at treating depression because it’s easier to adapt alternative therapies to fit each person’s unique form of depression. Everyone experiences the symptoms of depression in a unique way and experiences symptoms to different degrees, so it makes sense that in order to treat the symptoms each person would need to have a treatment plan that was unique.

 

Alternative therapies are also more effective than drug therapy for treating depression because of the mental component of depression. Therapies like meditation, exercise, and proper nutrition can help the body naturally fix any chemical imbalances that might be causing depression so that the body can fix itself without the need for drugs. Anytime a treatment helps the body to correct an imbalance without using drugs the results will be longer lasting than any results that come from drug therapy. Also, there are no harmful side effects involved when using alternative therapies.

 

Another advantage to alternative therapies is their method of approach. The anti- depressant drugs are harsh while alternative therapies are gentle. Many alternative therapies aim not to force the symptoms away or dramatically alter a person’s body chemistry but instead to gently nudge a person into a more healthy state over time.

 

Depression, unlike many other illnesses, is directly affected by your body and your mind. Alternative therapies stress creating a balance between mind and body and taking care of both, which will reduce stress and help fight off depression.

 

WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?

 

Homeopathy is an alternative health care practice that first began being widely practiced in the 1800s.

 

Homoeopathy is based upon the idea that in order to fix the body of certain illnesses it’s necessary to ingest herbs that produce the same symptoms that the person is already suffering from, but in such small doses that the herbs don’t harm the person or make the condition worse.

 

Homeopathy was widely regarded until the early 20th century when it fell out of favor and was replaced by a more scientific emphasis in medicine.



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In the 1970’s homeopathy became popular again and schools

opened to teach homeopathy and train homoeopathic practitioners, called homeopaths.

 

Homeopathy is based on two basic principles; the Law of Susceptibility and the Law of Similars.

 

The Law of Susceptibility

The Law of Susceptibility states that the body has an internal vital life force that can grow strong or weaken based on surroundings, stress, and other factors.

When the vital life force fluctuates or is drained for any reason then illness will occur. When the vital life force is restored then the body will once again be balanced and healthy.

 

The Law of Similars

The Law of Similars states that in order to get rid of illness in the body it’s necessary for the person to eat or drink herbs that will produce the same symptoms that the person is already suffering from if given in large enough doses. The herbs are never given full strength; they are diluted with water to make sure that the person doesn’t end up suffering from more of the same symptoms.

 

In Homeopathy it is believed that illness or disease in the body is caused by a miasm, or anything that drains vital life force. The founder of Homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, believed that miasms are responsible for chronic and long term illness and believed that restoring the body to full energy and getting rid of the miasms that were draining the person’s life force would help people get rid of chronic depression and other chronic illnesses.

 

HOW HOMEOPATHY WORKS

 

“Like fixes like” is the best way to sum up how Homeopathy works. The Law of Similars states that giving a sick person small doses of a medicine that would cause the same symptoms that the person is already experiencing in a healthy person will be enough to alleviate that person of those symptoms.

 

Homeopathy seeks to help the body’s natural defense mechanisms reactivate and strengthen. By giving people small doses of herbs that produce like symptoms, the body will learn to adapt to soothe those symptoms.

 

It’s not just Homeopathy that has this belief. In traditional Western medicine children are given vaccines that are made from the very virus that the vaccine is supposed to prevent.

 

The theory is the same - that giving the child a dose of the virus that has been made safe will be enough to help the body fight off the real virus if the body is exposed to it.

 

Homeopathy also uses the person’s individual energy to help alleviate the symptoms.

 

The goal of Homeopathy is to treat the symptoms that the person is experiencing and also to clear out the miasm, or energy blockage, so that the illness doesn’t return.

 

In order to clear the blockage and treat the symptoms a Homeopath will pick a particular herbal treatment known as a Similium.  The Similium is carefully chosen after a lengthy consultation to make sure that the Homeopath has a clear understanding of both the mental and physical issues that are causing the illness.

 


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The Similium, when taken according to the Homeopath’s directions, will clear the energy blockage and help treat the symptoms of the illness, which will make the depression go away.

 

Like most alternative treatments there is no clear scientific understanding of how exactly Homeopathy works on the body because there is a mental component to Homeopathic treatment as well as a physical one. But patients who use Homeopathic care to treat depression report that mild forms of depression can be quickly helped by Homeopathic treatments.

 

Some people that suffer from chronic depression have a harder time getting relief from Homeopathic means but eventually, most report that the Homeopathic treatments did help their depression.

 

If the depression is caused by negative thinking then Homeopathic treatments combined with psychotherapy and cognitive therapy can treat the immediate symptoms of depression and prevent the depression from returning. As with any therapy, a combination of therapies works best.

 

WHAT TRAINING DO HOMEOPATHS GO THROUGH?

 

Homeopathy is a field that requires a lot of study. Even though there is no nationally recognized or required license to become a Homeopath there are three different types of certificates that many Homeopaths get to reassure their clients that they have completed advanced training in Homeopathy:

 

CCH (Certified Classical Homeopath)

Any Homeopathic practitioner can study for this certificate. When you are choosing a Homeopath it’s always a good idea to check their educational credentials carefully because there is no required license that a person has to have in order to prove they have been trained and are capable of practicing Homeopathy

 

DHt (Diplomate in Homeotherapeutics)

This certification is only for medical doctors that decide to specialize in Homeopathy. This certificate is proof of advanced training in the medical applications of Homeopathy and the education uses medical techniques and terminology that medical doctors are familiar with.



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DHANP

(Diplomate of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians) - Naturopathic physicians are professionally certified in the US because Naturopathic Medicine is a recognized alternative medical practice. The DHANP serves as proof that a certified Naturopathic physician has completed a thorough education in Homoeopathy that complements their original Naturopathic medical training.

 

IS HOMEOPATHIC APPROPRIATE FOR EVERYONE?

 

No treatment for depression is appropriate for everyone. Because many people that suffer from depression are worried about the side effects of anti- depressants, the question of whether or not homeopathic treatments are safe and who they are safe for is a very important one. Homeopathic treatments are regarded as safe for everyone, including children and babies, and are not known to have any bad side effects at all.

 

The reason that homeopathic treatments have no side effects is that they are made from all natural ingredients. They are not “drugs” per se; they are herbal remedies that don’t have the same harsh side effects that drugs have. Also, they are heavily diluted to make them less potent. Because there are no side effects homeopathic treatments are appropriate for almost everyone.

 

HOMEOPATHIC FOR CHILDREN

 

Parents that have children who suffer from depression or have depressive tendencies are often concerned about putting their children on anti-depressants because there is evidence that kids using anti-depressants might suffer from even worse depression or might even start to have suicidal thoughts.

 

But parents can give Homoeopathic treatments for depression to their kids without fear. Because there are no known side effects associated with using Homeopathic treatments even small children can be given Homeopathic treatments.

 

Homeopathic treatments, when given regularly, can also help boost a child’s immune system, manage their stress levels, and keep them from developing any of the symptoms of depression. Homeopathic practitioners are experts at knowing how to help children homeopathically.

 

HOMEOPATHIC FOR DEPRESSION

 

If you or someone that you love is suffering from depression and you want to try some homeopathic treatments but you’re not sure which homeopathic treatments you should try here is a brief guide to the homeopathic treatments that are most often used to treat depression.

 

Often, these Homeopathic treatments are available at any natural food store or natural health practitioner. You can also order them online, usually at a much cheaper price.

 

If you’re not sure which remedy you should be using it’s a good idea to schedule a few treatments with a certified Homeopath that can give you the guidance you need to pick an effective Homeopathic treatments for depression.

 

Arsenicum album

This homeopathic treatment is commonly recommended for people that are suffering from anxiety or insecurity. People that have perfectionist tendencies or need to be perfect all the time can also benefit from this herbal remedy. Anyone that has bouts of despair or fears about money can also find relief with this treatment.

 

Aurum metallicum

People who are overly focused on being high achievers or being successful and feel like they never quite measure up can usually benefit from taking this homeopathic remedy. Also, people who have symptoms like feeling discouraged, overly sensitive to humiliation, or who suffer from feelings of emptiness or worthlessness should take this remedy.

 

Calcarea carbonica

This herb alleviates anxiety and worry. This remedy is recommended for people that become overwhelmed with worry, stress, or fear. People who frequently get sick or have bouts of self-pity, discouragement, or dread can find relief taking this homeopathic treatments. Also, people who feel lethargic a lot of the time or are always cold should take this.

 

Causticum

A person who feels depressed because of grief and loss (either recent or over time) may benefit from this remedy. Frequent crying or a feeling of mental dullness and forgetfulness (with anxious checking to see if the door is locked, if the stove is off, etc.) are other indications. People who need this remedy are often deeply sympathetic toward others and, having a strong sense of justice, can be deeply discouraged or angry about the world.

 

Cimicifuga

People that have clinical depression, or are unusually dark and sad most of the time should take this homeopathic treatment. People who suffer from irrational fears and excessive anxiety about tragedies occurring, like being afraid the house will catch will fire or the car will crash, can find relief taking this.

 

Ignatia amara

This homeopathic remedy is most often recommended for people that are going through a period of grief after losing a loved one, a pet, or even a job or home. Anytime that someone is grieving, this remedy can help. This remedy is also appropriate for people that are overly sensitive, moody, or have a tendency to cry easily.

 

Kali phosphoricum

This has a calming and focusing affect. When a person is having trouble concentrating on their work, or has a tendency to drift from topic to topic or job to job or person to person this remedy can help. People who have attention deficit disorder symptoms including being jumpy or overly alert and paranoid can usually benefit from taking this homeopathic treatment.

 

Natrum carbonicum

The people that can benefit the most from this homeopathic remedy are people who are overly sensitive by nature. Often, people that are very sensitive lapse into depression as a result of feeling hurt or beaten down by the outside world. They internalize that hurt and become depressed. People who are sensitive, lonely, and feel isolated should take this remedy.

 

 

Natrum muriaticum

This remedy works best for people who outwardly seem very capable and not likely to be depressed but still suffer anyway. Even though these people keep their feelings carefully hidden they can be very susceptible to depression because they tend to brood about perceived slights or insults. These people often experience insomnia, back pain, and migraines that can all be helped by this homeopathic treatment.

 

Pulsatilla

This remedy is often recommended for children. It is very helpful for children and for people who have a tendency towards child like behavior. When someone is moody, whiny, gets jealous very easily and is overly sensitive this remedy can really help. This remedy is also particularly useful for girls and women that become depressed or irritable when they hit puberty or during certain parts of their menstrual cycle.

 

Sepia

Loners who tend to get crabby and lash out at others when they are depressed should take this remedy. People who keep their feelings buried may get angry when they really feel like crying and might seem very irritable and nasty to those around them when they are depressed. Taking Sepia can help alleviate those symptoms.

 

Staphysagria

People who suffer from depression as a result of childhood trauma often find this remedy very effective. It is particularly good at alleviating the depression associated with feelings of shame, hurt, guilt, resentment, and other suppressed emotions. People who suffer from episodes of rage can also benefit from doses of this remedy.

 

FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD SEE A TRAINED HOMEOPATH FOR TREATMENT

 

If you or a loved one suffers from depression but you are hesitant to try anti- depressants because of the risks, Homeopathy can be a great alternative therapy to treat depression. It is common now to find pre-packaged Homeopathic products for sale in health stores, even some grocery stores. But, when you are first starting to use Homeopathic depression treatments it’s always a good idea to consult with a trained Homeopath first. Here’s why:

 

 

1.   Homeopathy is a specialty

 

Just because they sell Homeopathic treatments over the counter doesn’t mean that everyone knows how to properly use them. Everyone is different, and consulting with a trained Homeopath means that you will have someone who knows what they are doing tell you how much of that remedy you need to take.

 

 

2.  Someone needs to monitor your progress

Don’t you want to know if the remedy is working or not? Just because you are feeling better doesn’t necessarily mean the remedy is working or that it will continue to work long term. Regular visits to a trained Homeopath can help you because you will have a qualified professional keeping track of your progress and making suggestions if you need to change treatments.

 

3.  You might need custom blends

 

Homoeopathy isn’t an exact science, it’s an individual one. Each person is different and you might need to have a blend of several remedies to help get rid of all of your symptoms. A trained Homeopath can prepare unique herbal blends that will be made specifically for your unique combination of symptoms.

 

 

4.  A full understanding of Homeopathy takes years of education

 

Because everyone’s depression is different it takes a lot of skill and education to decide upon a course of treatment and to figure out what herbal remedies are right for you. A Homeopath with years of education in Herbalism and Homeopathy is better qualified than you to decide what treatments you need and they are there to help.

 

 

5.  Homeopathy can treat more than depression

 

Homeopathy can be used to treat a wide range of health conditions, not just depression. Going to a trained Homeopath can help you get the treatment you need for all your medical problems. Homeopathy is designed to treat the whole person not just isolated symptoms. As such, it is a great way to achieve whole health by working with a Homeopath.

 

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK A HOMEOPATH BEFORE YOU BEGIN TREATMENT

 

If you do decide to seek out a trained Homeopath to help you treat your depression naturally there are a few things that you should ask before you agree to let that person treat you. Remember, you are going to trust this person with your health so you have a right to ask questions beforehand. Check into their background and make sure they actually have been properly trained and certified in their discipline.

 

To make it easier to assess each Homeopath you should schedule a short session so that you have time to sit down with the person one on one and talk about your health, your symptoms, and his or her qualifications. Here are five things that you should ask a Homeopath or any alternative health care practitioner before you start treatment with them:

 

 

1.   What is your educational background?

 

Many Homeopaths have a medical background. Some of them are even medical doctors who have chosen to pursue a career in alternative therapies instead of traditional medicine. If the person that you’re meeting with doesn’t have at least a college degree from an accredited school and several years of training as a Homeopath it’s probably a good idea to move on and find another person to treat you.

 

2.  What experience do you have treating depression?

 

Homeopaths treat all kinds of health problems and, like doctors, some specialize in treating particular kinds of problems. Not all of them have experiences treating depression. Always ask if the person has experience specifically treating depression before you agree to be treated by that person. It doesn’t make them unqualified if they never have specifically treated depression before, but it may be worth it for you to go to another Homeopath who has.

 

 

3.  Can I speak to some of your patients?

 

Any good alternative health care practitioner won’t mind if you want to speak to former or current patients that provide a reference. Be suspicious if the practitioner doesn’t want you to talk to their patients. Understand though that there are some legitimate privacy concerns. Not all patients want to have their identities known.

 

 

4.  Do you accept insurance?

 

Not all practitioners will accept medical insurance for Homeopathy treatments, and not all insurance companies will cover it. If you’re worried about the cost of the treatment ask up front whether or not whether insurance is accepted and then see if you can get your insurance to cover the cost of the treatments.

 

Even if the Homeopath doesn’t take insurance, or your insurance company won't cover the treatment, the Homeopath may be willing to make financial arrangements to help you afford treatments. It certainly does not hurt to ask.

Some Homeopaths also treat on a sliding scale. A sliding scale means that people pay what they can afford. This means revealing your financial situation to

 

the Homeopath, which may be of concern to you; but it may help you to afford your treatment.

 

 

5.  What does a typical session involve?

 

If you’ve never had a Homeopathy treatment session before, ask for details about what the session will be like, how long it will take, what kind of information the practitioner will need from you and so on. You deserve to know beforehand what to expect. When you do know what to expect you can come to your first treatment session with any paperwork or documents or medical information that the Homeopath might want to have for reference.

 

It is also a very good idea to get from the Homeopath a broad view of the proposed treatment. How long will it last? How long will it be before you start to see results? What are you expected to do and for how long to help in your healing? You deserve to know everything about what you are getting into and any reputable Homeopath will be more than happy to tell you the answers.

Knowing those answers can prepare you.

 

KAMPO – JAPANESE HERBALISM AND DEPRESSION

 

Kampo is a Japanese based herbal treatment system that is just starting to be used in the West to fight depression. Kampo has been used in Japan for thousands of years and is based on traditional Japanese medicine. Unlike Homeopathy which uses particular herbs in small doses to treat depression, Kampo uses blends of different herbs together to treat depression. There are some individual herbs used to treat depression under the Kampo system but these are generally used to treat mild cases of very specific conditions rather than depression as a whole.

 

Kampo is based on the belief that depression is a purely physical illness but that the physical illness causes the mental and emotional symptoms that are associated with depression. So Kampo uses herbs to treat specific conditions of the body, which will then alleviate the other symptoms that people suffer like paranoia, irritability, sadness, and so on.

 

Kampo refers to depression as a “broken heart” and classifies depression into one of three types:

 

1.   Depression that is caused by not enough nutrients reaching the heart. The primary symptoms of this type of depression are night sweats, insomnia, and irritability.

 

2.  Depression that is caused by too many nutrients flowing through the heart. This condition usually causes excitability, redness of the face, mania, and mental illness

 

3.  Depression that stems from the liver. This type of depression is rooted in anger and often causes the physical systems of chest pain, anxiety, and bloating.

 

 

Once a person has been diagnosed as having one of those types of depression a Kampo healer will then use a series of treatments to fix the imbalance in the body and the physical symptoms will disappear as the body heals. Most Kampo treatments are only to be taken according to the direction of a Kampo healer but some of the individual treatments that are used to treat mild or chronic cases of depression can be used every day, or regularly over a long period of time, to keep depression from returning. Communicate with your Kampo healer and be sure you understand what you can and cannot do with the herbs they give you.

Your healing depends on it.

 

 

Some Kampo practitioners tell their patients that Kampo herbal remedies for depression can be taken with anti-depressant drugs but because of the potential for bad interactions most doctors and Kampo healers would suggest that the Kampo treatments not be taken in conjunction with anti-depressants. It is very important that you be very open and honest with your Kampo healer about what other drugs, supplements, even vitamins, that you are taking. This way your Kampo healer can help you avoid dangerous interactions.

 

COMMONLY USED KAMPO HERBAL TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION

 

Here is a brief overview of some of the most commonly used Kampo herbal treatments to fight depression:

 

Individual Kampo Treatments

 

These treatments use a single ingredient.

 

 

Barley Sprouts

Barley sprouts are used in Kampo by adults that have diabetes or ADD. Barley sprouts are given to alleviate mild depression with loneliness and sadness.

 

Biota

Biota is an herb usually recommended for memory loss and depression that is commonly found in older or elderly people. This herb is not usually given to anyone but the elderly.

 

Ginkgo

Most people are familiar with this herb that you can get at any drugstore. Ginkgo has been proven to help treat the symptoms of mild depression, especially in older people.

 

Licorice

Licorice extract or licorice tea is used to treat people that suffer from chronic painful disorders that can cause depression like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Licorice stimulates the brain to produce Cortisol, a neurotransmitter.

 

Morinda

This herb is often given to men that suffer from depression because it works like an anti-depressant but it increases male sexual function. It increases the amount of tryptophan in the brain without affecting the other neurotransmitters the way that anti-depressant drugs do.

 

Kampo Multi-Herb Formulas

 

These treatments use two or more ingredients together.

 

 

Biota Seed Pill

This remedy works directly to alleviate the symptoms of chills, poor blood circulation, insomnia, agitation, and vivid dreams.

 

Bupleurum Plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction

This bizarrely named Kampo herbal formula helps treat depression with migraines, and also can alleviate confused thinking, delirium, irritability, and chest pain.

 

Coptis Decoction

This treatment is used for people who suffer from symptoms like fevers, red face, tension headaches, and nervousness as a result of their depression.

 

Drive out Stasis from the Mansion of Blood Decoction

This bizarrely named remedy is used specifically for people that tend to also have symptoms that are induced by their depression like chronic headaches, insomnia, mood swings, fever, all over body pain, and nausea or vomiting. It helps to lessen those symptoms.

 

Frigid Extremities Decoction

This remedy is used to treat nausea and vomiting.

 

 

Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Nutritive Qi

This formula is specifically to treat depression induced by high levels of stress. It can also help people that are suffering from lack of sleep and a general run down feeling because of their depression. It boosts the immune system too.

 

Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction

This remedy acts as a sedative and is great for calming people who have intense feelings of sadness or anger as a result of their depression. It has a sedative effect that is similar to that given by opiates but it has no opiates in it. It’s often given to children who cry a lot or show symptoms of depression.

 

Restore the Spleen Decoction

This remedy is used to combat depression that comes from the liver, or depression with strong anger. It’s also a good treatment for people that have trouble with their memory, or are overly tired all the time.

 

Because Kampo is still relatively new in the United States there aren’t too many qualified Kampo practitioners who are active in the United States. If you decide to learn more about Kampo as a treatment for depression, make sure that you visit several different Kampo practitioners to find one that is highly qualified and has been trained in Japan in the art and science of Kampo.

 

There are many people who claim to have cures and claim to have knowledge about Kampo or other herbal treatments. Not all of them do have the knowledge they claim. Check into a person’s background and make sure they actually have been properly trained and certified in their discipline and method of healing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

Depression is a very serious illness that should never be taken lightly. There are a lot of different treatment options for people that are suffering from depression that encompass both traditional Western medicine and alternative therapy. There are so many, in fact, almost everyone should be able to find some combination that helps them in their unique circumstances.

 

There are different kinds of depression and each type has particular symptoms, but every person that suffers from depression will have different combinations of symptoms and those symptoms will vary in intensity for each person. It is important not to expect simple answers or to pigeonhole yourself into one simple diagnosis of depression.

 

Psychotherapy and cognitive therapy are very effective and should always be a part of any long term depression treatment plan. Anti-depressants and other drug therapies do carry some heavy risks, and people that are worried about the serious side effects of these drugs should consider alternative therapies to treat their depression. Still, anti-depressants do provide relief for some. Those for whom anti-depressants do not work or those for whom the thought of possible side-effects are too worrisome have a number of alternative treatments for depression to consider.

 

Acupuncture and acupressure, diet and nutrition, exercise, Kampo, and Homeopathy are all good alternative therapies that can be used to successfully fight depression. Kampo and other herbal therapies have no known side effects and can be very effective at dealing with depression. Homeopathy has no side

 

effects and can be a big help when it comes to managing the symptoms of depression that can make day to day life difficult, like feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, and hopelessness.

 

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about depression is that it is not a cause for shame. It is not your fault that you suffer from depression. Depression is a disease and should be treated as a disease. Depression is also a very treatable disease. It is not a condition that people have no choice but to put up with it.

 

If you or a loved one suffers from depression don’t give up hope. There are lots of effective ways to treat and manage depression. With a little effort and the knowledge you have gained from this book about treating depression you can move forward and make a plan with your doctor to treat your depression and live a happy life again.

 

Good luck!

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