Natural Remedy for Severe or Major Depression

Major depression is a severe form of mental illness that involves every aspect of thinking. The illness is much more than a sad mood or normal grief. The condition is chronic and can become progressively worse when it is not treated. Alternative treatments may be able to help some patients recover from depression in a natural way without the use of antidepressant drugs.

Herbal supplements

• Some herbal supplements may be able to help you overcome depression without the side effects of antidepressant drugs.
  Try St. John's wort to treat your depression. The herbal supplement is recommended for those who are suffering from a moderate or mild form of the disease. If your depression is severe, you should continue other alternative therapies such as counseling while using St. John's wort.
  You can also use ginkgo biloba to treat your depression naturally. This herb increases blood flow to the brain and has antioxidant benefits as well.

Relaxation techniques

• Try relaxation techniques to relieve stress that may be contributing to your depression. Yoga and meditation can be helpful tools to relieve chronic stress.
  You can also use acupuncture and massage therapy to relieve stress.

  Exercise helps depression in a variety of ways. Getting out in the fresh air might seem like a simple solution to a serious problem, but it can have a dramatic effect on mood. Along with exercise, participate in social activities that include others. Those with depression often isolate themselves from others, which only adds to feelings of loneliness.
  These techniques should not be your only source of treatment for your illness. Seek help from an alternative care practitioner. Make sure that you are taking a multifaceted approach to your treatment with herbs relaxation and counseling.

Counseling

• Make sure that you include some form of psychotherapy or counseling with your natural depression treatment. Counseling helps to sort through your feelings and recognize irrational thoughts. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an approach to counseling that examines thoughts and offers alternatives to negative or irrational thinking.

  Discuss your use of herbal medications with your counselor or doctor. Always see a professional when dealing with a condition like depression. It may be difficult to recognize the condition when it is happening to you. Irrational thoughts and negative thinking can begin to feel normal because of the illness. A counselor can help you to recognize these symptoms and understand how the illness is affecting your life.