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Cures for Endogenous Depression

The term "endogenous depression" refers to the theory that for some patients, there is no external or environmental cause for the depression. This would mean that the cause for the depression is entirely biological, genetic and/or a malfunction in brain chemistry. While there is a debate over whether or not endogenous depression actually exists, there are those who do not respond well to psychological treatment, which leads some psychologists to believe that depression can be endogenous, or have an inner cause.

  1. Medication Management

    • A vast majority of depression can be treated through a combination of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and medication. But since endogenous depression does not have any psychological root, psychotherapy would not help. Finding and using the correct medication regiment could be one of the solutions for endogenous depression.

      However, medication management can very much rely on guesswork by the clinician. Finding the right combination of medications for each person can take several months or longer. A patient should track his moods and reactions to each medication so that the clinician has more than anecdotal evidence.

    Natural Methods

    • Getting more exercise and exposure to sunshine can increase the body's ability to fight depression. Exercise helps raise levels of endorphins, which help to create positive feelings. Exposure to sunshine helps to activate photoreceptors, which release other chemicals within the body that also promote positive feelings.

    Self-Talk

    • Develop a regimen of positive self-talk. Begin with recognizing negative thoughts that feed into the depression. Use a rubber band to snap on your wrist to help create a psycho-motor connection between recognizing the negative thought, stopping that thought and offering a replacement thought that is more positive.

      Other self-talk strategies could include taking the opposite of whatever the negative thought is and writing it down while saying it aloud. Change negative thoughts to neutral thoughts, and then change neutral thoughts to positive ones. Change self-limiting perceptions into questions about what is possible.

    Herbal and Vitamins

    • Increasing the amount of certain vitamins and minerals you consume could also be a solution. Specifically, vitamins such as B6, B12, C, folic acid, magnesium and calcium could all help ease depression.

      Herbal remedies can include St. John's wort, which is thought to relieve depression and anxiety. Another herbal remedy is gingko biloba, which is a remedy for depression in elderly people. Valerian root possesses a calming effect for those who suffer from anxiety or depression. If you are interested in pursuing herbal remedies, it is best to consult a professional herbalist who is well respected in your community.

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