Overcoming Depression Without Drugs

Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, anger and frustration. It is a common mental disorder. While antidepressants are a major form of treatment endorsed by the medical community, there are other ways to treat it that do not involve prescription drugs. You might be interested in natural treatment because drugs have not worked for your or you are not interested in going that route. You should consult with an experienced health care professional about your natural treatment strategies. Natural health expert Dr. Andrew Weil and the University of Maryland Medical Center suggest the following methods.

Psychotherapy

• Talking to a mental health professional can help you work through your issues. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is particularly helpful as it focuses on identifying negative thoughts, feelings and behaviors and replacing them with healthier ones. It has been shown to be as effective as using antidepressants.

Exercise

• According to the University of Maryland, studies consistently show that exercise can relieve symptoms of mild to moderate depression while it enhances mood in people with major depression. For some people, it is equally effective as psychotherapy. Dr. Andrew Weil suggests at least 30 minutes of activity five days a week. This should be part of any treatment regimen, natural or pharmaceutical. Exercise releases chemicals that naturally improve our emotional state.

Supplementation

• Certain supplements have been shown to ease symptoms of depression. You would not need to take all of them since they offer similar benefits. This is one area where consulting with an experienced health care provider would be of benefit.

  St. John's wort is one of the best known herbs for treating mood disorders including depression. It has a long history of use in Europe. According to Dr. Weil, it is as effective as Prozac in addressing mild to moderate cases. Do not use it if you are taking birth control pills or prescription antidepressants. It also interacts with many other drugs, so you should check with your doctor before taking this if you are using any sort of medication. Use 300mg three times a day; you should feel the full benefits within eight weeks.

  The B-vitamins, particularly folic acid and B6 are useful for more mild cases; take as directed on the product label. SAMe(S-adenosylmethionine), a naturally occurring chemical in the body, can raise levels of serotonin, which plays a vital role in emotional states. Take 1,600mg daily on an empty stomach. Fish oil might be of benefit as well; it contains DHA, a fatty acid in nerve and brain tissue that helps promote healthy functioning. Take 1,000 to 2,000mg daily. Ginkgo, known for its memory-boosting action, might help relieve depression in older people; take 40 to 80mg daily.

Acupuncture and Massage

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, two separate clinical trials showed electroacupuncture treated depression equally as well as an antidepressant.

  Massage decreases stress and anxiety and has been shown to relieve symptoms of depression, particularly when combined with essential oils that are known to relieve stress; they include lavender, chamomile, basil, rosemary, lemon and sandalwood.