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Alternative Treatments For Depression

Depression is normally treated with professional therapy, which can identify the root of your negative emotions and teach you healthy ways of dealing with it. In some cases, medication may be helpful as well, allowing you to put your emotions on an even keel and give the therapy time to do its job. Depending upon your circumstances, however, you may wish to consider alternative methods of treatment, some of which are reasonably effective in their own right.

  1. Stimulation Techniques

    • The Mayo Clinic outlines several therapeutic techniques that stimulate the brain directly. They're recommended only for those cases where other treatments have failed. Their ranks include vagus nerve stimulation, which implants a pulse machine into the brain to adjust the mood center; transcranial magnetic stimulation, which generates electrical current by placing an electromagnet against the patient's head; and deep brain stimulation, which uses electrodes planted inside the brain to stimulate specific areas. Many of these treatments are highly experimental and require careful consultation with a doctor before undertaking them.

    Nutritional Supplements

    • Antidepressants such as Prozac are often effective in treating depression, but so too are a number of nontraditional medicines--available without a prescription and applying holistic methods to the issue. Most of them are sold as dietary supplements, and the government doesn't recommend them for formal treatment. However, people suffering from depression who may be leery of more refined pharmaceuticals can look to them as an option. The best known is St. John's wort--an herb that serves a number of medicinal purposes and can be taken for mild depression. Another popular supplement is SAM-e (or S-adenosyl-methionine), which replicates a naturally occurring biochemical, and is available as a nutritional aid here.

    Yoga, Meditation and Exercise

    • Yoga teaches patients to be aware of their physical and emotional state, which often proves effective in addressing depression. Meditation and breathing exercises not only calm the spirit, but help establish a more positive outlook on life and thus improve the patient's well-being. Both yoga and meditation are simple to apply: once you know the techniques, you can spend just a few minutes a day on them. If you're not interested in a yoga regimen, adopt an exercise routine--running, jogging, swimming or working out at the local gym. Straightforward exercise has been known to elevate energy levels and improve mood, leaving you better able to cope with your depression. If possible, find a friend with whom you can exercise or take a yoga class. It reduces your isolation and helps you stay motivated.

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