Non-Drug Treatment for Depression

Clinical depression is a mental health problem that affects many people the world over. It can make it very difficult to function in everyday life, and in addition to psychological pain it can cause physical symptoms such as lack of energy, sleep disturbances, weight loss or gain, and aches and pains. Some people treat their depression with tricyclic antidepressants such as Prozac or with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants. However, these drugs can have unwanted side effects. There are a number of non-drug treatments for depression.

Definition of Depression

• When used in reference to the mental health condition, depression is the shorthand term for the condition known as "major depressive disorder" or "clinical depression." Clinical depression is identified as a continuous, general low mood combined with low self-esteem and a loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association chose this term to classify the above collection of symptoms as a mood disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). Depression differs from the usual fluctuations in a person's mood in that the low mood is totally pervasive and unrelenting, and the reasoning and logic that would normally get a person out of such a slump are ineffective.

Drug Treatments

• Many people with depression are treated with antidepressants. Some people in the scientific community contend that antidepressants are overprescribed, but this issue is up for debate. It is true, however, that many antidepressants have undesirable side effects. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are SSRIs, which may cause their user to experience headaches, nausea, agitation or diarrhea. Sexual side effects are particularly common with SSRIs and may include decreased libido or the inability to reach orgasm. Tricyclic antidepressants may cause dry mouth, blurred vision or dizziness.

Therapy

• Psychiatric therapy is usually recommended in addition to antidepressants. This may take the form of one-on-one sessions with a therapist or group sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most thoroughly researched and widely accepted forms of psychotherapy for treating depression. In CBT, patients learn about the thought patterns that they have ingrained due to their depression and attempt to correct non-constructive negative thinking. CBT gives patients a set of mental tools and strategies to deal with their depression.

Physical Activity

• One strategy for combating depression without the use of drugs is physical exercise. This can be difficult as depression is often characterized by a lack of energy, even a physical heaviness in the limbs (leaden paralysis). However, breaking a cycle of inactivity can be instrumental in dealing with such symptoms. Also, exercise produces endorphins, which naturally stimulate good feelings in the brain.

Creativity

• Creativity is one of the best non-medical ways of dealing with depression. Many different types of creativity may help. Simply keeping a journal can be effective, as it provides an outlet for the painful thoughts and feelings one may be experiencing. Playing or composing music, painting or gardening may also prove helpful. Depression tends to be more common in people with creative personalities anyway, and having something creative to focus on can be their way of dealing with it.

Alternative Medicine

• Some depressive patients have had success with alternative medicine. One strategy is light therapy, which uses a specially designed light box which approximates the effect of about 40 minutes of direct sunlight. This technique may be useful for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or seasonal depression. Acupuncture is also thought to be a useful mood booster. Some people also take supplements for depression, the most common of which is St. John's Wort.