Very often an individual may run to their doctor at the first sign of what they believe to be depression. While it is true that major depressive illness should be treated by a qualified doctor, it is also a fact that a great many doctors are prescribing drugs to their patients when they may in fact benefit more, or just as well, from more natural, holistic treatments. There are certain criteria that lead to a diagnosis of depression, including a general lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, fatigue and lack of energy, and an unwillingness to socialize with friends and family. If untreated, this depressed state can lead to a myriad of problems, including overeating, being forced to stop work and a breaking down of relationships, all of which may lead to an even worse case of depression and isolation.
The best doctor is one who, after having diagnosed his or her patient as being depressed, can try to get to the root of the problem before simply writing a prescription. They may even refer the patient to a therapist that specializes in cognitive-type therapy, where the aim is to learn practical methods of dealing with destructive and upsetting thoughts. If the depression is only mild and possibly due to a change in life circumstances, it is likely that the patient may benefit more from a type of alternative treatment and may wish to consult with a naturopathic practitioner for advice.
There are a number of home remedies that can be used to treat some of these milder cases of depression and one of the first areas to start is the diet. There has been a great amount of interest and research into the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depression, and it has been found that increasing the amounts of these ‘good’ fats in our diet can greatly benefit the mood. Sources for these fats are foods such as cold-water fish (salmon, tuna etc) and nuts, although it must be noted that as with any type of food group, they should be eaten in moderation. Supplements of ginseng have also proved successful in giving the mood a lift as has green tea, particularly the powder form of green tea, which releases its nutrients slowly throughout the day to sustain optimal levels.
Although for many people being active when feeling down is not appealing, moving the body is vital to feelings of well-being. Exercise not only lifts the mood, but participating in a group activity (or any social event for that matter) is important to feeling connected with society and being mentally healthy. In fact it has been proved that the happiest people are often those who value family and friends over other more material aspects of life, so getting exercise combined with socializing is a double boon to the mood.
Certain types of so-called ‘alternative’ therapies and treatments are becoming more and more popular these days, especially among those who may have found conventional treatments ineffective. The use of UV light as a way to treat depression, in particular the form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has proved very successful, providing essential light to those whose mood can suffer during the generally darker days of winter. Other popular treatments that the depressed individual may wish to try are hypnotherapy (under the supervision of a hypnotherapist trained in this type of condition) and meditation, which can include focussing the mind on the positive and training oneself to eliminate self-criticizing and self-defeating, negative thoughts.
