What is depression?
Depression is a term used to describe a broad range of mood disorders.  More than 14 million Americans experience depression in a given year.  Depression does not discriminate.  It can strike whether you are young or old, male or female.  It can come and go.  It can last a few days, a few weeks or a few years and the severity of symptoms can vary from mild to unbearable.

 Besides a feeling of debilitating sadness, depression can affect you physically.  When you are depressed you may have trouble eating or sleeping or find it difficult to cope with day to day events.  It is also common to lose interest in sex and experience fatigue and anxiety.  Depression can also affect your ability to concentrate, think clearly, remember details and cause you to make errors in judgment.

 Surprisingly, we don’t fully understand what causes depression.  There are different theories such as biological and genetic factors, environmental influences and events which occurred during childhood.  Self-image, poor coping skills and stress are also contributing factors.  In addition, having a parent who suffered from depression can increase the likelihood of their children experiencing this illness. 

 
Treating Depression
Although depression can make you feel hopeless and helpless, it is very treatable.  Most patients, even those with severe depression, show improvement after seeking treatment.  Your doctor may prescribe antidepressant drugs to treat your depression. While medications can be quite effective, it may take four to six weeks before you notice a change in your mood.  There are, however, several types of alternative medicine and therapies which can help treat depression

Psychotherapy –This treatment, also known as mental health counseling or talk therapy, consists of you and a therapist discussing what you are feeling.  For people with mild to moderate depression, talk therapy may be effective on its own.  However, people with major depression may need to be treated with both psychotherapy and medication.

Exercise – While exercise alone cannot cure depression, mental health experts agree that it can be a useful tool in overall therapy.  A regular exercise program can help distract you from your worries, release stress, sleep better and feel more in control of your life and your moods.  When adding exercise to your treatment plan, try to set simple goals, do what you enjoy, make it social by including a friend and, most importantly, work with your doctor.

Diet & Nutrition – Research has shown that making modifications to your diet may help manage depression symptoms and promote recovery.  Depression is less common in Japan where the Japanese include more Omega 3 fatty acids in their diet.  Studies have suggested that eating a diet rich in nuts, whole grains, beans, seeds and deep-water fish can help decrease the symptoms of depression.

Acupuncture – Acupuncture is the Chinese practice of inserting needles into the body at specific points to manipulate the body’s flow of energy.  This manipulation is believed to regulate the heart rate and body temperature as well as sleep patterns and emotional changes.   A pilot study by researchers at the University of Arizona has shown that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for women suffering from mild to moderate depression. 

Relaxation Techniques – Relaxation techniques can improve how you physically respond to stress and can be used in combination with other treatments for depression.  Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and visualization are types of relaxation techniques which will increase awareness of stress and work to balance the body’s energy centers, strengthen the immune system and increase concentration and energy.

Massage Therapy – Massage therapy is one of the oldest health practices, dating back 4,000 years, and has been use to treat trauma-related depression and stress.  It is believed that rubbing, kneading, brushing and tapping a person’s muscles can help release tension and repressed emotions.

Alternative therapies can help you to care for yourself and reduce the symptoms of depression.  They are also excellent methods to use in conjunction with anti-depressant medication.   Like any treatment option, be sure to discuss any therapy with your doctor before beginning.