Depression and Alternative Medicine

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Depression and Alternative Medicine

 

Depression is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders.

Symptoms may vary from feelings of minor sadness to sheer misery and

dejection. When sadness persists and impairs daily life, it maybe an

indication of a depressive disorder. Depression brings together a

variety of physical and psychological symptoms, which together

constitute a syndrome.

 

1. " Melancholia " , which was, for centuries the encompassing name for

all emotional disorders is considered Major Depression. Clinically,

in major depression, five symptoms on a daily basis for at least two

weeks are considered a diagnosis.

 

The most common symptoms of depression are feelings of acute sense of

loss, inexplicable sadness, loss of energy and loss of interest. The

patient usually feels tired and lacks interest in the world around

him. Sleep disturbance is frequent. Usually the patient wakes up

depressed and is unable to return to sleep. Other disturbed sleep

patterns are difficulty in falling asleep, nightmares or repeated

waking. Often, emotions of guilt, oppressive feelings and self-

absorption are apart of this syndrome. Cases of severe depression may

also be characterized by low body temperature, low blood pressure,

hot flushes and shivering.

 

• Dysthymic Depression

 

This form of depression is considered chronic ongoing, yet milder,

less severe and less disabling.

 

 

• Atypical Depression

 

Other symptoms of depression are: loss of appetite, gidiness,

itching, nausea, agitation, irritability, impotence or frigidity,

constipation, aches and pains all over the body, lack of

concentration and lack of power of decision. Some persons may lose

interest in eating and suffer from rapid loss of weight while others

may resort to frequent eating and as a result gain weight.

 

Irregular diet habits cause digestive problems and lead to the

assimilation of fats. An excess of carbohydrates like cereals, white

sugar, coffee, tea, chocolates and comparatively less quantities of

vegetables and fruits in the diet may result in indigestion. Due to

indigestion, gases are produced in the digestive tract, causing

compression over the diaphragm in the region of the heart and lungs.

This in turn, reduces the supply of oxygen to the tissues, which

raises the carbon dioxide levels, causing general depression.

 

 

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorders

 

 

(PMDD) is considered severe depression with irritability and tension

and PMS including five or more symptoms of major depression.

 

 

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression. Most

people tend to slow down a little in the winter and experience some

form of " winter blues, " but full-blown SAD can be extremely disabling.

 

SAD is often the result of the winter season when the days are

shorter. People tend to sleep more, become sedentary, crave

carbohydrates, gain weight, and avoid social interaction.

Psychologically, they tend to be depressed.

 

Attaining a balance of yin-yang or light and dark is innate in the

and Feng Shui philosophies. Although we cannot see

the electromagnetic frequencies of the earth or planets, it is

important for us to live in an environment that allows us to be

synchronized with these forces.

 

Read more on " Beating the Blues " : Seasonal Affective Disorder.

http://www.peacefulmind.com/articless.htm

 

 

• The Seasons and Depression

 

Spring can be a very uneasy time for the human psyche. Patterns of

sleep and energy have a tendency to shift back and forth with

uncertainty. Mood swings from high to low, changes in eating

patterns, fluctuating temperatures outside and the urge to " run away

from it all " add stress to the mind and body and tend to occur when

there are equal parts of both daylight and darkness.

 

In Traditional , Anger is the emotion associated with

Spring, and for good reason. Seasonal studies done at the National

Institute of Mental Health in Maryland have shown, dramatic mood

changes coincide with changes from the darkness of Winter to the

extended light of Spring.

 

Melatonin is a hormone in our body that helps to regulate our moods

and energy. With increased light, melatonin decreases in our body.

Decreased melatonin means higher and lower levels of mood and energy.

Tempers can flare rapidly triggered by rapid mood changes. Faster

changes increase good and bad impulse behavior.

 

We move from hibernation to growth in less than weeks. Increased mood

and energy fluctuation brings with it lust, lethergy and love!

According to the World Health Organization, conception is highest in

April and May. Romance blooms. Energies that have been suppressed for

months have a tendency to now move to the surface, eqivalent to the

growth of Spring flowers bursting forth.

 

The end of Winter brings an end to isolation and 'Winter Blues',

brought about by lack of sunlight and cold weather. But, as Spring

comes and wanes into Summer, some people will find their 'blues' or

depression unchanged. Then, even stronger feeling of hopelessness

follow. The US Center for Disease Control found that between 1969 and

1999, suicides were seasonal. Findings showed that feelings of

suicide are above average all Spring and below average in Winter.

This is contrary to beliefs that suicides are the highest during the

Christmas holidays. The British Journal of Psychiatry agrees. They

report that the pre-summer peak in suicides reflect the hope among

the unhappy and lonely who seek change with Spring, but often feel no

different as the Summer draws near.

 

For some people, the transition from Summer into Fall is a difficult

time. Knowing that the warmth of summer is gone, the transition from

hot to cold and from more light to less light can be difficult to let

go of.

 

Read more on " Beating the Blues " : Seasonal Affective Disorder.

 

 

2. BiPolar Disorders

 

• BiPolar I - encompasses unpredictable swings in mood from mania

(hypermania) to depression.

 

 

• BiPolar II - full criteria for mania is lacking, but encompasses

recurrent depression seperated by periods of mild activation with

increased mania.

 

 

• Cyclothymic - numerous hypomania periods of short duration,

alternating with clusters of depressive symptoms that fail to meet

criteria of major depression.

 

 

3. Medical Depression

 

• Cardiac, cancer and neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus,

hypothyroidism, and autoimmune disorders are all considered the basis

for medical depressive diagnosis. Diabetes, low blood sugar

(hypoglycemia) and weakness of the liver resulting from the use of

refined or processed foods, fried foods and an excessive intake of

fats, which may also lead to depression.

 

• Alcohol abuse and reasons why alcohol are abused are factors

considered.

 

• Substance abuse includes the excessive and indiscriminate use of

drugs also leads to faulty assimilation of vitamins and minerals by

the body and ultimately causes depression. The abuse of aspirin leads

to deficiencies of vitamin C and antacids can cause deficiencies of

calcium and vitamin B.

 

Medications that can induce depression include: Antihypertensive

drugs, Anticholesterolemic drugs and Antiarrhythmic drugs.

Antihypertensive drugs such as beta-adrenergic blockers and calcium

channel blockers are most likely to cause depressed moods.

Antidepressive drugs which provide temporary relief, have harmful

side-effects and do not remove the causes or prevent its recurrence.

The harmful side-effects include gross liver damage,

hypersensitivity, insomnia, hallucinations, a confused state,

convulsions, a fall in blood pressure which brings on headaches and

dizziness , blurred vision, difficulty in inhaling and urine

retention.

 

 

Managing Your Depression: Top 10 Ways To Boost Your Mood

 

1. Listen to Uplifting Music!

 

Some music is designed to have a positive and reaffirming effect on

emotions and mental clarity. Singing along to a familiar song or

showtune might be all you need. Music is a magical medium and a very

powerful tool. Music can delight all the senses and inspire every

fiber of our being. Music has the power to soothe and relax, bring us

comfort and embracing joy! Music subtly bypasses the intellectual

stimulus in the brain and moves directly to our subconcious. There is

music for every mood and for every occasion. Music Therapy is

incorporated in a number of areas of medicine.

 

2. Use Aromatherapy

 

Aromatherapy has been clinically shown to ease stress and improve

moods. Essential oils of plant, fruit, and flower essences are

created to center and enhance the body and mind in order to help us

in preventative measures, as well as, an effective cure for many

illnesses. Scents can induce an amazing power as they influence our

moods. Our sense of smell is the most direct path to our emotions.

This is the principle behind the ancient art of aromatherapy.

 

3. Get A Massage

 

Massage Therapy has been proven to reduce anxiety and sadness and to

lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Massage Therapy not only treats

those parts of you which are a problem, but also affects the whole of

your metabolism through normalizing your circulatory, muscular and

nervous systems and their interdependent functioning.

 

4. Enjoy Good Fat

 

Hormones that regulate Serotonin, our bodies' main mood-boosting

chemical, are stimulated by fat consumption. Before reaching for a

piece of cake or a cookie, try a piece of salmon. Not all fats are

created equal and you should AVOID saturated fats. Instead, eat foods

containing 'good fats' such as fish, nuts and olive oil. These foods

help with depression and low self esteem by boosting Serotonin.

 

5. Get Your Vitamin D

 

Serotonin is affected by Vitamin D. Studies have shown that

consumption Vitamin D makes people feel better. Particularly those

who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

 

6. Practice Yoga Therapy

 

Yoga Therapy is the ancient exercise from India, which has been shown

to boost energy, release tension and stress, and help with

depression, anger and fatigue. Practicing yoga is associated with

establishing harmony,equanimity, balance.

 

7. Make Humor and Laughter Daily Medicine

 

Laughter reduces muscle tension. This muscle relaxation and the

easing of psychological tension that accompanies it, is the main goal

of pain and stress management. This certainly accounts for the stress-

reducing power of humor.

 

8. Eat Breakfast

 

Studies have shown that eating breakfast is associated with greater

calmness and less stress. It also improves alertness, which can help

your memory and ability to learn. Eating fiber at breakfast is best.

Eating fiber in the morning allows for less emotional distress, more

energy and more mental alertness!

 

9. Move!

 

Exercise is the best medicine for anxiety and depression. It not only

keep the body physically and mentally fit but also provides

recreation and mental relaxation. It is nature's best tranquilizer.

Exercise produces chemical and psychological changes that improves

your mental health. It changes the levels of hormones in blood and

may elevate your beta-endorphins (mood-affecting brain chemicals).

Exercise may also improve the function of the autonomic nervous

system. Exercise also gives a feeling of accomplishment and thus

reduces the sense of helplessness.

 

10. Meditation

 

Meditation works wonders. Every 5 to 10 minutes spent centering

yourself in stillness will have positive effects. Meditation improves

over all well being. Meditation helps us live a healthier, less

stressful life. The physical and psychological benefits are wonderful

and many people meditate only for those reasons. The practice of

meditation helps us temporarily let the physical world go so that we

can begin to see ourselves as we truly are.

 

 

Herbal Remedies

 

Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Licorice and St. John's Wort are all

wonderful herbs for depression. Used as single dry herbs in a tea,

tincture or capsule, are all effective.

 

Ginseng Siberian ginseng improves the balance of important

neurotransmitters (including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and

epinephrine) in the brain. In studies using laboratory animals,

Siberian ginseng has been shown to act as an MAO inhibitor. In people

with depression, the herb helps improve their sense of well-being.

Dosage: 400 mg of a standardized extract three times daily.

 

Ginkgo Biloba Ginkgo is found to be useful in relieving depression,

especially in the elderly who suffer reduced blood flow to the brain,

according to results form clinical trials. Ginkgo biloba improves

cerebral circulation, improving memory and often benefiting

depression. Ginkgo is not as effective as St. John's wort for

depression, but it can be taken along with other herbs and nutrients

to bolster one's overall mood. Take an extract that is standardized

to contain 24 percent ginkgo flavone glycosides. The usual dose is 80-

120 mg two times daily (breakfast and lunch).

 

Licorice is known as a depression herb. Licorice is a very powerful

antidepressant. At least eight licorice compounds are monoamine

oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. (MAO inhibitors are compounds capable of

potent antidepressant action.) Licorice and its extracts are safe for

normal use in moderate amounts up to about three cups of tea a day or

6 dropperfuls of tincture. However, long-term use or ingestion of

larger amounts can produce headache, lethargy, sodium and water

retention, excessive loss of potassium and high blood pressure.

 

St. John's Wort is very popular for the treatment of mild to moderate

depression. It has also been reported to reduce anxiety. Like kava, a

flavonoid compound from St. John's wort known as Amentoflavone, has

been found to act in the central nervous system in a way similar to

Benzodiazepine drugs. Clinical studies show that treatment with just

one of the active compounds in this herb, hypericin, results in

significant improvement in anxiety, depression and feelings of

worthlessness. Studies also show that St. John's Wort improves sleep

quality, often a major problem for people who are seriously

depressed. Different chemical compounds in St. John's Wort work

together to relieve mild to moderate depression in several different

ways. The advantage of this combined action is fewer side effects,

because the total response is not due to a single strong action. Take

900 mg daily of 0.3 percent hypericin concentration-600 mg with

breakfast and 300 mg with lunch. Do not take St.-John's-wort if

you're pregnant. And avoid intense sun exposure while using it, since

this herb can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Do not take

St. John's wort along with the amino acids if you've just started the

treatment program. After four to six weeks on DLPA or L-tyrosine, you

can then begin St. John's wort. Likewise, do not take St. John's wort

with the SSRI drugs (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil).

 

For additional information on homeopathy, exercise, and your belief

systems with depression, please go to:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/depression.htm

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit