Depression: Alternative Treatment and Complementary Therapies
There are many types of treatment for depression. Standard treatments within the medical community include:
- Antidepressants
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Psychotherapy
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
In addition to these types of treatment for depression, there are alternative cures and complementary therapies.
Alternative Cures: Depression
If you suffer from depression, alternative treatments may ease your symptoms. These treatments can sometimes be used instead of standard treatments. Complementary therapies, however, are used along with a standard treatment for depression.
If you’re considering any alternative or complementary therapies for depression, you’ll want to discuss these with your health care provider.
Depression Alternative Treatment: Yoga
Some classic symptoms of clinical depression include:
- Fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of pleasure in once-enjoyed activities.
These symptoms can make it difficult for depressed individuals to get the exercise they need. Sufferers may want to consider yoga as a depression alternative treatment. Yoga increases blood circulation to the brain and encourages the release of endorphins.
Yoga’s benefits can be achieved by practicing a few poses for a few minutes each day. In order to begin getting exercise, choose three simple yoga poses and practice them daily.
Treatment for Depression: Natural Supplements
Popular depression alternative treatment options or complementary therapies include nutritional supplements like St. John’s wort–a small, yellow flower also known as Hypericum.
Scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of St. John’s wort as treatment for depression has been inconsistent. A joint study by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of Dietary Supplements concluded that St. John’s wort is no more effective than placebos at treating moderately severe clinical depression.
St. John’s wort may also limit the effectiveness of certain prescriptions, including birth control pills and blood thinners. The side effects of St. John’s wort include:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to sunlight.
Saffron, a spice, has also been used as a depression alternative treatment, although its effectiveness is still unclear. Talk to your doctor if you plan to use supplements or herbs.
Treatment For Depression: Acupuncture
A 1996 study by the National Institute of Health and the University of Arizona showed scientific evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating depression. Participants showed a 43 percent reduction in symptoms after undergoing acupuncture.
If you decide to use acupuncture as an alternative or complementary treatment for depression, make sure that your acupuncture therapist is licensed. The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is responsible for acupuncture licensing in the United States.
Complementary Therapies: Lifestyle Changes
Complementary therapies for the treatment of depression often include lifestyle changes involving:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Prayer/meditation
- Sleep
- Support groups.
If you’re looking for self-help methods in depression treatment, this is only a partial list of your options. Work with your doctor to decide what treatments, or combination of treatments, is best for you.
Resources
American Yoga Association Staff. (n.d.). How yoga helps depression. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the American Yoga Association website: www.americanyogaassociation.org/08depression.html.
Drugs.com Staff. (2009). Saffron. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the Drugs.com website: www.drugs.com/npp/saffron.html.
Healing From Depression Staff. (2010). Treating depression holistically. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the Healing From Depression website: www.healingfromdepression.com/treating-depression-holistically.htm.
McManamy, J. (2010). Acupuncture: Does it work for depression? Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the McMan’s Depression and Bipolar website: www.mcmanweb.com/acupuncture.html.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Staff. (2009). St. John’s wort for depression. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website: nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm.