Natural Depression Treatment

Depression is a prolonged feeling of unhappiness and despondency, often magnified by a major life event such as bereavement, divorce, or retirement. Many women experience depression after childbirth. Clinical depression is a genuine illness which overwhelms the sufferer so that he or she feels a hopelessness, dejection, and fear out of all proportion to any cause. Someone who is depressed may contemplate or attempt suicide.

Symptoms
• slow speech
• poor concentration
• confusion and irritability
• self-accusation and loss of self-esteem
• insomnia and early-morning waking
• a feeling of emptiness and despair
• loss of appetite
• loss of sexual drive

Major depressions occur in 10–20 percent of the world’s population in the course of a lifetime. Women are more often affected than men, by a 2:1 ratio. Relatives of patients with major depressive illnesses seem to be at some higher risk of becoming depressed, and about 2 percent of the population may have a chronic disorder known as a depressive personality. Unipolar depression consists of episodes that can recur several times in a person’s life.

Manic depression, or bipolar disorder, is a severe mental disorder involving manic episodes (characterized by an abnormally elevated or irritable mood, grandiosity, sleeplessness, extravagance, and a tendency toward irrational judgment) that are usually accompanied by episodes of depression (possibly including lethargy, a sense of worthlessness, lack of concentration, and guilt). Manic depression occurs in males and females equally, and is found more frequently in close relatives of people with the disorder.

More than 8 billion people in the U.S. consult their general physician about treatment for depression. Up to 50 percent of people who suffer have a hereditary tendency. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is thought to be caused by a deficiency of corticotropin-releasing hormone. Cases of SAD are on the increase, and are thought to be partly due to increased stress levels.

TREATMENT

Ayurveda
Detoxification treatment would be followed by specific oral medication to balance the three doshas. Treatment is always individual.

Chinese Herbalism 
Depression is believed to be caused by stagnation of the Liver qi, and may be treated with angelica, peony root, licorice, and thorowax root. 

Herbalism 
The best antidepressant and nervine (with a specific action for nerves) herbs include: balm, borage, limeflower, oats, rosemary, and vervain. These can be taken as herbal teas, added to the bath, or taken as tablets, or in tincture form (herbs suspended in alcohol). Aromatherapy There are a number of antidepressant oils, which can be used in the bath, in a vaporizer, on a light bulb and in massage. They include: neroli, jasmine, geranium, melissa, and rose. Ylang ylang, lavender, clary sage, and chamomile are sedative and antidepressant.

Homeopathy 
It will be necessary to see a homeopath to receive treatment that is suited to you, and which addresses the cause of your depression. Specific remedies include:
• Aurum, for feelings of worthlessness, suicidal feelings, and self-disgust.
• Pulsatilla, for bursting into tears at the smallest hurt.
• Arsenicum, if you feel chilly, tired, restless, and obsessively tidy. 
• Ignatia, if depression has an external cause, such as bereavement.

Flower Essences 
Cherry Plum, for “fear of the mind being over strained, of doing dreaded things,” and of being violent to oneself or others.
 Agrimony, for deeply held emotional tensions which are hidden from others.
Gorse helps to combat feelings of hopelessness. 
Gentian will help to improve a mild depression and despondency caused by a setback.
Mustard is for blacker and deeper feelings when there is no apparent cause. 
Sweet Chestnut should be taken if you feel anguished and stretched beyond endurance.

Vitamins and Minerals 
Depression which occurs just before menstruation (PMS) may be caused by a vitamin B6 deficiency; postnatal depression may be caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, and folic acid. Nutritional supplements and allergy tests may be suggested by a practitioner. Ensure you have an adequate intake of vitamin C. Some therapists may recommend supplementing the amino acid tryptophan.