Natural Remedies for Depression
You can't watch TV these days without seeing advertisements for pharmaceutical treatments for depression. The current ads offer drugs to take in addition to the drugs you're already taking that aren't working. This would be funny if depression wasn't widespread, incapacitating, and potentially fatal. It would be funnier still if these pharmaceuticals weren't linked to an increased likelihood of suicidal or homicidal behavior.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV, commonly known as the DSM IV is the diagnostic manual used by mental health professional to classify mental illness. (It is currently undergoing revision and will soon be released as the DSM V). There are several classifications for depression: Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, Dysthymic Disorder (which the DSM V seeks to reclassify as Chronic Depressive Disorder), Major Depressive Disorders, and Bipolar Disorders. The DSM V proposes the inclusion of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. If you've been paying attention to big pharma ads, you know there is already a pill to treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, before it has been officially included as a diagnosis.
There is no blood test, no microscopic evidence, no litmus test to diagnose depression. Diagnosis is based on subjective reporting and objective observation. Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbance, and thoughts of death or suicide are pervasive and on-going. It is interesting to note that opposing symptoms are included. Sleep disturbance can be either insomnia or excessive sleep. Appetite can be diminished or increased. Either psychomotor agitation or retardation can be present.
Grieving (which may be diagnosed as an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood) may include all of the symptoms of depression, but
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV, commonly known as the DSM IV is the diagnostic manual used by mental health professional to classify mental illness. (It is currently undergoing revision and will soon be released as the DSM V). There are several classifications for depression: Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, Dysthymic Disorder (which the DSM V seeks to reclassify as Chronic Depressive Disorder), Major Depressive Disorders, and Bipolar Disorders. The DSM V proposes the inclusion of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. If you've been paying attention to big pharma ads, you know there is already a pill to treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, before it has been officially included as a diagnosis.
There is no blood test, no microscopic evidence, no litmus test to diagnose depression. Diagnosis is based on subjective reporting and objective observation. Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbance, and thoughts of death or suicide are pervasive and on-going. It is interesting to note that opposing symptoms are included. Sleep disturbance can be either insomnia or excessive sleep. Appetite can be diminished or increased. Either psychomotor agitation or retardation can be present.
Grieving (which may be diagnosed as an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood) may include all of the symptoms of depression, but
After reading this article, please also read our Letter from the Editor in this month's issue titled Natural Remedies, What You Should Know.
not the duration. Clinical Depression can be episodic or on-going. And Seasonal Affective Disorder is, of course, seasonal. If depressive symptoms are not due to grief, what is the cause?
Conventional medical treatment targets brain chemistry. Once again, they are treating the symptom, not the cause.
Eliminate all processed foods, refined sugar, sugar substitutes, corn syrup, artificial flavorings, colors, preservatives, MSG, hydrogenated oils, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and GMOs. Avoid allergens and soy.
Eat a diet rich in fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables. You need vitamin D. Sunlight is the best source. But if you suffer from depression seasonally, you probably need light therapy and vitamin D supplementation as well. Include healthy fatty acids in your diet (Udo's 3-6-9 with DHA) and B vitamins (the full spectrum, not just a few). Stop using any and all artificial fragrances, including
Conventional medical treatment targets brain chemistry. Once again, they are treating the symptom, not the cause.
The Foundation for any Natural Remedy for Depression
The brain is a body organ. As with any symptom of dysfunction or disease, health begins with proper nutrition, exercise, and detoxification.Eliminate all processed foods, refined sugar, sugar substitutes, corn syrup, artificial flavorings, colors, preservatives, MSG, hydrogenated oils, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and GMOs. Avoid allergens and soy.
Eat a diet rich in fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables. You need vitamin D. Sunlight is the best source. But if you suffer from depression seasonally, you probably need light therapy and vitamin D supplementation as well. Include healthy fatty acids in your diet (Udo's 3-6-9 with DHA) and B vitamins (the full spectrum, not just a few). Stop using any and all artificial fragrances, including
(but is not limited to) cologne, perfume, soap, shampoo, candles, air fresheners, household cleaners, and detergents.
Complete a full body detox and/or a Candida cleanse. Yeast and environmental toxins are powerful contributors to depression. Heavy metal toxicity can also lead to depression. The full body detox addresses heavy metals as well.
Exercise. Yes, we know it's the last thing you want to do when you're feeling lethargic due to depression. ;But studies have shown that exercise alone can be as effective as pharmaceuticals in treating depression. Which is better for you?
Get good sleep. Get up in the morning and get outside into the early morning light. This is a great time for a walk. Early morning light will help set your internal clock if you suffer from insomnia. Forcing yourself out of bed is essential if you are sleeping round the clock.
Now, the part that's hard to face. Every chronic condition is to some extent a subconscious or conscious choice. We chose our lifestyle, our diet, our partners, our commitment to heath. Anyone suffering from an ongoing illness owes it to themselves to ask the hard question: "What am I getting out of this? What does being depressed do for me?"
Until we face the truth and discover what
Complete a full body detox and/or a Candida cleanse. Yeast and environmental toxins are powerful contributors to depression. Heavy metal toxicity can also lead to depression. The full body detox addresses heavy metals as well.
Exercise. Yes, we know it's the last thing you want to do when you're feeling lethargic due to depression. ;But studies have shown that exercise alone can be as effective as pharmaceuticals in treating depression. Which is better for you?
Get good sleep. Get up in the morning and get outside into the early morning light. This is a great time for a walk. Early morning light will help set your internal clock if you suffer from insomnia. Forcing yourself out of bed is essential if you are sleeping round the clock.
Now, the part that's hard to face. Every chronic condition is to some extent a subconscious or conscious choice. We chose our lifestyle, our diet, our partners, our commitment to heath. Anyone suffering from an ongoing illness owes it to themselves to ask the hard question: "What am I getting out of this? What does being depressed do for me?"
Until we face the truth and discover what
Natural Remedies for Depression
Issue 14 | Natural Remedies | August-September 2010
being ill gives us, it is nearly impossible to make the changes required to recover. When the illness we face is depression or anxiety, facing this truth is essential. No one beats depression unless they really want to. In today's society we tend to adopt a self-indulgent victim mentality. Too often we define ourselves by our losses or traumas. "I am a rape victim. I am an incest survivor. I am a quadriplegic." These labels and, too often, the support groups designed to help us, perpetuate the victim mentality.
Psychotherapy is a wonderful tool designed to help you gain insight and develop new behaviors and thought processes. But therapy is limited by the skill of the clinician and the motivation of the client. Choose a therapist well, one who understands the mind body connection. And do the work.
Psychotherapy is a wonderful tool designed to help you gain insight and develop new behaviors and thought processes. But therapy is limited by the skill of the clinician and the motivation of the client. Choose a therapist well, one who understands the mind body connection. And do the work.
Exercise: The Best Natural Remedy for Depression
There are so many choices. Each option has important benefits. All exercise decreases stress hormones and increases endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the body responsible for elevating one's mood. Exercise also releases adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. All of these natural chemicals are essential to proper mental health. Here we'll list our top four choices
for fighting depression naturally.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an excellent regimen. HIIT builds speed and power very quickly and is awesome for getting the body to release a lot of endorphins. It's also a great choice for someone who is trying to find excuses for not working out, as it takes much less time than a good yoga session or a long run.
Weight lifting helps increase testosterone. Low testosterone can cause depression for both men and women. Weight lifting can also show fast results in muscle tone and physical appearance, which can boost self esteem, an issue for most anyone suffering for depression.
Yoga is an amazing exercise that rejuvenates, energizes, heals, and balances the body, mind, and spirit. Cardio is well known for its benefits, but making it a hobby for life has wonderful rewards. Bicycling, running, and swimming are a few of the easiest, least expensive, most rewarding hobbies there are (though obviously bicycling can get a bit more expensive, the more you get into it). Ever heard of a "runner's high?" It's an amazing feeling. It takes time to get into the kind of physical condition to reach the runner's high, but it's such an amazing, surreal, euphoric feeling. Words cannot do it justice.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an excellent regimen. HIIT builds speed and power very quickly and is awesome for getting the body to release a lot of endorphins. It's also a great choice for someone who is trying to find excuses for not working out, as it takes much less time than a good yoga session or a long run.
Weight lifting helps increase testosterone. Low testosterone can cause depression for both men and women. Weight lifting can also show fast results in muscle tone and physical appearance, which can boost self esteem, an issue for most anyone suffering for depression.
Yoga is an amazing exercise that rejuvenates, energizes, heals, and balances the body, mind, and spirit. Cardio is well known for its benefits, but making it a hobby for life has wonderful rewards. Bicycling, running, and swimming are a few of the easiest, least expensive, most rewarding hobbies there are (though obviously bicycling can get a bit more expensive, the more you get into it). Ever heard of a "runner's high?" It's an amazing feeling. It takes time to get into the kind of physical condition to reach the runner's high, but it's such an amazing, surreal, euphoric feeling. Words cannot do it justice.
Natural Remedies for Depression
Issue 14 | Natural Remedies | August-September 2010
Natural Herbal Depression Remedies
St. John's Wort is well known for its ability to elevate mood. It can take some time to take effect as it builds up in the body. Other herbs known to help alleviate depression include Kava Kava, Valerian Root, licorice, ginseng, skullcap, and ashwaganda.A good antidepressant tincture can be made with 1 teaspoon tincture of St. John's Wort leaf and ½ teaspoon tinctures of licorice root, ginseng root, Skullcap, lemon balm leaf and ashwaganda leaf. Read our How to Make a Tincture.
Many great recipes for teas, tinctures, and tonics for depression can be found at holistic-online.com.
Aromatherapy for Natural Depression Remedies
Bergamot, peppermint, sandalwood, ylang ylang, cedarwood, chamomile, geranium, sage, jasmine, and lavender are known for helping to elevate mood.Conclusion
If depression is affecting you, you need a plan of action. A "to do" list can help you get started. The time for contemplation is over. It's time to act. Now. One step at a time.
Also check out I'm Depressed by Michael Edwards, Editor-in-Chief.
Natural Remedies for Depression
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