2 posts tagged “depression treatment”

Depression is one of the most serious medical and psychological problems. It is caused by different factors from physical to emotional to intellectual and spiritual aspects of being; and it could also result to various circumstances like suicide and mental abnormalities. Depression is the feeling of being low, sad and down for a long period of time.

Causes of Depression

Teens and young professionals are the age brackets most susceptible to depression. With teenagers it is usually caused by personality and identity crises. As they search for the meaning of life and the purpose of their actions, they are sometimes caught into too many questions they all try to seek answer for at the same time. Many of these circumstances tangle especially when they encounter philosophical issues that shake their beliefs and stands.

Still other teenagers especially those victims of physical abuse and brokenness in the family suffer from depression. These situations appear to them like there are no other options and no other way out than to be with them, lock inside their rooms and encourage depression to eat them out.

To young professionals, it is usually known as the quarter life crisis depression. It is the time when they feel unaccomplished in their lives. Their nostalgia of still being in school also causes them depression. They opt to become responsible to themselves and to their families but on the other hand the idea of enjoying life with their new earned freedom keeps them from doing so. Depression to them is the feeling of discontentment to what is happening in their careers and love life.

To other people, depression is caused by a loss of love one, financial and economic incapacity, emotional stress, tiredness from work and worrying among others.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

There are various signs and symptoms of depression and it varies from one person to another. The most common of course is the persistent feeling of sadness and anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness and unworthiness.

Other signs include the loss of interest in normal daily activities. You may seem to be doing something but are not accomplishing anything. You are thinking of doing something at a certain time but just can not get yourself started. You could also have sleeping disturbances like waking up in the middle of the night with heavy feeling, inability to sleep or too much sleeping. You may also have difficulty concentrating with your supposed work and you delve too much in thinking about your problems.

Sometimes other people are not aware that changes in weight like becoming heavier and lighter is also a sign of depression. You may have the appetite in eating but what you eat is not reflected in your body in terms of your weight and complexion. Other symptoms include easy fatigue ability, irritation and restlessness, low self esteem, pessimism and thoughts of dying.

Treatments of Depression

More than a medical condition, depression is actually more of a psychological one. Treatment for depression really goes to a therapy. Taking anti-depressant medicines are good and could give a little room for change but consulting professional psychologist or guidance counselors are better.

There are also self-motivated treatments like going back to a hobby and enjoying it until a change in the mood happens. This can clear the mind and gives an opportunity for you to think logical steps you could take to move out from depression. Moreover, unloading the difficult feelings to a friend also helps.

Results of Depression

As said, untreated depression can lead to different results. The most common is suicide. This is the result of hopelessness and pessimism and according to study, men have higher rate of suicide than women. Other results include, drug dependence, alcoholism and other mental imbalances.

In societal perspective, depression result to broken families and compromised relationships with friends and other people. Not only a cause but also a result that depressed people loss their jobs and sense of responsibility.

Dr John Anne is a herbal specialist with years of experience in the field of Alternative Health Care. For more information read about Home Remedies for Depression at Natural Remedies website.

Depression is a neurological disorder. When a person is too overcome with negative emotions, it becomes difficult to focus on any other issue. The person may become lethargic and lose interest in what is going on around them. Such a state may occur when a person fails in an examination, loses a job, gets jilted by a lover, gets divorced, loses some dear one, etc. Some people are able to get over their emotions quickly. But in some others, depressions may last for several days, weeks or even months.

In Ayurveda, depression is known as Chittavsada. It is caused by the increase in the tamas and rajas of the mind with a vitiation of the kapha dosha. Sometimes, an imbalanced vata may also be responsible for depression.

Depression needs to be looked after and treated as soon as it is identified. In some people, depression may be very dangerous as they could resort to endangering their own and other people’s lives.

(1)    Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Depression

1.    Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha has the requisite properties to remove negative thoughts from the mind. The aphrodisiac properties of ashwagandha also help in improving the mind and removing depression.

2.    Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
Brahmi is prescribed before a yogic session. The reason is that brahmi helps to relax the mind and bring it to a comfortable state. Brahmi is very popularly available in the form of oils. The oil has a cooling and soothing effect on the mind. Regular use of this oil can prevent the person from feeling depressed.   

3.    Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum)
Cardamom has a very pleasing odor which can soothe the nerves. When a person is depressed, a tea made by putting cardamom in it can have almost miraculous effects.

4.    Guggulu (Commiphora wightii)
Guggulu has become the focus of attention recently due to the presence of special chemicals in it called as guggulsterones. These chemicals improve the nervous coordination and hence are beneficial in the treatment of depression. Guggulu is more effective in depression caused due to seasonal affective disorder.

5.    Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi)
Jatamansi brings a calming effect on the mind. By canalizing the energies of the mind in the right direction, jatamansi can remove the depressive thoughts.

6.    Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric is effective in treating depression that is caused by the change of seasons, i.e. seasonal affective disorder.

       
(2)    Dietary Treatments for Depression

For people with depression a heavy food is not advised. The person must not eat to the full capacity. Hot, spicy and pungent tastes must be avoided as these will aggravate the senses further. Fluids and fresh vegetables (in salads) must become an important part of every meal. The person can have cool sherbets like rose sherbet in the middle of the day, especially in the afternoons and when the evening is beginning. Tea and coffee may be taken occasionally to stimulate the brain.

Most people with depression lose their appetite and desire to eat. For such people, food must not be forced, or it could lead to vomiting. When such a disinterest in food occurs, fruits can be consumed. A diet rich in fruits is beneficial in the treatment of depression.

(3)    Ayurvedic Treatment for Depression

    Even in Ayurveda, a psychological counseling between the physician and the patient is undertaken. This helps the physician to understand the root cause of the depression. Then they can take the formulated steps to cure the problem. Such counseling is done to increase the sattva of the mind.

    Slowly allowing a stream of water to fall in the center of the forehead enables the mind to remove its negativistic thoughts and focus more on a positive outlook. This therapy is known as shirodhara and it is becoming very popular in the western world also. An alternative therapy is shirobasti. The oil massage therapy called as abhyanga is also very useful.

    Ayurverdic professionals also advocate the use of yoga in keep the mind restful. Praanayama and yoga must become an important part of a person’s daily routine. This helps to concentrate the mind on positive thoughts and depression will never occur. Yogic asanas that are beneficial to people with depression are bhujangasana, halasana, paschimottasana, sarvangasana, shalabhasana, shavasana and vakrasana. In addition, pranayamas like bhastrika and kapalbhati are very strongly advised.   

(4)    Home Medications

1.    Get someone do a good head massage with a cooling oil like brahmi oil.

2.    Improve the regimen of your day. Begin with yoga in the morning and then listen to good soothing music. For some people, visiting their religious places of worship also helps to come out of depression.

3.    Focus your mind in other activities and hobbies in order to keep the thoughts causing depression away.

4.    You can try eating an apple with milk and honey. This helps to improve the mood.

5.    Simple lemon juice (the extract of one lemon in a glass of water, sweetened with sugar) is also good. It releases stress-removing hormones and brings the mind at ease.

For more information visit Depression Treatment and Diet and Home Remedies for Depression