For some, seeking alternative treatments
for their depression
is an attempt to avoid drugs,
or it may be part of the person's preference for natural treatments in general.
Here are some of the more popular alternative treatments for depression
and what you should know about them.
St. John's Wort
Have you heard of this herb? It's commonly sold in capsules or tinctures, and is touted as a treatment for mild or moderate depression.
Strengths:
St. John's Wort is prescribed in Europe, where studies have shown the herb to be effective even for major depression. Many other, smaller studies have continued to show St. John's Wort as an effective treatment for depression.
Concerns:
People with depression may not know if their condition is mild, moderate, or severe. (This is actually a primary concern with depression.)
They may underestimate the severity of their depression and take
St. John's Wort when they may need something stronger.
SAM-e
This is an abbreviated form of a much longer word, S-adenosylmethionine.
SAM-e occurs naturally in the body,
but a synthetic form can be purchased as a supplement.
Strengths:
This is considered a promising supplement by various sectors in the medical community. It is involved in the function of several neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and nor epinephrine.
Concerns:
SAM-e is extremely expensive. People taking it in conjunction with another antidepressant - can get too much serotonin. Some sources claim it may cause nausea and constipation. You can't get SAM-e from food sources.
Omega-3s
These increasingly popular fatty acids are implicated in the alleviation of depression symptoms. Foods like caviar, salmon, sardines, walnuts, and flax seeds
all have these healthy fats.
Strengths:
Omega-3s can be found in both food sources and supplement form. They are involved in nearly all body processes; some experts say
they are involved in every cell of the body.
Both manic and clinical depression may be helped by these important fats.
Concerns:
There really are no major concerns associated with the consumption of Omega-3s as an alternative treatment for depression, unless depressed individuals take Omega-3 supplements instead of medications they need, or quit medications cold turkey and start with Omega-3s.
As you look into alternative treatments for your depression
or that of a loved one, make sure you do your research.
There are lots of alternative treatments out there that can help you.
But keep in mind, even if an alternative therapy is safe and effective,
it may not be enough as a sole treatment.
Play prompt:
Draw, doodle or write out, what does depression looks like?
Sound like? If it was music it would be? What color is it?
Take your time and explore.
Next, take a good look at what you came up with.
If you have a drawing, turn it around and look at it from all sides.
Does anything stand out to you? Anything catch your attention?
What is the sound or music that came up? What does that mean?
Did you use color? What color? What does that mean?
Or why didn't you use color?
If this "drawing" (or whatever) could talk to you,
what would it say?
What does Depression need from you to feel lighter?
Is that something you could give?
What would help you feel strong?
Strengths:
Who knows what awesome ideas or clarity of understanding you have.
Explore and see.
Concerns:
You could have so much fun that you may not want to move on.