Treat Depression Naturally: Natural and Herbal Remedies for Depression

What is Depression?

Females experience depression two times more often than men and over the period of a woman’s lifetime, some 12% of adult females will experience an episode of clinical depression.  Around 80% of people with clinical depression are currently untreated and 80-90% of the homeless population lives with a serious form of mental illness. 

Depression is defined as a state of low mood and is best described as a dysfunction.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines a person with depression as one who experiences feelings of helplessness, extreme sadness and hopelessness.  The biological influences of depression vary, but certain factors which can influence the condition include illness, substance abuse, alcoholism, hormonal deficiency, heredity, malnutrition, seasons, stress, illness and aerosol exposure.

What Causes Depression?

Depression can be an extremely complex and difficult disease to understand for a variety of different reasons.  There are a number of various factors which can directly increase the chances of a person developing depression which can include the following:

• Certain medications:  hypertensive medications and certain illegal substances can contribute to episodes of depression.
• Abuse:  physical, sexual or emotional abuse can increase a person’s chances of developing depression.
• Conflict:  personal conflicts or familial disputes can all contribute to the development of depression.
• Death or loss:  feelings of grief or sadness can increase the risk of depression occurring.
• Substance abuse:  approximately 30% of people who have a substance abuse issue experience episodes of clinical or major depression.
• Serious or chronic illness:  in certain instances depression co-exist with a major illness or in response to an illness.
• Major/life changing events:  even happy events such as a new job, getting married or graduation can lead a person to experience depression much the same as losing a job, getting divorced or retiring can make someone depressed.
• Genetics:  a family history of depression can increase the risk of someone developing depression.  Some experts feel that depression can be passed from one generation to the next, though the exact mechanism of action is unknown.
• Other personal problems:  problems such as social isolation, poor coping skills, low self-esteem or being cast out from family or friends can lead someone to become depressed.

Different Types of Depression

There are many different types of depressed moods which can be classified as a psychological disorder, which includes the following:

• Major depressive disorders
• Depressive disorders not otherwise specified
• Dysthymia 
• Bipolar Disorder
• Postnatal Depression
• Cyclothmyia
• Bulumia Nervosa
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Adjustment Disorder
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

The following signs and symptoms can be indicative of someone experiencing clinical depression:

• Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• Inability to maintain focus on a project or task that would otherwise be easy
• Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
• Not able to control negative thoughts
• Loss of appetite or increase in appetite
• Irritability and mood swings
• Thoughts of suicide

Depression varies from person to person and nobody is going to have the same exact symptoms.  It should be remembered that the symptoms of depression can also be attributed to the low points experienced in everyday life.  But the more symptoms a person experiences, the sooner a mental healthcare professional should be consulted because it could be indicative of depression if the symptoms interfere with everyday life and have persisted for a long period of time.

Risk Factors Associated with Depression and Diagnosis

Certain illnesses have signs and symptoms which make the condition easy to diagnose, not so with depression which can present with a wide variety of different effects.  There are certain risk factors which can be directly associated with episodes of depression such as:

• Health problems or chronic pain
• Financial problems
• Loneliness
• Being unemployed
• Childhood trauma or abuse
• Alcohol or substance abuse problems
• Familial history of depression
• Marital or relationship strains
• Lack of social or emotional support
• Recently experienced stressful life situations

How is Depression Diagnosed?

Currently, there are no definitive medical tests which can be performed to diagnose depression.  A diagnosis of depression can only be made by a licensed medical health professional based upon an observation of symptoms reported and signs observed during an examination, and after taking a complete medical history and familial medical history. 

Natural Treatments for Depression

If a person prefers foregoing medical intervention and prescription medications for the treatment of depression, there are a number of different remedies which can provide substantial relief.  However, a diagnosis of depression can only be made by a mental health professional and any natural remedies a person tries should only be facilitated under strict medical supervision and advice. 

One of the most common natural treatment methods recommended for treating mild forms of depression is deep breathing and relaxation techniques.  Breathing deeply increases the oxygen supply to the brain and can reduce anxiety, improve circulation, increase energy and alleviate extreme stress.  A healthcare treatment which is not classified as a standard Western medical practice is considered to be “natural” or “alternative” medicine.  Examples of natural therapies which can help depression include:

Acupuncture:  an ancient Chinese healing method which involves the use of fine, thin needles placed into specific points on the body.  Practitioners of acupuncture believe it can stimulate the body’s immune system and help a person can overcome imbalances naturally.  The method is very effective for relieving menstrual cramps, headaches, lower back, and muscle and neck pain.

Yoga:  different types of exercises can relieve stress, induce relaxation and reduce incidents of depression by the release of the body’s natural feel good chemical, endorphins.

Massage techniques:  involves the use of touch to produce a sense of relaxation.  Therapies involving massage involve the mind-body connection and physical and emotional health is closely related.  Various types of massage such as shiatsu, neuromuscular therapy and Swedish massage are very effective helping a person relax and increases endorphin release, the benefits can last for several hours.  

Aromatherapy:  effective at helping a person deal with stress, depression and anxiety.  Considered a form of alternative therapy, aromatherapy uses concentrated essential oils extracted from plants to treat certain conditions and stimulate the healing process.  Essential oils such as lavender, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, jasmine and vanilla can induce a sense of relaxation and ease the symptoms of mental fatigue and agitation.

Reflexology:  involves a practitioner using pressure on specific points on the hands and feet.  The practice involves the concept of body healing the mind and that nerve points in the feet and hands are related to various body parts.  Manipulation of certain nerves on the hands and feet are believed to stimulate the healing process within the body.

Meditation:  can be thought of as an “altered state of consciousness,” a form of relaxation which is done with the intent of producing feelings of calm and peacefulness.  Meditation helps decrease muscle tension, improves circulation, slows the sympathetic nervous system, and lowers the blood pressure and heart rate.

Guided imagery:  also referred to as “visualization,” a method of communication between the body and mind that uses perception, position and movement to induce relaxation.  The procedure involves the use of mental images or pictures in order to provide a person with a sense of peace and serenity.  A person can become quite skilled at using mental imaging but the practice requires time and patience to master.

Music therapy:  the use of music therapy has been very promising in helping reduce the fear, anxiety and stress associated with depression.  Music can be considered a natural tranquilizer for humans and can be tailored to meet a person’s individual tastes, moods and emotional needs.

In the case of herbal supplements the most common herbal remedies used for the treatment of depression are gingko biloba and St. John’s wort.  St. John’s wort has been used in other parts of the world for thousands of years, though it has not been scientifically proven to be an effective treatment for depression.   has been proven to increase memory retention and other intellectual brain processes, but not proven effective for treating depression.

Any type of herbal supplement used for the treatment of depression should not be taken without the advice of a licensed mental health specialist.  Some herbal medications can have contraindications with other prescription medications such as hypertensive and hormonal drugs and could prove dangerous if mixed.  Consulting with a licensed medical professional will help a person make an informed and safe decision when attempting to treat depression naturally using herbal supplementation. 

Overview

Depression can be a very confusing and debilitating disease, but the good news is that with lifestyle changes and effective treatment the symptoms are entirely manageable.  Anyone who has been diagnosed with depression should become educated and informed about the various types of medical and alternative methods of treatment.  Knowing which methods work best for each individual, allows a person to make well-informed decisions regarding depression treatment which leads to a better overall quality of life and improvement of the disorder.