To lift a sad mood without taking antidepressant medications, consider these natural treatments for depression.
These natural treatments for depression can help lift sad moods without antidepressant medications. In The Brain Wash, Michelle Schoffro Cook discusses two natural depression treatments: St John's wort and ginkgo biloba. Cook also describes several lifestyle options that lift sad moods without antidepressant medications.
St John's Wort as a Natural Treatment for Depression
Cook says, "St John's wort is particularly effective for depression, particularly for mild to moderate symptoms without the side effects often associated with drugs." St John's wort may not be as effective for severe or double depression, but if you don't want to take any antidepressants and are struggling with depression, it may be worth a try.
Note: never take St John's wort, ginkgo biloba or any natural medicine for depression if you're taking antidepressants like Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil or Effexor. Talk to your doctor before considering both natural treatments and antidepressants. It's also important to talk to your doctor if you're taking any prescription or antidepressant medication and want to try natural remedies as well. Sometimes the mixture of prescription medication and natural treatments is harmful.
Ginkgo Biloba as a Natural Treatment for Depression
"Ginkgo biloba improves neurotransmitter production in the brain and helps bring oxygen-rich blood to the brain to improve functioning," says Cook. Again, avoid combining natural treatments for depression with natural remedies – no matter how harmless they seem – without consulting a doctor first.
Lifestyle Options as a Natural Treatment for Depression
A lack of serotonin is often connected to sad moods (by the way depression is "inappropriate sadness that persists out of proportion with its apparent cause." That is, you may not be depressed if you've experienced huge losses recently. You may just be sad, which is normal).
Reduced serotonin levels can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, drugs, caffeine, smoking, hormonal imbalances, exposure to neurotoxins, or low blood pressure.
More Examples of Natural Treatments for Depression
Increase your physical activity. Though exercise is difficult when you can barely get out of bed or drag yourself to work, start slow. Go for short walks, swims, yoga classes or bike rides. Quit when you need to.
Avoid refined sugars, unhealthy fats, caffeine, processed foods or fast food restaurants. Eat fresh produce and natural foods to lift sad moods without antidepressants.
Listen to uplifting, upbeat music. It may not be a long-term natural treatment for depression, but it might make you feel good for a little while!
"Investigate other factors that may contribute to depression, such as anemia, blood sugar imbalances, candida overgrowth, chromium, zinc and/or magnesium deficiencies, adrenal weakness, or toxic overload," says Cook.
Focus on what you love to do. Paint, garden, read, write, daydream to lift sad moods without antidepressant medications.
Watch funny movies, go to live comedy shows, tune in to your favorite funny tv sitcoms.
Drink plenty of water and get some sunshine. Natural treatments for depression can include the basics of life: air, water, and the sun.
Increase your Omega-3's, B-complex vitamins, fish oil supplements, multivitamins and minerals, and S-Adenosylmethionines (SAMe's). Find out if these natural remedies can interfere with antidepressants, other prescription medications, or other natural treatments for depression.
Treating a Physiological Problem as a Natural Treatment for Depression
Cook says, "While some health practitioners dismiss the symptoms as being 'all in [the patient's] head,' increasing volumes of research identifying this disorder as a physiological, not psychological problem."
Remember: different people find different treatments helpful. St John's wort and watching funny movies may work for one person, while another may benefit from antidepressant medications such as Zoloft or extra B-complex vitamins. When finding what works for you, remember to give each treatment a fair trial: a month or more.
If you found Natural Treatments for Depression helpful, try:
The copyright of the article Natural Treatments for Depression in Clinical Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Natural Treatments for Depression in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
What if you know you are extremely depressed but are practically a prisoner
in your own home from your 'parent'(even at 21 yrs old) and you can't get
to your doctors without raising suspicion and creating more arguments
resulting in being more mentally and emotionally attacked? With no way
out,no other place to go,finding it hard to find another job to get out and
having being tortured emotionally for years, with constant thoughts of
'maybe i'm better off not here altogether'? Because for the last 8-9 years
my life constantly sucks.
Aug 9, 2009 5:30 PM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
I hate to hear you say that maybe you're not better off here altogether --
please don't give up on life yet! Yes, you've been going through a rough
patch for a long time....but you have to try something that you haven't
tried yet! Whatever you've been doing to cope with depression hasn't worked
in the past....and you CAN find new ways to deal with your feelings.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.
They help people who are feeling desperate, alone, depressed, or hopeless.
They'll be able to give you some great ways to cope with depression and
your life in general.
Natural treatments for depression may be
the answer...but, better yet, you need to find a way to deal with your
parents' criticism and attacks. They're dealing with their own pain, guilt,
and anger -- and they're taking it out on you. You need a
"script", which is just something you keep repeating to them when
they attack you. It's better to call a distress line and ask for help with
this -- I don't know you or your situation well enough to be too helpful.
But, your script could go something like, "I'm sorry you feel that
way, but I have to take care of my health and well-being. This has nothing
to do with you -- I just need to get help because I've been struggling for
too long."
Just today, I wrote a short post called
"How Do I Cope With Toxic Parents?" to help someone whose mother
is emotionally draining (emotional vampire). This post is on my Psychology
blog, and offers detailed suggestions that will help you cope with your
parents. Here, I can't include links to relevant articles.
To
get there, just click on my name in blue at the top of this page, then
click on "Read Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen's blog" on the right side.
Scroll down to "How Do I Cope With Toxic Parents?" You can also
find it in the August, 2009 list on the side panel.
I hope to
see you there, and I wish you all the best!
Laurie
Sep 2, 2009 12:15 PM
Guest :
I have been on Celexa for about 10 years now and I would prefer to take
natural supplements. I have heard that SAMe can also be good for treating
depression. I am having a hard time bringing myself to ask my doctor
regarding taking a natural supplement with my medication and perhaps
replace it in the long run over time. Wouldn't it be in the Doctor's best
interest to tell you that taking something natural wouldn't be good. I
thought they were paid to give out perscription drugs to an extent. Would I
want to talk to an Herbologist instead?
Sep 2, 2009 1:44 PM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
Hi,
I think most doctors operate (forgive the pun) on the best
interests of their patients -- and most doctors give out prescriptions
based on the best interests of their patients and the illness. Generally
speaking, doctors may be reluctant to prescribe natural treatments for
depression or any illness because most natural remedies have not been
tested. It's in nobody's best interest to recommend natural treatments that
have not been tested -- that could indeed be damaging to a patient's
health!
Basically, a medical doctor’s view of natural
supplements for depression is based on his or her experience with those
supplements (or lack of experience) – not necessarily what he or she
“earns” per prescription.
If you're reluctant to talk to your
doctor, I suggest getting a new one. Why are you having a hard time talking
to your doctor about natural supplements?
If you do talk to a
herbologist or naturopath, please be totally upfront about the prescription
medication you're taking and the dosage amounts.
Good luck – I
hope you find the treat treatment for your depression!
Aug 19, 2007
