Depression is one of the most common psychological and emotional
problems American adults encounter. A study reports that about
13 to 20 percent of American adults have some form of depressive
symptoms. Unfortunately, many severe cases of depression can
ultimately lead to suicide.
Are there any solutions and treatments available to stem this
unfortunate tide? Fortunately, the answer to this is yes.
Unfortunately again, many of these treatments involves a soup of
medicines that may have some form or side effect. As we
discussed previously psychotherapy is another solution that is
gaining popularity due to the favorable results they have
exhibited.
For some people, the question that remains is if there are any
"natural" depression treatments available that do not involve
some cocktail of hard-to-spell medications that can be taken as
a preventive and beneficial alternative to mainstream
treatments. The answer is yes. Although it is recommended that
any form of depression should be consulted with a doctor let's
take a look at a list of natural supplements that may help
alleviate symptoms of depression.
It Starts with the Diet Depression can be treated with better
nutrition. Studies have shown that such treatment not only has a
beneficial effect on the person's physical health, but also a
favorable effect on the person's mental and emotional health.
This nutritional treatment includes modification of diet,
vitamins and minerals, and the addition of some amino acid
supplements.
The amino acid supplements are essential elements that are
precursors to neurotransmitters. The amino acids D,
L-pheylalanine and L-tyrosine are a viable alternative to
antidepressant drugs.
A deficiency in vitamins and minerals in the body can also cause
depression. If this condition is corrected, depression owing to
this cause can be alleviated. Even if you are not sure if you
lack vitamins and minerals, supplementing your diet with them
will often improve symptoms related to depression and will
contribute to better overall health.
Some Very Useful Herbs The herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum
perforatum) in an extracted standardized form is being used in
Germany and other European countries to treat depression in its
mild and moderate forms. It is also known to alleviate anxiety
and sleep disorders.
This herb claims many benefits - among them are its
anti-depressive and antiviral properties.
The Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba) extract, while not a primary
treatment for major cases of depression, is an excellent
supplement to any depression-related syndrome. Studies are
beginning to show that Ginkgo can be used to treat some forms of
depression that are not responsive to antidepressant agents. In
cases of resistant depression, Ginkgo Biloba is beginning to
appear attractive to the medical world.
Cut Back on Those Soft Drinks Many practitioners advocate a
nutrition oriented approach to treating depression. They believe
that the answer to the depression question can be found in the
diet of a person. Studies show that a decrease in the intake of
sugars and refined carbohydrates can produce relief from
symptoms of depression.
This diet will entail cutting out sugary drinks, pasta, white
bread, and other processed foods. For your carbohydrate needs,
it would be better to stick to grains, whole wheat, and other
natural plant based carbohydrates. Also, cutting down on these
kinds of food can do wonders for one's overall health.
This treatment is recommended for those who feel depressed and
languid during the late hours of the morning and the afternoon.
For these people, eating sugary foods will induce a temporary
feeling of alleviation from depression. However, this is only
for a few minutes, and the body automatically reverts to languid
depression.
Depression is one serious disorder that should not be taken for
granted. Some people will equate depression with other natural
feelings such as anger, happiness, and sadness. However,
depression is much more complicated than that. It is a disorder
and an ailment that can be treated by natural or medical means.
It would do well to consult your doctor for more information on
dealing with depression.
About the author:
Dr. Isaac Schumann brings to you a life time of experience in
the mental health field
http://www.depressionhelpguides.com
