Self Improvement



Alternative Depression Treatments

Part 1

The standard treatments of depression such as therapy, antidepressants and counseling may not be right for everyone. Some people may want to seek out alternative remedies to help them recover from this difficult illness. There are a variety of methods and ideas that go outside of the realm of what traditional medical and healthcare professionals may recommend. Yet for those seeking a different approach to a cure they may be exactly the right way to go for them.

Alternative Depression Treatments 

Holistic


The concept of holistic treatment involves managing both body and mind as opposed to targeting one section of the brain or a single organ. Because every part of the body works together to function as a whole, practitioners of holistic medicine believe that all parts of the body must be considered and treated when dealing with depression or any other form of illness. This may include a proper diet, herbal supplements, vitamins, proper exercise, and detoxifying the body.

Some people get good results using alternative disciplines like Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). The theory of EFT states that feelings of depression may be the result of a person's energy flow being interrupted. To stabilize the energy, a person must reflect on a negative emotion while using their fingers to tap on various points of the body. This is done to expunge the body of these negative feelings and block them out completely. The practice is similar to acupuncture, but without the use of needles. Working with the mind is a crucial part of the holistic approach. It is essential to keep the brain well stimulated and functioning at a high level. Some of the techniques used to encourage this include writing in journals, art or music therapy, listening to music that is designed to stimulate brain wave activity while participating in light exercise or yoga, and meditation. The health of the mind is considered to be equally important to that of the body in holistic medicine.

 

Acupuncture and Massage


Acupuncture is an ancient medical practice that works by inserting small needles into the body at various stress points to relieve tension, reduce aches and pains and combat depression. It is believed to help patients just as much if not more than the use of antidepressants or other medications that are commonly prescribed to those suffering from disorders such as depression. The National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine conducted a study on the effectiveness of acupuncture for women, and determined that every woman who received this treatment exhibited signs of improvement following an 8 week period. While some people may not want to try this procedure due to a fear of the needles, it has been shown to be extremely effective. Massage is generally considered to be a useful recovery tool for people who manifest minor levels of depression. A massage stimulates the release of endorphins into the system and into the brain, which in turns acts as a mood enhancer. While some may argue that this only provides temporary respite from depression, for many people it is a viable and useful option.

 

Mental Health Recovery Facilities


Facilities in which mental health professionals work with patients to treat them and lead them down the path to recovery are usually available just about everywhere. There are a wide variety of approaches taken at different places, such as the American Institute of Homeopathy. These health centers provide a variety of alternative treatments for depression, including holistic methods, acupuncture, dietary plans and herbal supplements. The doctors at these institutions work with their patients to diagnose the problems and attempt to find the best cure for each person instead of a standard regimen of drugs and traditional psychotherapy. Many of these organizations rely on grants for alternative medicine to continue their research and work. One of the primary groups that manages these grants is the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. They are a federally funded institution, but they do also accept donations, so anyone who wishes to help contribute to the cause of finding natural treatments for healthcare issues such as depression can get involved.
 
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Continue reading the next self help article on alternative depression treatments - part 2
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