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You are here: Self Help & Improvement > Self Help Information > Depression Treatments
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Alternative Depression TreatmentsPart 1The
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. |
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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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This can help a lot of people they suffer on depression