Do you feel it's time to find natural relief for your depression?
Traditional medical treatment for depression may not hold all the answers. Many sufferers of these depressive illness are now seeking alternative methods that can substantially improve their feelings of sadness, lethargy, anxiety and dysfunction. There are several things that you can do that may give you some immediate relief.
Get yourself some Sunshine. Light Therapy can help. Sunlight and full spectrum lighting both produce neurotransmitters that affect our mood and well being. One of these hormones, Serotonin, a natural hormone, is regarded as a major factor indepression. A recent clinical study showed that bright light can significantly increase serotonin levels, while overcast days caused serotonin to be drastically reduced. Adding full spectrum lighting to your home could add many additional benefits.
Challenge your self-talk. When we talk to ourselves, even in thoughts, it's not a bad thing, or wrong, or a sign of psychological problems. It is normal. But, talking negatively to ourselves prevents us from solving problems. This can contribute to a variety of psychological problems, or enhance yourdepression. If our self-talk is negative, it can immobilize us. "I'm sure I'm going to screw this up again" or "They are going to fire me after they see how completely incompetent I am." Learn to listen to what you're saying to yourself - then change it for the positive. This can take some time to learn. Focus on your thoughts every day, make sure that you're not talking yourself down or criticizing yourself all the time. This simple technique helped me out of the dungeon ofdepression years ago.
Take a walk or play some hoops. Exercise is a very effective, but often underutilized, treatment fordepression. Research shows that exercise increases dopamine and other neurotransmitters, lightens moods and enhances energy. In addition, it is any exercise that has been shown to aid in depressionrecovery - so partake in whatever exercise that you enjoy! When I was suffering from deepdepression, my long swims and weekly jogs were a life saver.
Consider changing your diet. Diet can play an important part in your symptoms ofdepression. Caffeine intake can give you a lift, but it can also bring you down further than you were at the start of your day. Sugar is also a culprit in feeling low. Following a well-balanced healthy nutrition plan can do wonders in how you feel throughout your day. B Vitamins are of particular importance. You will feel better if you choose whole grain breads and pastas.
Note: All of the information included on this page is intended to provide alternative methods for treatment. It is not intended to diagnose any illness or provide medical advice. Please see your doctor to discuss these alternatives and which supplements may be helpful to you.
NaturalMethods May Improve Your Condition
give yourself a helping hand
The word "depression" comes from the Latin word, "deprimere", meaning to press down or depress.If you suffer fromdepression, you recognize the connection between the physical feeling of being pressed down and the emotional sensation of feeling depleted of energy for living. Most people who have experiencedDepression describe it in vivid terms such as "being in a deep, dark pit", "feeling hopeless about life", "total apathy for living", and "absolutely no enjoyment in life anymore". I was one of these people, I used to envision myself in a deep pit everyday until I struggled to find myself again.
DepressionSymptoms can affect every aspect of your life life: social, physical, spiritual, emotional. Studies have show that cognitive changes occur in the brain as you find it more and more difficult to cope. The good news is that your symptoms can be improved with NaturalSupplements.
Seratonin, endorphins, and dopamine have become familiar terms as scientists discovered the biochemistry of our brains. As a result, there are now newly devloped NaturalAlternatives that can aid in relief fromdepression.
Herbal Remedies and Supplements
- S-adenosyl- L-methionine (SAM or SAMe)
SAMe is a proven supplement. This amino-acid derivative is comparable to prescription antidepressants but without the side effects.
SAMe has been studied for decades internationally and is approved as a prescription drug in Spain, Italy, Russia and Germany. More than 1 million Europeans have used it, primarily for depressionsymptoms and arthritis. It is often touted as a depressionremedy that is nontoxic, without SideEffects, and better and faster than traditional medications. (It should be noted that SAMe is not recommended for Bi-Polar Disorder. Individuals with BipolarDepression are susceptible to experiencing hypomania or mania.)
Source Naturals - Same, 400 mg, 30 tablets$23.50
- Tryptophan, an amino acid has been long held as a NaturalTreatment for DepressionSufferers. However new studies show that 5-HTP may be a BetterSupplement choice.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-HTP is one step closer to SerotoninLineage than tryptophan. Hence, it is preferred for the treatment ofdepression (versustryptophan).
Advantages of 5-HTP over Tryptophan
5-HTP is extracted from the seed of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia). Tryptophan is synthesized with the help of bacteria. Tryptophanhas greater chance of contamination during manufacture. 5HTP is safer for use.
Unlike tryptophan, 5HTP cannot be converted to kynurenine; so it can easily cross the blood brain barrier. While only three percent of an oral dose oftryptophan is converted toSerotonin, over seventy percent of an oral dose of 5 HTP is converted toSerotonin.
5 HTPcauses an increase in levels of endorphin and otherNeurotransmitters that are often decreased in cases of depressive illness.
Numerous double-blind studies have shown that 5HTPhas equal effectiveness compared to drugs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressant drugs like imipramine and desipramine in terms of effectiveness.
Dosage: 100 to 200 mg twice daily between meals
5-HTP 50 mg 60 Caps ( L-5-hydroxytryptophan ) Source Naturals$7.99
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
An insufficiency of omega-3 oils in the diet has been linked toDepression. Scientists believe that a lack of essential fatty acids (particularly the omega-3 oils) combined with an excess of saturated fats and animal fatty acids can lead to the formation of cell membranes that are much less fluid than normal. This will disrupt the cell's ability to control its internal environment.
Studies have shown that the physical properties of brain cell membranes, including their fluidity, directly influence:
NeurotransmitterSynthesis
Signal transmission
Uptake ofSerotonin and otherNeurotransmitters
NeurotransmitterBinding
The activity of monoamine oxidase-the enzyme that breaks downSerotonin and other monoamineNeurotransmitters such as epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
All of these factors have been implicated inDepression and other psychological disturbances.
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Try Light Therapy To Improve Your Mood
Light Therapy Devices are availabe in several styles and prices.
You Think No One Knows Where You Stand....
I've been there too...
One of the greatest feelings in depressive illness is isolation. You feel that no one can understand where you are, no one could possibly relate to your overwhelming, thundering sense of pain and hurt. I've been where you are now - It's Not Hopeless!
When I was under the throes of this sickness, I quite literally felt trapped in a muddy hole that was 6 feet under - a rectangle. I could see up the dark earth walls but couldn't find a way out. My pain was me, there was no other component to my existence. Worse still, I felt that it was unending - no different future could ever exist.I used to revel in fantasies of offing myself in various ways, the more creative, the better. I used to count roadkill and was fascinated by dead things. I used to like listening to Pink Floyd music (which, I've always hated), because it all sounded like a death march to me. I went for a year without speaking almost any at all, I was a sullen motionless zombie.
I sought non-drug therapy, and my therapist said an amazing thing to me. She said "Carrie, you're stronger than this..." It's true, I was, I am... Then two things happened. I was watching tv and I heard myself laugh - yes laugh! It was the first time in more than a year that I had smiled or laughed. I knew then there was hope.The second thing that happened: I stopped adding all my problems together into an unsolvable equation. I know you know what I mean. My unsolvable equation only had one answer, because I felt nothing could ever change. Now I realize that it's just not true at all. EVERYTHING changes. There is Hope, there IS light, you WILL get better!
Your mind is so very powerful. Feel that power, use your thoughts to push out your pain. Like breathing: "Out with the bad thoughts, in with the good..." You Have Control over which way your mind turns, you are stronger than this!
ThoughtsFeelings Workbook
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Havin' the Winter Blues - What You Can Do
Does the Winter Season always get you down? This could be due to a variety of factors. We'll discuss some of the components of SeasonalDepression here and offer some advice to help you feel better.Lowest Hours of Sunlight: From Halloween to Christmas, the hours of sunlight are diminishing with every turn of the Earth. If this is your most difficult time of year, you probably suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD.
You can try to get more exposure to the sun, add full SpectrumLighting to your home, and also realize that sunny days will soon shine again in January.
Too Much Responsibility and Obligation: For most people, the responsibilities of family gatherings and various celebrations is coupled with their already crowded worklife.
Scale down this year, recognize when things in your life are getting out of control. Cancel some of your obligations if your schedule is too much to deal with. Take it easy on yourself and just shop in one location like a bookstore for everyone's gifts. Consider gift cards as an option to lessen the burden of shopping. Or, opt out all together if you can.
Feeling Left Out: Since 75% of people these days aren't part of a 'Traditional Family', many people feel disjointed, lonely or left out. If you're experiencing lonliness or disconnection, join a charity or a church group and give of yourself instead.
You'll meet new people, feel part of something bigger than yourself, and you'll help those in need during their difficult time of year.
Financial Woes and Gift Giving: When I was depressed, my money problems were a big part of the troubles. Eventually we filed for bankruptcy. If you're struggling with the obligation of gift giving under these circumstances, consider some alternatives.
Make a copy of your favorite photos, frame them and give them as gifts. Frames are very inexpensive.
Give specialty jams, sauces, mustards. These are much appreciated and inexpensivegifts.
Copy your favorite CD's, or make mix tapes of your favorite music. I'd love it if more people in my family shared their favorites with me.
Write a Letter and include it with lottery tickets or a small gift. Everyone will love the letter and feel personally touched by you.
Make Time for Sleep: If you're already suffering fromDepression, you know that you need more sleep than other people. Consider it one of your priorities and add it to your schedule. Sometimes you need to make You come first.
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Thanks for stopping by. I hoped some of this information helped!
mulberry wrote...
Hadn't seen this lens before, it's a good one. I think I'm in desperate need of the light therapy. Winter's gloom seemed to come 6 or 8 weeks early this year....I'm ready for it to end and it's not even January yet. As a young woman I experienced a period of depression and indeed had suicidal thoughts. I then became quite sick, didn't care if I died, but obviously didn't! Anyway, when I was sick nothing mattered...including my troubles. As I recovered, I wasn't exactly jubilant but I did have a somewhat refreshed perspective and started to take control of my emotional health...similar to what you discuss here.
Posted December 26, 2008
the-secret wrote...
Great info, fantastic lens. I have a web site that works with depression. Here is a list of depression articles Http://www.tameyourbrain.com/depression/articles.htm I think they will be of help if you need NLP techniques. Powerful Freedom From Depression Ecourse
Posted March 04, 2008
HypnoTrance wrote...
Great self help tips on helping with the self-talk that is a feature of deprssion and often part of the depression prison.
Posted February 06, 2008
Lena wrote
There are remedies in the realm of homepathy, btw. Don't want to recomment anything b/c I am not a doctor (my mom is : ) but I've seen it in the works more than once, and great results every time. So if anybody has a problem with depression, you might want to explore that route
Posted January 26, 2008
chloecavanaugh wrote...
You have an amazing writing ability. Very impressed by your work. Keep it up! You left me no choice,*****
Take care, Chloe
Posted November 20, 2007
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