Natural Remedy for Depression Understanding Depression
Find a natural remedy for depression...
Feeling miserable or down? If you are suffering from depression, discover how natural remedies for depression could restore your happiness and lift your mood.
It is so easily said, but real depression ‘clinical depression’ is, indeed, a serious illness, and not to be taken lightly.
Almost everyone feels a bit down at some point in their lives. Often this does come about after some sort of ‘life event’ – problems with:
job
relationships
money
health
etc…
It can be difficult, sometimes, to distinguish between feeling a bit down, and actually being depressed.
Doctors have recently been criticised for being too quick to diagnose depression, and to dole out the antidepressants too freely – perhaps where this isn’t the best or the only option.
Often there are alternatives to conventional treatments for depression. For many people a natural remedy for depression is much more acceptable and even effective!
It is helpful to visit a doctor for a correct diagnosis of depression….(even if you only want to try a natural remedy for depression!)
Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.
Symptoms of Depression
Depression is more than just feeling down. Depression is a profound experience of utter despair!
Common symptoms include:
feelings of:
sadness
worthlessness
guilt
isolation
inadequacy
loss of interest in:
work
home life
sex
previous hobbies and interests
difficulty in concentrating
feeling:
low in energy
sluggish
lethargic
sleeping a lot, or not being able to get to sleep
thinking about death, or suicide
increase or decrease in appetite
slowing down of the body’s physical functions:
indigestion
constipation
dry mouth
period problems
aches and pains
slowing of movement
feeling cold
Depression is usually diagnosed when a person is suffering from a number of these symptoms, and the symptoms have lasted for several weeks.
Many of these symptoms are not just restricted to depression. They could be linked to other illnesses - so it is important to visit your doctor for a full check and diagnosis.
Understanding Depression
Depression itself is actually very common. Millions and millions of people suffer from depression, worldwide, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Watch these short video clips, to find out a little more about depression…
Just click on an image to start the video player. There are 10 clips to be watched in sequence – so use the side bar on the player, to scroll down for the others…
Read on to discover more information on how a natural remedy for depression could help you…
Many times, depression is caused by a ‘life event’, upsetting your natural balance. You may just need a little help in getting over it.
Feelings of sadness are quite normal on such occasions. Treatment is not normally necessary, unless feelings continue for a period of several weeks, or are severe enough to disrupt your everyday life, or make you consider suicide.
If you are considering suicide at any point, do:
call your doctor
call a crisis phone line
go to A&E
…as a matter of priority!
One common cause of depression is known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). This is where a lack of daylight (or sunlight) affects mood. This usually affects sufferers in the winter time (or dull, grey British Summers…!)
Your doctor will be able to determine what level of treatment is appropriate for your depression.
Many doctors, these days, are more open to including a natural remedy for depression, in with your treatment options – particularly if you are suffering from mild to moderate depression.
Treatments for depression do need to be very carefully monitored:
to make sure they are effective
to make sure that treatments don’t interact badly together (some natural remedies for depression don’t mix well with conventional treatments)
If you are already on antidepressants, it is possible to switch to a natural remedy for depression instead. Most doctors will work with you, and assist you to do this – so do consult your current healthcare provider with your plans.
It is important not to just stop taking your prescribed medication suddenly.
Problems with Conventional Treatments for Depression
I have, in the past, been diagnosed with depression – as a result of events going on in my life, over which I had no control.
I have also, more recently, struggled to have my ME recognised as a genuine, physical illness, and not swept under the carpet as ‘depression’.
I have taken conventional antidepressants - but found them most ineffectual in my own case.
Even worse, I suffered really awful side effects from the medication. In fact, the side effects were far worse than any illness (or depression) I have ever experienced …. and I am not in a hurry to feel like that again!
Even once the severe side effects had worn off, I spent the whole time on antidepressants feeling vacant and ‘spacey’. It wasn’t until I came off them, that I felt ‘normal’ again.
Obviously then, I am a fan of a natural remedy for depression, rather than the conventional options.
Conventional antidepressants can work well for some people though, so you must decide what is the best option for you!
SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors)
Side effects:
anxiety
agitation
insomnia
tremors
nausea
headaches
sexual problems
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Side effects:
dry mouth
constipation
lowering of blood pressure
sedation
nausea
blurring of vision
sweating
rashes
hypersensitivity
MAOI’s (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
Side effects:
dry mouth
weight gain
constipation
headache
drowsiness
interactions with some drugs or foods
Sedatives
Side effects:
over sedation and drowsiness
lowering of blood pressure
constipation
dry mouth
Other Drugs for Depression
Side effects:
insomnia
anxiety
weight problems
blood pressure problems
nausea
vomiting
constipation
headache
sweating
dizziness
faintness
dry mouth
Of course, with an illness as serious as depression, you should always take your doctor’s advice. But it is very likely that s/he will be more than willing to consider a natural remedy for depression, instead of, or alongside, your prescribed treatments.
With your doctor’s approval, there is much you can do to lift your mood, and relieve the symptoms of depression…
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