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Alternative Therapy For Depression

What is a Natural Way to Reduce Anxiety & Depression?

Disciplines such as yoga, tai chi, and qi gong combine exercise with mindfulness. Several studies show that mind-body exercises may improve symptoms of mild depression. People who believe in a mind-body-spirit connection may get comfort from spiritual practices because they foster feelings of gratitude and loving- kindness.

Mind-body exercises, art therapy, and meditation are all forms of spiritual healing to explore. The benefits of spiritual healing may be very real, but are hard to study objectively as an alternative therapy for depression. However, one study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that an eight-week course of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, a form of meditation, worked as well as using an antidepressant in warding off depression relapses.


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According to a review of eight studies on this natural remedy for depression published in Archives of Internal Medicine , there is some evidence that taking milligrams mg of St. But there are important cautions, too.

Complementary And Alternative Treatments For Major Depression

This dietary supplement has been shown to increase the brain chemical dopamine, which may be low in people with depression. Some studies have found a beneficial effect of SAMe on symptoms of depression with 1, mg a day, but other studies have not, so the jury is still out. SAMe can interact with prescription antidepressant medications, so be sure to let your doctor know if you take it. These healthy fats, found in fish oil supplements, have had mixed results as a natural remedy for depression.

Reflexologists believe that the healing process is stimulated by applying pressure to specific points on the hands and feet. Different forms of exercise can lower your stress; reduce depression; and increase your energy level, balance, flexibility, and ability to relax.

Alternative Therapies for Depression | Cleveland Clinic

In general, exercise is a safe and easy way to improve your well-being, but always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Meditation is sometimes described as an altered state of consciousness. It is a form of relaxation that, unlike sleep, is entered into purposely. Meditation is usually practiced regularly—for at least 10 minutes each day.

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While the body is at rest, the mind is cleared by focusing on one thought, which could be a word, phrase, or particular scenery. Massage uses touch to promote relaxation while decreasing tension and stress.

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The release of serotonin and dopamine, and the decrease of cortisol during a massage may help improve the symptoms of depression, lessen pain and improve sleep. Massage supports the mind-body connection, allowing for a better awareness of what is happening in our bodies. Some variations of massage that can support the mind-body connection and general relaxation are Swedish massage techniques, Reiki, aromatherapy, and craniosacral therapies.

Guided imagery is a form of focused relaxation that helps create harmony between the mind and body.

Guided imagery coaches you in creating calm, peaceful images in your mind—a "mental escape" for therapeutic purposes. It can be a powerful psychological strategy to enhance a person's coping skills. It can help people cope with—and possibly overcome—stress, anger, pain, depression, and insomnia with or without associated physical illness. Practicing yoga teaches you breathing techniques that can help to energize you when you are feeling down or to help calm you at the times you may be feeling anxiety.

The breath is the link between your mind and your body. The benefits provided by other CAM therapies, such as exercise, 5-HTP, SAMe and Omega-3 oils are less consistent, and seem to depend on the severity of a person's depression, as well as his or her individual reaction to such therapies. Additional research to further clarify the role of these CAM treatments for depression is necessary. According to many CAM practitioners, a coordinated combination of therapies will likely produce better treatment benefits than any single remedy taken alone.

This is especially true for the treatment of depression; becoming more engaged and active in your therapy tends to lead to better results.


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For example, consulting with a health care professional, taking Omega-3 Fatty acids and a B-vitamin, and exercising might help you gain control over your depression more quickly than solely relying on one CAM treatment approach. Though many CAM remedies are available over the counter in the form of herbs and supplements which are often thought of as harmless, these products can be dangerous when misused.

It is not enough to read a book about CAM remedies or a web page - including this web page! Instead, the wise course is to consult with a a qualified CAM practitioner who can help determine which combination of treatments, and in what dosages, would be most beneficial for you. For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the MentalHelp. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment.