Depression

At some time or another we all experience some type of depression. The effects of depression can be short or long term and can have a minor impact or become disabling. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and comes in varying forms from a mild, self-limiting down in the dumps type feeling, to a full blown attack of life-threatening, suicidal depression. Psychiatrists report that there are two types of depression exogenous and endogenous.

• Exogenous, becoming depressed as a result of outside factors and influences for example - divorce or a break-up in a relationship, job insecurity or unemployment, financial worries and the death of a loved one.
   
• Endogenous is as a result of internal biochemical sources - a medical form of depression, sometimes periods of euphoria and hyperactivity alternating with periods of deep depression.
   

Depression is a complex and serious illness and even in its mildest forms unless treated and taken seriously can result in further and deeper depression. It is hard to separate normal and therapeutic feelings of sadness and grief from clinical depression and in some states straight forward anxiety may hide underlying depression. Depression is said to be more common in woman than in men, and effects all people, from all walks of life, of all ages - even children and retired people who should be enjoying their life.

Symptoms of depression include feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem, isolation and despair, the belief that no one understands or sympathises with you, and a feeling of being unable to cope. The in ability to concentrate, loss of interest in work or what's happening in your home life and even sometimes you might feel like your brain is working at slow speed, with really sluggish thought processors and delusions.

Physical symptoms reported are: loss of energy, a sense of 'heaviness', difficulty or slowness in movement, a dryness in the mouth, indigestion, sluggish bowel movements and constipation, in some cases sufferers may lose weight and woman sometimes experience period problems. Occasionally people may be prone to depression from birth due to irregularities in the biochemical make-up of the brain.

Depression can also be associated with Anaemia, hormonal changes, low thyroid activity, Vitamin deficiencies or even drug addictions. Those of you who have been pregnant might have experienced what is termed the 'three or six-day blues' following the birth of child which is a depressive state relating to the sudden hormonal change that is experienced.

If these sort of symptoms either mental or physical - are severe or last for more than a few weeks, than you should consult a professional or seek medical attention.

Rising Above Depression  
Everyone feels depressed from time to time, especially if things start to get "on top" of them and they feel like they just cannot cope. If you feel like this then there are a few self-help practices that you can try which might help solve the problem - if they do not then please consult a therapist or doctor.

• Exercise - Try to increase your energy levels by taking up an activity such as cycling, jogging, or swimming. Alternatively, joining a group that practices Bioenergetics or THAI - Chi.
• Expression - Learning to express your feelings can sometimes help lift that feeling of depression, as depression is often a result of pent-up anger or the inability to cry. If this seems to be so, release your anger and let yourself cry, watching a sad movie, reading a book, or listening to a true life story can often trigger the release mechanism allowing you to have a really good cry releasing the pent-up emotion and tension.
• Get In Touch - Make Contact - even physical contact with other people or even animals and plants. Feelings of isolation and loneliness may sometimes bring on depression or feelings of despair. Have a massage, get your hair or nails done, generally give yourself a little TLC. Pamper yourself. Phone a friend, write a letter, send an e-mail or give someone a hug!
  Get In Touch With You - Write down your thoughts each day, keep a diary and you might find this a good way of obtaining relief especially if you are feeling overwhelmed by life.
• Talk - Depression can often be lifted by simply talking it over with someone. Telling a friend your problems can often help you to resolve the problem, the very act of verbalising your issue often helps to bring clarity and therefor resolution. Combine your chat with a walk together or a picnic out in the sunshine - this can often lift your mood.
• Thinking Positively - Making positive statements about yourself can often relieve depressing situations. Saying to yourself "what if" or "I can't do it" will only make you feel worse. Saying things like "what can I do?" - "I am not a victim" - "I will overcome", and realising that "Tomorrow is another day".
• Breathe - Taking deep breaths, can be an effective means of overcoming feelings of gloom and despair. Try this exercise - breathe in deeply through your nose and think "breathe in love", breathe out through your mouth and think "breathe out fear".
• Visualisation - Imaging you are in a tranquil, comfortable place can assist in banishing depressing thoughts. Visualise times in your life when you where happiest. Remember times of happiness and joy.
• Creativity - Painting, drawing, dancing, singing and playing musical instruments are all effective ways of overcoming depression. Colouring in a picture, building a puzzle, working in the garden, sewing, knitting and also getting involved in a community or service project will also effectively help to combat depression.

What the Alternative Therapists recommend

• HOMOEOPATHY
  Consultation - A therapist should be consulted if periods of depression are frequent or intense. For short-lived bouts, in which the sufferer is anxious, restless, or exhausted - especially in the small hours - Arsenicum album is recommended. To help overcome emotional upset or bereavement, Ignatia immediately after the event is recommended. If the distress persists then take Natrum mur. All these remedies should be taken in the 6th potency, three times a day for two weeks.
  If the sufferer feels suicidal or if feelings of depression persist for longer than two weeks, professional help must be sought without delay.
   
• BACH REMEDIES
  Self help - If depression follows an illness or long standing exhaustion, Olive is said to be helpful. For cases of sudden depression accompanied by repressed anger, Mustard is recommended; when depression is caused by resentment or bitterness, Willow. Gorse is said to be effective for constant feelings of hopelessness. Larch may help overcome lack of confidence.
  People who are experiencing extreme despair, especially spirituality, are advised to take Sweet chestnut. Walnut is said to help victims of depression cope with major changes in life, and anyone who has lost interest in life, or is apathetic.
   
• NATUROPATHY   
  Practitioners prescribe large doses of vitamin B to counteract depression. In particular, Vitamin B6 is recommended for mood swings associated with period problems. If the menopause is thought to have caused depression, some therapists will advise the patient to have hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the treatment that conventional doctors prescribe. Although HRT is a very controversial subject, for anyone who might have experienced menopause and depression as a result including myself at the age of 34, HRT does work when other remedies and medications might not.
   
• HYDROTHERAPY
  Therapists say that SAUNA BATHS and vigourous rubs have proved effective for some sufferers.
   
• ACUPUNCTURE 
  Depression is regarded as a LIVER DISORDER, and practitioners concentrate on points on meridians associated with the liver, gall bladder, pericardium (the fibrous sheath around the heart), ren, du, spleen and stomach.
   
• AROMATHERAPY
  Aromatherapy body massage is said to be most effective in relieving depression. Several oils are also said to be beneficial. They include basil, clary sage, neroli, otto, Roman camomile, rose and thyme. The oils should be inhaled deeply from a tissue at regular intervals, or six to eight drops of any one of them can be put into your bath.
   
• HERBAL MEDICINE
  One or two cups of borage or vervain tea are believed to raise your spirits. Alternatively, try a hot cup of rosemary tea each day with a pinch of valerian. A recommended nerve tonic is an infusion of four to five flowering lavender tops, with relaxing honey added to taste.
   
• AUTOSUGGESTION AND HYPNOTHERAPY
  Therapists who practise both of these techniques have claimed success in the treatment of depression.
   
• MASSAGE
  The pleasant and relaxing effects of massage are said to help relieve those suffering from depression.
   
• An Orthodox view
  Although most doctors are comfortable with alternative remedies, they feel they should go hand-in-hand with conventional medical or psychological treatment. For example, in cases of mild depression, anti depression medication or sleeping pills will probably be prescribed. With more serious cases a course of antidepressant drugs - lasting for several weeks or even months - may be advised. Anyone who feels suicidally depressed should seek immediate help. Sometimes a course of Psychotherapy will be advised. This involves the patient seeing a psychotherapist at regular intervals, either individually or as part of a group. Alternatively, a GP may send a depressive patient to see a counsellor, who will try to help him to come to terms with his problems and so overcome them.
   
• Counselling: You have tried everything, but just cannot work through emotional, spiritual or physical pain and trauma. If you would like more insight and an understanding of the issues that need attention as well as the tools to be able to work through whatever is holding you back from becoming who you want to be so that you can move forward, try counselling with a qualified therapist.

25th April 2003 - Copyrights apply WhyWeight