However, regardless of the fact that I find medication extremely helpful there is a growing sentiment that is very much against the use of anti depressant medications and in most cases rightly so.  Even as someone who believes in medication it was not an easy thing to agree to.  I don’t even like to take an aspirin, but my use of medication had a lot to do with finally giving up control and accepting my depression.  But, the reasons for not taking medication are very valid and range from physical reasons to side effects.

You see, I consider myself lucky, anti depressant medications don’t work for everyone.  If you are someone who suffers from depression and for whatever reason does not want to follow the usual course of action, which at least in western civilization is medication and talk therapy, there are alternatives.  Just understand that from my experience the more severe your depression is, the greater the chance that you will need anti depressant medications to find relief.  However, if your depression is not that severe here is a look at some of the other alternatives you can choose to try. 

St. John’s Wort whose actual name is Hypericum Perforatum is a plant with yellow flowers. It’s these flowers that get crushed up and made into pill or capsule form that contain the active ingredient.  It usually takes about four to six weeks to feel the full effect of the St. John’s wort. Side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth, indigestion, and fatigue.  Studies have confirmed that St. John’s wort is effective in treating mild to moderate depression.

Several years ago, before I accepted the fact that I have depression, I used to go on and off medication.  It was during this time that I tried St. John’s wort.  After using it for several weeks, I did feel a difference, but not as much so as the medications I had previously been on.

SAM-e which is short for S-adenosylmethionine has been widely used in Europe for many years, but only available in the US since about 1996.  Just like St. John’s wort  SAM-e  is used to relieve depression and elevate mood except SAM-e is considered more effective than St. John’s wort.  SAMe comes in tablet form and is a synthetic form of a compound formed naturally in the body.   SAM-e usually takes three to five hours to reach full effectiveness after ingestion.  Also, it usually takes about a month before  SAM-e becomes fully effective.  Like St. John’s wort one of the main benefits of SAM-e is the relatively few side effects associated with anti depressants. SAM-e is also used for joint pain and fibromyalgia.

Omega-3 fatty acid which is contained in fish oil has been shown beneficial in the treatment of many illnesses including depression especially bipolar disorder.  However, not that much research has been done and much more is needed to confirm these results.  In one high profile study which involved 20 participants, 10 were given omega-3 fatty acid and 10 placebos.   Of the 10 who received the omega-3 fatty acid, 6 claimed to have significantly reduced depression.  The idea to treat depression with omega-3 fatty acid originated when it was realized that countries that consume large amounts of fish have reported many less cases of depression.  Omega-3 fatty acid can be consumed either by a nutritional supplement or simply by eating fish several times a week.  The best fish include salmon, sardines, tuna and trout.

As one who really does not like the use of medications, I really prefer any alternative.  As for anti depressants so many people have experienced side effects that almost anything would be better.  The three alternatives that I have mentioned have had very good results.  The problem exists that although these alternatives are good in treating mild depression, they have not had good results in treating depression that is moderate to severe. 

Here is one strategy in the battle against depression that you may have overlooked. 

Although not yet mainstream, Music Therapy has shown some very impressive results.  Research is still limited, but a review by the Cochrane Collaboration, a not-for-profit group that reviews health care issues has given great hope to the treatment.

The current studies indicate that music therapy may be able to improve mood and has low drop-out rates,” said lead author Anna Maratos, an arts therapist for the National Health Service in London. “While the evidence came from a few small studies, it suggests that this is an area that is well worth further investigation….We need to find out which forms have greatest effect.”

For centuries people have been inspired by music. Music has always been a great healer.  Even the Bible mentions how David played the harp to relieve King Saul’s depression. 

It works on the principle that music is capable of controlling the processes and chemical balances within the human brain.  Experts agree that it’s the rhythm or the beat of the music, that although we are not conscious of it, has a calming effect on the human mind.  They point out that this calming affect many have originated way back in our mother’s womb.  It was our mother’s heartbeat that we associate with as a safe protective place.

Even though music has been used therapeutically for many years, music therapy did not appear as a profession until 1950 when the National Association for Music Therapy and the American Association For Music Therapy came into being.  In 1998 to two associations merged and became The American Music Therapy Association or AMTA. 

A music therapist usually holds a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree in music therapy.  They also receive specialized training in behavioral science and basic medicine as well as music.  A music therapist has to be certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.  Then once they pass the national music therapy certification examination are considered Music Therapist - Board certified, (MT-BC).
 
Once the therapist accesses the individual client’s situation, the therapist provides treatment which includes creating, singing, moving to, and listening to music.  In cases of depression music therapy also includes spoken words to provide inspiration. 

Even though the results have been mostly positive there are some drawbacks with music therapy.  There have been some cases where by resurfacing old feelings music therapy has increased depression instead of alleviating it.
 
There is also another drawback in the fact that music therapy is very expensive due to the lack of general awareness. 

With all the side effects of anti depressants and the drawbacks associated with talk therapy, alternative treatments may be the way of the future.  Although much more research is needed, the use of alternative therapies such as art therapy, aroma therapy and music therapy may be very helpful in treating a wide range of illnesses including depression.

Take a look at a blue sky, a mountain range or a newborn baby’s face.  They are all magnificent creations! But I know, by now you’re probably saying, Scott, that’s all nice, but I have some real problems!  I have bills, trouble with my kids and my job - I don’t care about these things.

Well, I understand that, I have some real problems myself.  Actually, let’s begin changing our thinking right now by taking that very limiting word “problems” out of our vocabularies.  Folks, next time you go to use the word problem why not use the word “challenge” instead?  The word challenge is so much less defeating and lets your subconscious mind know that the situation is solvable.
 
Yes, you may have some very real challenges, but they are not your whole life no matter how consuming they may feel.  And I understand there are many people who claim that they never feel good because of the chemical imbalances within their brain.

As one who suffered all my life from those chemical imbalances within my brain as well as being a person whose depression has been in remission for over two years, I’m saying yes that’s all well and good, but a big part of the way one feels is also attributed to your surroundings.  No matter what mood you are in, be it from chemical imbalances or just those nasty challenges you can take it up a level.

I remember an exercise that motivational coach Anthony Robbins did that really rings true here.  He had the participants close their eyes for a moment and then with their eyes still closed recall everything in the room that was brown.  He then had them close their eyes again, but this time with their eyes closed recall everything in the room that was green.  Most people had no problem with the brown, but could not remember much that was green.  This was one of the best examples that I have ever seen that demonstrated people’s focus.  That to many people focus on the negatives in life.

In life we tend to get what we focus on.  Focus on the bad stuff and you will tend to get more of just that - “bad stuff”.  Focus on the good stuff and you will get more of that it!  You see, your mind acts like a camera.  And whatever the camera focuses on is the way you will perceive the world.  Ever notice no matter what the situation is there is always someone having a good time?

And have you ever noticed that no matter what the situation there is always a person unhappy and full of complaints.  Maybe you know somebody like that?  This person has every benefit and yet they are miserable and then there is the person that everything is a challenge and they still maintain a smile.  Not a phony smile, they are truly happy.

Our moods are not controlled by our day-to-day challenges.  Our moods are controlled by what we choose to focus on an everyday basis.  So why not raise the quality of your life by focusing on something that makes you feel good! 

Every once in awhile someone will look to obtain a result, but never achieve it feeling that it is out of reach.  Very often this desired result is within their grasp, but because of a little voice that I like to refer to as the “critic within” they never even try.

Let’s look at an example, let’s say all your life you want to go sky diving.  You always thought how much fun it would be to jump out of an airplane.  You always thought about the thrill, the feeling and how cool it would be to brag to your friends.  But because of this small voice inside your head you have never gone up in that plane.

You really want to, but because of that small pesky little voice saying that you are too clumsy or two big or too small or too overweight or anything else, you worry that you are going to get hurt.  It’s the critic within that stops so many people from obtaining their goals.

You see, you live your life by the quality of the conversations in your head.  And whether you realize it or not this is practically an ongoing conversation.  Have a good conversation like instead of thinking how you are unable to jump out of a plane and concentrating on how much fun it would be and you will jump out of that plane.

Of course it’s never easy to get the little guy to be quiet.  Sometimes he just goes on and on.  Studies have shown that on average the human mind processes 60,000 thoughts a day.  That would be a lot of work to make sure the conversation that you were having with yourself is generally a positive one.  But it can be done!

The way we do it is through our feelings.  Feels good and you think good - feel bad and you will think that way.  I know by this point you’re probably saying to yourself “my thoughts control my being able to jump out of an airplane?”  Well, I’m saying yes they do if that’s what you want and that your thoughts and the “critic within” determine every aspect of your life and it’s your feelings that determine your thoughts.

Let’s begin by understanding that the most powerful feeling for feeling good is gratitude.  Why not wake up tomorrow morning or better yet let’s begin right now by feeling grateful.  I don’t know what that is for you because for everyone this is different, but I guarantee that by feeling grateful even if it’s just for being alive you will feel better.  By feeling better, you will think better and I guarantee your day to day life will show the results.

Now that we are all happy and grateful, anyone care to take that jump with me? 

Medication is vital in treating manic depression. In fact many patients need to combine several medications to receive the best effects. One thing to understand with manic depression treatment is that the first medication that you are prescribed may not be the right one. Finding the right treatment can be a very long process of trial and error. If your first medication is not helping don’t be alarmed there are many types of medication available. The downside to medication though is that although rare there are possible side effects and that medications actually alter brain chemistry.

Here is a look at some of the most widely used types of medication: (more…)

Unfortunately there are others who cannot seem to get the same effects. Is this you? No matter which meds they try and regardless of who they talk to they can’t seem to find relief. What’s so disturbing is that this is not uncommon. Depression is a complex disease that affects as many as 20 million people and we are all different.

It’s not easy for a therapist or doctor when it comes to figuring out just the right combination of medication and talk therapy considering just how different we all are and how differently we respond to treatment. Wouldn’t it be helpful if we could put ourselves in a position where we had a much better chance of getting these treatments to work?

(more…)

But there is hope, recently Insight Journal published an article on one way to reduce depression with this group.

But there is a ray of hope for those treating depression in the elderly. One possible contributing factor for increased risk of depression in the elderly is the loss of social support, and a recent study showed that providing depressed, elderly patients with social support programs may decrease the incidence of depression.

Researchers at the Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, Weil Cornell Medical College, investigated whether social service interventions and social support could have an effect on depressive symptoms. Fifty-six homebound clients averaging 82 years of age were used in the study and assessed for depression, quality of life, and functional autonomy.

At the beginning of the study, 33 percent of the patients displayed depressive symptoms. At six-month follow-up, the number displaying depressive symptoms decreased. Eleven percent improved on the Functional Autonomy Scale, and an amazing 63 percent showed an improvement of quality of life. The researchers concluded that depressive symptoms had an effect on quality of life and functional autonomy, but the patients with more social support showed improvement across the board.

So many times seniors are neglected. People go about their daily routines and don’t seem to find the time. Small steps like just checking in on or even just calling an elderly next door neighbor can make such a difference in their lives.

Tags: depression, depression+in+the+elderly, elderly+depression

Do you sometimes feel like your emotions are out of control? Like you are guided by an outside force that tells you how to feel which in turn guides the way you act in situations. Have you been impulsive, maybe very impulsive? Have you ever gotten up one morning and just decided to quit your job or end a relationship or do something that drastically changed your life.

If your mood swings are this severe what you may be suffering from is manic depression. Manic depression affects 22 million people and those are only the ones that have been diagnosed.

Now if you have either just been diagnosed with manic depression, think that you may have it or are still trying to get your manic depression under control there are many things that you can do to help stabilize your life. (more…)

Anger is the predominant emotion that takes over when a person makes a conscious choice to take action to immediately stop the threatening behavior of another outside force. Further defined, anger is an attempt to control the actions of another either out of frustration or out of fear that they will not do what we want them to.

Although anger is often seen as a negative emotion, controlled anger is actually a healthy release of emotion. Modern psychology points out that suppression of anger may have harmful effects because anger is a basic and healthy response that enables human beings to deal with outside threats. (more…)

What I found so interesting about it was that it says that the longer someone stays home after graduation the more their chances of getting depressed. Now as someone who has seen this first hand, I can say from experience that getting through school is almost impossible when suffering from depression and moving out and surviving was even more difficult.

May 13, 2008 - Edmonton- The post-university years can start out tough. The good news: it gets better. (more…)

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