| Major depression is a serious medical illness that | | | | related to mild depression. It is a technique which uses |
| affects approximately 21 million people in the world | | | | the hands to apply steady, firm pressure on specific |
| today. It is a medical disorder with a biological and | | | | points of the body. These spots correspond to and |
| chemical basis that impacts the body and mood as | | | | affect other parts of the body. According to Chinese |
| well as the mind. Depression can involve the person | | | | medicine, using anti-depression acupressure points can |
| suffering from the disease as well as family, loved | | | | help release energy that is blocked which contributes |
| ones and even the community. Unfortunately, many | | | | to depression. When these energies have been freed, |
| people do not recognize that they have a major | | | | they can be examined and understood. |
| depression or that it is a treatable. They just don't | | | | 3. Acupuncture balances the flow of chi and blood |
| realize that happiness and joy can be everyday | | | | throughout a person's body which helps resolve the |
| feelings. | | | | underlying energetic imbalance contributing to |
| Depression has been described as a dangerous and | | | | depression. Stimulating acupuncture points has been |
| debilitating disease, which can cause considerable | | | | shown to release endorphins and enkephalins, thereby |
| suffering and even tragic loss of lives if left untreated. | | | | having a calming, mood-elevating effect. You should |
| It affects just about every thing in a person's life -- the | | | | consult a professional acupuncturist for this treatment. |
| way one eats, sleeps, thinks works, plays and reacts | | | | 4. Cognitive Behavior Therapy are programs which |
| to life in general. | | | | identify automatic thoughts, determine roots of core |
| Antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and | | | | beliefs, and utilize coping techniques which have been |
| electroconvulsive therapy are the standard treatments | | | | decided upon when anxiety and stress conditions |
| for caring for moderate to severe depression. | | | | occur in a person's daily life. This type of therapy has |
| However, more and more people are seeking | | | | helped millions to find long lasting relief from various |
| alternative treatment methods which are less harsh | | | | forms of depression. Cognitive Behavior Therapy has |
| and have fewer side effects. FDA reports have | | | | been around for quite a while and can be found in the |
| warned for some time now that prescription drugs can | | | | forms of books, CD's and online help sites. CBT has |
| cause severe side effects, be addictive, and may not | | | | been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for |
| be very effective in treating the problems associated | | | | certain levels of depression and is often used by |
| with depression. | | | | psychiatrists and psychologists. |
| Alternative Treatments For Major Depression | | | | 5. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essences extracted |
| 1. Herbal Therapy - St. John's Wort (Hypericum | | | | from plants and when used in bathing or massaging |
| perforatum) is the most popular herb used for | | | | can help in mild depression to improve a person's |
| depression. It is used much more extensively in Europe | | | | health and well-being. In more severe cases, it works |
| than it is in this country. St. John's Wort has been the | | | | as complementary therapy. Some essential oils used |
| subject of many clinical trials, and has proven to be | | | | for depression include basil, bergamot, cedar wood, |
| very helpful to millions of people in treating mild to | | | | clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, |
| moderate cases of depression. The British Medical | | | | lemon, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, rose, sandalwood, spruce, |
| Journal published a review stating that St. John's Wort | | | | orange, and ylang ylang. Remember that essential oils |
| works as well as many prescription medications for | | | | are very potent and should be mixed with creams or |
| anti-depressants, but does not have the side effects. | | | | oils, but not full strength directly on the skin. Even in the |
| Other herbs that have undergone many clinical and | | | | bath, start with only two or three drops. |
| case studies include Kava Kava, Valerian Root, 5-HTP | | | | Just recently, the University of Florida released a |
| and SAM-e. The research has shown these herbs | | | | preliminary study which appeared in the July journal |
| have demonstrated significant anti-depressive results in | | | | Biological Psychiatry, which suggests that magnetic |
| patients taking one, or some of these ingredients for | | | | stimulation may lead to safe, revolutionary treatment |
| periods ranging from one to twelve weeks. | | | | for patients with clinical depression who do not |
| Other less known herbs for treating depression include | | | | respond to standard medications. This could be a real |
| ephedra, gingko biloba, echinacea, and ginseng. | | | | important breakthrough for people who have major |
| 2. Acupressure helps to relieve many symptoms | | | | depression. |