Alternative Medicine Debate: Treating Depression with Prescription Drugs or Herbal Remedies?

I have recently been talking a with several people about the pros and cons of taking prescription drugs to treat depression. More and more people, it seems, are beginning to have concerns and are looking for other options. Those other options tend to be those incorporated by alternative medicine; i.e., herbal remedies, as well as other techniques, such as massage therapy, meditation, and even acupuncture. While doing research for this article, I was really not that surprised to discover that the number of people in the United States now on prescription antidepressants has risen significantly. This trend could indicate that depression no longer carries the stigma that it once did and that more people are seeking treatment. On the other hand, it could also indicate that perhaps too many doctors are too willing to label a person as depressed and then hand them a little pill to deal with the situation. As a result, the underlying causes of the patient's condition are not be addressed. More and more people, therefore, are becoming reliant upon drugs that perhaps they really do not need. It also seems that many of these same people are not really receiving the help they desperately need and are instead existing in a drug-induced state. Many of these people and the family and friends who care about them are, as a result, looking to alternative means of treating their condition. The question thus becomes whether or not herbal remedies offer a solution.

In a study published in the August 2009 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, it was found that from 1996 to 2005 the number of prescriptions for antidepressants in the United States increased by a whopping 75 percent. This same study noted that antipsychotic prescriptions also experienced an increase as they were used in conjunction with antidepressants. Not only were more people being prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs, fewer people (32%) were seeking any type of psychological help for treatment of their condition. The primary reason for this trend, it seems, is that these people were receiving prescriptions from general practitioners and not from mental health professionals. In addition, the study further noted that there was also a significant increase in the prescribing of antidepressants to children and adolescents despite what is called the "black box" warning. (The black box warning states that antidepressants can cause suicidal thoughts and behavior in some children and adolescents. Included in this group of drugs are such popular drugs as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.)

Recently, my 17-year-old granddaughter was told that she needed to be on antidepressants. Fortunately, neither she nor her mother (my daughter) accepted that diagnosis. They sought a second opinion. As a result, my daughter is being tested for both Addison's and for abnormal hormone levels not depression. I have also known other people who have similar stories. One woman who I know was treated for a number of years for depression before it was discovered that her hormones were out of whack. That was treated, and she was able to live a normal life free of heavy-duty prescription drugs.

Nevertheless, how is a person to determine if they do need the prescription drugs or if an alternative such as herbs can alleviate their condition? First, a correct diagnosis is needed. This will no doubt require finding a doctor willing to test for underlying conditions. Second, it also means seeking help from a physician not opposed to alternative remedies; and there are more and more of them out there. I would also highly recommend that the person seek out a good certified herbalist, as well. There are many herbs on the market today that are recommended for the treatment of mild forms of depression and anxiety. These include rhodiola [see my article on Rhodiola], chamomile, and St. John's Wort. The issue is what herb will be the most effective. In addition, some herbs work better when used in conjunction with other herbs. For example, passionflower and valerian work well when used together to treat insomnia. [See my article: Treat Insomnia with Herbs.] Another issue is that some herbs, specifically St. John's Wort, should never be taken when the patient is also taking prescription drugs. [For more information, see: Warnings Concerning Herbs: Drug Interactions.] A certified herbalist will probably be more knowledgeable about the use of many of these herbs than a regular physician and can work in collaboration with the medical doctor.

We all suffer, at different moments in time, from some form of mild depression -- the blues, if you will. Usually these moments pass quickly or can be alleviated by drinking a cup or two of something like chamomile tea to calm the nerves. More serious expressions of depression and anxiety, however, may require other more sustained methods of treatment. The question becomes, however, whether or not strong antidepressants (usually in conjunction with antipsychotics) is the immediate answer. Our society has been one that has gravitated for years to just taking a pill to solve everything. Now, it would seem, with the increased awareness of healthy eating, the rise in popularity of organic foods, and the growing interest in alternative remedies such as herbs, society is starting to realize that perhaps popping a pill is not always the answer. Perhaps the answer can be found in nature.

Before pursuing any type of alternative treatment, especially in regard to such a serious condition as depression, you should always seek out a physician for a diagnosis and then work with them in conjunction with a certified herbalist. (By the way, do not be afraid to get a second or even a third opinion, as in the case of my granddaughter.) If you or someone you know is already on prescription medications, do not pursue any herbal remedies before consulting your primary care physician.

References:

PsychCentral: Antidepressant Use Up 75 Percent.

FDA: Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults.

USA Today. Liz Szabo, August 4, 2009. Number of Americans taking antidepressants doubles.