Alternative Remedies for Depression

Depression is a very serious issue. There are literally millions of people who suffer from this mental illness. Depression runs in my husbands' family and mine. More than likely, you have someone in your family who suffers from it also, or maybe you suffer from depression yourself. There are probably millions of other people who suffer from depression that have not yet been diagnosed or put on medication.

There are many different kinds of depression. I myself suffer from chronic depression and Bi Polar Disorder, which, is a form of depression also. There are many different medications used to treat depression but if you find that medications do not work for you or if you cannot afford the medications, there are other ways of treating it.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy is also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and problem-solving therapy and this kind of therapy can be very beneficial. Most of us do not take time out of our busy day to sit down and talk to someone. If we did maybe we would not feel so down and have to take anti-depressants. I have to admit that I do hold things in a lot and when it gets to be too much I just let go and let it all out. Unfortunately, this does not help me but actually makes it worse because I am not only holding all of those sad feelings inside but also anger. Anger builds up until you burst and you usually take it out on the wrong person just because they are there.

If you do not feel comfortable talking to a close friend or family member you might want to consider going to see a licensed therapist. Talking to a close friend or family member could make you feel better but if you have the money or health insurance to speak to a professional, this could be a better way. Sometimes you can talk about things with a licensed therapist that you might not feel comfortable talking to a friend or family member about. I see a therapist and, although I do not always feel better, I usually do by the time I leave her office.

Exercise

Exercise can also be a great way to help you out of depression. Especially if you do fun exercise like dancing or walking your dog or even running around outside playing with your kids in the yard. It not only makes you feel better because you are having fun but it will make you feel better because it's a great way to stay in shape too.

I like to ride a bike, walk my dogs, and do sit-ups every night. This helps me get the energy I need and makes me feel a lot better.

Bright Light

Bright light therapy has proven to be very beneficial for depression. This is usually for seasonal depression, like the winter blues, but it can work for all types of depression also. There is evidence that light can enhance the effects of exercise as well as the anti-depressants actions.

Think about it for a minute, you are feeling down so you decide to go outside in the nice weather. You are walking around in your yard and you notice pretty flowers that you might not have noticed before because you were too depressed to care. Seeing these flowers makes you smile and you decide to pick some and keep them. You keep walking and you see birds in the trees and hear them singing. Doesn't that bring a smile to your face? It certainly does mine. You also hear dogs barking in the distance and maybe this makes you decide to take a walk. So you start walking up the street and you hear children laughing, music playing, and people outside talking or washing their cars. Makes you feel a little better doesn't it? Makes you realize you are not alone and that is something to make you smile.

Fish Oil

Fish oil seems to be beneficial to many things besides depression. It helps treat arthritis and many other things as well. The correct dose of fish oil has not yet been determined but randomized, placebo-controlled trials have shown that fish oil can treat the symptoms of depression.

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort is a natural supplement you can buy at drugs stores and most grocery stores. I was actually on St. John's Wort when I was a kid and it seemed to help me but not as good as my mother expected. I started suffering from depression after my brother died when I was 12 years old and this is the first thing, besides a therapist that my mom tried for me. My dad also used to take it but it made him sick so he had to stop, although it seemed to be working for him better than it did for me.

There have been several studies that show St. John's Wort to be better than anti-depressants. Although it is unknown as to why it works and how it works, many people have used it and have had success with it.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression and do not want to take anti-depressants, try some of these remedies. You never know, they might work better than the drugs. For more information on alternative remedies for depression, check out the book, Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy.