Depression Affects Other Health Problems

The CDC screening for depression of American adults had revealed that one in ten adults had noted they are currently depressed. Depression is a condition which can negatively affect people more than they think. Depression not only brings sadness but also interferes with the ability to do everyday tasks and even affects physical health.

Dr. Gary Kaplan, founder of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine in McLean, Virginia, states a major problem with depression is most people do not realize they have depression. Once they are aware someone is depressed, an integrative method can be taken to guide them to good health.

Symptoms of depression along with endurance and severity varies according to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). Not all persons with depression have all of the same symptoms. A few of the most common symptoms of depression include:

Constant sadness or empty feeling

Feeling hopeless, worthless, guilty, discouraged

Energy loss or heightened fatigue

Restless and irritable

Having hard time making decisions or concentrating

Too much sleep or increased insomnia

Loss of appetite or overeating

Suicidal thoughts and attempts

Aches, pains and other conditions that do not have relief with treatments

Not only does depression impair a persons quality of life it can also affect physical health. NIMH states that depression is usually present with other illnesses and that those illness may come first before the depression, cause it or be a result of it.

The CDC also comments that depression if untreated can negatively affect the result of chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, obesity and cancer. Depression can also end in short term disability, decrease in productivity and increase of loss of days from work.

Dr. Kaplan adds that depression makes everything worse. Improving quality of life and altering health for the better may be as simple as acknowledging your depression. Once that is done everything else falls into place.

If you feel you may be suffering from depression contact your health practitioner.

Many people with depression decide to go the natural route instead of using medications that yield side effects. Some of these are listed below:

Yoga

Exercise is a promising natural treatment for depression. Meditation and yoga have been shown to decrease stress and anxiety. The practice of yoga can promote feelings of joy and well being.

Supplements

St. John's Wort is vastly used in Europe to treat mild depression. It is one of the most common selling herbs in the United States. However, in the U.S., it's effectiveness has not been proven. Some studies have shown it may aide in mild depression.

SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine) is a supplement produced by natural proteins in the body. It has been used to treat depression. When reviewed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in 47 studies it was found to be more effective than a placebo.

Acupuncture

More and more acupuncture treatments are being used to treat depression. In a study of 61 pregnant women with major depression who had received treatments that was specifically geared to depression had a positive response rate of 69%.

Chiropractic

In a study done on chiropractic care and depression it had reported positive results.

Participants in the study were over 18 years of age and had noted medical history of depression. Participants for the study had totaled 15. All subjects had received a standardized test for depression before and after chiropractic treatments to correct subluxations.

Results had shown significant improvement. Before treatments participants had scored a 17 for depression and after treatments it had been reduced down to an 8.

It has been noted that chiropractic treatments can reduce depression symptoms.Sources:

Medical News Today

Everyday Health

Chiropractic Universe