Holistic Treatment for Depression encompasses a vast number of treatment modalities. Alternative and Complimentary Medicine is quickly gaining respect in the medical world, however, mainstream mental health institutions are often far behind the curve regarding the acceptance of alternative or holistic treatments for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders.
The Medical establishment and the FDA often tend to suppress and disregard alternative medicine as a viable alternative. Their most common argument against holistic treatment for depression or any other disorder, is that there is not enough research or hard evidence to demonstrate their efficacy.
Many of the required drug studies that are published, are done by the same drug companies that produce them. A slight conflict of interest, when you consider the billions of dollars at stake. There are many examples (some now in headline news) of the manipulation or suppression of information by drug companies for monetary gain.
Now in 2008, there is finally some major studies showing that anti-depressants are far less effective than once widely believed and that for mild to moderate depression there are far more effective treatment options - including psychotherapy (talk therapy) - than anti-depressants. For more info, check out this recent article published by the BBC:
Anti-depressants' Little Effect.
So, that being said, I’ll get off my soap box, and add another word of caution, to present a balanced perspective:
Don’t blindly accept the claims of alternative medicine either. There are countless alternatives out there, and some are very promising, perhaps even miraculous; many others are ineffective, or even dangerous. On the whole, however, alternative medicines are vastly safer than mainstream drugs.
A holistic treatment for depression should not exclude any available treatment that works - and that may need to include mainstream medicine such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers, particularly for Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder. It is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons. In the absence of any viable alternative treatments, psychiatric meds may be better than no treatment at all. Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder are serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.
This page will feature some of the well established alternative healing approaches, as well as some types of holistic treatment for depression, anxiety and stress that are not yet widely known.
Holistic treatment for depression and other health problems treats the person as a whole. Holistic medicine is based on Systems Theory - which recognizes that anything done to one "part" of us, affects all other parts of us. Any treatment that is in harmony with life, will benefit the individual on multiple levels -- even far beyond what the target symptoms may be. By utilizing a holistic treatment for depression, it is likely that you will also experience healing in other areas as well.
This page is separated into three categories:
BODY (physical interventions and also may include energy work)
MIND (working with the emotions and thought process or intellect)
SPIRIT (Treating the spiritual dimension/accessing the wisdom of the essential Self or Soul. )
In the spirit of viewing healing from a holistic perspective - the distinctions between Body/Mind/Spirit are quite fluid and overlapping. Holistic treatment for depression should recognize the multidimensional reality of good treatment.
Body
Physical Modalities, include Body-Oriented Psychotherapies, as well as hands-on physical healing methods, such as Chiropractic Medicine, Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu and Message Therapy.
Others Body approaches:
Dietary/Nutritional Consultation. (Low levels of Vitamin B6/B12, Folic Acid, Iron, and Vitamin D have been associated with depressive symptoms, as well as inadequate nutrition in general).
Herbal therapy (both Western and Chinese are widely used) St. John's Wort and Sam-E
are often used effectively to treat depression.
(Indian herbal/nutritional medicine - a tradition with thousands of years of practice behind it.)
I've found an excellent supplement containing a synergistic blend of Rhodiola Rosea, Vitamin B6, Eleuthro, Vinpocetine, L-Theanine, and more.
Contact me
if you want more information.
Biochemical Treatment/Orthomolecular Treatment (The individualized supplemental use of naturally occuring substances: vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes, to correct imbalances)
Traditional Psychiatric Medication (Allopathic Medicine)
Detoxification from chemicals, environmental toxins, or heavy metals.
Allergy treatments such as NAET
Omega-3 Fatty Acid - An "Essential Fatty Acid" which is not produced by the human body, and which is essential for life, and for brain health. It has been found to be useful for both depression and bipolar disorder. Fish oil is by far the most potent and easily utilized by the body. Far superior to flax seed oil. I recommend a high quality, pure, mercury-free fish oil such as Carlson’s Fish Oil. The cheapest I've found is at Vitacost.com - around 50% lower than at my health food store.
Biofeedback: I recommend a wonderful new biofeedback program/interactive game called
Journey to Wild Divine.
Sound Therapy / Binaural CD's which are listened to with headphones and produce Delta and Theta brain waves associated with deep relaxation and trance states. I recommend CD produced by
Immrama Institute.
Residents of the UK - for an online directory of Holistic and Complimentary Therapists visit: TherapyNet
For a wonderful new tool that is both therapeutic and fun, check out "The Journey to Wild Divine," a series of three interactive biofeedback programs that teach breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques to improve mind and body wellness:
Looking for a Santa Rosa Psychotherapist? Contact
Ben Schwarcz, MFT.
Holistic treatment for depression is not a one- size-fits-all prescription. It is important to be open-minded, yet cautious when choosing a treatment approach, be it traditional or alternative.
The above list is only a partial, general list. Many of the approaches are not restricted to one category only. This list was only separated to more clearly illustrate some of the different options for treatment.
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