A Round Up of Depression Alternative Treatments


Defined Tag: Depression Alternative Treatments.

A doctor might prescribe antidepressants for a case of depression, but there are a number of depression alternative treatments, alternative therapies or complementary therapies, which can be effective and which don’t require prescription. Some herbal remedies, physical activities and diets may assist in combating depression and if any side effects occur, they are likely to be moderate in their form. Of course these sorts of treatments are far less tested than the clinical medications and for that reason shouldn’t be considered equivalent; but they are a more and more popular recourse and so it is worth listing them and considering their possible benefits.

First there is the flowering tops of the plant called St John’s Wort; also known as Hypericon, Klamath Weed and Goat Weed. This is an ages old herbal remedy for mental illness, but has also been used as a sedative, a balm against bites and wounds, and a pain killer. Modern herbalists recommend it for use against anxiety, depression and sleep disorders and apply it in the form of a tea or fusion or as a tablet. Medical Scientists are divided about its effect, some agreeing that it may serve some use but others arguing that it is no more effective than a placebo. Some side effects have been reported and it is recommended that a doctor be consulted before use especially if other medication is being used.

Folic Acid, or Folate, is another alternative remedy although it is really a vitamin supplement in the form of the water soluble B9 vitamin which naturally occurs in certain foods. It occurs in leaf vegetables like spinach, turnip greens, peas, and some fruits as well as fortified cereal foods such as seeds and also in liver. Many breakfast cereals are fortified with Folic Acid and so it is readily available in many forms as well as being sold in tablet form. Low levels of Folate have been linked to depression and some suggest increasing intake to combat it; again, medical science isn’t in agreement with this.

Other ‘alternative’ treatments for depression include Light Therapy, which includes either artificial lamps or rays or simply getting more sunshine; which is supposed to help combat some sleep and seasonal disorders. Greater exercise is also encouraged as is a healthy diet, yoga, a proper night’s sleep and an avoidance of too many processed foods, alcohol and cigarettes. Much of it is common sense and it remains arguable whether any real depression could be combated by any of these depression alternative treatments.