What is depression and how to treat it?
Author: admin | Date: 05 Jun 2008, 5:06 pm | Category: Disorders, TreatmentDepression is a common mental disorder that affects the way you eat, sleep and your feeling, thoughts, behaviour. But it is not only a state of bad mood. It is also a result of imbalance of chemicals in brain.
Causes of Depression
1. The Genetic Connection: Some types of depression, such as bipolar disorder and severe major depression, appear to run in families, which indicates a genetic susceptibility to depression. However, just because one family member suffers from depression, does not automatically mean that other family members will be affected. And people with no family history of depression are also affected, so depression is more than genetic.
2.The Stress Factor
Emotional and medical stress can also influence the predisposition, occurrence and severity of depression. A family crisis, personal loss, chronic illness, problems at home, at work or with finances can trigger depression symptoms. Stress plays an important role in depression. In fact, a vital aspect of depression treatment is stress reduction.
3.The Role of Serotonin
Recent studies have indicated that imbalances in the brain’s serotonin levels can cause depression. Serotonin is one of the key mood regulators in the human brain. Too little serotonin leads to depression, and irregular serotonin levels contribute to bipolar disorders or manic depression. A new family of pharmaceuticals called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help regulate the brain’s serotonin levels, and bring relief to those suffering from depression.
How to fight depression?
1. Talk to friends: Most of the time, when you are in depression, you dont feel like talking to your friends and going out. You just want to be alone. But this is not what should be done, of course. Going out and talking to friends is good for depression.
2. Excercises: When your body is working, your brain has rest which can help you leave the psychological problems behind and get rid of depression.
3. Mediation: Mediation has the same effect with excercise on depression. Silence and focusing on a specific subject may relax the brain and make you feel more peaceful.
Naural Treatments
Depression can be treated in different ways. You can try the ways above but before doing that you may want to try natural ways to treat depression. The depressed mood, can be resourced from the deficiencies in the brain. And this kind of deficiencies can be treated by natural way which may relief the depression.
Depression treatment using Apple
Apple is one of the most valuable remedies for mental depression. The various chemical substances present in this fruit such as vitamin B, phosphorus, and potassium help the synthesis of glutamic acid, which controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. The fruit should be taken with milk and honey. This remedy will act as a very effective nerve tonic and recharge the nerves with new energy and life.
Depression treatment using Cashewnut
The cashewnut is another valuable remedy for general depression and nervous weakness. It is rich in vitamins of the B group, especially thiamine, and is therefore useful in stimulating the appetite and the nervous system. It is also rich in riboflavin which keeps the body active, cheerful, and energetic.
Depression treatment using Asparagus
The root of asparagus has been found beneficial in the treatment of depression. It is highly nutritious and is used as a herbal medicine for mental disorders. It is a good tonic for the brain and nerves. One or two grams of the powder of the dry root of the plant can be taken once daily.
Depression treatment using Cardamom
The use of cardamom has proved valuable in depression. Powdered seeds should be boiled in water and tea prepared in the usual way. A very pleasing aroma is added to the tea, which can be used as a medicine in the treatment of this condition.
Depression treatment using Lemon Balm
The herb lemon balm has been used successfully in the treatment of mental depression. It alleviates brain fatigue, lifts the heart from depression, and raises the spirits. A cold infusion of the balm taken freely is reputed to be excellent for its calming influence on the nerves. About thirty grams of the herb should be placed in half a litre of cold water and allowed to stand for twelve hours. The infusion should then be strained and taken in small doses throughout the day.
Depression treatment using Rose
An infusion of rose petals should be prepared by mixing 15 gm of rose petals in 250 ml of boiling water. If drunk occasionally, instead of the usual tea and coffee, it is beneficial for treating this condition.
Depression treatment using Vitamin B
Diet has a profound effect on the mental health of a person. Even a single nutritional deficiency can cause depression in susceptible people. Nutritional therapy builds up brain chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, that affect the mood and are often lacking in depressed people. Eating foods rich in vitamin B, such as wholegrains, green vegetables, eggs, and fish helps restore vitality and cheer in an individual.
# Omega-3Fatty Acids are needed for good brain function. Unfortunately, Western eating habits do not appear to include the necessary amount of omega-3s. Fish oil capsules are a safe, chemical-free source of omega-3s.
# SAM-e is believed to increase levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. SAM-e is available as an over-the-counter, enteric-coated supplement in North American health food stores.
# B-6 has been used to successfully treat depression in subjects who were deficient in the vitamin. B6 is a cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin and L-tyrosine to norepinephrine. A typical dose is 50 mg daily.
# B-12 deficiency can manifest as depression.
# Folic Acid deficiency is common and can contribute to low mood. Taking a folic acid supplement can improve the effectiveness of antidepressant medications.
# Vitamin C may be helpful for people whose depression is aggravated by low levels of serotonin.
# Magnesium deficiency may be at the root of some cases of depression. A supplement that contains 200-400 mg/day may combat depressed mood. Magnesium is needed for serotonin production.
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