Self Help For Depression

"Depression is the number one cause of disability in developed countries." - Claire Ainsworth, New Scientist 5 January 2008

It is a startling fact that depression is so prevalent a mental condition in our western countries. In spite of the medical approach that correction comes from altering the chemical balance of the brain through drug therapy, there are also avenues of self help that offer a natural and more attractive alternative.

Much has been written about the various techniques that offer assistance in changing our moods by self direction. However, before these can be truly effective, there is a need to eliminate the known causative factors that create our sense of hopelessness and quench our zest for life. We must first be sure that we are reducing any of these negative factors before we can anticipate an immediate response to our personal efforts to change ourselves.

One of the most important for women is the contraceptive pill. This may be effective for inhibiting the birth of a baby and relieving women of unwanted pregnancies but it is a medical fact that one of its many 'side effects' is depression. Depression is surely too heavy a price to pay for seeming convenience of 'the Pill'. Women are beginning to return to less dangerous alternative methods of birth control. But of course this matter is a shared responsibility of both partners.

Both men and women are taking prescribed medication to find relief from their depression in the form of drugs that are known as 'antidepressants'. However, what is not so well known is that these drugs will often exaggerate symptoms in some people, or exacerbate their psychological problems to the extent of causing abnormal aggression for instance, or by intensifying their moods of anger. There is ample medical reason for caution in undertaking a course of these drugs. There are 3,770,000 entries on the internet noting the side effects. Mild depression under drug medication will frequently intensify.

We find that mild depression is easy enough to overcome if there are no potent causes, either chemical, or in circumstances. We all occasionally have to lift our spirits when life takes on a colourless tone. But good cheer should be a more natural state unless we are suffering severe trauma either physically or psychologically.

It is when depression is a continuing state that we realise an abnormal condition and so must seek every natural avenue to help return us to well being. There is no magic formula for this. However, all the following should be included in our consideration in making changes and improvement in total health. We must be prepared to try them for a period of time in order to judge the results.

Lack of sleep has just been given media focus as the cause of much mental disease so is mentioned as a preliminary before following all the other important health requirements.

If you are in the habit of taking medication in tablet form it may seem a good choice for you to replace previous pills with safe herbal remedies which are gentle in their affect and to take any food supplements that are appropriate as advised by your herbalist.

Nutrition should be improved to included maximum amount of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. Try also to include foods that you have avoided and find less attractive. In doing so you may be losing out on many of the vital trace elements and ingredients that your brain and body require. Study which are the main foods for helping the brain and nervous system. This is very important. You will not find it easy to overcome depression unless you supply your system with its needs.

Some people find that not only increasing their exercise regimes but paying attention to deep breathing is really effective in dispersing depression. It may be that simple for you, and that your body cells are just needing more oxygen and energy supply. You will find this principle is confirmed and that when you are suffering depression, your respiration is also reduced and by feeling increased energy and in better spirits after conscious breathing.

Relaxation is an art that should be learned by tutoring from a professional. Yoga teachers are usually expert in this field. There must be a balance between personal effort to improve and a sense of relaxation and acceptance when no effort is required. For example, we must exercise as much as possible for the muscles of the body to be happy. But after exercise, we experience a great sense of relief as we relax and stop trying. This tends to apply with our disciplines of all kinds.

And of course we have our powerful secret remedy close to hand in our own nature . We discover it only when we ask ourselves 'what is it that will make us feel happy?'

To repeat, there is no easy magic is solving our state of depression, but we must find a way that will encourage us to continue growing in health and good spirits when we will rediscover the natural joy in living. Find a health professional who can give you support until you feel independent and self confident again.