Depression is a very serious and common mental illness. Depression changes the way the individual thinks and feels. It affects his/her health and social behaviour. Depression is not about feeling sad sometimes, feeling tired from working hard, discouraged by problems – this is not depression. However, if these feelings linger, intensify & begin to interfere with daily living e.g. with work, school or family, this is depression.
Depression is 2-3 times more common in women than in men, partly because women’s brains tend not to make as much of the “happy” hormone, Serotonin, but can affect anyone. It quite often goes unrecognised because of such symptoms as sleep & appetite disturbances which mimic other types of illness. The depressed person has a depressed mood e.g. a sad or empty feeling, loss of interest or pleasure most of the time for two or more weeks, plus four or more of the following symptoms:
? Sleep disturbance e.g. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
? Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in nearly all activities most of the time.
? Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness most of the time.
? Loss of energy or fatigue most of the time.
? Concentration is diminished. The ability to think or concentrate in impaired & there is indecisiveness most of the time.
? The appetite may increase or decrease.
There is agitation/retardation.
? Recurrent thoughts of death/suicidal ideations.
? These symptoms do not meet the criteria for mixed episodes e.g. major depressive episode and manic episode.
? There is clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
? The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of an abused substance e.g. legal or illegal drugs or a general medical condition.
? Bereavement exacerbates the depression.
There is a less severe form of depression, called dysthymia. The individual would have been in a depressed mood state for at least two years, with at least two other symptoms of depression e.g.
? Poor appetite or overeating
? Insomnia or hypersomnia
? Low energy or fatigue
? Low self-esteem
? Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
? Feelings of hopelessness
Depression can have more than one causes. It is important to identify the primary or underlying cause. Natural medicine can be important in preventing and/or resolving depression through the diet, nutritional supplementation, natural hormone replacement/balancing and allergy detection.
Depression can be successfully treated. However, left untreated or given inadequate treatment can result in suicide & the destruction of family life. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical and/& psychological attention. Major Depression usually begins between ages of 15 and 30. Episodes typically recur. Here are some clues to look for that will occur most of the time e.g a depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure most of the time, 2 or more weeks, and if four or more of the following symptoms keep occurring:
? Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
? Decreased interest or pleasure in nearly all activities.
? Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
? Loss of energy.
? Inability to concentrate, think or focus and indecisiveness.
? An increase or decrease in appetite.
? Agitation/retardation.
? Recurring thoughts of death & suicidal ideations.
Natural treatments include diet, nutritional supplementation and assess for allergies. Supplementation includes:
? Pyridoxine/B6 & zinc taken in the morning, with extra B6 as needed.
? Zinc at bedtime.
? Vitamin C & dolomite, a source of magnesium.
? Deanol, a substance converted to choline to make Acetylcholine, a brain chemical that helps with mood & helps nerve cells to communicate with each other, in the morning.
? The herb St. John’s Wort, all of which have proven successful in treating depression.
To contact Dr. Stan Horne:
1-264-582-7045
1-784-531-1150
Email: naturopathyplus@yahoo.co.uk
