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"Treating Depression - Alternatives That Can Be Surprisingly Effective!"
Probably one out of every 10 adults in this country have this illness. Unbelievably, over one million preschoolers are thought to be clinically depressed! Unfortunately, many people never seek medical help. Everyone has 'blue' periods that are temporary and usually pass. If you are just feeling down, you retain the capability to 'bounce back' and can function normally should the occasion call for it. Depressed individuals, on the other hand, may experience depressed feelings for prolonged periods of time, preventing them from leading a normal life. Often depression leads to suicide. In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States in the 10 to 24 year age group. In addition, women are more than twice as likely to develop symptoms of depression. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of depression:
There is no one unique cause of Depression. Rather it may be a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors. Some types of Depression run in families indicating a genetic connection. It may be caused by grief from the loss of a loved one, stress, or a problematical relationship. It may be caused by a lack of key neurotransmitters in the brain such as Serotonin. MRI's have shown the brains of depressed people look different than those that are not depressed. The hippocampus, a part of the brain that stores memories, is smaller in depressed individuals than those who are not. Types of depression Major Depressive Disorder This type of depression is considered to be the most common form of depression. With this type an individual may experience symptoms ranging from several weeks up to a year. A person will become virtually incapacitated by this form of the disease. Dysthymic Disorder This type of depression is considered to be a less severe than Major Depression. With Dysthymia, individuals are able to function reasonably well at times. It is considered to be a chronic variation of the disease, sometimes lasting for several years. Bi-Polar Disorder With Bi-Polar depression, people will alternate between depressed periods or periods of mania. When an individual becomes manic, they become euphoric or extremely irritable. Where do you go from here? The first thing you should do if you suspect you are depressed is to see a physician. Most medical professionals consider depression to have a psychological component as well as a biological component. They may recommend counseling as well as prescribing medications for you. If your illness is not considered to be serious, you might discuss utilizing some of the herbs for depression mentioned on this page. Be advised, some of the herbal remedies mentioned below may not be strong enough to treat your condition. To see a list of traditional on remedies that you can make yourself, click on this link: You should try these easy to make, inexpensive, remedies. They are sure to lift your spirits. Herbs For Treating Depression St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) There is considerable research on this herb demonstrating its usefulness in treating depression. In one study, individuals ranging from age 20 to 64 were broken up into two groups. One group was given 300 milligrams of St. John's Wort daily, while the other group was given a placebo over a four-week period. At the end of the study, the group given St. John's Wort saw a 67 percent improvement in their condition without any adverse effects. However, the placebo group only saw a 28 percent improvement in their condition. In another study, 135 patients were given either 900 milligrams of St. John's Wort daily or 75 milligrams of Imipramine, a prescription medication. At the study's conclusion, the St. John's group exhibited a 56 percent improvement in their condition while the Imipramine group only saw a 45 percent improvement. Dosage You may use the recommended dosage on the bottle to start with. However, you may need to adjust it either up or down until you find a dosage that works. Contraindications The main drawback to taking this herb is it may interact with other medicines and can be dangerous. Please discuss this herb with either your physician or pharmacist before taking it. discover what amino acid may help with your depression Folic Acid Folic Acid, or vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the 'B' family of vitamins. It is found to be present in much lower levels in individuals that are depressed. In one study of depressed individuals, 31 to 35 percent were found to be deficient of this particular vitamin. In elderly patients, it could be much higher. 'B' vitamins work in treating depression by facilitating the function of neurotransmitters. They work by allowing the brain to produce more of a compound called SAM-e. This compound occurs naturally in the brain, and helps produce the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. By boosting the levels of these neurotransmitters, you naturally improve mood. However, the amount of Folic Acid given to individuals in these studies was quite high ranging from 15 to 50 milligrams. Folic Acid is usually given in micrograms. Dosage The recommended dosage is 800 micrograms of Folic Acid twice a day for one month then reducing the dosage to 800 micrograms once daily. Contraindications Folic Acid should not be taken be if:
It should be noted also there have been others studies showimg no significant relationship between Folic Acid and treating depression. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
They are considered essential fatty acids as they are essential for human health but cannot be manufactured by the human body and, therefore, must be obtained from the diet. The two main ingredients in omega-3 fatty acids are: EPA (eicosapentaenoic) and DHA (docusahexaenoic) or EPA and DHA. Omega-6 fatty acids, on the other hand, are abundant in the American food supply and their consumption outnumbers Omega-3's by twenty to one. According to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, that ratio should be 1:1. As far as consumption goes, there has been a significant drop off in the intake of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diets of Americans. However, there has been a significant increase in the intake of Omega-6 Fatty Acids. Many cooking oils, for example, contain high amounts of Omega-6 Fatty Acids. In one study, published in 1998, it was found those countries consumimg large amounts of fish products experienced far lower levels of depression then those that didn't. Another study of individuals whose intake of Omega-6 fatty acids was much greater than their intake of Omega-3 fatty acids, reported more symptoms of depression. Several studies have shown that supplementing diets with Omega-3 work for treating depression although researchers aren't exactly sure why. Dosage A good starting dosage of these fatty acids would be 5 grams daily. Contraindications If you are using blood thinners, it would be wise to consult your physician before using these fatty acids, as they act to thin the blood also. 5-HTP From a chemical perspective, 5-HTP is a transitional compound produced when the body converts tryptophan into serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is a key chemical providing a feeling of calmness and well-being. Changes in the levels of serotonin in the brain can alter one's frame of mind. There have been numerous clinical studies indicating the efficacy of 5-HTP for treating depression. One study compared 5-HTP to the drug Fluvoxamine and found 5-HTP to be equally as effective as the prescription medication. In another study, 59 depressed individuals were given 150 to 300 milligrams of 5-HTP daily. 68 percent of the patients showed a favorable response, many within one week. Dosage The recommended dosage of 5-HTP is 100 milligrams daily. Contraindications However, there are numerous conditions contraindicating the use of this compound for treating depression. It should not be used, if you have the following conditions:
among other diseases. Check with your physician for a complete list. Also, it is contraindicated for treating depression if you are taking any of the following items:
SAM-e SAM-e is the synthetic form of a compound occurring naturally in the body. There is indirect evidence from animal studies indicating this chemical boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine. In one study, 30 patients who suffered from depression added SAM-e to their usual medications. At the study's conclusion, half of the patients improved and an additional 43 percent went into remission. There were no major side effects although half of the patients became constipated and 13 percent developed headaches. Another study conducted in 2002 found this medicine to be as effective as Imipramine , a Triclycic antidepressant for treating depression. Also, the SAM-e group experienced fewer side effects than the group taking the prescription medicine. Dosage Start with a dosage of 200 milligrams twice daily, increasing to 400 milligrams twice daily on day 3, increasing to 400 milligrams three times daily on day 10, finally increasing to 400 milligrams four times daily on day 20. Side Effects Possible side effects include stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache. It may also raise homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Contraindications SAM-e should be avoided in patients with Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorder, or manic depression. Also, please consult with your physician before taking SAM-E if you are currently on other medicines for treating depression. There are numerous items useful for treating depression such as vitamins, compounds, and herbs. Just remember to consult your physician before undertaking any new herbal regimen. Subscribe to the Home Remedies Blog by clicking on this link:  Return From Treating Depression to Home Page
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Home remedies for treating depression are often overlooked as an effective alternative to prescription medications. However, there are several remedies you can take that will help lift your spirits.
The next item we will discuss for treating depression are the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are normally found in fish, and fish oil capsules are excellent sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. 
