Monday, September 28, 2009

Natural Remedies for Depression

Depression is a fairly frequent psychiatric disorder, which is characterized by a symptoms including depressed mood and other emotional problems, hopelessness, eating pattern changes - you might eat more or less than usual, and the decreased ability to have any pleasure in just about anything. Depression affects between 7% and 19% of the people in the US, with more than twelve million American adults being newly diagnosed with depression each year. Major depression accounts for more than 60% of suicides every year, primarily because only about one third of men and women with depression access medical attention.

Although the exact cause of depression is still unknown, there are many known natural remedies for depression. The most important natural remedy that can take care of your depression is a good diet, which actually plays a huge role in the balance of chemicals in the brain. A diet that limits sweets, sweet chocolate, pies, ice cream, sugar loaded sodas, cake and other foods packed with sugar can actually reduce the amount of poor moods, because sweets are able to temporarily increase mood by increasing blood sugar levels. But, once the sugar level drops, moods tend to be even lower and cause those with depression to enter depressive periods. By keeping blood sugar levels steady, major depressive moods can often be prevented. Avoiding coffee and other drinks like 180, Instant Tea, Cherry Coke, Havoc, Bomba Energy as well as dart and Espresso Italia espressos that are high in caffeine can also be beneficial. The same goes for any alcoholic beverages. Caffeine and alcohol can both worsen mood, by providing a temporary period of happiness that is usually followed by depression. Those with depression should focus on consuming foods that are able to trigger serotonin production, such as foods rich in B vitamins and magnesium. Nuts, green vegetables, and some varieties of fish can be beneficial, since they can actually trigger a good mood without being followed by a state of depression.

St. John’s Wort has been used in various countries for treating mild depression. Although it has not been proven effective in treating severe depression cases, it has been shown to actually increase synaptic levels of biogenic amines, such as nor epinephrine. Various studies have been performed, and have shown that St. John’s Wort has actually been as effective as various prescription medications for depression. When used by patients diagnosed with mild depression, it can relieve many of the symptoms, included but not limited to extreme mood changes, loss of appetite, insomnia, and negative feelings. Exercise is possibly the most beneficial natural remedies for depression, because it can lessen some of the symptoms of depression while keeping the body healthy. Exercise has been shown to improve overall mood, increase energy, and reduce the effects of insomnia in depressed people. Exercise has been effective in treating mild to moderate depression, but may take longer than prescription medications to show results.

Seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that only occurs during certain parts of the year, has been shown to be effectively treated by extended exposure to bright artificial and natural sunlight. It is used as an alternative to prescription depression medications, and works by regulating the body clock. Exposure to artificial and natural sunlight can actually trigger chemical changes in the brain, such as serotonin and melatonin production which can improve sleeping patterns.

Depression is a serious medical condition, but mild cases can easily be improved with the help of natural depression remedies. Prescription medication have possible serious side effects, but using natural methods can improve the medical condition without any similar problems. Changing regular activities such as diet, exercise, and even church going can help to improve depression periods decreasing your depressed mood and other emotional problemsand sex problemsand eating pattern changes - you might eat more or less than usual, making those diagnosed with depression able to live a normal, happy life.



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