Ways to Win Over Depression without Medications

April 20, 2012

One in 10 Americans take antidepressant prescriptions, federal government statistics say, quoting recent studies. Based on the data gathered by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between the year 2005 and 2008, the number of patients on antidepressants are twice as many as compared to the results they have gathered in 1996. In a recently released study conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it was reported that over 30million Americans take prescription antidepressants.

paxil birth defects  


Pharmaceutical formulations meant for low moods,  especially those belonging to the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI),  have well-known side effects. Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac have been the subject of controversy due to the many adverse events lodged before the US Food and Drug Administration. According to Dr. Gracelyn Guyol, author of the book entitled “ Healing Depression and Bipolar Disorder Without Medication,” around 50 percent of patients who use antidepressants say that they did not see improvements and half of them stopped using antidepressants due to the adverse effects they suffered. In effect, many health-conscious people are on the lookout of natural remedies for depression minus the medications.


Below are some natural ways to win over depression without medications.


Talk Therapy
Dr. Jeanne Segal, a psychologist and author of depression-related books, says that talk therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat depression. It helps the patient to see the root cause of depression in different perspectives. The therapist may also guide the patient with strategies that may keep the symptoms of depression from coming back.


Physical Activities
Exercise is one of the best natural remedies for depression. It may boost the release of hormones in the brain that could uplift the mood. It also generates oxygen in the brain which makes the brain more relaxed.


Avoid Stress
Stressful events or conditions may heighten depressive symptoms. Stay aware from things that may give you stress. Instead, find ways that would make you feel more relaxed. You can try to do yoga to relieve stress.


Light Theraphy
According to Dr. Erik Nelson, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati, “Regular exposure to sunlight helps keep your body’s internal clock functioning normally, including the release of hormones that affect mood.”
 
Eat Omega 3-rich Foods
Fish oil or other foods rich in omega 3 are found to be effective in alleviating mood. Barry Swanson, a food science professor at Washington State University in Pullman, says “omega-3 fatty acids help your brain produce [feel-good] neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine and they’re crucial for proper chemical signaling within and between nerve cells.”
 
Get Enough Sleep
Adults should at least get six to eight hours of sleep in a day. Sleep deprivation may affect brain functions, according to research studies.


St. John’s Wort
A flowering plant that is made a major ingredient in teas, tablet and extracts is one of the most studied supplements for treating depression. Studies conducted by the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States found that these supplements can be useful antidepressants to treat depression.


Depressed patients may try these less complicated ways to beat depression. It may free you from the hassle of having to go through a possible Paxil lawsuit.  To read more about this, visit this site:




URL References:


livestrong.com/article/27941-overcome-depression-medication/
no1healthnews.com/depression/how-to-overcome-depression-without-medication.html
mental-health-matters.com/component/content/article/511?start=1
ivillage.com/20-surprising-things-can-trigger-depression/4-b-291159
usatoday.com/news/health/2009-08-03-antidepressants_N.htm
 

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