by Tess Thompson / Native Remedies

Depression is a continuous state of melancholy. During depression, a person does not derive any kind of pleasure from activities that were once enjoyable. A passing feeling of sadness should not be misconstrued as depression.

For a person to be diagnosed with depression, a certain number of symptoms should persist for at least six months. More importantly, the condition requires medical attention only if the depression is causing considerable hurdles in normal functioning.

Historically, the approach to depression has been extremely casual.

About two hundred years ago, some doctors believed that extensive shaking could bring relief to the body and ultimately cure depression.

Today, the approach to mental ailments has gone through a paradigm shift due to major breakthroughs in the study of the functions performed by the human brain.

Today, there are many ways of treating depression. In most cases, the symptoms of depression can be controlled to a manageable level or cured completely by one or more therapies.

The common treatments for depression can be classified as the following:

    * Treatment with drugs
    * Psychotherapy, counseling or “talk therapy”
    * Electroconvulsive therapy
    * Devices
    * Alternative treatments

Treating depression with the aid of antidepressants and psychotherapy are the two most common treatment options. The unfortunate side effects of mood elevators and antidepressants are well known.

This, along with the high cost of treatment and regular doctor visits, inhibits many people from opting for medicinal treatment for depression.

Drugs can be avoided only if the depression is mild. Major depression does require a combined approach that includes medicinal treatment and psychotherapy.

While the depression medication helps in controlling the symptoms, psychotherapy attempts to counsel the patient on how to regain control of their life.

When drugs and psychotherapy do not produce any significant success, electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) can provide fast and effective relief.

ECT involves inducing seizures through an electric current. This is mostly recommended for severely depressed, suicidal, or manic patients.

There are certain devices called the Vagal Nerve Stimulator that have been recently approved by the FDA. The vagal nerve connects the cortex with the major part of the upper body including the heart, lungs and stomach.

This therapy was initially used on epileptic patients. It was observed that the pulses from the stimulating devise stopped the seizures, and they also induced a happy feeling in the epileptic patient.

The results were noted and studied, and the Vagal Nerve Stimulator has now been put to good use for treating depression in people who do not respond to drugs.

Alternative treatments attempt at treating depression naturally with the aid of natural remedies for depression.

These remedies can be in the form of herbs, supplements, diet regimen, or exercise. Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda are also a part of the natural treatments of depression.

Another natural therapy that is gaining acceptance is Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). It uses magnets to modify and alter the electric currents in the brain.

Other alternative treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, relaxation, herbal remedies, and herbal massages can be extremely effective in treating mild cases of depression.

References:

    * http://www.webmd.com/depression/treatment-options
    * http://www.sciencedaily.com/

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For a number of health solutions, see the Native Remedies site.

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