Dont Seek Anti-Depressant Drugs For Depression Help - Self Treat Naturally Instead

If youre taking anti-depressant medication, its quite possible you dont need it. If you want safe depression help, self treating using natural methods is the best option, especially where general depression exists.

Recent stats show that the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. today are anti-depressants, more than high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, or headache medications. Often, its not necessary, except in certain extreme cases.

The Centre for Disease Control conducted the study which revealed that in 2005, 118 million prescriptions were for antidepressants. One reason for this is that doctors dont have the time to counsel people suffering from depression.

Its quicker to prescribe something to ease their suffering. In many cases, the patients simply ask for the lastest depression treatment they saw advertised, hoping for fast relief.

The problem is that there is a huge list of potential side effects related to anti-depressant drugs, depending on the specific drug. Heres the incredible list, taken from http://www.depression.realage.com:

• dry mouth
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• constipation
• nervousness
• increased perspiration
• nausea
• weakness
• weight gain (Remeron)
• weight loss/decreased appetite (Effexor and Effexor XR)
• increased cholesterol
• risk of seizure
• withdrawal symptoms when drug stopped
• fatigue
• anxiety
• sleep problems
• vomiting
• tremors
• muscle twitching
• confusion
• memory problems
• sexual dysfunction
• dangerously high blood pressure
• stroke
• blurred vision
• headache
• heart palpitations
• mood swings
• nightmares
• hair loss
• gastrointestinal distress
• diarrhea
• thirst
• restlessness
• arrhythmia
• possibility of toxic effects

Having taken antidepressant medications myself years ago, I recall being in a constant state of tiredness, lack of concentration, weakness and an overall listlessness. It was almost impossible to get my work done on my job. Today, Ive discovered other ways to deal with my intermittent depressive episodes, which arent nearly as bad as they were 25 years ago. Mostly, they include keeping busy, doing things I enjoy and that give me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, staying active by walking in the woods and in my neighborhood, and relaxing whenever stress gets too much.

To accommodate for dull days of winter and especially dreary days, Ive rearranged my living room so my chair is beside the huge picture window which allows the sun to pour into my house.

So rather than seeking the latest miracle drug, choose other options for depression help. Self treatment can include:

• exercise
• light therapy or phototherapy (for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) only)
• massage therapy
• relaxation
• dietary improvements
• increased B-Vitamin intake

Lets take two of these: Exercise and relaxation. Exercise Exercise is a natural mood enhancer. It is very effective for depressed and non-depressed individuals. Evidence supports the fact that exercise might be equally as effective as medications as a depression treatment. Exercises such as walking, running, bike riding, swimming, weight training and stretching are proven to be equally effective as mood enhancers.

The effectiveness of exercise on mood is believed to be both biological and psychological. It stimulates the endorphins in the brain. These are hormones that reduce pain and trigger a sense of well-being. For someone with depression, this makes exercise and physical activity a great natural depression treatment.

The side-effect of this exercise and boost in endorphins is an increased sense of self-esteem, feelings of accomplishment, and a release from daily worries and negative thinking. As well, its a way to expel built-up hostility that can exist this is hostility from feelings of inadequacy, stress, and other causes. relaxation The goal of relaxation is to decrease physical and mental tensions. Some exercises you can try include progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, biofeedback, yoga, guided imagery, meditation and other techniques that involve the body and the mind.

Also, consider seeking professionals for treating depression. These include massage therapists, shiatsu, therapeutic touch and hypnosis experts. My favorites are guided imagery, biofeedback and music relaxation.

Now, I havent seen music relaxation suggested anywhere. Its a technique I came across on my very own that proved to be the absolute best method to ease tensions and put me in that euphoric state that overtakes any depression. Heres how it works.

I happen to absolutely love hawaiian music, especially the instrumentals. As a teen, I was listening to island music while my friends were ogling over Pat Boone and Elvis Presley.

When my depression hit in the 70s, I turned on my favorite album and lay on the floor in front of the hi-fi my head between the two speakers. Then I closed my eyes and added imagery.

I imagined myself dumping all my troubles into a huge urn on the beach, laying out my beautifully colored blanket and lying down in the warm sun. The sweet smelling breeze drifting over me. As the music played I envisioned birds flying in the blue sky overhead.

Suddenly, my blanket began to rise off the sand. Just off shore there was a tropical island, filled with birds of every color. My blanket circled the island, allowing me to enjoy the sounds of the forest, along with the music. The blanket then drifted back to shore and onto the sand.

This is my magical self treatment for depression and just to relax and escape, without the stress of train, bus or plane travel.

Find your own magic and youll discover that you can eliminate your depression as I did.

Biofeedback is another method I highly recommend. It involves putting electrodes onto your fingers while you watch a video. The goal is to use your mind to control your tension relax your muscles and see the results on screen. The better you get at this, the more relaxed you'll be.

If you want to try biofeedback, Wild Divine is a computer program that is hosted by one of the meditation gurus of all time, Depak Chopra.

Read my review of Wild Divine

Sylvia Dickens is an award-winning journalist who has struggled and overcome depression, panic and anxiety. Stop Smoking, Natural Anxiety Relief, dog training, music instruction (piano, guitar) and Travel ideas are some of the topics covered on her site at http://www.book-titles.ca. Visit her Fat Loss and Fitness Blog for more information on fitness and health-related topics. Get coping tips from her Natural Anxiety Relief Blog.

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The Roads To Self-Improvement

The urge for self-improvement is an inherent quality in human nature. When trying to compare ourselves with others we may seem to be better than some, and yet with others we may seem to fall short of their fine example. Regarding comparisons of obvious differences in specific talents it may not be too difficult to compare ourselves with others. But when it comes to personality, character and overall nature we should not look so much to others, but to our own concept of human excellence to motivate us towards self improvement. But where do we start?

It seems a very complex a task to try to improve our whole nature. However, the task is made easier when we have a clear plan and patiently construct a scale of priorities that gradually allows us to focus upon each of the factors we have determined upon as important as we embark upon our personal and long-term program of self-culture.

Although some people are fortunate enough to have a mentor or a spiritual guide to show us the way, the majority of us have to find our own path.

There are many existent programmes focusing upon self-improvement regarding business issues and material success and it has become fashionable to adhere to one or another. However, studying a number of different systems can be confusing so it is usually best to find a simple system that clicks or appeals to you, and the simpler the better. You will soon be able to assess its value, not by understanding the theory, but by earnest application and testing of the principles.

The same applies to programmes written specifically to improve character or to offer assistance regarding psychological issues. Some programmes are based upon intense self-analysis. Others consider it important to find strength in the over-view or ultimate plan for change rather than examining the past. Still others seem to overlook the logical approach and focus upon abstract techniques of prayer and the mystical or psychic. The quality methods are usually balanced between aspiration and practicality.

Psychology may be helpful by offering reasons why we behave as we do but unless we have our own vision and can program our mind accordingly, it provides little assistance in helping us improve ourselves in the future. We need more than this. We need an inspirational concept that will motivate our efforts to become a better person, or to improve certain facets of our character.

Astrology is becoming a popular choice today. It is an age-old science revered in all early civilizations. People use astrology to help them understand the various components of their psyche and on a broader scale, to understand the global effects of the cosmos on humanity as a whole. The simplest use of it gives personal encouragement. It outlines a general forecast for people born under a specific zodiacal sign, in relation both to their individual talents and to their future fortunes. It also provides information that helps us focus upon any indication of a weakness. Many who are seriously studying astrology find this simple introduction leads to a further discovery of a well tested and tried system to help us in self-improvement.

Yoga, another path available to the self-improvement aspirant, is a time-tested philosophy based upon a recognition that we have to advance through our own individual efforts, and outlines patterns for physical, emotional and mental self-discipline. That it has a broad coverage of each facet of personal human nature has a general appeal. Many people who commence with the practice of hatha Yogawhich involves the physical disciplines, choose then to progress to Raja Yoga, or ashtanga Yoga to add a knowledge of Eastern psychology to their Western experience.

So it can be seen that every path will offer attractive promises of self-improvement, but the desire to improve ourselves, as well as the action to do so, has to come from within ourselves. It is then that we will find the tool that is meant for us among the many that are available.

However, as in all achievement, theory is one thing; practical results are up to us!

Sally Janssen is one of the best known Yoga teachers in Australia, and is a former President of the International Yoga Teachers Association. She runs an informational website that deals with the very spirit of traditional yoga. To benefit from her extensive knowledge be sure to visit her site at http://www.classical-yoga.com

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