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Depression blog
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April 25, 2009
Blog: Alternative medicine treatments for depression
By Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Alternative medicine is a term that describes alternative approaches to medical issues.
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Over the next few weeks, we will cover several different types of alternative medicine depression treatments. This will not be an exhaustive review of alternative and complementary medicine, but is meant to be a primer on alternative medicine depression treatment. Most importantly, these therapies are not meant to substitute for the treatment plan (taking medications, talk therapy, etc.) you have established with your health care provider. I like the word complement when describing these therapies as they truly complement (or work together) with other depression treatments.
In summary, there is a role for alternative or complementary medicine in the treatment depression, but one should not rely only on alternative or complementary medicine as a depression treatment. There aren't any studies that demonstrate complementary medicine is superior to medications in effectively treating moderate to severe depression. As always, before you begin any new therapy, discuss in detail with your health care provider.
18 comments posted
September 16, 2009 8:44 a.m.
Most people who have been diagnosed with chronic depression and anxiety have probably been prescribed modern anti-depression and anxiety medications such as Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil and other SSRI related medications which seem to be the favorite choice of every modern doctor of the 21st century, this indicates findrxonline in his article about depression. Unfortunately these new anti-anxiety and depression medications do not come without side effects and only a small percentage of its users reports that these medications do indeed balance their moods to the point where they can say they truly feel comfortable over longer periods of time.
- Drugpain
August 18, 2009 2:36 a.m.
Hello! That’s all really great. But if we are talking about alternative medicine, I heard there’s another good way that can help. It’s called bioresonance therapy(carried out via Bio-Mag BRT device),that’s a type of alternative medicine. At least, some of my friends used Bio-Mag, and they claim it’s very efficient. This apparatus treats an amazing spectrum of diseases, and the therapy has no side-effects.
- Adam
August 11, 2009 12:59 p.m.
First -congratulations and best wishes on your ongoing recovery (addiction). You are probaly correct regarding teaching hospitals. You might have access to appropriate "trials", which sounds scary, but I have learned are sometimes a really good thing. And sometimes low cost or free. Mass General Hospital is one you might contact. I hope this helps
- Anne
July 14, 2009 12:07 p.m.
I was diagnosed with depression at age 18 by a psychiatrist--hence my long 34 years journey with taking antidepressants and later, anti-anxiety agents began. I am currently taking 225 mg. of Effexor, 60 mg. of Prozac, and 1 mg. of Klonopin daily for what I was diagnosed with two years ago--Major Depressive Disorder. Addtionally, I am also going through menopause and have been in recovery from alcoholism for 6 & 1/2 years. Problem: I am fatigued, depressed, and sleep 10-18 hours per day. I like my weekly couselling session, but beyond that I have no family, friend or advocate other than myself. I AM NOT CRAZY AND I WANT A LIFE. WHO AND/OR WHAT CAN HELP? I believe a teaching hospital may be the best place for a second opinion. I am very poor but do have medicare/medicaid as an inureres. Is there anyone who helps middle-aged women like myself get the right diagnosis and actually cares about such. I live in New England, so I have sent an email to Yale Psychiatry EDU. Please provide helpful suggestions if you can? Have there been any scientific gains in diagnosing which I may not be aware of. Any helpful response will be so much appreciated. Thank you.
- Linda need caring
July 2, 2009 10:00 a.m.
TMs has been approved by the FDA and is available at various places around the country. Insurance for the most part is NOT paying for it. It is effective for treatment -resistant depression. Not everyone is a candidate. Out of pocket cost is alot at this point-about $15,000. Best of luck. Check out blog on TMS from earlier this year.
- MC.Com Staff
June 28, 2009 7:40 a.m.
Does anyone know anything about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to treat depression? Is it effective?
- Sue
June 10, 2009 4:31 p.m.
one stimulative method that I know of is Raja Yoga.It is one of the most effective meditation that one can experience. There are centres that teach R.Y such as Brahma Kumaris worldwide University. You can check to find the closest centre that you can attend.
- cila
May 13, 2009 10:24 a.m.
Good Morning and thanks to all of you for your interest! 1) Check with your provider before starting ANY supplement whether pill, juice, powder, etc. 2) Search under DBS at Mayo Clinic.com to learn more. MC is not doing active studies for DBS for treatment of depression at this time. There will be multiple centers in the future that will be though, so keep up your hope!
- Mayo Clinic.Com Staff
May 12, 2009 7:42 a.m.
By the way...Monavie is a nutritional beverage made of 19 fruits with the main ingredient being the acai berry.(30-35%) Do some research on the acai berry and see why it is being called the #1 superfriut. You will be amazed.
- Tina
May 12, 2009 7:39 a.m.
I am a licensed masage therapist and many of my clients suffer from chronic pain which can lead to depression. I am a firm believer in "we are what we eat" and I believe that proper nutrition can have a big impact on our overall heath and disease prevention. I recommend Monavie to all my patient for it's nutritional value. Many of my clients that have started drinking the Monavie for improved nutrition also have noticed an improvement in their mood. check it out! you also may want to research the use of Niacin for depression.
- Tina
May 1, 2009 2:17 a.m.
I have suffered terribly for over 25 years from recurrent major major depressioon. I need an answer please.are there any active studies I cAN PARTICIPATE IN BASED ON DEEP BRAIN STIMULATion? i AM GROWING VERY WEARY thank you
- david
April 29, 2009 12:42 p.m.
Forgot to say - exercise is very helpful even tho' it is very hard to "get yourself out there" sometimes. I ride a bike, walk and go to a yoga class.
- Ginny
April 29, 2009 12:36 p.m.
I have spent the past 8 months trying to get off of Paxil. It is extremely difficult. Began to feel pretty down again recently and contacted a homeopathic doctor. Was given medication but it didn't seem to help. Finally, got so tired of falling apart at the seams that I went to my doctor and have been taking Prozac for about 3 weeks. I REALLY tried to stay off the meds but now believe that there must be some chemical imbalance that these meds help. What a merry-go-round it has been. Depression is no fun.
- Ginny
April 29, 2009 7:22 a.m.
Like Trudy, I have been dealing with depression for most of my adult life, though it's been largely untreated. I refuse prescr. medications and cognitive therapy depends on finding a doctor to whom you can relate (not easy). (I have had enough trouble with weaning off Lorazepam prescribed for sleep years ago - only now have I realized i'd become addicted to it. Traumatic to titrate down- so nix on meds - in general. Exercise 7 days a week helps tremendously. Eating well (but that's an old story we all know). Keeping active and engrossed in something is essential. And sleep, blessed sleep!! My biggest deficit~ None of these things is easy. Effort is something that few depressed people are able to exert, however. Seems to me that a sophisticated, caring, ethical doctor is also essential - but we all know that GOOD docs are few and far between. Barbara
- Barbara
April 28, 2009 9:15 p.m.
With years of treatment for depression under my belt, I can say that exercise is definitely a great way of easing the symptoms of depression. And though I'm certainly not a doctor, I've also found that small snacks throughout the day help keep my blood sugar stabilized and prevents the sugar crash. I'm not diabetic but our systems do react to carbohydrates and they can wreak havoc if not kept balanced. And I've finally accepted the fact that naps are part of my medical treatment. Sometimes I feel that I'm wasting time and feel guilty but I think I've finally accepted that some days a nap is as necessary as my meds and is simply a part of my treatment regimen.
- Trudy
April 28, 2009 9:06 p.m.
I've been dealing with major depressive disorder for almost five years now. I'm grateful for my pharmaceutical arsenal but do believe there are additional means of bringing about a healthier sense of well being. I look forward to reading more.
- Trudy
April 28, 2009 6:50 p.m.
thank you. this has been a long, hard winter with a spring that is no spring - yet! Now at the end of things, when we look forward to signs of spring we have this economy - reduced pension, no health coverage. No wonder we are depressed! How can we be anything else!
- Mary
April 28, 2009 5:38 p.m.
Does physical exercise count as an alternative treatment for depression? I find it works for me. I also find I get depressed more when I am hungry or tired; so I snack and/or take a nap. I have been diagnosed with "reactive depression-recurring type," but I don't know what that means.
- Roberta S
18 comments posted