5 Alternative Treatment for Depression : It is estimated that around 16.2 million Americans experience some form of depression in any given year. While some of those people have found great success in treating depression through traditional prescription drugs and therapy, others have found those same methods to be ineffective.
Luckily, there are alternatives in treatment for depression that may help those who have treatment-resistant depression.
Keep reading to learn more about some alternative ways to treat and overcome depression.
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Meditation and Yoga
Stress and anxiety are a major trigger for depression, so targeting that anxiety is important for treating depression.
Both meditation and yoga are great tools for reducing stress and anxiety, which also reduces depression. Through meditation and yoga, you will improve focus and learn to live in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or stressing about the future.
In addition, meditation also teaches one to be aware of their cognitions and negative thought patterns. You will start recognizing how your thoughts affect your mood and learn to let go of these thoughts and replace them with more positive ones.
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that involves a practitioner inserting needles in certain areas of the body that correspond with specific organs. The needles can cause an electromagnetic current which can help clear energy blockages or imbalances in the organs.
Studies have shown acupuncture may be as effective as some antidepressants when treating depression.
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Ketamine
Ketamine, which has recently been FDA-approved, has shown to be extremely effective for treatment-resistant depression. In one study, 70 percent of people who found traditional treatments for depression ineffective experienced significant improvement.
Ketamine for depression is effective because it causes a reaction in the brain which leads to the regrowth of brain connections that can reduce or eliminate depression. It gives patients the ability to develop positive thoughts and behaviors instead of negative ones.
Ketamine, in conjunction with therapy, gives people the ability to not only overcome depression, but to prevent it in the future.
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Herbal Supplements
For people who prefer not to rely on pharmaceutical medications, herbal supplements can be an effective alternative. While there are countless supplements that are believed to help treat depression, a few of them stand above the rest. These include:
– St. Johns Wart
– Saffron
– SAMe
– 5-HTPThese supplements are most effective when used alongside different forms of therapy.
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Exercise
If you’ve seen a doctor for your depression, you’ve likely been told to try exercising as a way to improve symptoms. While it may seem like a lot of effort, the truth is exercise can be extremely effective for treating depression.
In fact, exercise has been shown to be as effective as prescription antidepressants without any of the unwanted side effects.
You can start out with easy exercises such as going for evening walks or doing light yoga, and slowly working your way to an exercise routine that works best for you.
Try These Alternatives in Treatment for Depression
Depression is a tough beast to tackle, and sometimes it takes more than one treatment to start feeling better. By using one or more of these alternatives in treatment for depression in conjunction with therapy, you might find much more success in overcoming depression.
Interested in learning more about improving your mental health? Check out our health and wellness blog page today!
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