Soothing treatment methods against depression, the disease of our age
Depression is the most common mood disorder today. Worldwide, one in every five women and one in every ten men experience depression at least once in their lifetime, and in one-third of these people the condition becomes chronic. Affecting millions of people every year, it causes emotional problems. It affects daily life, work, and family life, increases the risk of physical illness, and can sometimes even lead to suicide. In the European Union, approximately 43,000 people die by suicide every year, and most of these cases are related to depression.
Depression arises due to hormones, seasonal conditions, genetic factors, developmental issues, or psychosocial factors. It can manifest with symptoms such as feelings of guilt, feeling worthless, hopelessness, lack of confidence, excessive sensitivity, loss of energy, loss of appetite, loss of sexual desire, headache, and sleep disturbance; it can sometimes become complex and affect a person's life in many ways. Treatment for depression is individual, and there is no single method that works for everyone.
TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION
Amphetamines were used for 60 years to "lift the spirits" of people experiencing depression. Later, however, medications took their place. Although antidepressants commonly used to treat depression, such as Prozac, are effective, they can cause side effects such as anxiety, agitation, and digestive disturbances. Antidepressant medications are not the only way to balance brain chemistry. Diet, exercise, nutritional support products, and medicinal herbs can increase the levels of naturally occurring compounds that our body produces to improve mood.
Diagnosing and eliminating the underlying cause of depression should be one of the basic principles. To this end, medications, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies or excesses, and environmental and microbial factors that contribute to depression should be brought under control. For example, deficiencies of vitamins B6, B12, and C, folic acid, and omega-3 fats in the diet can cause depression. Sometimes the earliest sign of thyroid disease can present in the form of depression.
To produce the necessary biochemical changes in the brains of people experiencing depression, it is necessary to teach them to be optimistic. Yet most physicians turn immediately to antidepressant medication for this. While optimistic people rarely experience depression, pessimistic people are prone to depression and other illnesses. Teaching patients to gain more control over their lives is more effective than the biochemical changes medication can produce.
The most powerful methods of healing are carefully listening to the messages coming from your body and soul, taking good care of yourself, and setting aside time to nourish your spirit.
Effective soothing treatments in the treatment of depression:
MEDICINAL HERBS
Medicinal herbs have been used for treatment purposes throughout history. The active ingredients of many traditional medicines have been derived from these herbs. The most useful herbs for treating depression are: St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), and Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus).
St. John's Wort has been used in treatment for centuries, but it has become popular only in the last few years. In Germany, doctors write approximately 3 million prescriptions a year for St. John's Wort, a rate 25 times higher than for medications sold on the market, and this herb has been shown to be as effective as an antidepressant medication without the side effects.
Ginkgo's best-known effect is strengthening memory, which it achieves by dilating the arteries and increasing blood flow to the brain.
Siberian ginseng strengthens the nervous and endocrine systems and helps restore healthy function to the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands play a critical role in the body's ability to adapt to physical and emotional stressors.
HERBAL TEAS
When you take a break, instead of sipping coffee, choose non-stimulating, adrenal-friendly herbal teas to relax. Herbal teas such as mint, chamomile, valerian, passionflower, or skullcap have a soothing effect. Drinking these teas protects you from the overstimulating effects of caffeine.
CALMING TEA
1 tablespoon chamomile flowers, 1 tablespoon linden flowers, 1 tablespoon catnip, 2 cups water
Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the herbs, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain, add a small amount of honey if desired, and drink up to 4 cups a day.
AROMATHERAPY
Aromatic oils have distinct effects on the limbic system, the center of our brain responsible for emotions and memory.
Aromatic oils used against depression include basil, bergamot, juniper cedarwood (Juniperus), clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), frankincense (Boswellia thurifera), geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, jasmine, turpentine oil, rose oil, sandalwood, spruce oil, and orange oil.
Scented baths to reduce stress and depression:
Rose-Bergamot bath: 5 drops rose oil, 5 drops bergamot oil
Sandalwood-Lavender bath: 10 drops lavender, 5 drops sandalwood oil. Add these to a tub filled with warm water. Let sit for 15 minutes.
In addition to all of this, hormonal imbalances underlie most psychological problems, and it is possible to correct these with neural therapy. Mild to moderate depression can be prevented, and even treated, using methods such as psychotherapy, acupuncture, magnetic field therapy, and regulation of the limbic system. Nevertheless, if there is no improvement, it is advisable to consult a psychiatric specialist without wasting time.
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Nazlıkul