Depression Help Can Come In Many Different Forms

Depression help can come in many different varieties and finding the right type of help for depression is vital to successfully navigating through the tormented malaise of depression. But truthfully, seeking out depression help is not the easiest thing to do with most people tending to isolate themselves, which in turn fosters loneliness and makes their depression even worse.

If you are feeling down it is important to fight this tendency and do your best to continue to allow close friends and family members into your life along with doing your best to keep a full social calendar.

Exercise - Depression help could be only a few steps away

Let's look at the symptoms of depression. They are recurrent suicidal thoughts, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, reduced ability to think or concentrate, fatigue, sluggishness in voluntary muscle movements nearly every day, problems sleeping, significant weight fluctuations, loss of interest in all or most activities, and an overall bummed-out mood.

In order to be classified as depressed a person must exhibit at least five of the symptoms over at a 6 month period. But while exercise may not provide blanket depression help it can provide some temporary relief.

The primary reason exercise is so beneficial is it increases the body's production of the natural feel good hormones known as endorphins. Scientific research tells us that routine exercise can, and often does, positively affect mood and be a valuable tool in any persons battle against depression. As little as three hours per week of aerobic exercise can profoundly reduce symptoms. One clinical trial compared the effectiveness of an exercise program with that of a prescription antidepressant drug in people over 50. The findings were over a four-month period the two approaches were equally effective.

Herbal help for depression

While the numbers vary, some estimates have as many as 30 million Americans suffering from depression, with many having tried antidepressant medications. Antidepressant generally prescribed for this condition are either serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Both categories of drugs come with a long list of side effect risks and may do more harm than good especially when prescribed for mild depression. The list of side effects include nausea, sexual dysfunction, diarrhea, headaches, and thoughts of suicide, just to name a few.

Many who are either not willing to expose themselves to the side effect risks, or have tried antidepressant medications only to find the side effects to be worse than their depression, have turned instead to natural remedies. Some remedies have proven to be so effective that they outsell prescription medications in certain countries. One examples of this is the herb St.John's Wort which outsells antidepressants in Germany. St. John's Wort is thought to boost serotonin levels in the brain thus providing a natural form of depression help.

Other herbs which have shown promise in providing help for depression are passion flower and ginkgo biloba and to a lesser degree basil, black hellebore, clove, ginger, oat straw, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

In conclusion depression help can come in many different forms. If you do decide to treat your depression naturally first clear it with your doctor and then make sure to remember give the natural remedy time to take effect.

Whatever choice you make, perseverance and patience in exploring the options on your list of depression medications will in time lead you to the depression help you are seeking and ultimately a happier, healthier life.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To discover more about depression along with information about safe and effective herbal and homeopathic depression remedies Click Here

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