Psychiatrists Treat Depression And Stress Related Mental Health Issues With Naturalistic Treatment Programs
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011Despite the fact that statistics say that clinical depression affects about five percent of the American population, that figure is probably greatly underestimated. The simple truth is, thousands of people suffer depression and stress related mental conditions but are either incorrectly diagnosed or never ask for support or treatment. For those who do, however, there is great news in the form of short-term cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and naturalistic depression treatments.
Among the latter are herbal medicines, homeopathy, yoga, aromatherapy, acupuncture and similar non-traditional, non-pharmaceutical remedies. Several well-recognized studies have demonstrated that certain herbs act in much the same way as chemical medications, balancing both neurotransmitters and hormones, with excellent results but without the sometimes incapacitating side effects or withdrawal symptoms linked to prescription anti-depressants.
The leaves and flowers of St. John’s Wort, a plant found in both Europe and North America, have been used to combat depression for centuries both here and overseas. Another widely used plant is the West African Griffonia Simplicifolia, whose seeds are used to make 5-HTP or 5-Hydroxytryptophan. This natural treatment helps produce tryptophan, the amino acid that makes you feel so content and drowsy after a turkey dinner and which leads to the production of serotonin, the body’s own cure for depression.
SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) and folic acid have also been discovered to be effective in curing mild to moderate depression, particularly when combined with CBT, as practiced by the many New York City psychiatrists who specialize in this form of therapy. While herbal additives are being used by more of the population every single day, most of the population is not informed enough to effectively self-prescribe, so it is generally unwise to take any of the aforementioned herbs with or instead of prescribed pharmaceutical anti-depressants, nor without prior consultation with a therapist.
However, regular exercise, yoga and meditation have been found to be of great help for physical and mental well being, and are being prescribed, not just by your general practitioner, but also by some psychiatrists as a treatment for depression and stress relief..
For those who are either already being treated for a stress related mental condition or who are in the process of seeking depression treatment, inquiring into the pros and cons of a naturalistic treatment program is a good idea. By all means, get active physically if you are able to do so. However, it is important to remember that this is rarely an “either-or” situation. Self-medication, by means of either natural or homeopathic remedies, should never replace regular treatment by a trained, certified medical professional. If regular pharmaceutical medications are prescribed, asking about naturalistic remedies instead of pharmaceuticals may prove to be the best step you can take toward recovery.
Reproduction permitted only when all active hyperlinks are included. 2011 All Rights Reserved.
Healthy Betty’s Panic Attack Resources
Relavant Panic Attack Resources
Stop Panic Attacks | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
S&A Handout design B
Natural Treatment for Anxiety and Panic Attacks