How to Treat Depression with Natural Anxiety Remedies?

If you have been feeling sad and anxious for the last few weeks and have not taken interest in your favorite hobbies or activities you may be suffering from depression and anxiety. Depending on the type and level of your depression and anxiety you may be able to use one of the many natural anxiety remedies. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to take a prescription when you are struggling with more than the normal blues or worries. In fact you do not even have to take natural anxiety remedies such as herbals. In addition to herbals there are a number of vitamins, and other natural remedies you can use to get depression and anxiety under control.

Herbal Treatments

If you are struggling with a great deal of worry and stress, this can wear you down very quickly. While many of the natural anxiety remedies work very well they take time to work, and if your depression and anxiety are becoming overwhelming you may not have time to wait for a remedy to do it's job. Herbal remedies can help to relax, calm, and sooth nerves and muscles, as well as work as mood elevators to get you the relief you need. This gives you time to work on the cause of the depression with a therapist or using other natural anxiety remedies.

The most popular herbal natural anxiety remedies are those that elevate mood such as St. John's Wort, 5HTP and SAMe. Valerian, chamomile, passionflower, hops, lavender, and skullcap are the most popular natural anxiety remedies, but are also used to help treat depression. They can sooth a nervous stomach, relax muscles, and help with insomnia.

Cognitive Therapy

Therapy has long been one of the most effective natural anxiety remedies, but available treatments have significantly improved over the years, and have become the front line defense for a drug free recovery from both depression and anxiety. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy has been studied by a number of researchers including the psychologists from the University of Exeter. Studies have proven that this marriage between meditation and cognitive therapy is just as effective if not more effective than other traditional and natural anxiety remedies. During eight sessions patients are taught the technique and then instructed to use it at home. Sessions consist of 30 minutes daily. What makes this type natural anxiety remedies so effective is that the likelihood of relapse is much lower than it is with medication.

Eating Healthy and Exercise

While eating healthy and exercising may not in and of itself cure a depression, they are natural anxiety remedies that can be used with any other treatments. These steps will only enhance any other treatments you use, allowing you to gain control over depression and anxiety much faster. There is no magic diet for depression, but most people who are depressed let their diet go. Eating better and giving your body better nutrition will naturally help you to feel better.

Exercise on the other hand, can have a real effect on depression and anxiety. Not only will exercising boost self-esteem and self-confidence, but it also produces endorphins which are feel good chemicals that can boost your mood.

Depression and anxiety are disorders that can take control of your life, unless you take control of it first. With the right natural anxiety remedies, such as herbal and nutritional supplements, therapy, and self-care, you can recover from depression and anxiety and do so without having to take long term drugs and run the risk of relapses. Natural anxiety remedies are meant to provide a long term solution without the serious side effects of traditional medications.

Different Types of Depression

Most people are unaware of the fact there are a number of different types of depression. However according to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are several and many are discovered as the doctor begins treating anxiety issues for a patient. The reason for this is that in many cases, treating anxiety involves very similar therapies, medications or holistic treatments, to those used to treat depression.

Major Depression

One of the reasons why treating anxiety and treating major depression can be similar is that the symptoms of both are closely related. While depression does involve the person feeling sad, alone, or hopeless, these are only one part of the overall picture. Among the other common symptoms are issues such as fatigue, sleeping too much or not enough, loss of interest in family and friends, and excessive worry. All of these are symptoms can be seen when treating anxiety, and can often be treated using the same techniques.

Chronic Depression

Chronic depression or as it is clinically known, Dysthymia also has a number of similar symptoms such as those seen when treating anxiety. This particular form of depression is diagnosed as one which has been ongoing for a long time, often one to two years or more. Many of the symptoms associated with this form of depression are very similar to those seen in someone diagnosed with major depression. However, the patient does not exhibit enough of them to be diagnosed with the major form of this disorder. To a certain extent the patient can be helped using many of the techniques used in treating anxiety.

Atypical Depression

The symptoms of atypical depression are very much like those found with anxiety disorders. These can include overeating, sometimes referred to as "nervous eating", bouts of excessive fatigue, inability to sleep or sleep too much, and being overly sensitive to rejection by your peers. Exposure to any number of different events can trigger an episode in much the same way as those who suffer from an anxiety disorder. Doctors often find that treating an anxiety disorder and atypical depression take the same route and generally achieve the same basic results.

Typical or Regular Depression

This is one step past what most people would refer to as a case of the "blues". It is described as when a person seems to have an all pervading feeling of sadness they can't seem to shake off. Among the most common additional symptoms are avoiding others, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, and a loss of their appetite. These are very similar to the symptoms seen when treating an anxiety disorder. Patients tend to respond very well to the same methods of treatment, including natural herbs as well as mind and body exercises.

Manic Depression

Manic depression or as it is also referred to, bipolar disorder, may be one of the most complicated forms of depression. There are two forms, type I in which the person must have had at least one manic episode, and type II, in which they must have had at least one manic episode and one episode of major depression. Neither of these can be treated in quite the same way as treating anxiety if you are planning to use medication. In many instances however a person can gain some level of control and maintain a more even functional level with the use of mind and body practices.

Natural Methods of Treating Anxiety and Depression

For many years the only treatment offered for the different types of depression have been a laundry list of anti-depressants and when needed anti-psychotics. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies have long known about the potentially deadly side effects of many of these drugs. New techniques for the treatment of depression have been learned by observing the way mental health professionals had begun treating anxiety patients. This includes methods such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and the use of herbal treatments such as St. John's Wort, Kava, and Passionflower, all of which are used in treating anxiety.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is also known as clinical depression, unipolar disorder, or recurrent depression. It is a mental illness that affects a person’s ability to sleep, work, study, or enjoy the company of friends and family. In many cases Major Depressive Disorder is also accompanied by anxiety disorders. Major Depressive Disorder as well as anxiety disorders are not something that can be “snapped out of”. It requires long term treatment in the form of counseling, medication or other treatments. If left untreated it can lead to self-harm or even suicide. Most people who undergo treatment for depression and anxiety disorders are often able to resume normal, happy, healthy lives.

Symptoms of MDD

The symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety disorders can be more than just emotional. Symptoms can also be physical or mental. Emotional symptoms range from irritability, feelings of hopelessness, deep sadness, inappropriate guilt and regret, to lack of self-esteem and the loss of enjoyment in normally pleasurable activities. People who have depression or anxiety disorders will often times feel that life is not worth living. Physical symptoms include headaches, lethargy, tense muscles, or loss of appetite. In some cases Major Depressive Disorder or anxiety disorders can have strong effects on a person’s mental state by causing unpleasant hallucinations, delusions, poor memory, or the inability to concentrate.

Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder

Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder is based off of a person’s self-reported experiences, a mental status examination, and behaviors reported by friends and family. During the diagnosis process a qualified medical or mental health provider will ask a patient a series of questions to help determine whether or not the patient has Major Depressive Disorder or other anxiety disorders.

A person is diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder if they meet the diagnosis requirements laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. In order to be diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder a patient must have had at least one major depressive episode. A major depressive episode is described as a period of at least two weeks where the patient has experienced a persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure. In addition to feelings of depression a patient must experience at least five of the following symptoms on a near daily basis. The symptoms of both major depression and anxiety disorders are insomnia/hypersomnia, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, diminished ability to think or concentrate, depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, significant weight loss/gain (when not dieting), either observable slowing of thoughts and movement, or the opposite, observable agitation, or recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

Although there is no official laboratory test to diagnose Major Depressive Disorder, physicians and mental health providers often have a patient undergo an examination to check for a physical condition that may cause some of the same symptoms as Major Depressive Disorder or anxiety disorders. Symptoms that resemble Major Depressive Disorder can be brought about through physical injury such as head trauma or automobile accidents.

Treatment Options

There are a wide variety of treatment options for people suffering from Major Depressive Disorder or other anxiety disorders. Treatment options vary from antidepressant medications, herbal supplements to therapy or counseling. In many cases a combination of prescription medications and counseling is prescribed.

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) and Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs). These medications alter the brains ability to absorb certain chemicals and have moderate side effects. Herbal supplements are an alternative to prescription medication. The most commonly taken herbal supplements are St. John’s Wort and Magnolia Bark. These supplements are not approved by the FDA to treat depression and anxiety disorders but have been used for centuries to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Therapy sessions allow a patient to speak to a counselor about issues that may be causing depression and begin to understand and overcome them.

Major Depressive Disorder or other anxiety disorders can have a serious effect on day to day life. Seeking proper treatment is the first step in regaining control of the situation and resuming a normal life. It is important to research treatment options as well as evaluate depression levels. With the proper treatment, it is possible to resume a normal, happy, and healthy life.

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

Depression in all of its various forms is considered to be the most common type of mental disorder in the world today. It is estimated that approximately 340 million people around the globe are currently suffering from the symptoms of clinical depression. What is surprising is the high number of people who are never diagnosed, yet could significantly benefit from natural depression relief.

Everyone Is at Risk

During the course of the average person's life, we are all at risk of suffering from one or more of the symptoms of clinical depression, most if not all of which can be helped using some form of natural depression relief. While depression is far more prevalent in women, it also occurs in men. Approximately 25 percent of women and 10 percent of men are affected, among teenagers the number is estimated to be approximately 5 percent. Of these, the vast majority could overcome the disorder with regular use of some form of natural depression relief.

One of the most important steps which should be taken is to determine if you are suffering from situational depression or if you are truly exhibiting the symptoms of clinical depression. Situational depression is considered a normal reaction to events which are occurring around you. These can often be easily overcome with natural depression relief.

This form of depression can follow stressful events in your life, major illnesses or a death in your family, or the loss of a job. Experts suggest that instead of ignoring these feelings, you use natural depression relief techniques to help you work your way out of feeling depressed. 

Clinical Depression Is More Severe

• Clinical depression on the other hand is a medical diagnosis with well defined symptoms. Among these are a sullen or sad mood, feelings of anxiety, guilt or hopelessness, changes in eating and sleeping habits, loss of interest in those things which were once pleasurable, fatigue, and a loss in your ability to concentrate. There are various forms of natural depression relief which can be used alone or in combination which can help.

• There are a number of known causes of clinical depression, many of which can stem from situational events such as a death in the family. The problem is that for a number of people the level of depression continues to escalate and will continue unabated for a long period of time. In the end if you do not seek help or make use of one or more types of natural depression relief, the depression begins to affect your overall mental health.

Current Thoughts and Natural Depression Relief

The mainstream current thought with regard to the causes of depression in the medical world is that it may stem from an imbalance within the chemistry of the brain. Sadly, most medical and psychiatric doctors believe the only way to treat the symptoms of clinical depression is with any one of a number of drugs, rather than turning to natural depression relief.

While it is entirely possible a chemical imbalance may be partially at fault, new research suggests clinical depression may also be the result of disordered biochemistry within the brain. Along with this, a growing number of experts in the field of mental disorders have begun to take a serious interest in a wide range of different types of natural depression relief. Among these are lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Many naturopathic doctors also recommend a number of natural supplements including B vitamins, SAMe, St, John's Wort, and fish oil, which is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. These can be combined with relaxation techniques such as meditation for one of the most complete and successful forms of natural depression relief available.

Depression Disorders

Depression Signs and Symptoms

We all have normal ups and downs in life, and times when we feel a bit blue. Depression disorders however are when blues goes to a deep sense of sadness or emptiness that does not go away. When depression disorders take hold, day to day functioning becomes more difficult, and in some cases depending on the severity of the depression, it may come to a grinding halt. Feelings of being overwhelmed or of despair take hold and leave a person either trying to avoid the pain of depression, or leave them desperate for a solution or end to their pain.

Understanding Depression

Not all sadness you feel can be labeled as one of the many depression disorders. The loss of a loved one may leave you grieving, or the loss of a boyfriend may make you deeply sad. These are completely normal reactions, and are not necessarily signs of depression disorders. When one of the many setbacks or disappointments in life make you sad, working through them and getting back to life may take a bit of time, but it is entirely possible to do. It is when you get stuck in a never ending cycle of emptiness and despair that you may be suffering from one of the depression disorders and may need more help.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression

How depression disorders affect an individual person will vary, but there are a number of common symptoms that are the same across all depression disorders and most people. It is important to remember that because you have one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have clinical depression. The type and depth of depression you have is dictated by the length of time and the intensity of the symptoms you have. Most doctors will also look for a minimum of five of the common symptoms of depression before they diagnose you with this any of the depression disorders.

• Feelings of Despair or Emptiness - This may also manifest as a deep sadness, feeling helpless, or without hope. It may feel like you are in a deep dark hole and there is no way out. There may seem to be no resolution to these feelings and those with depression disorders may feel trapped.

• Lack of Desire to Engage in a Hobby or Activity - Most of us have a hobby or something we really like to do. When you stop taking time for those activities it is typically because you have lost the ability to enjoy the activity or to feel happiness or pleasure. You may also lack the energy or motivation to put forth the effort an activity requires.

• Changes in Eating Habits - Another major sign of depression disorders is changes in weight or in eating habits. This will be different for individual people, some will stop eating and lose weight, while others may overeat. Others may continue to eat but take little interest in the types of foods they eat, and eat poorly. A change of more than five percent body weight in less than a month is an indicator that you might be suffering from depression disorders.

• Insomnia or Sleeping Too Much - This will depend on the depression disorders and the person. Manic depression is often accompanied by the inability to sleep, whereas sleeping too much is common for those with severe depression.

• Agitation or Restlessness - Women are most likely to become irritable and nervous, whereas in men depressive disorders most often manifest as anger and restlessness, however any individual can be affected in a myriad of ways. Your ability to tolerate problems or people will be greatly diminished and you may lose your temper quickly.

• Fatigue and Lack of Motivation - You may have no energy, or you may feel completely exhausted all of the time even when you have had plenty of sleep. The smallest tasks may seem overwhelming and beyond your ability to complete.

• A Feeling of Worthlessness - Being angry at yourself, or having a poor self-esteem. You may be hyper critical of everything you do.

• Inability to Focus - You may have a problem when trying to concentrate, and in extreme depression disorders you may suffer from confusion and a poor memory. Decision-making may be difficult due to the inability to focus and a poor self-esteem that makes you doubt all of your abilities.

• Pain - Depression disorders may manifest in physical pain, in the joints and muscles. Nervousness and anxiety may cause you to have stomachaches, and stress may increase the number of headaches you have.

Depression disorders can also lead to thoughts of death and suicide. If you feel like you are in a corner and there is no way out, it may lead to feelings of desperation. There are a number of highly effective treatments for depression disorders, and doctors can help diagnose your depression and help you get the help you need.

Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms

There are different levels of depression disorders and no two people are likely to suffer from the same exact symptoms. Women seem to suffer depression disorders at an approximate ratio of 2:1 compared to men. Doctors estimate that of those who suffer minor or major depressive disorder symptoms, approximately half will seek some form of treatment. Of these people, 80 percent will find relief from their symptoms with the right type of treatment.

How Bad Can it Get?

• Depression is one of the more common yet unusual mental disorders as it can range in severity from a mild case of the "blues", to clinical depression. For the person who reaches this stage of depression disorders, the most common symptoms can include extended feelings of despair and hopelessness, ones that no matter what you do will not go away. 

• If you suffer from major depression disorders, you may find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. Major or clinical depression can make it hard to do your job or study for school. You may find it hard to eat, relax, or sleep. Life can seem to have no meaning to it and in time you will start to retreat from your normal life, leaving friends and family behind. 

• Many people will only suffer from major depression disorders once in their lives, however a large number may find themselves revisiting this place in their lives numerous times over the years. In many instances this level of depression can be hereditary, but in others there may be no family history of depression disorders of any kind.

Who Is Likely to Suffer From Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms?

According to the latest information available from the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 7 percent of the US population suffers from some level of major depression disorders. This is based on those over the age of 18, the report goes on to say that as much as 20 to 25 percent of the population is likely to suffer from at least one episode of major depressive disorders at some point in their lives. These depression disorders can affect people of any age from childhood to seniors, but often goes undiagnosed and as such is left untreated.

Who Is More at Risk, Men or Women?

Studies such as those conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health indicate women are far more at risk of depression disorders than men. This is due to issues such as hormones during puberty, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, miscarriages, and the onset of menopause. Other contributing factors include but are not limited to the stress of trying to balance work and raising a family, taking care of parents as they age, and being a single parent.

What about Men?

While women seem to feel relatively comfortable seeking help for the depression disorders, men are far more reluctant to seek help for major depressive disorder symptoms. Often the only real symptoms men seem to exhibit include excessive anger or irritability, or substance abuse including alcohol and drugs. Most will turn to the latter as a way of hiding the fact they are suffering from depression disorders. Because of this, the incidence of violent behavior, including both homicide and suicide in men tends to be higher.

Treating the Symptoms of a Major Depressive Disorder

Once depression disorders have been diagnosed, there are a range of treatment options available. Many doctors have begun looking more at using natural herbal or botanical therapies combined with several different forms of mind and body exercises such as breathing exercises and meditation combined with natural anti-depressants as they offer excellent relief without the risk of the nasty side effects most pharmaceutical anti-depressants have.

If you think you may be suffering from one of the various levels of depressive disorders, seek help as soon as possible. With the right treatment, you will soon regain control of your life and be able to enjoy your world again.

Clinical Depression Symptoms - What to Watch For?

Most of us will end up with a case of the blues during our lifetime; this is a normal reaction to rapidly changing life events. Clinical depression however is a deeper more persistent problem that does not go away after a few days and is characterized by feelings of hopelessness and despair. There are two basic types of depression disorders, major or unipolar depression, and manic or bipolar depression. While both depression disorders include the same depressive state, bipolar depression also has a manic phase which is characterized by heightened elation and reduced inhibitions.

What is Major or Unipolar Depression?

Of the two depression disorders major depression is the most common. Major depression is characterized by a near constant state of sadness and depressed mood, which persists past a few weeks. Depression disorders differ from mood cycles in that they do not necessarily have a specific cause, and they do not go away when the cause is resolved. An old saying states that time heals all wounds, but in the case of depression disorders the healing process must often be helped along with the appropriate professional help. When a person has been coping with a lengthy bout of depression, and is unable to feel better for any period of time, a trip to the doctor is likely to end up with the diagnosis of clinical depression.

Major Depression Symptoms

While depression disorders vary somewhat, all clinical depressions are characterized by certain symptoms. The following symptoms are the main symptoms a doctor will search for when attempting to diagnose depression disorders. Doctors will look for at least five of these symptoms which the patient has been struggling with for two weeks or more.

• Feelings of intense Sadness

• A very low frustration level and becoming irritable easily

• The inability to have fun or enjoy hobbies

• A lack of interest in sex

• The inability to sleep or sleeping too much

• Poor appetite or overeating

• Unable to concentrate

• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

• Thoughts of suicide or death

Depression disorders are different for different people, the unipolar depression may also include symptoms such as confusion, slowed thinking, or impaired memory. There might be crying spells that have no apparent reason, unexplained pain, and agitation and restlessness. Anxiety might be so high that the person complains that their nerves are "shot" and term used to describe the agitation and sense of heightened awareness that occurs during anxiety and depression. 

What is Manic or Bipolar Depression?

Of the two depression disorders, bipolar disorder is the most difficult to control. This is because the manic phase brings such a sense of euphoria that most people simply do not want to believe there is anything wrong with them. When they do understand that they are suffering from depression disorders, they feel so good that they do not want to come back down from the high they are one. For this reason when people suffer from this type of depression disorder they often refuse medication. Depending on the severity of the depression disorders, they may need to be hospitalized until they are a stable.

Bipolar depression is characterized by two phases. A depressive phase and a manic phase. There is no set time or cycle for these phases, and they can last for hours, days, or weeks.

Bipolar Depression Symptoms

Like other depression disorders, bipolar depression has many of the symptoms of clinical depression during the depressive phase. During the manic phase the symptoms of this depression disorder are quite different.

• High almost unimaginable levels of energy

• Inability or lack of desire to sleep

• Rapid talking and activity

• Increased excitement or irritability

• Inappropriate sexual behavior

• Racing thoughts

• Poor judgment and out of control and impulsive behavior

Depression Disorders Can Be Treated

There are a number of treatments available for depression disorders once they have been properly diagnosed. Psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and in the most serious cases medication can help people to get their lives back on track and help them to overcome the depression disorders which have taken control over their lives.