Can you Fight a Depression Without Help of a Doctor?
Depression was once regarded as a mere figment of a person's imagination, but today it is recognized as a genuine medical issue. In many cases, years of therapy and treatment are needed in order to overcome it. Millions of people suffer from depression, and most cases resolve themselves within weeks. While more severe cases require medical intervention, less serious cases respond well to alternative treatments. Here are some ways to fight the occasional bout of depression without seeing a doctor.
Natural hormone sources.
It's been shown that depression affects three times the number of women than men. A study in Psychology Press from 2005 pinpoints the role that hormonal imbalance may play. To naturally combat these fluctuations, choose foods that are rich in phytoestrogens, such as alfalfa sprouts, soy milk, garbanzo beans and barley. When eaten as part of a balanced diet, this type of food may reduce hormone-caused depression (especially in women entering/going through menopause). One exception to this rule is post-partum depression; it always requires the care of a physician.
Alternative physical treatments.
Some who suffer from depression find great relief from meditation, massage, yoga, acupressure and acupuncture. Moreover, chiropractic adjustments have also been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression. The relief given by these alternative treatments is almost always temporary in nature, so patients must continue the treatment in order to keep seeing results.
Changes in diet.
It's well known that the food a person eats can contribute to their chances of suffering from depression. Start by keeping a log of the foods you eat, and write down how you feel after you've eaten them. By doing this, you can find out which foods cause you to feel depressed. Cutting back on sugar-filled and highly processed foods can eliminate the blood-sugar spikes that cause unstable insulin levels in the body. Some foods known to cause depression in people are caffeine, pesticide-laden produce, and pasteurized dairy. However, there's no clear list of foods that universally cause depression, so logging food is vital in determining what your triggers are.
Exercise regularly.
This may seem counterintuitive- after all, when you are depressed, the last thing you feel like doing is getting up and working out. However, even a quick walk can release endorphins into your bloodstream, temporarily boosting your mood. Any physical activity that raises your heart rate for twenty minutes or longer will do this, and you will feel much better afterward. Choose activities that you like, so that you'll stick with the program. Exercise may minimize the chances of a future bout of depression.