| More than eleven million people in the United | | | | and meditation are ideal forms of this. |
| States suffer from depression each year. This | | | | |
| medical condition that affects the mind can | | | | Changing lifestyle to promote a better self |
| have lasting effects such as a feeling of | | | | image and naturally adjust chemicals in the |
| hopelessness, lack of ambition and an | | | | body has also proven helpful. Eating a well |
| inability to focus. Depression can affect all | | | | balanced diet and adding supplements such as |
| age groups and genders, but is more prevalent | | | | fish oil, Zinc and B vitamins help regulate |
| in women. Consulting a mental help | | | | depression. Exercising several times each |
| professional such as a psychiatrist is | | | | week is also valuable. Alternate treatments |
| beneficial to obtain proper diagnosis and | | | | such as acupuncture and hypnosis may be |
| treatment. This condition can adversely | | | | beneficial to help alleviate symptoms of |
| affect school, home life and employment. | | | | depression and melds the body, mind and |
| | | | spirit. |
| Most treatments will involve a combination of | | | | |
| drug therapy and natural remedies for a fully | | | | It is important to discuss all treatment |
| balanced physical and emotional state. | | | | options with your physician or psychiatrist |
| Medications will likely involve some form of | | | | to decide on the proper combinations. Each |
| antidepressant drug. The most commonly used | | | | person has different levels of depression and |
| types are: tricyclic, Monoamine oxidase | | | | a treatment plan should be customized to the |
| inhibitors or MAOI's, and selective serotonin | | | | individual. If using supplements or radically |
| reuptake inhibitors or SSRI's. SSRI's have | | | | changing your diet; make sure to inform the |
| become the most popular form for treating | | | | doctor so those can be taken into |
| depression because of the lower risk of side | | | | consideration when developing a treatment |
| effects. These drugs include names such as | | | | plan. |
| Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft. | | | | |
| | | | Depression does not need to negatively affect |
| Therapy is often prescribed with drug | | | | a person's life. With proper treatment, many |
| treatments to help a person come to terms | | | | depressed people live full, happy, successful |
| with issues, symptoms and techniques for | | | | lives. It is important to take action to help |
| dealing with depression. These can be group | | | | minimize depressive tendencies in order to |
| or individual therapy sessions to talk about | | | | allow a better sense of well being and peace. |
| issues. Expression therapy such as dance, art | | | | Using a combination of drug therapies and |
| or music can help articulate deep feelings | | | | natural remedies will bring a balance to |
| and emotions. Relaxation techniques will | | | | mind, body and spirit. |
| assist in bringing focus and serenity. Yoga | | | | |