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Depression
WHAT IT IS & HOW TO TREAT IT
DR. Noor Al Kurashi
Naturopathic Doctor
Overcoming depression and low mood, whether postpartum, in adults, teenagers or children, can feel like an impossible task, especially alone. However, we are here to support you and before going for depression medication, try natural remedies such as supplements, lifestyle changes and nutrition therapy, which can have great results and alleviate the symptoms of depression.
– Dr. Noor Al Kuraishi, ND
How to Tell if You Have Depression?
People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, and can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions. Not everyone experiences depression in the same way. We are all familiar with the mental emotional symptoms of depression, but depression can have many physical symptoms as well.
Common symptoms include:
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping or trouble staying asleep
- Irritability
- Aches and pains
- Anxiety and restlessness
- You are angry or irritable
- Difficulty concentrating or finishing tasks
- Cramps
- Digestive problems
- Fatigue and low energy
- Shame and guilt
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Overeating
- Hopelessness, sadness or emptiness
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
- Persistent thoughts of something bad happening
What Causes Depression?
There are several possible causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial.
The chemical imbalance theory may work for some patients, but for many, the root cause of depression is down to underlying health issues. Investigating these issues, and tackling them directly, can help provide a more permanent solution that medication may be unable to provide.
Common causes include:
- Family history
- Early childhood trauma
- Certain medical conditions such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or ADHD
- Alcohol
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Inflammation and food sensitivities
- Stress and burnout
- Poor diet and nutritional deficiencies
- Change in season
- Hormonal imbalances (PMDD and perimenopause) & low thyroid
- Leaky gut and dysbiosis
- Chronic infections (like Lyme)
Treatments for Depression
The best way to deal with depression is to understand it. The more you understand what causes your symptoms, what they mean, why you struggle with them, and what you can do to stop them, the more you’ll be able to start making real progress on your mood.
If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Embracing a root-cause-based Functional Medicine approach to depression may help you get relief, potentially without the use of antidepressants.
Our practitioners don’t just look at the symptoms but try to dig deeper and find the underlying root cause of a health issue such as depression.
Acupuncture
There have been several studies done about the effects of acupuncture on depression and low mood. Acupuncture works well as a complementary treatment to others interventions.
Supplements
Common supplements that we use to treat anxiety are vitamins and minerals such as B complex, Mineral complexes and Vitamin D; botanicals such as St John’s Wort, Rhodiola and Ashwagandha, and fish oil.
Nutrition
Improving nutrition can improve depression by:
Balancing hormones and blood sugar
Providing nutrients and antioxidants
Reducing inflammation by removing food sensitivities
Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy & Breathwork
Manual therapy like massage and craniosacral therapy can support your nervous system and improve depression by creating a sense of relief, empowerment and mind-body connection. It is best used as a complementary therapy as part of an integrative approach.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle habits like exercise, have been shown to be one of the most effective interventions for depression and low mood.
Other tools that can help depression include stress management, sleep, mindset, meditation and getting out in nature.
Are you struggling with depression?
DISCLAIMER If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.