Alternative Treatments for Depression

It is natural to avoid admitting you might have a mental health condition that needs to be treated professionally. Most of us humans have a certain pride about being able to manage our lives, and having a mental health disorder, such as major depression, just doesn’t fit that scenario. Acknowledging that we need help with our depression can make us feel we are incapable of handling life.

On the contrary, reaching out for help to get depression under control demonstrates courage and a proactive approach toward resolving a problem that is negatively impacting your life. Getting treatment for depression means you value your life and want to improve the quality of it. You may, however, have concerns about the standard approach to treating depression with antidepressants. If this is the case, why not explore the various alternative treatments for depression that exist today.

Natural Depression Treatments

When you are just beginning to address your symptoms of depression, why not first attempt a natural approach. By adopting some new healthy lifestyle habits, you may experience significant improvements in mood and energy level. Some of the natural alternative treatments for depression include:

Diet

There is ample evidence that eating a “Mediterranean” diet can benefit brain health and overall mood. The Mediterranean diet includes fish, chicken eggs, lean red meat, raw nuts, unsweetened daily, whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes, and olive oil. By incorporating these dietary choices into the majority of your meal planning, you may indeed feel the symptoms of depression fade away.

Supplements

There are certain dietary supplements that can assist in improving mood, sleep quality, and energy levels. These include:

John’s Wort
SAMe
5-HTP
Vitamin D
Omega 3
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B12
Folate
Vitamin C
Magnesium

Exercise

There is a reason for the term “runner’s high.” When we engage in moderate cardio-based exercise for 20-30 minutes our bodies begin to release certain chemicals called endorphins, triggering a feel-good response and increased energy. By engaging in moderate intensity physical activity 5 times a week, the positive results are multifold, from increased self-esteem, to better sleep quality, and improved mood—as well as the physical benefits of regular exercise.

Holistic Treatments for Depression

In addition to talk therapy, which can be very beneficial in rooting out the underlying emotional issues that may underlie the depression, engaging in holistic therapies can enhance self-exploration. Also, holistic practices boost relaxation and diminish stress, both impacting mood in a positive way. Some holistic therapies that help with depression include:

Mindfulness training
Yoga
Guided meditation
Acupuncture
Massage therapy

TMS as an Alternative Treatment for Depression

Possibly you have tried antidepressants and either couldn’t tolerate the side effects or found they did little to alleviate the symptoms of depression. In the event of being medication-resistant, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an exciting new brain stimulation therapy making huge inroads in treating stubborn depression. TMS Therapy was FDA cleared in 2008 for treating individuals who found no relief from their depression with antidepressants. Since then, thousands of individuals who had given up hope of ever feeling good again are now experiencing a renewed joy in life.

TMS is noninvasive, safe, and requires no sedation making it very well tolerated by clients. TMS uses magnetic pulses that penetrate the scalp and stimulate the brain cells that have become dormant, a common finding in depressed patients. Over a period of 4-6 weeks, the TMS therapy can balance brain chemistry and improve overall mood, concentration, quality of sleep, and energy level.

Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry Offers TMS as an Alternative Treatment for Depression

Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry is a premier provider of TMS therapy for depression and anxiety, serving Southern California. Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry offers not only TMS therapy, but also talk therapy and some holistic therapies for a multimodal alternative approach to treating major depression. For more information about alternative treatments for depression, contact Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry at (888) 503-1549.

Alternative Treatments for Depression