Pharmaceutical antidepressants are known to have a wide range of side effects that range from insomnia to worsened depression and even suicidal thoughts. Because of these potentially severe side effects, many patients have begun looking for safer more natural alternatives that don’t involve the ongoing use of toxic and potentially harmful antidepressants. Contrary to common misconception there are actually many ways to treat depression, and sometimes it can be as simple as making a few life changes or adjusting your diet or behavior. Every person’s cause for depression is different, so treating them all with the same prescription medications doesn’t really make sense, especially when the potential side effects could make their depression even more difficult to deal with. In the following paragraphs we’ll go over a few ways to treat depression without antidepressants:
1. Improved Diet and Frequent Exercise
Eating more fruits and vegetables and staying hydrated can help improve virtually any mental or physical condition that may be causing or exacerbating your depression. In many cases depression is caused by hormonal imbalances or deficiencies that result in mood swings, irritability and other psychological effects. Correcting your nutritional intake and making sure your body is well-hydrated on an ongoing basis is a good way to keep you feeling upbeat, alert, and logical, all of which will help you conquer your depressive qualities in the long-term. Exercising has also been shown to release endorphins that fight feelings of depression instantly.
2. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
In some cases, the patient really does have a chemical imbalance in their brain and/or a deficiency or neurological issue that is causing them to be chemically depressed on an ongoing basis. In such cases, treatment is required, but pharmaceutical antidepressants are not the only answer. In recent years, scientists have been investigating a new depression treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This is a relatively new type of neuro therapy that has been approved by the FDA and has been shown to enhance the efforts of depression patients who are trying to focus on building a healthy outlook. TMS therapy, such as that provided by Smart Brain and Health, has been shown to have none of the same horrible side effects as antidepressants.
3. Being More Social
Studies have shown that social activity increases happiness levels and fights of depression by giving the person an outlet to express themselves and release emotional buildup. Socializing also opens the door for emotionally beneficial activities like laughing, sharing, and entertainment, all of which should be included in any good anti-depression regimen. While online social networking can be good for this, studies have shown that physical interaction with friends and meeting people in person is even more effective at fending off depressing thoughts, which often stem from feelings of loneliness.
Stay the Course
In closing, we should emphasize that all of the above treatments can be used effectively by most people who are struggling with depression. However, if you really want to see lasting results that will make a difference in your life, you’ll need to stay the course and stick with whatever anti depression program you’ve decided upon. At the same time, be very diligent about researching any treatments before committing, and start with the more natural approach first to see if simple lifestyle changes can correct your problem.
