Natural antidepressants

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I am really glad that you have decided to look at natural antidepressants, incl. herbal antidepressants.  I suspect you don't like the idea of taking antidepressant medication prescribed by your doctor at all.  Alternatively, you are on antidepressants and they don't help or cause even more problems.

However, before we start, you may want to know more about depression itself.  If so, hop ove to signs of clinical depression and depression questionnaire (see links below) , I will be here when you return.

Antidepressant medication can have some nasty side effects.  Natural antidepressants or natural remedies for depression are the better option in terms of sort- and long-term benefits as well as safety.  However, they still contain substances that have an effect on your brain though (and the rest of your body), so choose wisely.

At least, by taking natural antidepressant, you won't be exposing yourself to numerous - depressing - side effects from medication your doctor may want to prescribe (see below).   I am going to give you ideas for what you can take.  You will need to continue to research for yourself - just by following the links I have provided.  You need to feel happy with the natural remedies for depression you decide to take.

Also, lack of sleep is one of the warning signs for depression, so I won't be surprised if you are interested in: Sleep better forever (see newsletter sign-up)

Whatever you swallow affects on your brain and body

Everything you swallow provides the raw material (or not) for the production of  hormones, peptides, neurotransmitters, etc in your body - all that stuff that ensures that our body does what it is supposed to do.  These substances have an effect on all processes in your body, not just those in your head.  That is why tablets dished up by the pharmaceutical companies have some 'unexpected' side-effects.  Therefore you also have to be choosy about your natural remedies for depression.

In addition, the foods you eat (or don't eat) have an effect on how you feel mentally and emotionally.  It is vital to make sensible food choices. Good quality food contains all the natural ingredients for the production of those substances mentioned.  We need proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.  We need them in a particular combination. (Future articles planned)

To treat that depression of yours naturally, I recommend The Depression Free Method.  This is the method that helps you get back into the driving-seat, rather than rely on your doctor, therapist, antidepressant medication to sort you out.  That means that you have the best chance of preventing a relaps in the future.

You have within you all the resources you need to get better - I so much hope that you don't allow anyone else, however well qualified, to tell you anything different.

Lies and medical research

I strongly recommend that you read this article in the Huffington Post: Lies, Damn Lies and Medical Research.

Please consult your health-care provider/physician to discuss the information I have provided before taking remedies or supplements of any kind.

Best natural antidepressants

I have listed the best herbal/natural antidepressants - read on to learn about them all.  Please be aware that the material on this site is presented as information only, not as medical advice.

General guidelines on supplements/herbal treatments

I would really like you to visit the website of the Institute of Optimum Nutrition (ION) for general guidelines on supplementation first of all.  Do a search of the suggested supplements and herbal antidepressants below.  This is to help you understand why I suggest them.  It will also ensure that you are informed about your particular condition and any potential problems and drug interactions.

All of these can be part of your strategy of dealing with your depression with natural remedies.  There is much more you need to do if you want to be beating your depression.  I so hope that you will really think about all that stuff that led up to your depression.

Do also read Dr Peter Breggins books about the problem with antidepressant medications and the lack of proper research into the effects of antidepressants and their long-term use.  I certainly was shocked to find how little they are tested before they are prescribed!

Herbal antidepressants

Taking herbal remedies for depression does not deal with the underlying cause.  These herbs can still be considered 'psychotropic' drugs.  They have an effect on your brain (and other parts of your body).

• St. John’s Wort - consult your doctor if you are any taking medication! This is one of the best herbal antidepressants, but you should not take it if you are already on antidepressants.
• Ginkgo biloba - maybe helpful for elderly people
• Damiana - traditionally used, but not researched
• Vervain - traditionally used, but not researched

Nutritional supplements

These are naturally occuring substances in your body.  If your diet is poor, you are stressed, have health problems, food sensitivities/allergies, take medication, you may be deficient of particular vitamins and/or minerals.  Deficiencies of those in this list are known to contribute to mental health problems.

Follow the links to learn more about the following supplements:

• Vit B 6 - particularly if you are on the contraceptive pill
  
• Vit B12
• Vitamin D
• Folic acid
• 5-HTP
• Iron
• Fish oil - one of the best supplements to support your mental well-being as well as your physical well-being.  Let's face it - the two go utterly hand-in-hand. For vital information, see fish oil and depression and omega-3 side effects.  Omega-3 is one of the best natural antidepressants!
  
  

  

The safest, most effective 'supplementation' comes from eating the right foods of course.  However, the right foods aren't always available or you may not get the right intake of nutrients for a number of other reasons.

So, the message is: think again when you are just about to eat another icecream, cake, sweet, doughnut, bagel, crisps, chips, lumps of bread, etc..  These provide only 'empty' calories - they fill you up, but don't provide the nutrients you need.  Think: fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, olives, fermented foods (such as kefir, sourkraut).  Cut right down on grains.  That way all the nutrients work together to provide you just what you need.

If you do decide to take supplements (and I take some), then ensure that you get them from a trusted source.  So, supplementation can be a really good idea.  Be aware though: cheap supplements are often not of a chemical composition that your body recognises.  Even if it does recognise it, it may not be able to absorb it very well.  Also other nutrients are needed for your body to be able to utilise the vitamins or minerals you want to supplement.

Thyroid supplements

Low thyroid function: ask your doctor for advice, blood tests and if necessary medication.  You may not need any natural antidepressants/herbal antidepressants at all!  To learn more about thyroid hormone, and what natural remedies you can take, start with this article. 

Discover if you are deficient of iodine and need iodine supplementation - see: wrongdiagnosis.com.

Homeopathic remedies for depression

Your best option is to visit a qualified homeopath, who will treat the ‘whole’ of you.  Your experience of what depression is will differ from that of someone else's.  Homeopathy treats every condition based on the individual's expression of symptoms.

However, ABC Homeopathy gives you the opportunity to submit your particular signs and symptoms online.  You are then directed to homeopathic remedies that would suit you.

Light treatment for depression

There was a time in history when there was only natural light - or darkness - no artificial light at all.  Our daily internal cycles were dictated only by the naturally available light.  Consider for a moment how out of tune you/your body might be with this natural rhythm! Think about how you may have developed a rhythm of life completely out of tune with what your body should be/wants to do naturally.

Properly timed rhythms regulate your sleep/wake cycle, your mood, appetite and digestion, and your energy levels.

These daily internal cycles called ‘Circadian Rhythms’.

If your circadian rhythm is disordered, you may be suffering from symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Bearing in mind all the functions that light helps to regulate, how useful would it be for you to pay attention to that?  Light 'supplementation' can really help with SAD and non-seasonal depression.

• UK - Light boxes
• US - Light boxes

Self hypnosis

Self hypnosis is a great way of tackling your symptoms of depression, as well as any underlying problems.  It is safe, effective, relaxing and ever-so-easy.

You can start to deal with your depression right now.  It takes the minimum of effort (I understand how difficult it can be to motivate yourself right now!)  I have also interviewed the Director of HypnosisDownloads - see Hypnosis Online FAQ.

If you are still unsure about hypnosis - check out my page: Self hypnosis instruction

Don't just stop taking antidepressants

Conventional antidepressant medication should not suddenly be stopped.

Ensure that you are well-informed and have the right kind of medical support when you want to come off the antidepressant medication and replace them with natural mood lifters or herbal antidepressants.  Taking natural antidepressants may be the right way forward, but be sure that you not just stop taking your prescribed antidepressants.

When you know and understand what you are dealing with, you are more likely to be successful.  This is particularly so if you have been taking antidepressant medications for a long time.  Your brain will have made changes to adapt to the presence of antidepressants.  Coming off antidepressant medication can be really difficult, but I would encourage you to go for it, as it is not as safe as you may have been led to believe.

The effects of getting off antidepressant medication are such that you and your doctor may think that you have not recovered from your original problem.  Use all the information on my site to help you recover relying on your own resources and your own choices.

Side effects of antidepressants - why they are not safe

You can become depressed for, what on the surface appears to be, ‘no reason’ at all.  It could also be that you have experienced a traumatic event in your life.  Either way, you can feel really scared and out of control.

You are likely to want to take just about anything to make you feel better.  Certainly many doctors will have neither the knowledge and/or the time to explore anything else with you than antidepressant medication.  I so hope that you will do yourself the favour of making sure that you understand what you are taking.

You are less likely to have a relapse down the line when you feel empowered to sort out the problems yourself - self-help can be hugely effective and won't have all the unpleasant antidepressant side effects.

Why take alternative treatments for depression?  Here is why - including side effects.

Antidepressant medications:

1. increase your feeling of being out of control
2. increase your dependence on outside sources of help
3. don’t deal with the real problem
4. don’t help you to meet your emotional needs
5. make it more likely that you have a relapse in the future
6. are only 3% more effective than a placebo (even that is questionable, as most people in studies know that they are on a antidepressant and not a placebo - on account of the side effects)
7. can cause sleep problems
8. can increase agitation
9. can cause sexual problems such as decreased libido (which of course may cause relationship problems - very depressing!)
10. may cause unpleasant withdrawal effects
11. can cause permanent damage in your brain
12. permanent damage includes for example movement disorders
13. may cause rapid weight gain, constipation, diarrhea

... to name but a few - and all so very depressing!  So, consider do the alternatives.  The very best antidepressant is making sure that you meet your essential emotional needs.  Only you can do that, but it means that you are in charge and don't have to rely on a 'foreign' substance prescribed or not.

Additional help

You may be reluctant to see a counsellor or psychotherapist.  Perhaps you have not been able to find one that you feel happy with.  Do visit my page on how to find a counsellor and have another go at finding the right person for you.  I hope to have made it a little easier to find a good counsellor, by giving you a list of questions to ask.

However, if you would rather not go for counselling, here is an alternative:  End Your Depression Programme.  With this programme it is entirely possible to cure yourself from depression.  Let's face it - you have nothing to lose.  If you have read all there is on this page, you are really committed to doing something about your depression, do go right ahead and start sorting it no

Finally

You can absolutely overcome that depression without any medication with nasty side effects, by using natural remedies for depression if you have to.  Natural antidepressants or mood lifters for depression will help - in particular omega 3.  However, I would really like you to ensure that you are also meeting your essential emotional needs.

You may also be interested in:	Food affects you mood!
Signs of clinical depression Depression questionnaire Natural depression treatments Natural sleep remedies Relationship problem advice Getting over a relationship Physical effects of sleep deprivation The biggest causes of stress Bored with life

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Other helpful links:

Natural news - Antidepressants promote rapid weight gain
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine - St John's Wort
WSJ - Placebo - why it works

Images courtesy of: 1 Dorata Kaszczyszyn; 2 Steve Knight; 3 Tinplace

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