Depression is a psychological condition that affects people everywhere. You may have a co-worker or even a boss that suffers from this affliction. Perhaps a member of your family has been diagnosed with some form of this disorder. Maybe you suffer from depression.

The condition is characterized by moodiness, sadness, negative thoughts and irritability. But depression has many other symptoms as well. It can manifest in physical symptoms such as frequent headaches or insomnia. The opposite can occur; for instance, the afflicted individual may sleep for prolonged periods of time, perhaps not even getting out of bed unless necessary or remaining in pajamas all day. He or she may overeat or eat very little, usually claiming to have no appetite. A person suffering from depression may lack energy and be tired all of the time. Depression can cause suicidal thoughts, poor judgment, unusual behavior and an inability to concentrate.

In some individuals obsessive crying may result and/or withdrawal, a tendency to close themselves off from others. There are different types of depression from normal depression that results from a loss such as death of a loved one to more severe types such as manic depression otherwise known as bipolar disorder. It is important to note that although it is normal for a person to suffer from depression following a loss, grief that seems to last extremely long is a sign of more severe depression and it may be best for the person to seek help such as grief counseling. Depression may go undiagnosed if an afflicted person does not seek help or does not realize that he or she may be affected by depression and feels no need for assistance.

Those individuals that suffer from more severe types of depression or those compounded with other disorders such as schizophrenia may hear voices, be hyperactive and/or experience extreme moods of highs and lows. Although psychotherapy and drugs such as lithium have been used to treat manic-depressive conditions, more people are beginning to look to alternative medicine such as acupuncture and herbal treatments.

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese therapy used to relieve pain and treat illness by inserting fine needles through the skin for a specified amount of time. The life force or chi is believed to flow through the body along meridians or lines. The needles are inserted along these lines in an effort to improve the condition. Acupuncture has been successful in relieving many conditions including depression and other emotional and mental disorders. Although it is not really understood how acupuncture works, it is thought there may be a connection between the needles and blood flow to the brain and central nervous system.

Some herbs such as St. John's Wort, Valerian and Lemon Balm have been credited with treating depression. Valerian has been helpful in relieving stress, tension and anxiety. It has a calming and sedative effect and has been used to induce restful sleep. St. John's Wort has been used to alleviate depression and other mental conditions. Lemon Balm is also an anti-depressant. Be certain to use caution when using herbal remedies. It is best to use commercially prepared herbal remedies if you are not familiar with using herbs for medicinal purposes. Some herbs are poisonous and many can be toxic if taken in high doses. There are some herbs such as St. John's Wort that may not interact well with certain prescription drugs. If you are taking prescribed medications you should consult your physician before starting any herbal treatment.

It is not necessary to view alternative therapies as a replacement for conventional medicine but rather as a complement to it instead. Many physicians are more open to other options and medicinal methods than before. After all, conventional medicine and alternative medicine share a common goal to alleviate pain, heal sickness and restore the patient to the best possible state of health.

Author: Darlene Zagata