ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO TREAT DEPRESSION

Depression is a mood disorder that includes group of symptoms like lack of interest in life or constant sadness. It is also known as Clinical depression or Major depressive disorder.

Feeling sad, lonely or detached from surrounding is normal reaction to life struggles, personal loss or injured self-esteem. But when these feelings intensify and last for many days to weeks and interfere in individuals day to day activities it may be something more than sadness. Depression is an ongoing problem, not passing one. For many individuals it is chronic illness which gets better and then relapses.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION ?

There are various factor that can contribute to this condition. The factors are :

• Genetics: Having family history of depression may increase the risk of developing depression
• Medical conditions : Some medical conditions like cancer, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease etc can contribute to depression
• Brain chemistry : Any can in brain’s neuro-trasnsmmiter levels can also lead to development of depression.
• Life events : Tragic events like death of loved ones, isolation, upsetting events and lack of support can cause depression.
• Medications : Certain medications have depression as side effect. Alcohol or drug abuse can also lead to depression.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DEPRESSION ?

Some common types of depression are :

1. Major Depression : Individual has intense symptoms that last from longer than two weeks and interfere in day to day life activities
2. Persistent Depression: Symptoms are less severe than major depression and is also called as Dysthymia.
3. Seasonal Affective Disorder : It usually starts in late fall or early winter and subsides as the spring or summer arrive.
4. Depression with symptoms of psychosis: Individual shows severe depression symptoms and delusions or hallucinations in this type of depression.
5. Postpartum Depression : It can happen during pregnancy and up to 1 year after giving birth. Symptoms are severe than “the baby blues”.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?

Some of the common symptoms of Depression includes :

• Feeling helplessness, guilt and worthlessness
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Restlessness
• Trouble in concentrating, making decisions and remembering details
• Irritability or crankiness
• Change in Appetite
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Fatigue
• Slowed movements
• Recurrent suicidal thoughts
• Digestive problems
• Pain, aches , cramps or headache that will not go away

LIFE-STYLE MEASURES FOR DEPRESSION :

• Healthy eating : Providing proper nutrition to body will help to improve individuals mood overall. Watch calories and portion sizes. Limit intake of refined sugar and fats. Consume more vegetable and fruits, whole grain, lean proteins etc.
• Exercise : Performing physical exercise for at least 30 minutes a day improves the production of natural anti-depressants. Doing regular exercise helps to reduce stress, boost self-esteem, improve mood and provide restful sleep.
• Meditation : Practice mental exercises like deep breathing, repeating mantra or phases to achieve mental peace , relief stress and relaxation. Meditation help to improve the way brain processes emotions and pain .
• Sleep : Lack of sleep leads to fatigue which add to symptoms of depression , so proper sleep is important part depression treatment. Maintain a constant sleep cycle, avoid heavy dinner just, limit screen time, relax body and mind before bed time for sound sleep.

AYURVEDIC APPROACH :

In ayurveda Mano avasada is the word found for Depression. Nidan sevan that leads to  vitiated kapha and tamas dosha in body. The vitiated kapha and tamas dosha in turn vitiated Pitta and kapha leading to development of depression .

HERBS :

• Jatamansi
• Ashwagandha
• Pushkaramoola
• Vacha
• Jyotishmati
• Heenga
• Brahmi
• Tagar

PANCHAKARMA:

• Shiro vasti
• Shiro dhara
• Nasya karma
• Shiro abhyanga
• Virechana

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDIC CENTRE MEDICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

1. Brodley Syrup:

This syrup maintains the overall activity of the brain. As the herbs used for the preparation of this syrup are Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Dhania (Coriandrum sativum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), etc. These all acts as a mind relaxant. The use of this syrup provides good results to the dementia patient. This syrup has the best memory boosting power and helps in increasing the blood flow to the brain. It is used as an antioxidant that increases retention power

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.

2. Mann Mitra tablet:

Mann Mitra tablet is herbal and purely ayurvedic medicine. It is used in Ayurvedic treatment for psychiatric conditions and help to balance all the three doshas of body i.e vata, pitta, kapha. CAC Mann Mitra tablet improves intelligence and speech problems. It is helpful for making the nervous system strong and nerves as well. It contains various herbs like Bala, Vacha, Shankhpushpi, Nagkeshar etc that help you fight insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It works as a antioxidant, anti depressant, immuno booster, anti epileptic and as neuro protective drug.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

3. Rasayan Vati:

Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral Ayurvedic formulation which contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi, Abhrak Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, , Kaunch Beej, Saunth, Mirch, Brahmi, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immune-modulator properties. These tablets provides good results in General debility, Psychological disorders, and improves immunity.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

4. Calm Sleep tablet:

Calm sleep tablet is an amazing combination of natural herbs like bhang, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi. It helps to relieve stressful conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also helps to calm minds and make your body relax and light. In Ayurveda when there is an imbalance of three energies i.e. vata, pitta and Kapha, it leads to disease. Vata has a sub dosha named prana doshas which regulates the sensory perception, brain, and mind. calm sleep tablets is effective in depression, anxiety, insomnia, amnesia, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and hypertension.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a daily.

5. Brain relaxant churna:

This churna is a pure Ayurvedic preparation which contains Amla (Emlica officinalis), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Suddha gandhak, Lauha bhasma, etc. It is mainly used for the treatment of psychiatric conditions, speech problems, to improve the intelligence and also beneficial in sleep disturbances, panic attacks, phobia, and relieves stress.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablespoonful twice daily.

6. Stress care tablet:

Stress care tablets are pure herbal formulation prepared from ingredients like Sarpgandha (Rauwolfia serpentine), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostacys jatamansi).The herbs used for formulation of these tablets show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anti-depressant, & immune-modulator properties. These herbal tablets gives good result in Stress, Depression, Anxiety, All neurological disorders, Increases intelligence, and Improves memory.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.