Depression is a very real and often debilitating disorder that affects millions of people worldwide annually. Not only does depression affect the person who is depressed but also their family members, friends, and coworkers. Often depression is misdiagnosed and treated as a physical illness because people will seek help for the physical symptoms before they consider the mental part of the problem. Depression affects the whole person, body and mind and spirit. The symptoms of depression vary so from person to person which also makes it difficult to diagnose.

Holistic medicine, simply put, is the practice of healing the whole person. This makes it a very logical choice for treating depression. Though holistic medicine is not practiced prolifically in the West, there are some practitioners to be found. There are several databases that allow you to search for holistic practitioners worldwide. An online search will help you locate them.

Chemical treatment for depression has become more specialized in recent years. Synthetic drugs have been developed that can be used to treat a person’s exact level and type of depression. The side affects to these drugs include headache, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, seizures, strokes, etc. The list goes on. If conventional drug therapy is something you feel is not right for you, there are some alternatives.

Herbal remedies. St. John’s Wort is one of the most recognized herbs for treating depression.

There is also 5-HTP, an herbal derivative that is converted to serotonin in the body and affects our moods.

SAM-e, or S-Adenosyl Methionine also increases serotonin, dopamine and phosphatides boosting a person’s moods. Fish Oil provides Omega-3 fatty acid which is remarkably low in patients with depression.

Ginkgo Biloba is a natural antidepressant and antioxidant, it increase blood flow to the brain. Consult a professional herbal practitioner for treatment. A practitioner will be able to distinguish which herb or combination of herbs can help you the most.

Acupuncture. According to a study done by the Nation Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Alterative Medicine, acupuncture was successfully used to treat depression in women. The study, published in the September 1998 issue of Psychological Science, cites acupuncture as being at least as effective as drug therapy or psychotherapy.

Exercise. This is the most often overlooked treatment for depression. Any form of exercise helps the overall health, increasing blood flow throughout the body including the brain, the origin of depression.

Aerobics, a very high impact and physical form of exercise, gets your heart rate up and thus facilitates the flow of blood through the brain. Yoga and Qigong, both low impact forms of exercise, combine slow, gentle movement with meditation. Qigong, pronounced chee gung, is said to be very effective in treating depression in the elderly. It is also used to treat other very serious conditions such as cancer. Walking is always a great way to get your mind and body in focus. Please consult your practitioner to help you choose the right exercise regimen for you and your lifestyle.

Prayer. The effects of prayer cannot truly be measured scientifically however, this is the single most effective way to brighten your spirit. There is a wonderful, simple prayer listed on

The symptoms of depression include, but is not limited to, persistent sadness or anxiousness, feeling worthless, thoughts of suicide, loss of interest in work or activities you once enjoyed. If you have any of these symptoms, please seek help as soon as possible. It is possible to defeat depression and it is possible to defeat it naturally.