What is the Best Depression Treatment?

There are numerous prescription drugs available but you may need to try more than one. There is a wide variety of other treatment options, and by implementing a plan of self help, depression symptoms can be significantly improved.

None of this will be easy and I'm certainly not going to tell you to cheer up! There are so many different, complex reasons why we are depressed, and equally many ways to improve how we feel too. From personal experience I find that some methods work some of the time, but not all of the time, and this can be difficult to come to terms with.

If you're not sure whether you are depressed then take a look at this depression checklist and follow the advice.

Its a rocky road - just when you think you have found the best depression treatment for you, something changes and knocks you back - don't be put off by this, you will beat it eventually!

Natural Treatments for Depression

Omega 3 Fish Oil and Depression
You've probably seen headlines for advertisements suggesting that you take fish oil and depression or mood swings will be in the past. There is much evidence about this approach, and if you decide to try this method of managing depression be patient and don't expect quick results.

Its essential that you take the very best quality product with the highest content of EPA, be prepared to take the capsules for up to 3 months to really feel the benefits. I can wholeheartedly recommend PuraEPA fish oil obtainable for www.Mind1st.com, a family run business who supply world wide.

St John's Wort for Depression
The herb St John's Wort is considered by some researchers to be as effective as Prozac in beating depression. There are some serious warnings to bear in mind if you are going to take it though. St. John’s wort can have serious interactions with a large number of commonly used medications therefore a discussion with a doctor is important. Additionally, it must not be started while another antidepressant is being taken.

Light Therapy for Season Affective Disorder
Light therapy can be very effective for those whose depression is seasonal - Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. A special light box is needed and you have to be exposed to it for a certain amount of time for it to be effective. The units vary in price, size and intensity, the latter dictates the amount of time you will need to use it for each day.

Exercise and depression - It can be relieved or even completely eliminated by exercise. There's a mass of evidence supporting the benefits of exercise as treatment for depression though when you're feeling low it's probably nowhere on your list of priorities.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy
There are many good self help books which involve Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT, you can work at your own pace at home but of course, like exercise this requires commitment on your part.

Healthy Eating Helps Depression
Healthy eating can also play a part in lifting your mood too. Researchers have found links between eating a highly processed diet and the likelihood of developing depression increasing. The other side of the coin is that a Mediterranean diet already thought to protect against heart disease and cancer, may also help to prevent depression. Check out these Healthy Eating Guidelines.

Back from What is the Best Depression Treatment to Healthy Lifestyle Success home page

Managing Depression - Where Should You Start? Many who suffer from depression reject prescription drugs and prefer managing depression themselves.

Exercise and Depression - Symptoms of Depression May Be Significantly Reduced By Exercising

How Do You Know If You Are Living With Depression? - When its more than just a bad hair day! Or maybe you've forgotten what 'normal' feels like.

Living With A Depressed Person - Its tough living with a depressed person, you may even find yourself questioning who is depressed!

Depression Checklist - a list of symptoms to get you thinking about your moods, physical symptoms and state of mind.

Understand the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar depression has "two poles" - the highs and lows. You may heard it described as "manic depression" in the past.