Depression

1. I have depression because I am depressed.
The etiology is multifactorial, but it is thought that depression is associated changes in receptor- neurotransmitter relationship in the limbic system. It is often classified based on the way the illness takes shape. If you have low spirits for a while, don’t be concerned. However, if you feel you can’t lift yourself out of your misery, you should seek professional help.

2. I am coping with a tragic event or difficult situation. The depression will be relieved as soon as the tragedy is alleviated.
It is true that if your feeling of sadness is associated with a stressful event in your life, you could get out of it soon enough. However, if your depression is ongoing for six months or more, then your brain chemistry may have changed as a result of the prolonged sadness. You could be clinically depressed.

3. I am a weirdo because I have depression.
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. More than 17 million people – One in ten adults – experience depression each year in the United States.

4. Depression is only a psychiatric disorder that leads to no physical health conditions.
There is a strong relationship between depression and cardiac illnesses, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, dementia, asthma & worst; depression may lead to suicidal ideation or attempt if left untreated.

Depression is commonly characterized into

Depression with Psychotic Features,
Depression with Melancholic Features,
Depression with Atypical Features,
Seasonal Depression,
Postpartum Depression &
Dysthymic Disorder.

This helps to determine which particular treatment is most likely to be effective for it.

• Two hours of early-morning sun help lift depression. Spend as much time as possible outdoors.

Take daily walks, preferably in the park or along the seashore, to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty it offers. Fresh air and deep breathing exercises are both good in aiding relaxation and promoting good oxygenation of the entire body.

Avoid spending a lot of time in concrete buildings.

Make a list of assorted activities or things you enjoy doing. Indoor/outdoor and with/without companion activities. Incorporate these activities in your daily routine as a treat to yourself. Review the list often and feel free to modify it.

Get plenty of rest. Overtiredness and depleted nerves create a feeling of depression.

Sit down and analyze the situation. A lot of times, if you can pinpoint the source of your depression, you’ll feel a lot better. Once you understand the problem, you can begin to figure out what you need to do about it.

Find a friend to share your feelings with. If you are in a seemingly hopeless situation, share it with someone who can look at it from a different point of view. Simply knowing someone cares and wants to listen helps.

Have a good cry. If talking about your problems leads to tears, go ahead and cry. Crying is a wonderful release especially if you know what you’re crying about.

Volunteering and helping others is a way to focus on someone other than yourself and your own problems.

Drugs, caffeine, cigarettes and contraceptives induce depression. Paint solvents or any toxic chemicals are also capable of producing symptoms of depression. Avoid contacts with these.

Avoid black tea, and alcohol. Use herbs in cooking, fresh in salads, and as spices. Eat more wheat germ, which is an energizer. Pears, apples, and nuts contain bromine which assists the nervous system in functioning properly.

Do not keep a grudge. It takes an enormous amount of emotional energy to hold a grudge, and a guilty conscience damages the health. Learn the art of forgiving.

There are numerous experiments and researches done through out the decade. The pilot research on acupuncture treating depression was published on Psychological Science Sep. 1998, Vol. 9, no. 5. This research suggested that acupuncture may prove at least as effective in the treatment of depression as psychotherapy or drug therapy. Actually, World Health Organization (WHO) also recognizes depression is one of the conditions treatable by acupuncture.

There are a lot of people receiving acupuncture treatment for depression. It is certainly a reasonable natural modality that has its potential to help. However, “It works for many” doesn’t equal to “it works for you”. As for you, there is only one way to find out…

We charge $85 per acupuncture session. There is a $45 initial consultation fee in addition to the treatment fee. All fees above are subject to change without notice. Please call 403-233-0498 for current rate.

Alberta Health Care does not cover acupuncture. However, most company benefits cover acupuncture when treatment is provided through a Registered Acupuncturist. You may contact human resources department or the insurance company for the details, including the coverage amount for each session, and a year, what the cut off day of the year is, if a medical referral is required etc..