We all feel sad at times; or a little down or blue. If these feelings persist over a long period of time you may have clinical depression and the best thing you can do is see a doctor immediately. These down feelings are caused in the most part by a decrease in levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and/or norepinephrine.
The general way to treat depression is with prescription antidepressants like Prozac or other such drugs. Unfortunately some studies show that roughly 3 out of every 10 people don’t respond to the antidepressant drugs and others find that their effectiveness tends to wear off over time. So what can these people do?
The first thing to do is see a psychotherapist because therapy can really help fight depression for a number of different reasons. Often times depression is brought about by some certain thing or event in a persons life, possibly a situation that is unresolved or something like that. Resolving the issues through therapy can often directly affect the levels of neurotransmitters within the brain and lead to a decrease in depression.
Besides therapy, the next thing to do is focus on your diet. Many times depression can be brought about by a deficiency in amino acids and also a deficiency in vitamins and nutrients that the body needs to make neurotransmitters. It’s important to restore your body’s balance by eating a diet that has adequate amounts of protein.
Fish, chicken, turkey, meat, tofu, and dairy products are all excellent sources of protein as well as certain beans if you are a vegetarian.
Apart from proteins, you also need complex carbohydrates which are long chains of sugar molecules that are all strung together. These complex carbohydrates digest slowly and therefore help prevent fluctuations in blood sugar levels that can also lead to depression. A good source of these are whole grains as well as beans and peas and certain other vegetables. They can also help to elevate serotonin levels.
There are certain foods you need to avoid if at all possible and these are mostly sugary foods like donuts and cookies and other snack type foods that trigger insulin release which will ultimately lower your blood sugar levels which can lead to depression. Try to stay away from alcohol as much as possible as well.
So there you have several different methods for fighting depression without resulting to prescription drugs. In many cases you won’t have a choice, you’ll have to start out with the prescription drugs or even something more intense like electroshock therapy but for milder cases and for cases where the drugs are ineffective, these alternative methods can work amazingly well for many people. Always consult with your doctor first.
J.P. Morton runs a clearance patio furniture web site where he also reviews the best bistro patio furniture for your deck or patio. He has been an article writer online for well over 10 years and also enjoys rock climbing and white water rafting.
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