Depression
Depression is diagnosed when
a person displays 5 or more of the
psychological and/or behavioural
conditions listed below:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite or excessive appetite with weight gain.
- Feelings of guilt, sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness
- Inability to concentrate
- Swings from moments of hyperactivity to inactivity
- Loss of interest in usual activities, low libido
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Crying spells
- Irritability
- Muscular/Joint aches
Causes
lack of exercise, reduced exposure to sunlight, malnutrition, genetics, allergies, chemical imbalances (ie low levels of serotonin), thyroid disease, bipolar disease,
drugs, grief.
Treatment
- Avoid depressants such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar, processed foods, nicotine
- Try acupuncture, meditation
- Increase intake of Omega 3 and Omega 6 through flaxseed oil and oily fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines.
- Join a support group, or psychotherapy.
- Herbs – St. Johns Wort, ginkgo biloba, kava,
herbal tincture.
- Essential Oils
- lavender, grapefruit, frankincense, mandarin, jasmine
- Supplements – Vitamin C, Vitamin E
