Anybody who has gone through a bout of depression knows the highs and the real lows that come with it. Moods and thoughts wander like the clouds and the winds chasing them, and during those deep valleys of low moments, nothing makes you feel better. NOTHING!! This is somewhat true. Depression could be caused by various factors, including a neurotransmitter imbalance or hormonal imbalance. Most often though, depression comes about as a result of circumstance or an unfortunate or unbearable situation that could range from bad acne in teenagers to the grief due to the loss of a loved one.

So how can we change that feeling of depression to feeling better, normal again? For most people, that feeling of depression is an abnormal feeling and they way to “fix” it, is by taking strong prescription medication that will numb your feelings and help you feel better again, but is that the right way of treating your body, your mind and your thoughts? For some people the answer maybe “Yes” anything that will make me feel better now. As humans, we have become so conditioned to immediate gratification that everything must happen now, but about those feelings that needed to be processed or dealt with? What happens to them? Most times they will get suppressed or compartmentalized to be dealt with later, but that later never comes, because of our lifestyles.

As a naturopath, one of my goals is to help heal individuals body, mind and spirit, hence my approach is quite a bit different. In order to treat depression naturally – you need to understand what precipitated this symptom in the client.  There are various natural remedies that work really well to balance the neurotransmitter and hormonal imbalance, once we know that this is the root cause of the problem by testing blood for neurotransmitters / hormones. However, if the depression came about due to an unfortunate event or circumstance in life, such as the loss or grief of a loss of a loved one the approach is different. Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy is been a great adjunct therapy.

Acupuncture is another energetic therapy that is great for treating symptoms of depression naturally. However, there are other treatment options that will be beneficial to help cope with the symptoms of depression outside of clinical therapies. Journaling your thoughts, emotions and feelings often helps to bring out the pain and suffering, talking to friends and family is great as well. Volunteering your services is wonderful way to give that love and care again to someone who really needs and appreciates it and makes you feel better.

There is no quick fix to deep rooted feelings and emotions, but taking things in stride, one day at a time, will help you get closer to that ultimate goal, which is regaining your emotional health back to balance.

By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic, in Toronto.