Complimentary and alternative medicine in major depression

Home Shreveport blog page                    Facebook Anil Minocha

Alternative and Complimentary Medicine (CAM) in Depression

Freeman and colleagues from the Center for Women's Mental Health at the Massachusetts Genneral Hospital wrote a report on the use of alternative and complimentary medicine in patients with depression. This CAM report on major depressive disorder or major depression by the American Psychiatric Association  apeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatary.

The task force reviewed the relevant literature on individual alternative and complimentary medicine therapies for major depression. The studies on Individual CAM treatments for depression were examined for benefit as well as risks.

Conclusions of American Psychiatry Association:  The task force concluded that results of randomized controlled trials of commonly used alternative and complimentary treatments (CAM) for depression (MDD) show promise. The task force of these psychiatrists made a special mention of the following:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• St John's wort (Hypericum)
• Folate or folic acid which is a vitamin
• S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe)
• Acupuncture         Click to read more about acupuncture
• Light therapy
• Exercise
• Mindfulness psychotherapies  

Risks of CAM treatments: The biggest risk may be the possible delay in undertaking other well-established treatments.

Earlier, the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) have comobied together to establish evidence-based clinical guidelines for the treatment of depressive disorders or depression.

The team led by Dr. Ravindran from University of Toronto published their report about use of alternative and complimentary medicine or therapies in depressive disorders in Journal of Affective Disorders.

Conclusion of the Canadian panel: There is Level 1 evidence to support the use of light therapy in seasonal major depressive disorder and for St. John's wort in mild to moderate MDD.

The team also made a special mention of the following therapies in management of depression:

• Exercise
• Yoga
• Sleep deprivation
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• SAMe

Home shreveport blog page         Facebook Anil Minocha

Tips to prevent alcohol hangover	Homeopathy: fact or fiction?
Natural treatments of migraine?	Do you have intestinal gas problems?
Food allergies? Knowledge is power	Natural Stomach Care by Anil Minocha MD of Shreveport, La
Difference between colitis and diverticulitis	About aphrodisiac foods to make your day  or night: Myth or reality
Constipation: Taking care of business!	Do artificial sweeteners increase cancer?

Comments

[alternative healing remedies]

It looks as if ancient wellness solutions
are finally getting the recognition they deserve from the psychiatric community.
Accolades for passing on this encouraging informationl

[klschartier]

It amazes me that centuries old, proven medicine is called "alternative", when the new drugs on the market are considered the norm. Every day we hear how ancient medicine really does work. Without side effects too!! Thanks for the great post.

[Roy Slater]

I've heard a lot of good things about alternative medicine in recent years. My mother has always been into it so it's nice to know that there is still a following out there.

[natural health remedies]

Aside from depression, Omega 3, which is found mostly on fishes is good for the circulatory system. Hemorrhoids can be treated by natural remedies such as aloe vera.

[Maya J.]

Wow, great post. It's great that there are so many natural therapies for depression. They're so much safer and healthier than taking prescription drugs that bring negative side effects.

[Hemorrhoids Treatment]

Was there any alternative medicine for hemorrhoid? or an alternative Hemorrhoids Treatment?