This blog explains homeopathy for depression, their causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best remedies for complete treatment.
Depression is a mood disorder. Depression is a very common medical issue.
Depression can be explained as a feeling of sadness, anger, or loss that interferes with an individual’s day-to-day activities.
Depression is different from grief (i.e., feeling of sadness after losing a loved one or any traumatic life incident).
Depression causes a loss of self-esteem and self-loathing while this does not happen in grief.
In grief, positive and happy moments related to the cause of grief are also involved.
In depression, there is a constant feeling of sadness throughout.
Depression causes lower productivity, time wastage, and a hindrance to daily activities.
Depression may lead to the development of other chronic health diseases, for example, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart diseases, etc.
Depression Types
There are different types of depression depending upon the severity of the symptoms.
Some people experience relatively short and temporary episodes while some people may suffer from long chronic phases.
Let’s take a look at them one by one.
Major depressive disorder:
Major depressive disorder is a severe form of depression.
This causes a feeling of sadness and worthlessness that remain for a long period and doesn’t go away on its own.
If a person is suffering from clinical depression then he is suffering from depression symptoms for over two weeks.
These symptoms may include
Feeling depressed for most of the day.
Losing interest in daily activities.
Major weight loss or weight gain.
Excessive sleepiness or inability to sleep.
Low energy and tiredness feeling.
Guilt feeling of self worthlessness.
Inability to make decisions.
Repeated thoughts of death or suicide.
Major depressive disorders can of different types such as
Anxious distress:
The patient worries a lot about future events that might happen.
Mixed features:
The patient experiences both depression and mania (episodes of high energy, talking too much) at the same time.
Atypical feature:
The patient feels good after happy events but needs to sleep a lot and be anxious about self-rejection.
Psychotic features:
The patient sees and hears things that aren’t present.
Catatonia:
Inability to move the body freely or uncontrollable body movements.
Peripartum Depression:
The symptoms appear after conceiving or after giving birth.
Seasonal pattern:
The symptoms get worse in certain seasons such as winter.
These were the subtypes of major depressive disorders.
Persistent depressive disorders:
Persistent depressive disorder is also known as dysthymia.
It is a chronic form of depression with comparatively milder symptoms.
It is diagnosed when symptoms last more than two years.
Persistent depressive disorder lasts longer and thus has major negative impacts on the patient’s life.
The patient may have the following symptoms:
Lowe productivity
Feeling hopeless
Not showing interest in daily routine activities.
Depression Causes
Various factors can cause depression. The causes range from medical to emotional issues.
Let’s take a look at them one by one.
Family history:
If there is a family history of mood disorders or depression then depression can develop in the next generations also.
Childhood trauma:
Some people experience major traumatic life incidents in their childhood that their bodies start reacting to stressful situations differently.
Hormones:
Changes in the hormones especially in women during different ages such as periods, pregnancy or menopause can cause symptoms of depression.
Brain chemistry:
Certain chemical imbalances in the brain part that control thoughts, sleep, appetite and mood can cause depression.
Brain structure:
If the frontal lobe of the brain is less active then the chances of developing depression become high.
Alcohol:
Excessive alcoholism can cause depression.
Pain:
People who suffer from some emotional or physical pain for a long period may develop symptoms of depression.
Other medical issues:
Medical diseases such as chronic illness, cancer, chronic pain, stroke, and heart attack increase the chances of developing depression.
Depression Symptoms
Depression causes various symptoms.
Some symptoms are associated with the body and some are associated with the mood.
The symptoms remain every day for over two weeks, then the individual is suffering from depression.
Sadness and anxiety.
Pessimism, hopelessness and worthlessness.
Crying most of the time.
Annoyed and angry all the time.
Loss of interest in hobbies.
Tiredness and low energy feeling.
Difficult concentration.
Inability to make decisions.
Talking and moving slowly.
Disturbed sleep patterns.
Significant weight loss or weight gain.
Chronic physical pain ( without an obvious cause) that does not get better with treatment.
Irritability, aggressiveness and restlessness.
Reduced or lack of interest in sexual activities.
Rapid shifts in mood.
Suicide attempts, self-harm activities.
Risk Factors for Depression
Let’s discuss common risk factors for the development of depression.
Gender:
The occurrence of depression is twice as common in females than in males.
Genetics:
The risk is higher if the family history is having depression or mood disorder cases.
Socio economic factor:
Financial issues and lower social status can lead to depression.
Medications:
Certain medications such as hormonal birth control pills, and beta-blockers can cause depression.
Gender identity:
The risk of development of depression in transgender people is high in comparison to cisgender people.
Vitamin D deficiency:
Research has shown that people with vitamin D deficiency are at a higher risk of developing depression.
Medical illnesses:
Chronic medical health issues such as cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases increase the risk.
Diagnosis of Depression
The diagnosis is made based on the evaluation of psychological symptoms and physical health parameters.
The doctor may advise certain tests based upon the symptoms to confirm the disease.
Physical examination:
The doctor will check overall health to determine any other underlying medical illness.
Laboratory investigation:
A blood test can be advised to check hormone levels, vitamin D deficiency or thyroid issues.
Psychiatric evaluation:
The doctor will thoroughly investigate mood and behaviour changes and patterns etc.
Physical parameters:
The doctor will investigate changes in the appetite sleep patterns and activity level.
Depression Management
Depression can be managed and recovery can be fastened with a few simple lifestyle management tips.
Exercise:
Exercise induces the production of endorphin hormones that elevate the mood.
Meditate:
Meditation helps the body and the mind to stay relaxed and calm during stressful situations.
Avoid alcohol:
Excessive alcohol intake is directly linked with the development of depression.
Eat a healthy diet:
Include enough vitamins and supplements in the diet.
Share problems and talk:
Sharing problems, and issues and talking to family members and friends can solve issues that might be the cause of the depression.
Homeopathy for Depression – Best Remedies
Homeopathy offers a rapid and gentle cure for depression symptoms.
It is a holistic science that is fully capable of dealing with depression patients and helping them recover from every symptom.
Let’s discuss major remedies available for the treatment of depression.
1. IGNATIA: For depression with sighing and sobbing
Symptoms:
Ignatia is a powerful remedy for the treatment of depression in Homeopathy.
It is helpful for patients with depression who have changeable moods.
The patient is introspective. He keeps on self-analyzing.
The patient broods and thinks over unhappy incidences over and over again.
The Ignatia patient is always sad, melancholic, and full of tears.
The patient doesn’t communicate easily.
One of the characteristic symptoms of the selection of Ignatia is that the patient is always sighing and sobbing.
This remedy is of great help in treating patients who suffer from depression aftershock, losing a loved and disappointment.
Potency and dosage:
Ignatia 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ignatia 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Ignatia in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. NATRUM MUR: For depression due to psychic cause
Symptoms:
Natrum Mur is a leading homeopathic remedy for depression patients.
This remedy is useful for patients with psychic causes of the disease.
The patient suffers from the ill effects of grief, fright and anger.
There is depression due to long-continued suffering from chronic disease.
One of the characteristic features of Natrum Mur patients is that the symptoms get worse on consolation.
If someone tries to console the Natrum Mur patient then he becomes worse.
The patient is extremely irritable, awkward and hasty.
The patient wants to be alone to cry. The patient is full of tears with laughter.
Potency and dosage:
Natrum Mur 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Natrum Mur 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Natrum Mur in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. SEPIA: For depression in indifferent (apathetic) patients
Symptoms:
Sepia is another wonderful remedy for the treatment of depression.
Sepia patient is apathetic and uncaring about relatives and loved ones who were very important earlier.
The patient has an aversion to the occupation and the family members.
The patient is extremely irritable and gets offended easily.
Sepia patient is very sad and dreads being alone.
The patient starts weeping when telling the symptoms.
The patient is anxious during the evening.
Sepia patient is lazy and does not want to spend money.
Potency and dosage:
Sepia 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Sepia 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Sepia in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. AURUM MET: For depression with suicidal thoughts
Symptoms:
Aurum Met is a very useful remedy for depression patients who talk of committing suicide.
Aurum Met patient is having a feeling of self-condemnation and utter worthlessness.
There is profound despondency with increased blood pressure.
There is a thorough disgust for life and thoughts of suicide.
A great fear of death is present in the mind. The patient gets irritated at least contradiction.
He is intensely passionate about his work.
The patient asks continuous questions without waiting for a reply.
The patient is anthrophobic i.e., fearful of flowers.
He is worried because he cannot do things fast enough.
The patient is oversensitive to noise, excitement and confusion.
Potency and dosage:
Aurum Met 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Aurum Met 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Aurum Met in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. ARSENIC ALB: For depression with great anguish and restlessness
Symptoms:
Arsenic album is capable of treating depression patients who have great anguish and restlessness.
The patent changes the place continually.
The patient is fearful of death, of being left alone.
There is great fear with cold sweat.
The patient thinks it is useless to take medicine.
Thoughts of suicide are present. Hallucinations of sight and smell are present.
Arsenic alb patient is selfish and miser, he lacks courage.
The patient is sensitive to disorder and confusion.
Potency and dosage:
Arsenic Alb 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Arsenic Alb 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Arsenic Alb in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. CALCAREA CARB: For Depression with apprehension
Symptoms:
Calcarea carb is a wonderful remedy for the treatment of depression in apprehensive patients.
The patient is always fearful about loss, contagious diseases and misfortune.
Calcarea carb patient is forgetful, confused and low spirited.
The patient experiences anxiety with palpitation.
Slight mental effort produces a hot head in the Calcarea carb patient.
The patient is averse to work and exertion.
Potency and dosage:
Calcarea carb 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Calcarea carb 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Calcarea carb in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. CAUSTICUM: For depression in intensely sympathetic people
Symptoms:
Causticum is a great remedy to treat depression in intensely sympathetic patients.
It is also helpful for treating depression in children.
The child does not want to go to bed alone.
The patient cries on least things.
The patient suffers from ailments from long-lasting grief and sudden motions.
The symptoms get worse on thinking about them.
Potency and dosage:
Causticum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Causticum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Causticum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. KALI PHOS: For depression in irritable and nervous people
Symptoms:
Kali phos is a great remedy for treating depression in nervous and anxious people.
There is lethargy and tiredness.
The patient suffers from extreme lassitude and depression.
The patient starts easily. He is very nervous and anxious.
The patient cannot sleep and experiences night terrors due to depression.
Kali phos is useful for depression with loss of memory.
Slightest labour seems a heavy task to the patient.
The patient is shy and despondent. He does not want to initiate conversation.
There is a great despondency about business.
Potency and dosage:
Kali Phos 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Kali Phos 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Kali Phos in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. PULSATILLA: For depression with easy weeping
Symptoms:
Pulsatilla patient is timid and irresolute. The patient weeps easily.
There is fear of dark, ghosts, of being alone in the evening.
The patient likes sympathy. The patient is easily discouraged.
There is a morbid dread of the opposite sex.
There is a religious mania. Pulsatilla patient is highly emotional.
The patient experiences extremes of pleasure and pain.
Potency and dosage:
Pulsatilla 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Pulsatilla 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Pulsatilla in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. NATRUM CARB: For depression with an inability to think
Symptoms:
Natrum carb is unable to think. The patient complains of difficult and slow comprehension.
The patient suffers from mental weakness and depression.
The patient worries a lot. He is sensitive to noise, colds and a change of weather.
The patient is anxious and restless during a thunderstorm.
The symptoms are worse from music.
Natrum carb patient is sensitive to the presence of certain individuals.
Potency and dosage:
Natrum carb 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Natrum carb 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Natrum carb in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies should be prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy for this condition.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.