Herbal Therapy Against Depression
Herbal Therapy Against Depression
In the past few years, much interest has risen in the use of herbs in the treatment of both depression and anxiety. St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), an herb used extensively in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in Europe, has recently aroused interest in the United States. St. John's wort, an attractive bushy, low-growing plant covered with yellow flowers in summer, has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. Today in Germany, Hypericum is used in the treatment of depression more than any other antidepressant. However, the scientific studies that have been conducted on its use have been short-term and have used several different doses.
Because of the widespread interest in St. John's wort, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a 3-year study, sponsored by three NIH components the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the Office of Dietary Supplements. The study was designed to include 336 patients with major depression of moderate severity, randomly assigned to an 8-week trial with one-third of patients receiving a uniform dose of St. John's wort, another third sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for depression, and the final third a placebo (a pill that looks exactly like the SSRI and the St. John's wort, but has no active ingredients). The study participants who responded positively were followed for an additional 18 weeks. At the end of the first phase of the study, participants were measured on two scales, one for depression and one for overall functioning. There was no significant difference in rate of response for depression, but the scale for overall functioning was better for the antidepressant than for either St. John's wort or placebo. While this study did not support the use of St. John's wort in the treatment of major depression, ongoing NIH-supported research is examining a possible role for St. John's wort in the treatment of milder forms of depression.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory on February 10, 2000. It stated that St. John's wort appears to affect an important metabolic pathway that is used by many drugs prescribed to treat conditions such as AIDS, heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and rejection of transplants. Therefore, health care providers should alert their patients about these potential drug interactions.
Some other herbal supplements frequently used that have not been evaluated in large-scale clinical trials are ephedra, gingko biloba, echinacea, and ginseng. Any herbal supplement should be taken only after consultation with the doctor or other health care provider.
Some people with milder forms of depression may do well with psychotherapy alone and people with moderate to severe depression most often benefit from antidepressants, but most do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems, including depression.
Depression is a serious medical condition that affects thoughts, feelings, and the ability to function in everyday life.
Mental Health support group (Almaguin News)
The Family Mental Health Initiative of Simcoe Countys support group for family members, friends and caregivers of persons with depression and/or manic depression has changed where and when it meets.
IISc student commits suicide (Chennai Online)
Bangalore, August 27: A Ph.D. student of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room due to "depression", a senior police official said today.
Tropical Depression Dean drenches central Mexico (USA Today)
Hurricane Dean, at its height a highly destructive Category 5 hurricane, limped across Mexico on Thursday morning as a weakened tropical depression, but still dumped torrential rains that flooded rivers and drenched mudslide-prone mountains.
Other Depression Article Snippets:
Antidepressant Medication Side Effects
"As with other serious illnesses, such as HIV, heart disease, or stroke, cancer can be accompanied by depression, which can affect mind, mood, body and behavior."
Depression And Cancer
"Appropriate treatment, often involving medication and/or short term psychotherapy, can help most people who suffer from depression."
Antidepressant Medication Side Effects
"Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully and do not disparage feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope, and lastly do not ignore remarks about suicide, Report them to the depressed person's therapist."
Psychotherapies
"Since normal depression can improve over time and without therapy, a brief period of medication may not be of benefit."