What is depression?

Depression is a very common psychological health condition characterized by the persistence of severe sadness, unhappiness, low mood, lack of a feeling of well-being, and an aversion towards doing any work.
In some cases, the person suffering from depression may cut off from the society, and isolate themselves completely.
In severe cases, suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide are also noted. Homeopathy for depression works at a subconscious level to remove the imprints of grief and sadness, and bring about recovery.
Depression is a common, but serious problem that is often dismissed as something temporary or situational. It is essential to talk about it and seek professional help if there is a doubt about a person being depressed. With the right therapies and homeopathic medicine for depression, it can be treated and managed, enabling the person to lead a healthy life.

Does Homeopathy work for depression?

Yes, homeopathy can help treat depression. The homeopathic system of medicine carries an excellent scope to treat depression in a very safe, gentle and effective manner. Made of natural substances, homeopathic remedies are deep acting medicines that work at the psychological level to bring about recovery from depression.
Another benefit of using homeopathy for depression is that none of the homeopathic remedies are habit-forming, or cause dependency. Once the problem is fixed, the person can gradually discontinue the medication, or take it sporadically as suggested by a homeopathic physician. Since conventional antidepressants affect different chemicals in the brain (like serotonin and dopamine), there are chances of drug-dependency. Unlike homeopathy, these medicines also tend to cause side effects like weight gain, nausea, loss of sexual desire, irritability, insomnia and more.

Causes of Depression

Depression is a multi-layered problem, and the exact reason for it not known. The strongest correlation to clinical depression is heredity and environmental factors. The leading causes that play a significant role in causing depression are:

• a family history of depression
• stressful events or abuse experienced during childhood
• grief, like the death of a loved one, or a failed relationship
• substance abuse (drugs, alcohol)
• hormonal changes in women (during pregnancy, after childbirth, during menopause)
• thyroid problems
• Serious disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, arthritis, dementia also put a person at risk of developing depression.

Symptoms of Depression

One of the most important things is to look out for the classic signs and symptoms of depression. Timely treatment is the most effective way of treating depression once it has been diagnosed.

The common depressive symptoms include:

• persistent sadness
• low self-esteem
• a sense of hopelessness
• a feeling of being worthless
• weeping
• avoiding company of people
• aversion to talking and socializing
• loss of interest in hobbies
• changes in appetite and weight
• excessive sleeping or less sleeping
• perpetual anxiety
• restlessness
• constant fatigue
• sexual dysfunction
• unexplained headaches or pains
• difficulty in concentration
• suicidal thoughts

What is the difference between stress and depression?

Everybody tends to get sad and feel low at some point, and that is a temporary phase that tends to come and go. But when sadness and feelings of hopelessness persist for a long time and start affecting one’s personal and professional life, then it is more than sorrow and stress.
The main difference between stress and depression is that the latter is a more severe and long-lasting condition that requires professional help. The symptoms of depression are much more intense than stress or sadness. It can cause powerful mood changes (extreme despair and sadness), exhaustion and an inability act. Stress, on the other hand, is short-lived, and once the factor causing stress is dealt with, the person tends to get better. Some people even do well under stress, when it acts as a motivating factor.

Homeopathy for Depression

Ignatia Amara – Homeopathic Remedy for Depression with Extreme Sadness

Ignatia Amara is an excellent homeopathic medicine for treating depression with extreme sadness and weeping. The person needing Ignatia shows an aversion to talking and meeting people. Sudden mood changes, sighing, hopelessness, brooding, irritability, heaviness of head, weak memory, mental dullness, sensitive mood, and palpitations are some symptoms that indicate the need for this homeopathic medicine for depression. Ignatia Amara is top grade homeopathy for depression developed after acute grief.

Natrum Mur – The Homeopathic Antidepressant

Natrum Mur is a homeopathic medicine used for treating chronic depression. The symptoms indicating the use of Natrum Mur include dwelling on past unpleasant memories, sadness, aversion to consolation, weeping, high sensitivity, despair about future, a reluctance to do work, sleeplessness, getting offended easily, and the fear of something terrible happening. Natrum Mur is the recommended homeopathy for depression that develops after the death of loved ones or broken relationships.

Aurum Met – Homeopathic Medicine for Depression with Suicidal Thoughts

Aurum Met is a homeopathic remedy for depression where the person suffers from predominating suicidal thoughts. Along with this, a constant sensation that life is a burden persists. People needing this medicine tend to look at the dark side of life, feel unhappy and wish to stop living. An oversensitive nature to contradiction is also present, along with symptoms like guilt, worthlessness, moroseness and changing moods.

Cimicifuga Racemosa – Homeopathy for Post Partum Depression

Cimicifuga Racemosa is an excellent homeopathic medicine used to treat postpartum depression. The symptoms that are indicative of this medicine include sadness, gloominess, fear of death, a specific sensation of having a black cloud over the present (mostly in women), a fear of going mad, talking excessively with frequent changes of subjects, and pain at the top of the head.

Kali Phos – Homeopathic Medicine for Depression and Insomnia

Kali Phos is considered to be top-grade homeopathy for depression and insomnia with symptoms like sleeplessness, gloominess, anxiety, worries, continual weeping, negative thinking, mental fatigue, dullness of mind, fear of death and sensitivity to light and noise.

Phosphoric Acid – Homeopathy for Depression with Weakness

Phosphoric Acid is a homeopathic medicine for depression where the person experiences excessive weakness, along with symptoms like an indifferent behavior to everything, slowness of mind, aversion to talking, a dread of the future, loss of weight and malnutrition.

Sepia Succus – Homeopathic Medicine for Depression during Menopause

Sepia for depression has been successfully used in clinical practice in cases where a woman experiences depression during menopause. The symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine include sadness, gloominess, unhappiness, indifferent behavior towards family and life, aversion towards family members, aversion to doing any mental or physical work, anxiety over trifles, and a sense of helplessness. There is also a tendency to weep that worsens upon consolation. Women needing this medicine may experience all of the above symptoms along with hot flushes and a bearing down sensation in the pelvis.

Homeopathy for Depression: Frequently Asked Questions

Are any investigations recommended in cases of depression?

Depression is a psychological complaint and is diagnosed after evaluating the symptoms. However, certain tests including thyroid profile and vitamin B12 are recommended in suspected cases of depression to rule hormonal problems or deficiencies.

Can any medicines lead to depression?

Yes, certain medicines can lead to depression. Examples of drugs that predispose a person to depression include steroids, blood pressure medicines, and sleeping pills.

What are the effects of depression?

Depression has many effects that include loss of appetite or overeating, loss of weight or gaining weight, sleeplessness, feeling fatigued and lethargic. Certain complications like the use of alcohol, drug dependency, developing anxiety disorders, panic disorders and in the most severe cases, suicidal tendencies may develop.

I am a male aged 25 years with a family history of depression; will I also develop the same?

Having a family history of depression is one of the risk factors that predispose a person towards the same. But it doesn’t mean that you will develop depression.

Can depression be cured forever with homeopathy?

The effectiveness of homeopathy in depression in a majority of the cases depends on the severity of the problem. Depression of mild to moderate intensity has better chances of being treated to a great extent with homeopathy. Homeopathy for depression helps reduce the severity and occurrence of depressive episodes while addressing the imprints of sadness from the subconscious mind.
In cases of severe depression, homeopathy can help manage the symptoms, but complete recovery is not expected in all the cases.

I have been taking antidepressants for ten years; can homeopathy help me stop that medicine?

Yes, homeopathy can help you gradually stop taking antidepressants, no matter how long you’ve been using them. However, it is a gradual process, and it is not advisable to stop the antidepressants all of sudden since that can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Initially, when you start with homeopathic medicines for your depression, you will have to continue taking the antidepressants side by side for some time. Once your body starts responding to the homeopathic medicines, a gradual decrease of the dose of the antidepressants is recommended until you can stop taking them entirely.

If I start homeopathic medicines for my depression, will I have to continue taking it for my lifetime?

No, you will not have to continue taking homeopathy for depression for a lifetime. Once satisfactory results with homeopathic medicines have been achieved, you may stop taking them.

For how long does a person need to take homeopathy for depression for complete recovery?

The exact time for complete recovery from depression with use of homeopathic medicines varies from case to case. Most cases of depression tend to show some improvement in the initial period of homeopathic treatment. The duration of depression and the intensity of its symptoms decide the time for which one has to continue taking homeopathic medicines for complete recovery. In addition to this, a person’s response to the homeopathic medication is also an important deciding factor.

Are there any supplements that can help to manage depression?

Yes, certain supplements can help manage depression. The most important ones among them include vitamin B12, vitamin D, and omega -3 fatty acids.

I have been suffering from depression from the last 4 years since the death of my mother. Can homeopathy help?

The loss of a loved one and long-standing grief that can translate into depressive symptoms. You may take homeopathic medicine Natrum Mur, a well-indicated remedy in homeopathy for depression that has become chronic.

I am a 48-year old female suffering from depression for two years. Which homeopathic medicine can help?

You are suffering from depression around your menopausal age. Sepia Succus is a well-indicated remedy in homeopathy for depression that develops during the menopausal age.

Managing Depression

Certain lifestyle measures can help manage depression. These include:

– Ensuring enough sleep
– Practicing meditation and yoga
– Doing regular exercise
– Discussing your concerns with friends and family members, who can understand you and provide support during depressive episodes
– Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
– Avoiding isolation and developing healthy social habits
– Keeping yourself busy
– Joining a depression support group
– Studying self-help books for positive inspiration