Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Depression is a common mental and emotional disorder that results in severe feelings of sadness and a sense of loss, often without any explicable reason. Common symptoms of depression include fatigue, insomnia, and a lack of interest in most activities. Other symptoms include a loss of appetite, nausea, irritability, constipation, and an inability to concentrate. In severe cases, depression can lead to low blood pressure and extreme variations in body temperature (such as hot flashes or shivering).
Causes of Depression
Depression is often cause by extended periods of stress or anxiety. Many people suffer from short and mild episodes of depression at various stages throughout life, often due to everyday stresses such as work, financial problems, or relationship difficulties.
A deficiency of Vitamin B can also lead to depression. For this reason, many individuals that suffer from eating disorders also often suffer from depression. Individuals that frequently use illicit drugs are also at a high risk of becoming depressed, since heavy drug usage often causes individuals to neglect their diet.
Another leading cause of depression is hormonal changes at various stages of life. For example, teenagers often experience depression due to hormonal changes during puberty. Similarly, mothers are at risk of suffering from depression a few weeks after giving birth due to hormonal imbalances after pregnancy. This is known as post-partum depression.
Finally, a family history of depression can also increase the risk of an individual suffering from depression at some point in their life.
Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Depression
Cardamom Tea as a Home Remedy for Depression
The seeds of cardomom contain volatile oils that have been found to be effective for treating depression. Simply boil a cup of water, and then add two cardomom seeds into the boiling water. The seeds should be squashed gently before adding them to the water so that they open up from one end. Leave the seeds in the boiling water for 3 minutes, and then strain the tea into a mug. Drink this tea twice per day.
Depression Treatment with an Apple
Apples contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals including Vitamin B, potassium, and phosphorous that are beneficial for nerve cells. Therefore, an apple can help to recharge the nervous system, which makes it an effective depression remedy.
Vitamin B as a Depression Treatment
Since a deficiency of Vitamin B is a major contributing factor for depression, increasing Vitamin B intake is an effective depression remedy. Vitamin B supplements can be taken, but there are also a number of natural foods that are rich in the vitamin as well such as cashews, fish, shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels), liver, eggs, and green vegetables (spinach, green peas, asparagus, broccoli).
Exercise to Treat Depression
While we know that exercise helps keep the body physically fit, it also helps keep us mentally fit and aids in relaxing the mind. Mental relaxation helps reduce stress and anxiety, thereby providing a natural way to treat depression.
@Barbara, I noticed that when I'm depressed, I keep falling asleep all the time too.And the only thing that has helped me is dragging myself to the gym and hop on an elliptical machine and work out for at least 20 minutes. Honestly, I feel so much better and less sleepy after that because of taking a shower, changing and stuff. Sometimes after all that I feel so fresh that I step out to the mall or something for a little lift. A tip is, dressing up nice after the shower :) I hope it helps! Good luck!
This all helps! I have been off Prozac + Effexor for 1 month. I found out I was allergic to effexor lost 2 years of my life. My problem today is I fall asleep all the time. Help!!?