If you have suffered from depression, you may have heard about natural remedies for depression - alternatives to more traditional medications such as SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), MAOI's (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) or, in more extreme cases where people are unresponsive to drugs, electroshock therapy.
Depression is a serious illness that comes with a list of unpleasant psychological and physiological symptoms: fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, lethargy, thoughts of death, hopelessness, irritability, sleep disturbances, and many more. Without treatment by a professional skilled in the area of diagnosing and treating depression, the outcome can be disastrous to the person experiencing the condition. Drugs or medications, herbal or otherwise, are usually only one part of a treatment strategy. Because, while drugs can alleviate some of the immediate symptoms, psychotherapy to help resolve the thought processes and lifestyle issues related to depression is often necessary for full improvement from depression.
It is only natural to desire relief from depression-a mood disorder that afflicts millions of people worldwide. Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States urges caution by those seeking an herbal alternative, "...FDA does not allow any antidepressant claims because it has not been proven to be a safe and effective drug for this use." Current studies are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of St. John's Wort - the most popular and best known of the herbal remedies for depression. The main concern regarding the plant extract is its potential for a poor interaction with other medications.
The FDA does not doubt that St. John's Wort may, in fact, help in the treatment of depression, but cannot endorse its using the drug without tests to support the claims. The FDA states, "the herb is the most-prescribed antidepressant in Germany." It is possible that someday, the FDA will approve St. John's Wort, but until then, it is prudent to seek guidance from medical professionals when considering the herb as a solution. This is especially true if you are already taking medication. It is important to avoid drug interactions which may do more harm than good in the long run.
All in all, if you suffer from depression, or think you may have some depressive symptoms, the first stop should be to the doctor's office to find out more information. Self-medicating may be ill-advised and may lead to additional problems. Only a trained medical practitioner has the knowledge to fully treat the myriad of issues surrounding depression. You never know, talk to your doctor, he or she may even be able to guide you through more natural remedies for your depression in the long run - it is worth a try.
