Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy, or ETC

When rapid lifting of the depression is deemed necessary to prevent suicide, electroconvulsive therapy may be a treatment of choice.

When a depressed patient is incapadtated, suiddal, or psychotically depressed or when antidepressants are contraindicated or ineffective, ECT commonly is the treatment of choice for depression. Usually, 6 to 12 treatments are needed, although in many cases improvement is evident after only a few treatments. Even so, ECT has been associated with later short term memory loss, arrhythmias, and seizure activity. Researchers hypothesize that ECT affects the same receptor sites as antidepressants.

There are some people who because of severe physical illness are unable to tolerate the side-effects of the medications used to treat mood disorders.

In studies of people treated with electroconvulsive therapy it has been found that 80% of such people report that they were helped by the treatments. About 75% say that ECT is no more frightening than going to the dentist.

How Electroconvulsive Therapy Works?

ECT works by sending an electrical charge to the brain that causes a brief and controlled seizure. Although it may sound frightening, patients receive it while under general anesthesia, and awaken with no memory of the procedure.

A series of ECTs usually consists of six to twelve treatments over several weeks. Many complain of memory loss following ECT.

Headaches, muscle soreness, nausea, and confusion are possible side effects immediately following an ECT procedure. Memory loss, typically transient, has also been reported in ECT patients. ECT causes severe memory problems for months or years in one out of every 200 patients treated.

Information on Electroconvulsive therapy, or ETC

Although the use of ECT is declining in the UK, it is still the treatment of choice in severe life-threatening depressive illness, particularly when psychotic symptoms are present. It is sometimes essential treatment when the patient is dangerously suicidal or refusing to eat and drink. The treatment involves the passage of an electric current across two electrodes applied to the anterior temporal areas of the scalp, in order to induce an epileptic fit. The fit is the essential part of the treatment. Before the treatment is given, the patient is given a general anaesthetic and receives a muscle relaxant to prevent injury during the fit. Treatments are normally given twice a week for 3-6 weeks.

Other important points on Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

ECT is a controversial treatment, yet it is remarkably safe and free of serious side-effects. Postictal confusion and headache are not uncommon, but transient. Short-term retrograde amnesia and a temporary defect in new learning can occur during the weeks of treatment, but these are short-lived effects.

Generally speaking ECT is used as a 'last resort', especially on children and adolescents, and only after all other first-line therapies and treatments have failed to help.


Bookmark this article:

Alternative Treatments for Depression

A health treatment that is not classified as standard western medical practice is referred to as "alternative" or "complementary." Alternative treatment for depression refers to health-care practices considered outside the scope of conventional Western medicine. Many are being integrated into traditional-medicine settings as their safety, effectiveness, and scientific validity are recognized.

Alternative treatments for depression rely on the fact that depression, at crux, is a biochemical illness. Whether the main triggers are physical or emotional, these triggers then induce a broad range of neurochemical changes that, in turn, leads to the feelings of depression and to the physical and psychological disruptions that being depressed then causes.
Once one thinks about the biochemistry it should not be surprising that alternative treatments for depression often play an important role.

There are many alternative treatments available for depression. Each of these alternative treatment of depression addresses human suffering in different ways, but generally they seek to re-establish a balance or harmony within the body and in the lifestyle of the person being treated.

Alternative treatments for depression are as follows:

* Acupuncture - The World Health Organization lists depression among the conditions for which acupuncture is effective. Some studies have shown it markedly lessens symptoms. Acupuncture can be a valuable alternative if you are unable to take antidepressants or have not found them helpful.
* Biofeedback
* Homeopathy
* Ayurveda
* Dietary factors - Because depressive symptoms can be exacerbated by nutritional deficiencies, good nutrition is important. Pay attention to eating a well-balanced diet. Quitting smoking is also advised.
* Aromatherapy - an alternative treatment for depression - Aromas can lower stress levels, affect mood, and even change perceptions of pain. The simple scents of fruits and flowers may lighten mild depression; try inhaling the aromas of jasmine, rose, or clary sage to ease your symptoms. Frankincense and sweet marjoram, inhaled or used topically, may be helpful in reducing stress, while lavender and German chamomile oils can bring on a relaxed state.
* Vitamins and Depression: like Vitamin-B(folic acid) and other supplements
* Colour Therapy
* Diet and Depression - it affects physical health and many aspects of mental health. A vitamin or herbal supplement might promote recovery of physical or mental health and/or help manage symptoms.

Colour Therapy, for example - Warm colors of yellow, orange, and red stimulate mood in color baths, lighting, room decor and clothing. People with hypertension should avoid too much red. These same colors in food provide anti-oxidants that reduce the effects mood swings brought on by allergies. Other research has found that using a negative air ionizer to lessen indoor allergies helps reduce mood swings.

Faith and spirituality have always been important in mental and physical healing. Today many spiritual leaders incorporate psychotherapy, offering professional counseling tailored to a belief system.


Bookmark this article:

Herbal Remedy for curing Depression - Herbs for depression

For some people herbal remedies are useful in relieving the symptoms of depression. Many depression sufferers are able to significantly reduce or eliminate their depression symptoms through herbal and more cost effective means. Herbal and natural remedies offer more options for physiological treatment of depression symptoms.

There is a common perception that herbal remedies are safe because they do not require a prescription. Many of these substances, such as teas and dietary supplements, are sold as food. Because they are not sold as drugs, they are not subject to the stringent quality and standardization control of medications.

In addition, herbal remedies do not require the warnings of side effects or assurance of research proven therapeutic effect.

Herbs for depression

The herbs for depression include a wide variety of species for the treatment the same that there are varying degrees of depression, from mild to moderate or severe. The first step to prescribe either a natural remedy or a medicament is to determine if such depression is short terms or chronic studying carefully how often people are depressed and the circumstances around this situation.

St. John's Wort - Natural, wholesome, inexpensive and available over the counter, Hypericum perforatum seemed to be the dream remedy for depression. The herbal remedy had fewer side effects and as the researchers concluded, it showed promise for the long-term treatment of moderate depression.

SAMe - S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-E) is an amino acid that is used in the treatment of depression. SAMe is an essential amino acid required to maintain healthy neurotransmitter processes in the brain. People suffering from depression often have deficient quantities of certain brain chemicals. SAMe works fast to increase these levels and improve these deficient factors with little or no side effects.

5HTP - 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin, a strong neurotransmitter in the brain. It specifically targets symptoms caused by low seratonin levels such as feeling down, changes in sleep patterns, etc. 5HTP has also been successful as a weight loss aid by suppressing the appetite.

Ginkgo Biloba - Ginkgo is found to be useful in relieving depression, especially in the elderly who suffer reduced blood flow to the brain, according to results form clinical trials. It is a powerful antidepressant and antioxidant that increases blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body. This improved blood circulation increases memory, promotes cardiovascular health and alleviates symptoms of Alzheimer's patients.

Siberian Ginseng -Siberian ginseng improves the balance of important neurotransmitters (including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) in the brain. Its various varieties are referred to as an adaptogen, a substance that assists body in adapting to external physical stresses. Ginseng is believed to stimulate the immune system, enhance abstract thinking and improve aerobic capacity. Ginseng may also benefit people with diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels.

When nutritional or hormonal imbalances are present with symptoms of anger, anxiety, frustration and/or guilt, the herbs for depression must be used with oils of Rosemay, Lemon, Bergamot or Clary Sage, good for fatigue, lack of concentration, despair and grief or Rose, Lavender and Sandalwood when the patient experiences mental hyperactivity and restlessness.

Along with herbs for depression, if you have any symptoms; walk, exercise, go to the movies or participate in activities that make you feel better but don't forget to consult a professional to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment.


Bookmark this article:

Ways to Relieve Stress

Stress is defined by the dictionary as, "mental or physical tension or strain.

Find Ways to Relieve Stress:

There are dozens of opportunity everyday to make a dent in your stress level. Here are a few good tips to relieve stress:

- Schedule stress session:

You schedule everything else-why not manage anxiety this way too? Set aside a specific time everyday when you will give yourself permission to worry.

- Relieve Stress by Breathe:

If your are stressful, stop, close your eyes and focus your breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, directing the air deep into your belly. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this 5-10 times and u will see how this technique works.

- Relieve Stress through Use scents:

If you connect a certain fragrance with an emotionally uplifting situation, you can use it to trigger a relaxation response. Stress, pollution, unhealthy diet, hectic but sedentary life styles - all these factors have adverse effects on our bodies and spirits. The potent pure essences of aromatic plants, flowers and resins, can be used to work on the most powerful of senses - smell and touch - to restore the harmony of body and mind. Learn on how Essential Oils can effect the way you deal with stress and how they can help to combat it.

- Relieve Stress through Meditation:

The tension of modern working practices often mean that people are so bound up in meeting all the vigorous demands placed upon them that they maintain a high level of mental and physical activity right through the day. This frequently means that they are not only cutting off their extremely important emotional responses and their enjoyment of the simple things in life, but they are also pushing their physical and mental health right to the very limit. Much has now been written about the management of stress and the significant need for period of mental and physical relaxation during the working day.

If you are under stress, you may find that meditating twice daily will be effective in restoring composure. Make a time and space you can call your own and use breathing and relaxation exercises to ease yourself into the meditative state. Learn more on Meditation and its uses in stress relief.

- Flex:

You can achieve deep relaxation by tensing and releasing individual muscle groups. Practice by clenching your fists. Feel the strain in your hand and forearm and hold it for 7 seconds, then release. Let the feeling of relaxation deepen for 30 Seconds. Repeat 3 times. Then move on to another muscle group.

- Get moving:

If there is a magical cure for general anxiety and the moodiness it can cause, then most experts agree that moderate exercise is it. So skip rope with your children, walk the dog, bound up the stairs and simply get going. Exercise routine helps to improve over-all mood and fitness and should take you roughly 30mins to complete.

It is widely acknowledged that if you can discipline yourself to do some form of exercise regularly, you will almost definitely feel better for it. Even a brisk walk once a day is a good start. Learn more on Exercise.


Bookmark this article: