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Using St. John's Wort to treat Depression

Depression comes in many forms and with the overabundanceof anti-depression drugs currently available, it is oftentricky for doctors to prescribe the right one for theirpatients.

Some patients suffer from a mild depression, also known asdysthymic depression. This includes symptoms of sadness anda loss of interest in activity. Many times this kind ofdepression goes unnoticed and untreated, but can last formany years.

Other types of depression include major depression andbipolar depression. There are others as well, and caninclude disorders relating to pregnancy and traumaticevents.

A lot of the medications used to treat depression includecomplicated chemical balances that need to be adjusted tothe particular patient, and can also have multiple physicaland emotional side effects. Some patients report feelingworse after having taken traditional medications or theyreport needing to switch from medicine to medicine as onewears off and becomes less effective.

So what does a person with depression do? What does aperson do if they don't have access to a trainedpsychiatrist that can prescribe them medication?

The newer trend in handling depression begins with ahealthier lifestyle. Eating more fruits and vegetables, aswell as avoiding sugars and caffeine can create a morewholesome environment in the body and an increasedresistance to the everyday stresses of life.

Physical exercise helps to ease mood swings that are causedby depression. It also strengthens the body so that it candeal with stress more effectively.

St John's Wort is a herb that has been used in Europe forcenturies to treat depression. It is now popular in theUnited States.

St. John's Wort works by stabilizing the mood and reducingthe amount of swings in the overall demeanor of the patient.And because it's not created with chemicals, it can alsohave fewer side effects.

It's still in the testing stage, to establish itsdepression alleviation properties beyond doubt. But youdon't need a prescription to get it in the grocery store.So for those who can't make it to the doctor's office, orfolks who find the medical fee too high, St John's Wort iseasily available and conveniently accessible.

As with any medication, you should consult your doctorbefore taking St John's Wart to treat depression. Sometimesdepression has other underlying physical causes that needto be ruled out before medication is prescribed.