DepressionDepressionWestern vs Holistic TreatmentsWestern vs Holistic Treatments

Presented by:Presented by:

Kim BucknerKim Buckner

Brian MichaudBrian Michaud

Paul PlescovPaul Plescov

Amanda PoynterAmanda Poynter

TopicsTopics

• Signs, symptoms and effects of Signs, symptoms and effects of depressiondepression

• Western treatments of depressionWestern treatments of depression

• Holistic treatments of depressionHolistic treatments of depression

DepressionDepression

• One of the most common mental One of the most common mental health problems in health problems in AmericaAmerica

• One in twenty Americans are One in twenty Americans are diagnosed as having a depressive diagnosed as having a depressive disorderdisorder

• One in fifteen Americans will develop One in fifteen Americans will develop some type of depression during their some type of depression during their lifetimelifetime

SymptomsSymptoms

• Extreme sadnessExtreme sadness

• Loss of interest that was once enjoyedLoss of interest that was once enjoyed

• Weight loss or gainWeight loss or gain

• Sleeping patterns changeSleeping patterns change

Causes of DepressionCauses of Depression

• Recent loss or a tragic eventRecent loss or a tragic event

• GeneticsGenetics

• Stress and hormoneStress and hormone

• Chemical imbalanceChemical imbalance

Types of DepressionTypes of Depression

• Major Depression DisorderMajor Depression Disorder

• Bipolar DisorderBipolar Disorder

• DysthymicDysthymic

TreatmentsTreatments

• PsychotherapyPsychotherapy

• Changing habitsChanging habits

• St John’s WartSt John’s Wart

• ECTECT

• Prescription DrugsPrescription Drugs

Prescription DrugsPrescription Drugs

• Work by altering chemical levels in Work by altering chemical levels in the brain called neurotransmittersthe brain called neurotransmitters

• When levels are low, depression can When levels are low, depression can occuroccur

3 types of Anti-depressants3 types of Anti-depressants

• SSRI SSRI – Selective Serotonin Reuptake InhibitorsSelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

• MAOI InhibitorsMAOI Inhibitors

• Tricyclic or Tetracyclic Tricyclic or Tetracyclic

• Each has a different affect on the chemical Each has a different affect on the chemical levels in the brainlevels in the brain

EffectivenessEffectiveness

• Anti-depressants work 90% of the timeAnti-depressants work 90% of the time

• They are not “happy pills”They are not “happy pills”

• Depression often returns immediately if Depression often returns immediately if medication is stoppedmedication is stopped

Anti-Depressant ChoicesAnti-Depressant Choices

• ProzacProzac

• ZoloftZoloft

• PaxilPaxil

• Requires 2-8 weeks to take effectRequires 2-8 weeks to take effect

• Have to find the correct medication Have to find the correct medication and dosageand dosage

Side EffectsSide Effects

#1 problem- Sexual dysfunction or #1 problem- Sexual dysfunction or impotenceimpotence • Other common side effectsOther common side effects

• DrowsinessDrowsiness• Strange dreamsStrange dreams• SweatingSweating• Dry mouthDry mouth• DizzinessDizziness

Anti-depressantsAnti-depressants

• Anti depressants treat the problem Anti depressants treat the problem directly at the sourcedirectly at the source

• Often the cause of the problem is not Often the cause of the problem is not addressed once the person feels betteraddressed once the person feels better

• Will work for most peopleWill work for most people

Holistic TreatmentsHolistic Treatments

• YogaYoga

• Music TherapyMusic Therapy

• BibliotherapyBibliotherapy

• TCM (Albizzia)TCM (Albizzia)

YogaYoga

• Helps to get the person movingHelps to get the person moving

• Develops new breathing patternsDevelops new breathing patterns

• Improves circulation and sends Improves circulation and sends oxygen to the brainoxygen to the brain

Music TherapyMusic Therapy

• Involves listening and creating musicInvolves listening and creating music

• Helps with stress reductionHelps with stress reduction

• Can be used for relaxation or Can be used for relaxation or physical activity like drummingphysical activity like drumming

• Currently used in psychiatric Currently used in psychiatric facilities facilities

BibliotherapyBibliotherapy

• Self help with reading materialSelf help with reading material

• Contact with therapist is limitedContact with therapist is limited

• Show to be as effective as individual Show to be as effective as individual or group therapyor group therapy

• Depends on material selected, and Depends on material selected, and enthusiasm of patiententhusiasm of patient

TCM (Albizzia)TCM (Albizzia)

• Albizzia- TCM herb used to calm the Albizzia- TCM herb used to calm the spirit and relieve emotional constraintspirit and relieve emotional constraint

• Comes from the mimosa tree, has a Comes from the mimosa tree, has a sedative effectsedative effect

• Also helps with insomnia, memory, and Also helps with insomnia, memory, and irritablilityirritablility

• Possible secret ingredient in Coca-colaPossible secret ingredient in Coca-cola

Holistic TreatmentsHolistic Treatments

• Try to fix the problem instead of Try to fix the problem instead of fixing the symptomsfixing the symptoms

• Can be as effective as medication for Can be as effective as medication for mild to moderate cases of depressionmild to moderate cases of depression

• Must be given time to work, not as Must be given time to work, not as immediate as anti-depressantsimmediate as anti-depressants

• Commitment and enthusiasm are Commitment and enthusiasm are requiredrequired

SummarySummary

• Depression is a serious illness that Depression is a serious illness that effects a huge population of effects a huge population of AmericansAmericans

• Anti-depressant should definitely be Anti-depressant should definitely be used for severe casesused for severe cases

• Holistic treatments can be very Holistic treatments can be very effective and are side effect freeeffective and are side effect free

• Nothing is lost by trying holistic Nothing is lost by trying holistic treatments first. treatments first.