Most of us think of depression as being a chemical imbalance in the brain which requires the use of medication to manage. Millions of people experience the debilitating effects of depression, and accept that finding the right prescription is the only solution. In order to find an alternative approach to depression, it is first necessary to examine what is at the root of this disease.
It is hard to ignore the effects of modern life on the way we feel, and how these can manifest themselves in our bodies. Poor eating habits, inactivity, stress, and toxins in the environment all impact our psychological well-being and create an imbalance in our bodies which can result in inflammation. Whereas the use of medication to combat depression may be useful, it does not address these lifestyle effects. For this reason, I am suggesting that there are 7 things which we should all know about depression.
1. Depression is not always the result of a chemical imbalance
It is tricky to assess the right balance of serotonin in the brain on an individual basis, and an anti-depressant which appears to work is not necessarily addressing this imbalance. Ponder the example that aspirin does not help alleviate a headache because of an aspirin deficiency in the brain.
2. Anti-depressants can be risky
The use of anti-depressants should not be taken lightly. In addition to being one of the most difficult drugs to withdraw from, they can be responsible for liver damage, sexual and cognitive dysfunction, and can permanently affect the brain’s ability to regulate itself.
3. Anti-depressants are not the whole story
Even if they provide some relief, anti-depressants will not “cure” you, because they do not address the underlying cause of the disease.
4. Anti-depressants are often prescribed by non-specialists
Over 10 percent of anti-depressants are prescribed by General Practitioners, rather than Psychiatrists who are uniquely qualified to diagnosis a Major Depressive Disorder.
