What are some natura| ways to he|p treat depress|on

According to a study published in 2002, some ways that a person could help themselves include
St. John`s Wort, exercise, cognitive behavior therapy and light therapy (Jorm, Christensen,
Rodgers, & GriIIiths, 2002). According to this same article there is some evidence to support
yoga, massage therapy, relaxation therapy and Iolate.
St John`s Wort is an eIIective treatment used in Europe (Jorm, Christensen, Rodgers, & GriIIiths,
2002). There were 27 randomized trials and the eIIects to treat mild to moderate depression and
St. John`s Wort was shown to have eIIects similar to standard anti-depressants. St. John`s Word
acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Folate combined with an antidepressant works
better on some women, one study indicated.
Acupuncture a Chinese treatment has been Iound to release norepinephrine and serotonin when
studied in the United States (Jorm, Christensen, Rodgers, & GriIIiths, 2002). The Chinese
believe it to bring the Iorces oI Yin and Yang together to help with depression. Massage therapy
has a limited time eIIect on depression. Light therapies in controlled studies have shown to
decrease symptoms oI depression when used Ior an hour a day and used in the early morning.
Yoga Ior 30 minutes has proven to help over a control group.
Avoiding or reducing alcohol intake has proven to help with depression. Also studies have
shown that avoiding sugar and caIIeine have greatly improved depressive symptoms. Also selI-
help books on cognitive behavior therapy have proven to help in 273 participants in 6 trials.