An integrated approach to treating depression

An integrated approach to treating depression

Depression, anxiety, phobias and mental health appear in the media almost daily and it seems that depression is quickly becoming one of the biggest problems in society. These disorders are increasingly affecting people living in the modern world, and research has led to estimates that at least 17% of the adult population have had or will have depression of sufficient clinical severity to warrant treatment. A special national report from the Institute of Mental Health on depressive disorders in 1973 found that depression accounts for 75% of all psychiatric hospitalizations and that in a given year, 15% of all adults between the ages of 18 and 74 may experience significant depressive symptoms. Recent studies suggest that the lifetime risk of depression in an adult population may be as high as 30%.

Along with the increasing incidence of depression, there has been an explosion in the use of prescription medications to treat the condition, but recent reports have questioned whether these are effective or actually just cause more problems for the patient. Accordingly, there is growing interest in finding a new approach to treating these conditions. Through my training in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, I am able to integrate many of the common practices. However, the more I worked with individuals and with groups, I found that by incorporating the oriental-inspired approaches I had learned in India, I was able to achieve much more effective and sustainable results in less time.

Understanding depression

In psychiatry, depression is called a mood disorder. Mood disorders have been known to humans since ancient times; the Old Testament describes King Saul as suffering from severe depressive episodes. However, the term encompasses a wide range of emotions, ranging from deep depression to boundless elation and mania, and therefore it can be very difficult to understand the behavior of people with depression.

All people experience a range of emotions and in general they are a healthy part of life and feeling appropriate emotions contributes positively to our well-being. However, there are two main types of emotions; firstly, affective emotions, in other words, a short-lived emotional reaction to an event, and secondly, mood, which is a persistent and dominant emotional reaction that colors the entire psychological life.

More than 90% of depressed people experience persistent moods of sadness, discouragement, or feeling like they no longer care. However, to classify someone as having a major depressive episode, clinicians look for five or more of the following symptoms that have occurred in the past two weeks. There should also be a noticeable change in previous functioning, with at least one of the symptoms being either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or enjoyment.

Symptoms:

1. Depressed mood most of the day.

2. Significantly decreased interest or enjoyment in all or almost all activities most of the day.

3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain e.g. A change of more than 5% of body weight in one month. Or a decrease or increase in appetite almost daily.

4. Insomnia (insomnia) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) almost daily.

5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation almost daily.

6. Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day

7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt

8. Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecision

9. Recurring thoughts of death

No single random factor has been identified as to why people become depressed. Research points to many factors that appear to contribute to its development, including genetics, biochemical changes and personality theories. Several research papers have reported results suggesting that relatives of patients with major depressive disorder have a higher prevalence of depression than people in the general population. Other research has focused on biochemical correlates of depression and examined the role of chemicals that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to another in the brain. While several theories related to depression have been developed in relation to personality types.

My experience as a doctor has led me to see each client as an individual whose needs require personalized care. Humans are complex creatures whose health and well-being depend on balance in all dimensions of their lives, from physical health to behavioral, energy and even environmental aspects.

Treatment of depression

Conventional Western medicine generally treats depression with medication, such as: Tricyclic, heterocyclic antidepressants and the new SSRT drugs. The most common psychological therapies used to treat depression are individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Eastern psychotherapy integrates Eastern methods such as meditation, yoga, pranic or energy, healing, mantra and sound healing with elements of traditional psychotherapy developed in the West. When treating depression and other mental illnesses, it is important to look for the causative factors and explore the problems using Ayurvedic principles as well as recognizing the spiritual component. Sometimes it may also be appropriate to study the astrological chart of the person being treated to gain a better understanding of the influences affecting the individual, and gemstone therapy, which is a commonly accepted practice in many parts of Asia, may be recommended.

The treatment of conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety will undoubtedly be improved through the use of complementary techniques. The value of seeking help from professionals who have worked with both approaches is that they can select the right choice of treatment for each individual. Orthodox techniques often treat symptoms effectively, but Eastern practices may be more helpful with underlying causes. A therapist who understands each individual's personal needs is better able to provide them with an empowering approach to their illness. For some the focus may be on traditional Western methods, but for others accelerated and positive results can be achieved by combining the best of East and West in an integrated treatment program.

With an integrated approach to treating depression, most people can benefit within 3 or 4 sessions, sometimes even less, depending on the nature of their condition. In any therapeutic approach, it is important to ensure that clients do not become addicted to treatment or enjoy only a temporary respite because the underlying causes have not been treated.

CASE STUDY

Miss K, a 35-year-old woman, did not respond to conventional treatment. A holistic approach included energy and environmental assessments as well as their medical background. She had suffered from depression for five years and had been particularly severe in the previous six months. She was taking antidepressants and had several counseling sessions that she didn't like.

The energetic level assessment revealed some blockages in the heart and solar plexus chakras. The environment at home was dark and gloomy, with black and gray being her primary colors; there was no flow of energy.

She was recommended to try a combination of energy therapies including Reiki and music/mantra treatments, along with some suggestions for home environment changes. She also used an herbal remedy (St. John's Wort), massage and acupuncture, and began six sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy. Her program lasted six months, but she responded very well and has been free of depression for over a year and reports feeling generally well and taking an active interest in her life and personal development.

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November 2008

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