For many Christmas can initially be a stressful time, but once all the cards have been written and the presents wrapped, a glow of happiness, satisfaction and excitement builds.
Sadly, though, there are an increasing number of people who dread the thought of Christmas altogether. One in ten of the population suffers with depression and the numbers are increasing. With the number of single households increasing too, it is no wonder that more and more people are turning to anti-depressants to cope with the debilitating illness.
Unlike other illnesses, mental health is one area of medicine that is notoriously difficult to manage. It also carries a stigma; the sufferer feels isolated because there are no outwardly visible symptoms and that some people treat depression with disdain, often telling people to pull themselves together. Anti-depressants are now being prescribed by 93 per cent of GPs (according to a national survey) because of the distinct lack of therapists and 'talking treatments' with waiting lists to see specialists as long as 9-12months.
While some anti-depressants can be very beneficial and can 'kick-start' the system, there are quite a few that can cause much more harm than good because of the side effects.
More and more people are turning to natural, herbal remedies, which have been found to have very beneficial results and very few side effects. Mind (www.mind.org.uk) the charity for better mental health have a brilliant section on herbal remedies.
In brief:
Well-known herbal treatments
As with any types of medicine, it is always important to get advice and read the label, as some herbal remedies may react with conventional medicines.
St John's Wort is very well known and researched for its benefits for mild to serious depression and anxiety with few side effects. It can sometimes react with a few medications, so always seek your Doctor's advice before taking.
Damiana Another herbal remedy that is also good for treating the nervous system. It is also excellent for restoring the libido. Lack of sexual desire is a common symptom of depression. It is routinely used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, a major cause of depression among men - especially younger men. Whilst there are no reported side effects it can be very stimulating so it is best to seek advice from a specialist in herbal medicine before trying the herb!
Valerian
A very well known and well-used herb. It is excellent for the treatment for insomnia and for calming stress. There are very few side effects, but if one suffers from insomnia the benefits certainly outweigh those.
Lavender Available in many different forms, this herb is generally used to influence the nervous system, digestive system, circulation and skin. It also helps sluggish digestion and sleep, and relieves tension headaches. It is also used to help people with mild depression, and to ease pain. There are no reported side effects.
Lemon balm makes a wonderful tea that is great for anxiety, irritability, insomnia, headaches and period pains and there are no reported side effects.
For more information, these sites are very informative:
click here to view the MIND website
and
click here to go to healthyplace.com
also
click here if you would like to contact the samaritans
