Depression

Depression Treatment Solutions

Depression is a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. Depression is one of the most debilitating menopause symptoms.

The symptoms of depression can range from physical to emotional feelings and could be:

• Poor concentration and memory loss.
  
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping.
  
• Increased anger or feeling of hopelessness.
  
• Unexplained weight gain, body aches without cause.

Everybody suffer from some of these symptoms at sometime in their life, for a longer or shorter period of time. If you find that you're suffering from any of these symptoms, than you need to do something about it.

Depression can be treated by: Therapy (talking to a trained professional). Medication (a doctor or psychiatrist will prescribe appropriate medication). Herbal Remedies Self Help (personal approach)

Herbal Remedies

• St.John's Wort is one of the best herbal solution for depression. The tea has a very strong aroma and taste, similar to licorice.
  
  
  • Tip - Drink a cup of very hot tea every evening, before bed. It is very relaxing.
  
  
• Linden Flowers tea can also be used to offset depression. It has a very pleasant taste and aroma.
  
  
  • Tip - Take a bath that will calm nervous tension. Boil 2-3 handfuls of Linden flowers (or tea packs) in 1 qt. of water and pour it into the bathwater.
  
  
• Rosemary Leaves tea is used as a tonic for calming nerves. By stimulating the brain and nervous system, it is also a good remedy for headaches.
  
  
  • Tip - Crush the dried leaves before steeping, the aroma will be stronger.
  
  
• Ginseng products are popularly named "tonics" because they boost the mental and physical functioning, as well as the immune system.
  
  
  • Tip - Drink Ginseng tea in the morning instead of coffee. You'll feel very energized!
  
  
• Ginger is a natural mood enhancer, among so many other awesome qualities. The tea has a delightful taste, spicy and exotic.
  
  
  • Tip - Try a ginger bath for about 10 minutes. You'll sweat, get rid of toxins and sleep like a baby!
  
  
• Echinacea relieves stress by boosting the immune system.
  
  
  • Tip - Drink tea right before bedtime, you'll feel amazed by the effect on your body.
  
  
• Black Cohosh and Red Clover relieve the muscle pain caused by nervous tension. These plants are relaxants, antispasmodics and sedatives.
  
  
  • Tip - The Black Cohosh tea has a very strong taste and if you don't like it, you can use tablets or tincture.
  
  
• Sarsaparilla is very effective for treating menopausal depression because it is a natural hormone balancer. It is also a tonic stimulant, increasing the metabolic rate.
  
  
  • Tip - The best way to benefit from this plant is to take tablets.
  
  
• Sage is a tonic, it increases alertness, calmness, and contentment. It improves brain function and memory.
  
  
  • Tip - The tea has a very strong aroma, you can take capsules if you don't like the taste.
  
  
• Yam is a good source of vitamin B6, which is used as a supplement for menopause treatment.
  
  
  • Tip - Add chunks of Yams to your next pan of roasted vegetables, it is not only beneficial for your health, but also delicious!

Self Help

It is very important to study your own symptoms. For instance, I kept a daily journal for the fist two months after my hysterectomy. While I was studying my symptoms, I realized that communicating with others was my main problem. I didn't want to talk to anybody. I had a lot of negative thoughts. The solution to get out of this state of mind was to remove those negative thoughts and to develop a positive attitude.

But how?

I am a self made type of woman, so going to a therapist was out of question. I stepped back and took a look at my life, like a painter looking at her easel. Where is this situation leading? How it affects my life? What am I thinking about most of the time? What is my stress level? What makes me happy? What activities I like the most? Am I eating right?

I examined all these and I found my solution: MEDITATION! Meditation always helped me, and I know how to clear my mind. I decided to do it more often and to combine it with one of my favorite activities: walking. That's how I developed my own method of meditation.
My final advise is to analyze your problems. You have the choice to manage your own depression and only YOU know how severe it is and how it affects your life.