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Understanding Depression & Mania or Mood Affective Disorders -- Sarah Ahsan co-authored by Mr. Siegfried Letzel (Homeopath), Mr.S.V.Swamy (Holistic Healer) and Miss Sarah Ahsan (Psychologist) |
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Other effective methods of treatment include Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies, EFT, Photo-therapy and Reiki etc. All such treatments are best taken from qualified professionals, though they are not necessarily medically qualified. Thus they are correctly called healers, not doctors. It helps if you work with a doctor who understands and accepts the role of such complementary methods. After all, the final aim of all treatment methods is to make the patient whole and well. And a useful member of society.
Aromatherapy: The usefulness of scents and perfumes has already been indicated above. Essential Oils as they are called, have a fairly profound effect on the mood. They should be used with caution and the directions of the therapist should be followed. Most of the time, the oils are applied after suitable dilution. They are applied topically, or are applied as spray. Incense sticks, aromatic candles etc. are other options. If you want to use them in office, pl. be careful how the smells affect your colleagues. Some people are exceptionally sensitive to smells and may develop an allergic reaction. Same caution is recommended at home too, if you are not single.
Bach Flower Essences or Bach Flower Remedies: In USA, they are sold as Flower Essences and in UK, as Remedies, though they are same. For a fairly concise treatment of BFRs as they are popularly called, pl. refer to the article by S.V.Swamy in the February Issue of this ezine. Gentian, Gorse and Mustard are frequently indicated in the treatment of depression. Other concomitant symptoms may need other Flower Remedies. Like Pine for guilt, Crab Apple for feeling unclean. Holly for jealousy. If the depression is precipitated by emotional trauma, Star of Bethlehem is useful.
EFT: Emotional Freedom by Tapping is a good technique for dealing with emotional problems. It involves tapping on the Energy Meridian Points, similar to Acupuncture and Acupressure. Though it can be used by one self in the early stages of depression, in severe cases, when the patient is no longer able to take control of his/her life, treatment needs to be given by a therapist. Suppressed emotions do surface and a crisis may occur. But very soon, the flow of energy is balanced and relief from the physical and emotional symptoms of depression is obtained. For more information, pl. consult a qualified EFT practitioner or check out http://www.emofree.com/depr.htm
Photo Therapy and Chromo therapy: The effect of light on SAD was already described above. In general, light and specific colors act as mood modifiers. Some colors stimulate, some colors soothe. Choose a color with which you feel harmonious. Use of gemstones is an extension since the gems do emit specific colors. This is certainly better than use of Aromatic substances when you cannot be alone. Use of flowers of specific colors or taking a walk in a park is a good combination of exercise, fresh air and colors. Green in general, has a calming effect.
Reiki: Reiki is a compound Japanese word that means Universal Energy. The Vital force or Universal Energy, called Prana, Chi, Qi etc., is supposed to enter the human body at the top of the head and flow through the whole body, exiting through the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, palms and soles of feet. Blockage of the energy flow leads to disease. Placing of hands at specific points helps in freeing the energy flow and thus helps the body to heal. Every one has the ability to channelise Reiki. However, a process called Attunement helps the flow a lot. Reiki has been introduced to USA from Japan. There are now several flavors or variations of Reiki, but in the absence of any qualifying adjective, what is meant by Reiki is the Traditional Usui Reiki as taught by Madame Takata of Hawai. Reiki has three levels, level I being the basic course, level II being the Intermediate course and Level III being the Advanced Course or also called the Master Course. A Reiki Level III is also referred to as a Reiki Master, though some Masters prefer to split the III rd level into two, III A and III B. The III A level is called the Third Degree and Mastership is conferred after completion of III B. The difference between the two levels is the giving of the Master Symbol.
For being treated by a Reiki healer, you can approach any level healer. However, if you don't have access to a healer in your area and need distance healing, you need to consult a 2nd degree or 3rd degree healer, since distance healing symbol is given in 2nd degree/level only.
More information about Reiki is available from www.aetw.org and of course from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Reiki_Path
Tissue Remedies: Dr. Schussler, a German Homeopath, was not fully satisfied by the available options in homeopathy and tried to simplify the treatment. He found that the human body tissues contain twelve inorganic salts and thus they are called Tissue Remedies or bio-chemic Salts. Ferrum Phos, Natrum Mur etc. are examples of these. They are prescribed more on clinical indications than on provings alone and are generally used in combinations, and in low potencies. They are taken often two to three times a daily like the conventional medicine.
Visualisation techniques: Since it is the mind that is affected, use of suitable visualisation, imagery, colors etc., helps in chemical modification of the brain and cures depression. Try it with an open mind. If you approach it with a closed mind that it won't work, it won't. Since you will prove your beliefs right.
It is of course possible to combine Bach flowers, Tissue Salts, Reiki and EFT etc., for quick relief.
There are many more complementary techniques and it is not the intention of the author/s to endorse any specific method. Pl. explore what suits you and use them alone or in combination. Finally, remember that the patient only can cure him/herself and the external doctor/healer is accepted when the time to heal oneself comes. And that time comes when one has completed the spiritual or karmic lessons that one has set oneself when coming to the earth plane. Spiritual healing is thus the most powerful of all healing methods and is in the background of all healing. This is of course, the belief of the author/s.
N.B. Clinial depression does not refer to the normal sadness that comes from experiencing one of life's disappointments.Some amount of depression is normal such as following the death of a loved one,the loss of a job or the breakup of a long term relationship.It is even normal for even less serious problems such as doing badly in one's school or not getting admission in the college of one's choice. People who suffer from clinical depression experience similar sorts of feelings but the severity is considerably greater.Moreover,the feelings may last for months and even years.The duration and intensity of these feelings is what diffrentiates it from ordinary depression e.g.,Dysthymia is mild depression but as it is chronic it is classified as a Clinical Disorder,unlike ordinary and temporary depression. References used for the article included Abnormal Psychology by
Alloy,Understanding Psychology by Robert Feldman & Abnormal
Psychology and Modern Life by Carson,Butcher and Minneka. |
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