Vitamins You Should Be Taking if You Have Depression

 

 
By Steven Booth, Founder of Elevation Behavioral Health
 
Depression remains a mysterious mood disorder not fully understood in the scientific community. With so many possible causes that can factor into a depressive episode it is difficult to know what exactly sparked it in the first place. There are, however, some non-pharmaceutical interventions that may help alleviate the symptoms to some extent. If possible, it is always a good idea to first tackle a bout of depression with holistic treatment options, including vitamin supplements. Nutrition plays a significant role in our mental health, which helps us understand why vitamin supplementation is worth a look. Some of the vitamins and herbal supplements that may help manage the symptoms of depression include:

  • St. John’s Wort
  • SAM-e
  • Vitamin D
  • Omega-3 fish oil
  • 5-HTP
  • Vitamin B
  • Ashwagandha

Major depressive disorder is recognized by its signature symptoms. Symptoms of the mood disorder include persistent sadness, fatigue, sleep problems, loss of interest in activities, change in eating habits, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of suicide. If you are experience a cluster of these symptoms and the vitamin supplements have been ineffective in reducing symptoms, it is crucial that you seek professional help.

Other Ways to Treat Depression

Some ask, 'if depression gets too serious, can you go to rehab for depression?' There are both outpatient and residential mental health programs that are designed to for the treatment of depression. The primary difference between these two rehab settings is that moderate to severe depressive disorders should be addressed through a residential mental health program. Residential mental health rehabs offer closer monitoring, more targeted treatment, a multi-modal treatment approach, and just a higher level of care in general. People struggling with depression will experience the following treatment elements at a residential rehab:

  • One-on-one psychotherapy. Meeting with a psychotherapist on a daily basis will help establish a trust bond allowing you to open up and share possible underlying issues. The therapist will guide you toward changing negative self-messaging that is perpetuating the depression symptoms.
  • Group therapy. Group support is an important aspect of depression treatment. These small group therapy sessions offer an opportunity to share and relate to each other’s experiences regarding living with depression.
  • Family counseling. Improving the family dynamic is a central goal in treatment. Family members are encouraged to participate in their loved one’s recovery journey, and will learn ways to be supportive as they heal.
  • Medication. Antidepressant drug therapy is the standard treatment protocol for depression recovery. The psychiatrist will select an antidepressant to trial, with effects of the drug beginning in about four weeks.
  • Holistic healing. Nurturing the mind-body connection is essential in depression recovery. Using holistic and experiential methods can further enhance the effects of the psychotherapy. These might include practicing mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, guided meditation, journaling, and art therapy.
  • Nutrition and exercise. Brain health improves through sound nutrition and regular exercise. Dietary counseling guides you in making prudent food choices that will enhance mental health and mood. Physical activity produces endorphins, which elevate mood and help achieve a more positive sense of self.

Elevation Behavioral Health is a luxury residential mental health program in Los Angeles, CA.
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Avoid Relapsing During a Pandemic

Image
    By Steven Booth, Founder at Elevation Behavioral Health It can be safely stated that this pandemic has not been kind to people in addiction recovery. For those folks who also have a co-occurring mental health condition, called a dual diagnosis, the past six months have been especially brutal. Increases in anxiety and depression have placed an additional burden on individuals in recovery, which has unfortunately resulted in relapse for many. Some may not recognize the signs of an impending relapse sneaking up on them until it is too late. Warning signs of a potential relapse include: Neglecting sobriety support system. When someone begins to avoid connecting with their recovery support community, such as their sponsor or their 12-step group, it can be a warning sign for relapse. Isolating behaviors. Individuals in recovery who begin to avoid social events or just communicating with friends and family members may be veering towards a relapse. Forgoing healthy habits. Negle...
Read more

Things To Look Out For When Using Mental Health Apps During Pandemic

Image
At a time when there’s an app for this and an app for that, it comes as no surprise that there is now an explosion of mental health apps available. At first glance, this might appear to be a positive, one more way that technology can streamline our lives. But when it comes to our mental health, leaning on an online app may not only be ineffective, but could also present some significant downsides. Some may argue that the availability of a mobile mental health app is beneficial for the individual who lives in a region where mental health services are difficult to locate. It could be beneficial speaking with a mental health professional online given the circumstances we are living today due to the pandemic. Additionally, a mental health app may be a tool that someone could use who may otherwise never seek psychiatric treatment. While these points have some merit, the next question should be, “What exactly is the individual actually  receiving through the app?” If a m...
Read more