Depression is one of the most common mental disorders affecting 340 million people in the world today. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), almost 10 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older suffers a depressive disorder in a given year, with nearly twice as many women afflicted as men. In fact, depression is the leading cause of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) among all women. No one is immune from depression - it occurs in people of all social classes, all countries and all cultural settings. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. Depression can interfere with normal functioning, and frequently causes problems with work, social and family adjustment. Individuals with depression often experience psychological, emotional and physical distress as a result of their feelings.

Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression include, but are not limited to:
· Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
· Feelings of negativity, pessimism and hopelessness
· Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
· Difficulty concentrating and staying focused on a specific task
· Avoidance of family members and friends
· Sleep Difficulty
· Difficulty managing mood swing

Anxiety

Although no one knows exactly why, a great number of depressions are also accompanied by anxiety. The NIMH estimates approximately 13.3 percent of adults between 18 and 54 have an anxiety disorder in a given year. A person with anxiety disorder, experiences fear, panic or anxiety in situations where most people would not feel anxious or threatened. The sufferer may experience sudden panic or anxiety attacks without any recognized trigger, and often lives with a constant nagging worry or anxiousness. Without treatment, such disorders can restrict a person's ability to work, maintain relationships, or even leave the house. Because depression & anxiety so often go hand in hand, they are considered the fraternal twins of mood disorders.
Being both anxious and depressed is a tremendous challenge. Clinicians have observed that when anxiety occurs with depression, the symptoms of both the depression and anxiety are more severe compared to when those disorders occur independently. Moreover, the symptoms of the depression take longer to resolve, making the illness more chronic and more resistant to treatment. Like alcohol and barbiturates, depression and anxiety are a deadly combination when taken together. Both anxiety and depression are frequently treated in much the same manner, which may explain why the two disorders are so often confused.

While depression and anxiety disorders are becoming increasingly common, fewer patients are receiving adequate therapy. Research shows that of those who seek treatment for depression, (approximately 80%) find long term, effective results.
Amidst the news reports and warnings related to prescription anti-depressants in the last decade, many people are turning to natural alternative medicines in an effort to curb the many symptoms associated with depression related disorder. Fortunately, many types of natural compounds are proving adept at enhancing the impact of pharmaceutical treatments (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs) and at treating underlying nutrient deficiencies that may affect mental functioning

Diet & Lifestyle
1. Eliminate sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
2. Identify and eliminate food allergies.
3. Exercise 20 minutes twice a day outdoors
4. Get some more sunlight and use full spectrum lighting in your house
5. Keep yourself busy
6. Keep your immune system healthy by taking Glutamax daily, which can help fatigue and depression that are caused by chronic viruses
7. Keep your hormones balanced through proper diet and nutrition

Natural Alternatives for Depression and anxiety
Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in depression. B12 deficiency occurs much more frequently in the elderly. A Norwegian mental hospital measured the B12 level of every patient over 30 years old who was admitted during a one-year period. The results showed that the percentage of mental patients with below normal vitamin B12 levels was 30 times higher than in the normal population in that area

Folic acid, according to doctors from the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, depressive symptoms are the most common neuropsychiatric signs of folic acid deficiency. In one study, patients with major depression with low folic acid levels were treated with methylfolate (15 mg/day) or a placebo. At both three and six months, patients showed substantial improvements in depression scores compared to the placebo controls. Overall, folic acid supplementation significantly enhanced recovery from psychiatric illness.

In a study at West Park Hospital in Surrey, England, patients receiving folate showed a significant increase in plasma folate, a significant decrease in homocysteine and a greater improvement in depression. Researchers noted that folic acid could greatly improve the action of antidepressants, but should be given in sufficient doses to decrease plasma homocysteine.

St. John's is one of the world's most popular herbal treatment for depression, thanks to its extensive use in Europe. The scientific evidence for St. John's wort, gathered in a number of fairly large clinical trials, is solid. European physicians write millions of prescriptions for St. John's wort annually and it is one of the most publicized herbs in the U.S.

So far, the studies have shown St. John's wort to work effectively in mild to moderate depression. Studies with St. John's wort have used an extract of the herb standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin, which is one of the herb's main ingredients. The established effective dose is 300 mg of this St. John's wort extract, taken three times a day. It is viewed as safe and effective in by the German Commission E, which is a recognized authority on herbal medicine.

In June 2004, incorporated data from 30 studies, and found St. Johns wort had a significant advantage compared to placebo and similar effectiveness compared to synthetic antidepressants. In fact, in studies of mild to moderate depression, St. Johns wort posted better results than synthetic antidepressants, leading the researchers to suggest use of the herb first for milder forms of depression.

Valerian is a traditional herbal sleep remedy that is being studied for its impact on anxiety. One clinical study from the Universidade Federal do Parana, Brazil, investigated the effects of valerian extract, diazepam or placebo on subjects with generalized anxiety disorder.64 Both the herb and the drug significantly reduced the psychic anxiety factors, and researchers said their preliminary data suggests valerian may have a potential anxiolytic effect.
In a study at West Park Hospital in Surrey, England, patients receiving folate showed a significant increase in plasma folate, a significant decrease in homocysteine and a greater improvement in depression. Researchers noted that folic acid could greatly improve the action of antidepressants, but should be given in sufficient doses to decrease plasma homocysteine.

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The contents of the above article are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article