Natural Remedies For Elderly Depression
- Psychotherapy is perhaps the most common non-medication treatment for depression in older adults--and the rest of the population as well. You can meet regularly with a licensed therapist or psychiatrist to discuss problems and learn ways to fight off depression. Besides delving into past issues and experiences, therapy can be a proactive education in how to become a happier person by modifying your thought processes and behavior. A good therapist can teach you the tools you need to get back to normal functioning. Psychotherapy also can help older people who are not depressed. Simply having someone to regularly talk with and express concerns to can help resolve issues before they become as serious as clinical depression.
- Some natural alternatives to antidepressants can you recover from depression. Some elderly patients do not tolerate medicines as well as younger people, or the side effects might make it impossible to continue with a medication. In some cases, L-Tyrosine, L-Phenylalanin and other amino acid supplements are used successfully to treat depression. These supplements can have mood-enhancing effects when metabolized in the body.
- Certain vitamins and minerals also can help treat the symptoms of depression. Taking a B-complex vitamin might cause positive mood changes. Often, depression patients have a deficiency of these vitamins, including B-6 and B-12. Folic acid deficiencies can occur during periods of psychological distress, so taking a supplement can build those levels back up and help treat depression. A magnesium deficiency can cause the same effect, and taking a magnesium supplement may help with boosting your mood.
- There also are herbal remedies for depression. One such treatment is St. John's Wort. This plant extract can be an effective antidepressant alternative for some older people. However, be aware that just as with medication, there can be side effects and drug interactions with St. John's Wort. Ginkgo biloba, though not a general treatment for depression, still may be helpful for older people. Often, depression stems from the decline of mental functions. Ginkgo biloba can help improve cognitive function, thereby helping relieve depression for some people.
