Self-treatment of depression with folk remedies

Hello, friends! We all experience depressed mood from time to time. Natural herbal remedies are best in relieving such a condition caused by the loss of loved ones or other difficult circumstances in life. Today we’ll talk about treating depression with herbs.

Warning

It is important to understand that the severity of depression can vary. In difficult cases, herbs will not bring any benefit, since drug treatment is necessary. But many people can also benefit from natural remedies that have fewer side effects. Mild cases can be treated relatively safely with herbs, essential oils, herbal teas and yoga.

Under no circumstances should you try to cure the suicidal form with herbs and other natural methods. This disease requires drug treatment under the supervision of a doctor. In the case of manic form and depression, accompanied by hallucinations, medical intervention is also necessary.

Recipes of folk remedies for self-treatment of depression:

Mix the leaves of the three-leaf plant, peppermint, and valerian root in equal parts. 1 tbsp. l. collection, pour 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Drink 1-2 glasses in the evening or 3 times a day, half a glass half an hour before meals.
A mixture of hop cones and valerian root is prepared and taken in the same way.
4 tsp. marjoram pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day.
For increased nervous excitability and insomnia, dissolve 1 tsp in a glass of hot water. honey, add juice of 1/2 lemon. Drink this drink 3 times.

Don't be discouraged. If you make your own efforts, you can get rid of depression! (Source: newspaper “Vestnik ZOZH” 2004, No. 1, pp. 6,7,8,).

Side effects of valerian and contraindications to its use

Authors |
Last updated: 2019 Valerian is a drug with fairly low toxicity and, therefore, the risk of side effects from its use is minimal. And yet, both valerian and drugs based on it, like almost any pharmaceuticals, have a number of undesirable effects on the human body.

Such drugs are more likely to be dietary supplements than drugs, which does not exclude the possibility of developing side effects after taking them

It is also important to remember that in certain conditions and in the presence of certain diseases, the use of valerian is strictly contraindicated.

The occurrence of certain side effects (from heartburn to loss of consciousness) will depend on a number of factors: the form of release of the drug, the dose taken, the initial state of the body of the person taking valerian. In addition, treating valerian as a natural and safe remedy is often accompanied by an overdose, and this is fraught with quite serious consequences for the patient.

So, why is valerian dangerous for humans, and what are the contraindications and side effects of this drug?

Side effects of valerian

Valerian has a sedative effect on the human central nervous system by enhancing inhibition processes in the cerebral cortex, and also causes relaxation of smooth muscle muscles, has a mild choleretic effect and enhances the secretion of the glands of the gastrointestinal tract.

Side effects occur partly as consequences of such activity. For example, among them the following are described and regularly recorded in patients:

Drowsiness;
Depressed state;
Decreased concentration;
Muscle weakness;
Depression;
Arrhythmia;
Bradycardia;
Reduced blood pressure;
Nausea;
Abdominal cramps;
Intestinal dysfunction.

All of them appear rarely and are quite weak, in most cases they are not noticed at all against the background of the effects that the patient was counting on. However, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of their manifestation.

In case of hypersensitivity to valerian-based drugs, allergic reactions (rashes, itching, hyperemia, redness of the skin) may occur. In these cases, taking the drug must be stopped immediately.

In some cases, when taking valerian, the opposite effect on the central nervous system may occur, namely, mental agitation, irritability and insomnia.

Such reactions account for no more than 5% of the total number of side effects and are individual for a particular patient. If they occur, valerian should be replaced with other means.

The adverse reactions listed above can occur when taking any form of valerian preparations.

Judging by the reviews, the most common manifestations of adverse reactions in people taking valerian are headache, drowsiness, dizziness and decreased concentration.

Headache when taking valerian may be associated with spasms of blood vessels.

Approximately 30% of people who took valerian experienced a negative reaction from the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, constipation and cramping abdominal pain.

The manifestation of an adverse reaction of valerian in the form of a stimulating effect on the central nervous system is less common when using the recommended doses of the drug. This side effect of valerian is more often observed among people suffering from hypertension.

When taking various forms of valerian, the frequency and specificity of adverse reactions is the same for both the body of men and the body of women. Valerian has a fairly beneficial effect on the female body, helping to alleviate premenstrual and climatic syndromes.

Side effects of different formulations of valerian

The most commonly used form of valerian release is alcohol tincture. Common side effects when taking the liquid form of valerian include headache and drowsiness due to inhibition of the functions of the central nervous system, but many people taking the tincture also experience side effects from the gastrointestinal tract - nausea, cramps and constipation.

Valerian tincture causes the greatest number of side effects due to the effect of alcohol on the body

Due to the presence of 70% ethanol in valerian tincture as an extractant, side effects from the liver (in the form of pain and tingling) and a more pronounced decrease in concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions may occur in comparison with the side effects of other forms of valerian release. In this regard, valerian tincture should not be taken if it is necessary to drive vehicles or work with potentially dangerous mechanisms.

The founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, believed that valerian tincture should not be taken orally, but should be sniffed before bed. Subsequent studies confirmed that when taken through the lungs, valerian vapor is absorbed 20 times faster and more efficiently than tincture when taken orally. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of this technique could not be verified.

Side effects when taking valerian tablets in recommended doses are much less common than when taking valerian tincture or essential oil. They manifest themselves mainly in the presence of sensitivity to the drug or when the recommended doses are significantly exceeded, in the form of drowsiness, headache, constipation.

Herbal tea based on a decoction of the roots and rhizomes of valerian is recommended for use in the same cases as any form of valerian. Adverse reactions when taking a decoction of valerian roots appear with long-term use to treat headaches, excitability, anxiety and insomnia.

Side effects of such drugs are often the reverse side of their therapeutic effects.

Side effects when using valerian essential oil are accompanied by nausea, severe headache, drowsiness, abnormal heart rhythm, overexcitation, or, conversely, severe depression, even depression.

Homeopathic remedies with valerian have a significantly lower likelihood of adverse reactions when taken in recommended doses and for a strictly defined time. This is due to the fact that all homeopathic medicines contain virtually no active ingredients and can neither have a therapeutic effect nor cause side effects.

Dangers of overdose of valerian

It is generally accepted that valerian is a very safe remedy, exceeding the recommended dosage of which does not pose any danger to the patient. Because of this, cases of overdose of its drugs are very common, in which patients try to drink a lot of it in order to quickly get the desired effect.

As already mentioned, valerian enhances inhibition processes in the cerebral cortex and thereby has a depressant effect on the central nervous system.

Contraindications for valerian and drugs based on it

An absolute contraindication to the use of valerian is the presence of an allergy to it. If it has not been taken before and it is not known how it can affect the body, the first doses should be carried out with a small amount of the product.

Typical signs of allergy upon contact with the product.

Further, valerian is contraindicated for people who are depressed and depressed, as well as people taking other sedatives with similar pharmacological effects.

It is also useful to read: Should children be given valerian?

Enterocolitis is also a contraindication, which can be aggravated by the influence of both valerian and the alcohol from its tincture.

Since valerian is included in Corvalol, which is banned in many countries, it is sometimes believed that valerian is banned in Europe, but this is not the case. Valerian is a medicinal product approved in all countries of the world.

Due to the limited data available on the use of valerian in pregnant women and nursing mothers, valerian is contraindicated for this population group, except as directed by the attending physician.

Children under 12 years of age are also contraindicated for valerian, however, in certain cases, the pediatrician may prescribe this drug.

Valerian tincture is not recommended for use by people with liver problems due to the alcohol it contains.

Any form of release of valerian is contraindicated for persons before driving vehicles or working with dangerous mechanisms that require increased concentration.

In general, any activity that requires increased concentration and performance is incompatible with taking valerian in any form of release.

If you plan to drive home, you should drink valerian upon arrival home

Due to the same decrease in concentration, inhaling valerian essential oil is not recommended for people aged 10 to 65 years, as well as for pregnant and lactating women.

Valerian is quite dangerous for people who combine it with alcohol.

This combination can have consequences in the form of loss of consciousness and even coma, leading to cardiac arrest, which is explained by the combination of the relaxing and inhibitory effect of alcohol on the brain with the inhibitory and inhibitory effect of valerian on the nervous system as a whole. Taking valerian tincture in alcohol together with alcohol can lead to chronic liver damage.

Combination of valerian with other sedative herbal preparations

In the treatment of mild disorders of the cardiovascular system, digestive tract and disorders of the central nervous system, valerian is often prescribed in combination with other medications.

For example, Zelenin drops containing valerian with belladonna leaves, tincture of lily of the valley and menthol are quite popular; a combination of tinctures of valerian, motherwort, peony and hawthorn is also in demand.

Such herbal medicinal combinations have a mutually reinforcing effect of the components included in their composition, but the side effects of such combinations are usually more pronounced.

They include a stronger decrease in concentration, a rapid and severe decrease in blood pressure (contraindicated for people suffering from hypotension), and, of course, a higher risk of allergic reactions.

In such complex preparations, it is necessary to take into account the side effects of all active substances included in them.

Valerian is also included in many well-known herbal preparations and tinctures. These include Corvalol, Persen, Novo-Passit, Validol, and other sedatives. When taking them, it is important to know that valerian has its own side effects, which may be enhanced by the side effects of other components included in such medications.

Interesting video: what consequences can a drug overdose have?

Source: https://herbarix.ru/valeriana/info/pobochnye-dejstviya-valeryanki.html

Psychiatrist Lebedeva E.O. Seasonal depression.

Signs: low mood, motor lethargy, mental retardation. Constant fatigue, feelings of anxiety, guilt. The reason is lack of light, loss of serotonin. Danger of suicide. Antidepressant treatment...Prevention of seasonal depression. 1) Be outside in the light as much as possible. 2) Drink St. John's wort tea. Pour 2 tsp. with 250 ml of boiling water on top, bring to a boil. Drink 2-3 cups a day. 3) Drink St. John's wort infusion. Pour 25 grams of dry St. John's wort into 250 ml of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Take 1 tbsp. 4-6 times a day after meals. (Source: newspaper “Bulletin of Healthy Lifestyle” 2006 No. 6, 26-27.)

Valerian tablets help with depression

Valerian extract is the most popular and relatively safe sedative. Pills and tincture are used for stress, insomnia, and malaise. Although all people know what Valerian tablets are, the instructions for use will tell you how to use this natural medicine to prevent harm to the body. The composition has a number of contraindications and can cause allergies, so it is not recommended to start taking pills or tinctures without a prescription.

The product is attractive due to its low price and is very popular among Russians. The drug has the international name Valeriana officinalis. It is available in the form of a liquid tincture, tablets, or is included in other medications with a sedative effect. Valerian is a herbal remedy. In addition to the fact that the drug calms the nervous system, it has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.

The main component of the tablets is thick valerian extract. Additionally, the drug contains the following substances:

starch;
magnesium carbonate;
croscarmellose sodium;
gelatin;
sugar;
hatinin;
essential oils;
calcium stearate.

Natural origin makes the medicine relatively safe for the body. The tablets give a moderate sedative effect. The action is explained by the presence in the composition of the drug of essential oil based on borneol with isovaleric acid. The effect appears only after 30-40 minutes, but lasts for a long time. The components included in the drug dilate coronary vessels, activate the growth of gastrointestinal secretion, and have a slight choleretic effect. If treated for a long time, the pills can cause hypotension.

Before you start taking pills, you should consult a specialist. Valerian can be used in combination with other drugs in the treatment of renal failure, spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, against migraines, hysteria, and depression. In individual cases, tablets are prescribed to lower blood pressure. However, the main indications for the use of valerian are the following symptoms:

stress;
insomnia;
migraine;
nervous tension;
problems with the cardiovascular system;
hypertension;
vegetative-vascular dystonia;
central nervous system disorder;
dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

Before starting to treat irritability, increased excitability, unreasonable fear and other problems, patients want to know whether there is a result from using valerian. Due to the slow effect of the active components of the product on the body, many people believe that these pills are not worth taking. However, Valerian, due to the content of natural essential oils, alkaloids and tannins, has a positive effect on the nervous system.

Knowing how to take Valerian tablets for nerves, you can withstand stressful situations. However, for example, pills do not provide a quick effect in case of hysteria. The medicine is more suitable for those who are preparing for stressful situations (lawsuit, wedding, exams), because in this case you can take the medicine in advance and ensure your own peace of mind. In addition, the medicine copes well with insomnia without causing harm to health.

It is important to remember that during the period of use of this drug, the patient may experience slow reactions, absent-mindedness, and inattention. The instructions on how to take Valerian tablets indicate that a long course of treatment may cause slight inhibition. If there is excessive absent-mindedness, you should stop taking valerian root extract.

You can use the product yourself or give it to a child only after a doctor’s prescription, following the following recommendations:

The tablets are taken after meals.
There is no need to chew the pills; they are swallowed whole.
It is important to take the medicine with clean water.

The duration of use of the drug depends on its effectiveness for a particular patient. Courses can be prescribed for 14-30 days, but no more than one and a half months. Long-term use of tablets leads to the development of heartburn, drowsiness, and decreased performance of the patient. If the result from using the pills is not observed within a week, then you should stop taking it and replace the product with another one.

Taking medication depends on what problem the patient needs to eliminate, as well as on his individual characteristics. A general course of 14 or 30 days is prescribed to relieve stress, headaches, and normalize heartbeat. Use 2-4 pills per day. According to the instructions, drink them strictly after meals twice a day.

How to cope with depression on your own - advice from Dr. Lyubimova.

Depression has different types and depends on the character of the person. If he has been accustomed to patience since childhood, then his fate is depressive apathy. If a person relates to active people, then he begins to feel anxiety and fear, because he cannot solve problems in his usual active way. If depression is recognized early, you can get rid of it quickly and painlessly. As soon as you feel the first symptoms of depression, you should immediately consult a psychotherapist, because if depression is not treated, it will become chronic with frequent exacerbations, metabolism will change, and the person will lose interest in life. But even at this stage, you can help the patient with treatment with antidepressants, but it is better to start taking measures at the initial stage, to prevent a depressed mood. To help yourself avoid becoming depressed, you can use folk remedies.

Aromatherapy will help with a bad mood. Apply 2 drops of bergamot oil to a handkerchief and periodically inhale the healing aroma.
St. John's wort tea also significantly improves mood after 10-14 days of consumption.
For weakness of nervous origin - wipe yourself in the morning with salted water - 1 tsp. for 1 glass of water.
An infusion of herbs helps with nervous excitement and anxiety: St. John's wort, hop cones, valerian. Hops can be replaced with lemon balm.
Basil tea will help you overcome the feeling of fear.
To strengthen the nervous system - an infusion of primrose leaves and roots.
For insomnia and nervous disorders - tea made from peppermint leaves.

Symptoms of depression

desire to sleep all day, apathy, bad mood;
depression, despair, melancholy;
internal discomfort, anxiety;
attacks of self-flagellation, feelings of guilt, rage;
a person does not experience joy from activities that previously brought it;
self-dissatisfaction, low self-esteem;
emotional coldness, insensitivity – a severe form of depression;
lack of curiosity or interest in something.

Depression in men and women is expressed equally. In addition to mental disorders, the disease also has external signs. Physically, the disease can manifest itself as a variety of pain of unknown origin, fatigue, lethargy, sexual dysfunction, constipation, diarrhea, excessive appetite or lack thereof, insomnia or a constant desire to sleep.

Getting rid of depression has become a necessity

You think your negative states are caused by high workloads, cold days and failures. Doctors say that depression as a consequence of stress has become a part of our lives. Bad mood, irritation and dissatisfaction with life are, according to them, a normal reaction of our body to stress. And medicine offers various treatment options for depression.

But I want to maintain my health and get rid of depression. Anti-depression pills are just for sick people. In this case, some experts argue that treating depression with folk remedies can quickly bring the body back to normal. System-vector psychology of Yuri Burlan reveals the true causes of depression, noting: not all bad conditions are what we call depression.

An effective complex to combat depression

The first step is proper nutrition

Chocolate made from natural cocoa is a leader among folk remedies for depression. It is also recommended to eat any foods rich in amino acids. Carbohydrates, which quickly lift the mood for both women and men, also don’t hurt.

However, if you eat only sweets and carbohydrates, your mood will quickly deteriorate. Excess weight has never made anyone healthier.

The main rule is a varied, balanced diet, everything in moderation.

Be sure to add fish and nuts to your menu. Avoid foods containing corn and excessive consumption of sunflower oil. Eat vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins. Prepare your food properly. High heat treatment deprives products of almost all beneficial properties and ingredients. Steamed, boiled, baked dishes in their own juice are the best foods for depression.

Women should give preference to products containing vitamins B3, B12 and potassium. Dishes prepared from pork, fish, chicken, cereals and legumes are rich in such vitamins. Vitamins of this group affect mood, help overcome apathy and psycho-emotional disorders.

Chocolate is the number one product in the fight against bad mood

Second stage – physical activity

Daily exercise will drive out any depression. Even if your job already involves physical activity, don’t give up on daily exercise. Just 30 minutes a day - and the sadness will be gone. Dancing is considered an ideal remedy for bad mood and apathy. You can also go for a morning jog or go for a walk with friends. The main thing is to try to enjoy everything.

Third stage - decoctions, herbal infusions

Herbal decoctions and tinctures are an effective addition to the range of folk remedies for combating depression. Nature itself comes to our aid. Chicory, ginseng, mistletoe and many other plants can provide powerful support to the nervous system: relieve anxiety, calm, lift your spirits, and invigorate.

Fourth stage – tea, juices, drinks

Green tea and natural juices play an important role in the fight against depression. Fragrant tea with honey, freshly squeezed juices, and banana puree will quickly drive away apathy and bad mood.

Tea with honey is a surefire remedy in the fight against apathy and irritability

Fifth step – aromatherapy

Aroma oils fight depression well, especially if used in complex therapy. Buy rose, basil or lemon oils at the pharmacy. You can use them in the following ways:

add to bath;
mix with masks or balm;
lubricate whiskey;
pour into the aroma lamp.

Sixth step – vitamins, balms

Dried fruits, lemon, honey should be on the mandatory menu of a person suffering from depression. If you mix honey with lightly toasted nuts and add lemon zest to the mixture, you will get a very tasty and incredibly healthy treat for tea.

How to treat depression

In order to choose the right folk remedy, we will find out the reasons for your poor conditions.

If you are given a car or a salary increase, will your mood jump up? If so, then it's not depression, it's just a bad mood. People with the skin vector often suffer financial losses. And such blues are cured with the right gift, a pleasant purchase, or growth on the career ladder.

A relaxing massage gives them a feeling of calm and security, and regular physical exercise normalizes the psyche and restores sleep.

If suddenly you met the love of your life, then your mood skyrocketed. This suggests that you lacked emotions. And if you get something that makes you feel these emotions, then your condition was not depression.

Melancholy, boredom, blues - these are the so-called depression of spectators. They lack emotional emotions, sunlight, and bright colors. Folk remedies will be a great help for people with vision. Aromatic baths will lift your spirits, herbal tea will pleasantly relax you, and cheerful music will perfectly relieve nervous tension.

But if the cause of your bad states is fears that are characteristic specifically of the owners of the visual vector, then the realization of your innate properties will help here. This could be caring for those who are now seriously ill and in dire need of help. This is how fear for oneself transforms into a new state - compassion, empathy.

Truly compassionate people never return to depression. This can be easily proven using system-vector psychology by Yuri Burlan.

How to take motherwort for depression?

For depressive disorders in the early stages, you can take motherwort. It is worth noting that it has no contraindications, unlike most chemical sedatives. It is permissible to use this remedy even for the treatment of children and adolescents. How to take motherwort for depression, and in what forms it is sold:

In tablets . The dosage of this drug is prescribed in the instructions, but before using it you should consult a specialist.
In drops . Motherwort drops are sold as an alcohol tincture. As a rule, the recommended dose is a multiple of the patient’s age. The drops are diluted in a small amount of water (approximately 1:10).
Grass . Motherwort in filter bags, pour a glass of hot water, infuse for half an hour and drink throughout the day, diluted with tea. It is recommended to add honey to this drink at night.

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And also - very offensive!

Sometimes it happens that you live constantly being offended - by your mother, colleague, boss. But who else can you be offended by? This state has imperceptibly become a part of you, it crushes you with its negativity. You can't enjoy life.

Instead of joy, you constantly replay the same thoughts in your head: “Why did he tell me that? Why was she so unfair to me? I was not appreciated again.”

This condition is typical for people endowed with the anal vector. They tend to store a large amount of information in their memory. Their main feature is the desire for justice; it is important for them that everything is equal.

How to get out of depression

Depression

- a state of melancholy, depression, gloomy and depressed mood, powerlessness and poor physical well-being, combined with retardation of thinking, slow speech, decreased activity and initiative.

Depression is observed in various neuropsychiatric diseases. Patients in the depressive phase of psychosis require constant monitoring due to a persistent desire for suicide and self-harm. Treatment of the disease must certainly be carried out by a doctor; as a rule, the patient should be admitted to hospital as soon as possible.

What to do when nothing helps

If none of the above helps you, then it’s time to find the causes of your depression.

Real depression occurs only in people endowed with a sound vector from birth. Such a person has been asking questions since childhood: “Why me? Where is this world from? What is a sense of life? Why is all this necessary? Since childhood, he has been reading science fiction, then philosophy, and then he can go into physics or poetry. And everywhere he will look for the answer to only one question - “What is the meaning of this life?”

He is not very interested in the world around him. And this question, day after day, year after year, does not allow you to relax and receive pleasure in the way that all other people are accustomed to receiving.

As a result of the strongest failure to fill their desires with the pleasure of knowledge, as the system-vector psychology of Yuri Burlan shows, sound people go into the most difficult states. It is the non-realization of sound desires that is the real depression. Only sound people who don’t find answers are depressed. They are the ones who experience headaches and insomnia, filled with continuous internal dialogue.

Real depression - what is it?

This is such a difficult condition that cannot be solved by any material objects.

If a sound artist is in a state close to depression, he doesn’t want anything. And nothing can compensate him for this, bring him out of a bad state - neither love, nor money, nor fame, nor honor, nor knowledge. None of the values that exist in the material world will bring him satisfaction.

Are there the same simple suitable remedies for getting rid of sound depression as there are for people with other vectors? No. And even if something helps, the effect is temporary and insignificant. The depression of the owner of the sound vector goes away only if he finds the answer to the main questions of his life.

This most important question is answered by System-Vector Psychology of Yuri Burlan. It is she who reveals all the secrets of the unconscious, and here many people receive answers to the question: “Why did you come into this world?” - and get rid of depression.

Here are some reviews from people who have recovered from depression:

Already at the first free lectures, many people receive relief from their serious conditions. Register for free online training on system-vector psychology by Yuri Burlan here.

Author Valeria Vladimirova

The article was written using materials from online training on system-vector psychology by Yuri Burlan

Causes of depression

Situational (reactive) type of depression

At some point in our lives, most of us experience some degree of depression due to the physical or emotional stresses that are part of adult life. We suffer from the loss of love and friends, disappointments in our relationships with others and in our careers, and we suffer threats to our physical health or the health of our parents, spouses, and children. Sometimes the emotional burden of the typical stresses of adult life becomes too much to bear, and we become depressed.

This situational or reactive type of depression, a direct result of psychologically distressing events, may require nothing more than time, patience, and supportive love to resolve unless the symptoms become too severe or take too long to subside.

But when typical symptoms such as: depressed mood, feelings of guilt, feelings of worthlessness and helplessness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, loss of interest in work and social life, loss of energy, headaches and other physical complaints, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite and decreased sexual desire comes into conflict with your actual capabilities and normal activity, you need qualified advice to find a way out of depression.

Depression due to hormonal shifts

Other forms of depression have more real causes.

For example, the hormonal shifts that women often experience during menopause can cause quite severe depression. Despite the fact that therapeutic treatment and prescription of medications are often necessary, the use of traditional medicine is a more effective aid in getting rid of depression.

Depression usually occurs in people who are deficient in folic acid and vitamin B6, the deficiency of which leads to low levels of serotonin in the brain, a substance important in maintaining a good mood. Deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (B2) and vitamin B12 can also contribute to the formation of depressive syndromes. Depression is one of the earliest symptoms of vitamin C deficiency.

Iron deficiency causes depression at the same time as anemia, but anemia disappears with iron supplementation faster than bad mood. Insufficient intake of essential fatty acids contributes to depression, as they are the raw material from which the body produces a group of chemical factors called prostaglandins, important for maintaining a stable mood.

Depression due to poor diet

People who consume large amounts of caffeine (three to four cups of coffee per day or more) typically score high on a test designed to detect symptoms of depression. Many people in the throes of a depressed mood turn to sweets for comfort, but medical research has shown that consuming sugar increases depression, fatigue and moodiness.

The consumption of all types of refined sugar and all types of foods made with these products should be reduced. Eating foods high in animal fats, especially fats found in meat, can increase symptoms of depression.

Seasonal depression

Every year, millions of people suffer from depression between September and April, especially December and February. The so-called seasonal depression is caused by shortening daylight hours and lack of sun in winter. For many, seasonal depression is a serious illness that prevents people from living at their usual pace, working normally, without resorting to medications. For some, seasonal depression involves only minor discomfort and mood swings and does not require medical intervention.