Aromatherapy is one of the best ways to treat one self. It is pampering and nurturing and very satisfying experience.

Aromatherapy is effective in dealing with stress, depression and its related disorders. Depression is an umbrella term encompassing a spectrum of problems and symptoms which could lead to more serious illness.

Though aromatherapy cannot fix the root of the problem, but these essences have an uplifting effect on the mind and emotions. It helps to you to relax, be energized and creates a feeling of well being. Aromatherapy can help in mild forms of depression by easing mental fatigue and help with sleep. Depression related disorders, such as digestive problems, stress and other mental problems, can be treated by Aromatherapy.

Just the right blend applied in massages, baths, diffusers and personal perfumes can all be helpful at such times. In extreme cases of depression, additional support and therapy are necessary.

Few commonly used essential oils for depression are basil, bergamot, clary sage, geranium, lavender, lemon, jasmine, neroli, rose, sandalwood, orange, and ylang ylang.

• Bergamot - A happy uplifting oil, works well against tensions, headaches and anxiety either through massage or a diffuser.
• Geranium - has a powerful effect on depressive moods negative feelings diminish and are replaced with feelings of wellbeing.
• Ylang ylang - helps to balance and calm emotional trauma. Great relaxer for anxiety, depression and insomnia.
• Clary Sage - treats insomnia, anxiety and depression.
• Basil - used to lift fatigue, anxiety and depression.
• Rose - great on the entire nervous system and disorders.
• Sandalwood - the sedative properties are good for treating depression and tension.
• Lavender - used for nervous system disorders such as depression, headache, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension, stress related conditions.
• Jasmine - increase the beta waves in the front of the head which can give you a more alert and responsive state of mind.
• Orange & Lemon - helps in cases of sadness, irritability, lack of energy, and depression.
• Neroli - A gentle sedative rejuvenates the skin and relieves anxiety.

Blends to help with Depression

• Blend 1 - 1 drop Rose, 3 drops Sandalwood and 1 drop Orange oil
• Blend 2 - 3 drops Bergamot and 2 drops of Clary sage
• Blend 3 - 1 drop each of Lavender, Ylang Ylang and 3 drops Grapefruit
• Blend 4 - 2 drops frankincense, 1 drop Lemon and 2 drops of Jasmine or Neroli

The above mentioned essential oils can be used in the correct blend for massages, baths, diffusers and even personal perfumes. You will enjoy the uplifting feeling that will rid your life of depression.

St. John Wort is long living plant with yellow flowers containing many chemical compounds like hypericin and hyperforin. For centuries, St. John’s Wort has been used to treat mental disorders as well as nerve pain. Herbal specialists and doctors in ancient times used this herb as a sedative and treatment for malaria as well as a balm for wounds, burns and insect bits. In addition to the above uses, St. John’s Wort is used to treat mild to moderate depression, anxiety or sleep disorders.

Antidepressants medications have unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, nausea, sleep, etc, while talk therapy could be costly solution for some people. People turn to herbal preparations like St. John Wort because it costs less than many antidepressant medications and can be purchased over the counter.

St. John’s Wort is widely prescribed for depression in Europe. In USA, St. John Wort is among top selling herbal product, though it is not a prescribed medicine. St. John’s Wort is sold as capsules, teas and extracts forms.

St. John’s Wort is not “The” herbal therapy for depression. Scientific studies have shown effectiveness of St. John’s Wort in the treatment of mild to moderate cases of depression. Though recent studies dont support using St. John’s Wort in treating moderate to major depression cases. If St. John’s Wort is taken in large quantity or mingles with any other kind of antidepressants or medications, it could have adverse effects. Though St. John Wort’s is not a proven therapy for depression, European countries like Germany prescribe it this herb for depressive disorder than any other antidepressants.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used when medications and talk therapy fail.

An electric current is sent to the brain causing a brief controlled seizure on the patient under general anesthesia. ECT is used for people who suffer from the following conditions from severe depression with symptoms of insomnia, weight change, thoughts of suicide or homicide and schizophrenia.

Before ECT, the doctor will do a thorough physical examination to make sure that the person is physically fit to handle the treatment. Blood tests, ECG are performed and anesthesia is administered to put the person to sleep.

During an ECT, the person might have to stay at hospital for a day or two or can go home immediately after the treatment. The person will be hooked to an intravenous (IV) line or drip so medicine can be injected in the blood. After anesthetic, the heart rate, blood pressure and breathing is monitored closely. After the person has gone to sleep, an electrical shock will be applied to the head for 2 seconds or so leading to seizure. Depending upon the anesthesia dosage, the person wakes up and will be wheeled to the recovery room for observation. After the person feels better, food, water, etc can be taken. The person can either go home or stay back in the hospital for a day or two.

When the person undergoes an ECT, positive effect on the mood is visible. Short term memory loss, nausea, confusion, headache, muscle ache, changes in the blood pressure and heart rhythm are common side effects of ECT. If any of these side effects have adverse reactions, the doctor has to told, so he/she can monitor them carefully and treat it immediately. After the ECT treatments are over, the person will have start on antidepressant medicine till full recovery. Regardless of providing quick relief for people undergoing ECT, depression treated in this manner often returns back.

ECT is has been portrayed in a negative manner through books and movies wherein the person is tied to the bed and is forced to take electrical charge amidst all the protest of not wanting to go through the same. In real life, ECT is not done on people who don’t ask for it. Though there could be cases of forced ECT due to various malicious reasons.

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is effective in treating depression. Talking to an expert such as psychiatrist or psychologist about your symptoms can help resolve depression to certain extent.

There are many forms of psychotherapies - short term therapy over a period of 10 - 20 weeks. Talking helps the depressed individual to gain insight into and resolve their problems through verbal exchange combined with homework assignments between sessions.

Types of therapy

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - CBT helps the depressed person to identify, challenge and change negative thoughts and ideas. The person is taught how to develop a positive approach towards all areas of life.

• Interpersonal therapy looks in the patient’s personal troubled emotional relationships that cause and increase the state of depression.

• Psychodynamic therapy focuses on resolving patient’s feelings of conflicts and traumas that has occurred at some point in their lives, e.g. sexual abuse during childhood, loss of parent, etc.

• Group Therapy allows coming together of people suffering from depression with similar issues to sit down and share experiences and find ways to overcome depressive issues. Group therapy is conducted in the presence of a qualified therapist.

The length of the talk therapy treatment depends on how deeply the person is affected. Mild versions of depression can be treated in 5-7 sessions or less, while moderate to severe depression cases may require 10 ? 12 or more sessions. Depending upon the severity of depression, the therapist will schedule sessions either once or twice a week. If the person experiences major bouts of depression, the sessions could be held more frequently as in daily.