Articles
/
Depression 
Homeopathy
for Depression: Treating the Cause
As
published in the Dec 2002 - Jan 2003 issue of Vitality Magazine
When
did your depression begin and what was going on in your life at
that time? This is one of the first questions your homeopath will
ask when you're seeking help for depression.
The
answers are as diverse and colourful as the patients themselves.
Perhaps you have felt depressed all your life due to hereditary
factors. Maybe it began after a major and traumatic event in your
life, such as divorce, abuse, death of a loved one, or loss of
employment. Or possibly you became depressed as a result of hormonal
imbalance, which is common during puberty, after childbirth and
during menopause. The answer provides an important clue to finding
your homeopathic remedy. At the same time, regardless of the triggering
event of your depression, homeopathy can help you get unblocked,
turn the corner, and set you on the path to recovery.
Most peoples' perception of homeopathy is that it is herbal medicine
used for minor conditions, such as runny noses, allergies, and
indigestion. In reality, homeopathy is the most complete form
of medical science in existence. Not only can homeopathy treat
simple conditions, it is very successful in curing serious illnesses,
such as Chronic Migraines, Endometriosis and Depression, to name
just a few. The limitations of homeopathy are that of the organism's
ability to heal itself. If an organism is capable of producing
a disease, under the right conditions, it is capable of reversing
this process and restoring its health.
Homeopathy
is a medical science based on the law of similars. This means
any substance capable of promoting symptoms or disease is also
capable of curing them, when administered in infinitesimal or
homeopathic doses. The homeopathic approach to curing depression
is no different. After listening to your story, your unique symptoms
and circumstances, a homeopath will give you a substance that
is capable of producing "depression" in a healthy person.
There
are over 3,000 homeopathic remedies to choose from. Treatment
of any disease is based on the totality of symptoms expressed
by the individual. Therefore, in homeopathy we cannot assign remedies
to specific disease labels. Instead, the remedies are unique to
individuals. Each individual suffering from depression expresses
it quite differently; with different feelings, behaviours and
symptoms. As a result, 10 people diagnosed with "depression" will
probably receive 10 different homeopathic remedies.
For example, a patient who had been depressed all his life, who
had feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and had difficulties
expressing his feelings,
made great progress with the remedy Natrum Muriaticum. While another
patient suffering with life-long depression, who was a perfectionist
and unable to tolerate mediocrity, had rage and suicidal thoughts,
made great improvement with the remedy Aurum Metallicum. Two recent
cases of depression involving hormonal imbalance received the
remedies Lilium Tigrinum and Sepia. The remedy Tuberculinum helped
the recovery of a patient who became severely depressed after
separating from her husband, while Arsenicum Album created a spark
of optimism for a young woman who had been depressed since a childhood
occurrence of sexual abuse.
After
taking the indicated homeopathic remedy, patients will start noticing
changes within a few hours to several days. Most people experience
increased energy and motivation. This becomes the catalyst for
positive changes in their lives. I have had numerous patients
clean out their garage or the entire house after taking a homeopathic
remedy; a symbolic expression of cleansing. People adopt a more
positive outlook on life. Depressed patients once again begin
engaging in their favourite activities. Since homeopathy treats
the person and not the disease, the process of cure will take
the same path regardless of your initial complaint. Whether you
initially consult a homeopath because of your depression, chronic
earaches or asthma, all your health issues will be addressed regardless.
Other
reactions to homeopathic remedies include "no change" or "temporary
worsening" of the condition. No change is a sign that either the
chosen homeopathic remedy or the prescribed dose was incorrect.
Worsening symptoms are generally a good sign in homeopathy. During
the process of cure, sometimes the symptoms become aggravated
for a short period. After the aggravation period is over, the
symptoms steadily improve.
The length of time needed to cure depression (or any disease)
depends on the severity and the length of time you've had it.
So it is not realistic for your homeopath to assess how long treatment
should take until your response to the remedies becomes apparent
over a period. While long standing conditions may take months
or years to heal, there will be improvement quite soon. Conversely,
an acute condition such as a sprained swollen ankle can be healed
within 30 minutes with the remedy Arnica (as just one example).
An important point to consider is that with homeopathic treatment
illnesses and symptoms tend to disappear in the reverse order
of their original appearance. For example, if you have had eczema
for 15 years, depression for 7, and insomnia for 3, the insomnia
will be cured first, followed by the depression and finally the
eczema.
The
correct homeopathic remedy works like magic. Not only can it restore
your health, prolonged homeopathic treatment can even eliminate
predisposition to certain diseases. If eliminating the root cause
of your depression is your goal, then homeopathy is the medicine
of choice.
Tamara
Der-Ohanian is a Classical Homeopath practicing and teaching in
Toronto and Bolton. She can be reached at 416-385-1001.
