There are times in our lives when it feels like we just can’t handle things anymore on our own…
We may worry so much it paralyzes us from trying new things.
We may feel an overwhelming amount of sadness that we can’t shake.
Or we may just know that something doesn’t feel right with our mood and it begins to affect our relationships, work, and overall daily lives.
In our fast-paced culture where stress runs high and we have little time and encouragement to process the traumas of life in a safe and loving environment, it is not a surprise that many of us find ourselves here.
However, western medicine has a solution – one that works for many people.
Commonly, when anxiety and depression are discussed with primary care doctors, the patient leaves with a sign of hope: an antidepressant medication.
For many people, antidepressants can help get their lives back in a relatively short amount of time. Over the course of a few weeks, different medications work to slowly change the balance the neurotransmitters in the brain and anxiety and depression symptoms begin to lift.
This can be a true life-saver for many – particularly those with severe anxiety or depression.
However, more and more of our patients on antidepressants suffering from mild to moderate anxiety or depression are beginning to search for natural alternatives to the synthetic drugs.
Unpleasant side effects such as:
– decreased effect of medication
– increased anxiety
– insomnia
– tremors
– restlessness
– decrease in sexual intimacy
– weight gain
– headaches
are reasons for some to inquire about naturopathic options while others prefer to decrease the use of synthetic drugs altogether.
At CNMA, we take a holistic approach to treating anxiety and depression. This means that we work to find the root cause of the symptoms, treating the underlying reason and the relation it has to a client’s overall health.
Some root causes may be:
– unprocessed trauma or grief
– emotional stagnation
– low grade inflammation in the brain
– unbalanced gut bacteria, leaky gut
– lack of sunshine
– improper diet
– hormonal imbalance
as well as other patterns that have become stuck.
To address these sources of anxiety and depression, the following three holistic alternatives can be beneficial for those suffering from mild to moderate symptoms:
In eastern medicine, anxiety and depression are many times linked to blockage of energy in the body. This stagnant energy can be brought on by such things as:
– past traumatic events
– childhood stress
– grief and loss
– abuse
– guilt
– shame
in addition to other life experiences that were never processed.
Acupuncture works to unblock the flow of energy, encouraging emotional release of issues that many times clients don’t even know still exist.
We find that many acupuncture appointments that treat anxiety or depression are accompanied by a freeing of emotions and can include everything from tears to “a ha!” moments.
The calming of both the mind and body during acupuncture allow emotions to surface and issues to be processed.
The balancing of energy combined with a safe and kind environment can help many people work through their emotional pain.
To schedule an acupuncture appointment with Dr. Graves, click here or call us at (303) 688-6698.
- Herbal Supplements.
The use of herbal supplements can be just as powerful as synthetic prescriptions for some people and are safe to use long-term.
Depending on which anxiety or depression symptoms may be present, these herbal supplements are often recommended:
Anxiety
Adrenal Response® by Innate Formulas (take 3 per day)
Lavela WS 1265™ by Integrative Therapeutics® (take 3 per day) NeuroCalm™ by Designs for Health® (take 1 per day or when needed) CBD Oil (take everyday)
Depression
Adrenal Response® by Innate Formulas™ (take 3 per day)
Neurolink™ by Designs for Health® (take 2 capsules, 3 times per day) Mood-Stasis™ by Designs for Health® (take 1 per day)
CBD Oil (take everyday)
Remember to use these supplements only under the guidance of Dr. Graves or your primary care physician and consult them before utilizing any of the above supplements with current medications.
- Holistic Counseling and Buddhist Psychology.
If you have tried talking with a traditional therapist and found it didn’t work as well as you had hoped, don’t give up on the power of counseling.
We find that holistic counseling and Buddhist psychology – therapy that involves the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life – can make a significant impact on working through the ups and downs of life.
Unlike antidepressants that are designed to treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression, holistic counseling strives to find the underlying cause of these feelings and the connection they have to different facets of a person’s overall health.
Healing therapies can include, but are not limited to:
– nutrition testing and customized plans
– specific exercise programs
– hormone testing and therapies
– self-care
– essential oils
– writing therapy
– art therapy
– walking/being in nature
These therapies focus on processing emotional trauma, past experiences, fears and worries, guilt, shame, sadness, and many more.
To speak with our holistic counselor, Jeannette McMahan MS, LPCC-Counselor or our Buddhist psychotherapist, Rachel Gordon M. Ed., MA, Registered Psychotherapist please call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule a complimentary consultation.
We are here to help.
Even though the world of anxiety and depression can feel lonely, know that you do not have to deal with it on your own or solely with a prescription medication.
At CNMA, we will look to find the root cause of your symptoms and then work together to complement your current medication or help you wean off completely – we are just a click or phone call away.
If you live in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, or the Greater Denver Metro area and are interested in natural alternatives to antidepressants, please don’t hesitate to call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule a 15 minute complimentary phone consultation with Dr. Graves to ask your questions and receive his recommendations.
Life is not easy. However, we are here to provide as many natural tools as possible for it to be worked through and enjoyed.
REFERENCES:
https://www.pharmacist.com/article/many-people-taking-antidepressants-discover-they- cannot-quit
https://www.ajmc.com/conferences/psychcongress2018/depression-not-an-inflammatory- disease-but-inflammation-plays-a-huge-role
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