Depression and Anxiety

What is Depression?

A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.

Depression/Anxiety affects people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds but is more prevalent in women than men, and is especially common among adolescents.

Depression/Anxiety is extremely widespread in Canada and is among the ten most frequently reported medical conditions.

What are the symptoms?

There are several types of depression, ranging from the normal "blues" to dysthymia (mild but chronic depression) to major depression. The symptoms vary but the most common include the following:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Restlessness, irritability
• Feeling suicidal
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

What causes Depression?

Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors are involved in the onset of a depressive disorder. Later episodes of illness typically are precipitated by only mild stresses or minor negative events.

Heredity might play a role as major depression can occur generation after generation in some families.

People who have low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism or who are readily overwhelmed by stress, are prone to depression.

Medical illnesses such as stroke, a heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depressive illness, making the sick person apathetic and unwilling to care for his or her physical needs, thus prolonging the recovery period.

Also, a serious loss, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any stressful change in life can trigger a depressive episode.

What can be done?

The conventional treatment options for depression/anxiety include psychotherapy and antidepressants. While they can alleviate milder cases of depression in 50% to 70% of patients who complete the regimen, about one-third of those who begin therapy never complete it because they see no improvement or experience debilitating side effects and develop dependency. Even among people who do recover from depression, more than one-third relapse within 18 months.

Can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is a safe, affordable, and highly successful alternative to the treatment of depression/anxiety. It does not produce any side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

Acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies to treat depression/anxiety.

Is there any scientific evidence?

Modern research indicates that acupuncture works through the central and autonomic nervous systems; it regulates the activity of the digestive and immune systems, as well as balances the sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood. Moreover, stimulation of acupoints releases endorphins and serotonin, the "feel-good" chemicals that occur naturally in the body but are found in insufficient quantities in people with depression.

Acupuncture has been widely used to treat mood disorders in China and is rapidly gaining popularity in the West. In a recent study at the University of Arizona, acupuncture was proven to be the best alternative therapy for depression. After receiving just 12 acupuncture treatments, 71% of participants experienced major reduction of symptoms, and several were completely cured. The follow-up assessment showed that the results were maintained after 12 months.