People all over the world suffer from the condition depression and millions of people are on anti-depressants, or some other form of medication for their illness. Anti-depressants are one of the most used depression treatments around the globe. Many individuals do not notice any improvement when taking anti-depressants and they tend to stop the medication and seek alternatives. It seems as though anti-depressants are more beneficial to those that have minor depression, or seasonal depression. People with severe depression are not being relieved of all of their symptoms.

Anti-depressants have numerous side effects such as:

•    Insomnia
•    Suicidal thoughts
•    Weight loss
•    Weight gain
•    Lowered sex drive
•    Higher anxiety
•    Numbness to emotion (i.e. The Zombie Factor)
•    Fatigue
•    Dizziness
•    Decrease in appetite
•    Increase in appetite


Some negatives about taking anti-depressants are:

•    The medication can cover an individual’s symptoms, but does not seem to be helping with the issues that are pertinent to the symptoms of depression.
•    After a long trial with anti-depressants the body will not be producing Seratonin (makes you feel happy and content) on its own and will constantly need more of the dosage to keep balanced.
•    Eventually you will be wishing you felt the way you did before any medications, or anti-depressants.

Acupuncture: How it can help with Depression

The safe method of acupuncture provides an easy, painless (both mentally and physically) procedure in which the acupuncturist inserts tiny thin needles into acupressure points on the body. Acupuncture is a natural alternative to taking anti-depressants. It can balance an individual mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. The acupuncturist will ask the client a series of questions about depression and how it affects their body, emotional state, mood and energy. They will be able to figure out the balance and imbalances of the individual to find out where the disharmony lies. Depression is experienced differently by each individual and it is portrayed to the public in unique ways as well. Some people try at all costs to cover up their suffering until at one point they blow up and feel even sicker. This is not a healthy approach by any means and it can only harm you mentally and physically.

Acupuncture for depression may involve:

•    Stress relief approaches
•    Diet recommendations
•    Chinese medicines and herbal remedies
•    Exercise recommendations
•    Various other recommendations and remedies depending on the acupuncturists approach to their therapy

It is a painless procedure that will target the points that need to be addressed on the body. People may think it would be the head area, but acupuncture can involve targeting points on the arms, legs, shoulders, ear, feet and more. The body is an amazing machine and it all connects together in some shape or form. The main purpose for acupuncture is to provide some physical and mental relief, and to maintain hormone levels, symptoms and emotions. An individual can find new found peace and feel more content with life, and be able to handle life’s stresses with more ease than before.