DEPRESSION

What is depression?

Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain. Depression is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. Any of these factors alone or in combination can precipitate changes in brain chemistry that lead to depression’s many symptoms.

Depression are common

The World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes depression as one of the most disabling disorders in the world, affecting roughly one in five women and one in ten men at some point in their lifetime.

Depression can be the Shadow in every aspect of life. Once an episode of depression occurs, it is also quite likely that it will recur. And the impact of depression can be even more severe when it occurs in combination with other medical illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, or cardiovascular disease, or with related disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse.

Many factors may contribute to the onset of depression, including: Genetic characteristics, Changes in hormone levels, Certain medical illnesses, Stress, Grief, Substance abuse. Although scientists agree that depression is a brain disorder, the debate continues about exact causes.

The common symptoms of depression

• Feelings: sadness, hopelessness,guilt, moodiness, angry outbursts, loss of interest in friends, family and favorite activities.

• Thoughts: trouble concentrating, trouble making decisions, trouble remembering, thoughts of harming yourself, delusions and/or hallucinations (severe depression).

• Behaviors: withdrawing from people, substance abuse, missing work, school or other commitments, attempts to harm yourself.

• Physical problems: tiredness or lack of energy, unexplained aches and pains, changes in appetite, weight loss, weight gain.

• Changes in sleep: sleeping too little or too much.

• Sexual problems: including loss of interest in sexual activity.

The common treatments of depression

There are several strategies for treating depression:

• Psychotherapy: Depending upon each individual’s characteristics and symptoms, healthcare professionals may employ one or more types of psychotherapy that rely upon a sequence of interpersonal treatment sessions.
• Lifestyle changes: including improvements in sleeping and eating habits, physical activity and stress reduction have also proven very helpful in managing symptoms.
• Drugs:  it doesn’t suit everyone. 
• Other treatments: clinical hypnosis, brain stimulation, cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Acupuncture can effectively treat depression

Clinic practice demonstrated that acupuncture has a effective treatment for depression and anxiety. Acupuncture and TCM is recognized by the World Health Organization (W.H.O) as an effective depression therapy and can be an alternative to medication for depression and anxiety.

Studies indicate that acupuncture can have a specific positive effect on depression by altering the brain’s mood chemistry, increasing production of serotonin and endorphins. Acupuncture may also benefit depression by acting through other neurochemical pathways, including those involving dopamine , noradrenaline , cortisol and neuropeptide Y. (source: The British Acupuncture Council).

It is believed that acupuncture can stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.

If you are experiencing depression or anxiety, make an appointment for a consultation to see if Acupuncture and TCM can provide relief for you.

Herbs we used to treat depression

At Shanghai Medical Clinic, TCM practitioner, Dr. Wang recently received a 27-years-old girl who was diagnosed with depression. He gave her a simple examination using pulse diagnosis and found that she was one of those people who are suffering from depression in Dubai. Dubai is a very hot place, many people stay in air-conditioned room for too long and stay up late every day. That is why many young people suffer from depression. At the Clinic, the ways we treat depression with TCM including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine like local dates.

Because of a lack of yang qi and cold constitution in the body, you feel tired and easily depressed. We usually use some local herbs like white pepper, cloves, black cardamom, dried ginger, cinnamon and date palm. These medications are especially helpful for depression. Patients with depression we treated were almost cured. People with low organ function and overdraw the body are prone to depression, which was mentioned in the “Nan Jing”(one of the classical works in TCM).

Dr.Wang gave her some warm-natured herbs through which their yang qi and power could be increased. The patient’s self-healing ability will be improved accordingly. So what was the patient missing? She was missing dopamine. According to TCM, they may end up in a state of depression if there was dopamine deficiency in the body. We all know that the date palm is the date of the Arab’s life. It not only replenishes energy but also a helpful for male and female sexual dysfunction. We use dates with dried ginger and cloves, white pepper, and daylily, which work very well for depression. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that we also have a local plant called purslane, which contains dopamine and is one of the most adrenaline-rich plants that is great for treating depression.

As a well-knowed TCM clinic in Dubai,  we offer a wide range of treatment modalities for depression. Our team of knowledgeable TCM physicians are ready to work close with you to address your concerns according to your unique needs. Please feel free to contact us for consultation or make a booking online.