Five Element Acupuncture for Depression
Survival in a fast-paced modern world can come at a cost, often manifesting itself as depression. Common belief is that depression results from a chemical imbalance, but that doesn’t really account for how complex depression can be. Research suggests that depression doesn’t emerge from having too much or too little of certain brain chemical. Rather, there can be many causes for depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. It’s believed that depression is a combination of many interacting forces.
Symptoms of depression are:
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
- Markedly diminished interest in pleasure in almost all activities most of the day, every day
- Significant weight loss or weight gain without dieting, or major changes in appetite or eating habits
- Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly everyday
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation (anxiety or lack of desire to do any thing)
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, desperation, and psychic pain that are ongoing
- Inability to think or concentrate; indecisiveness daily
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or a specific plan or attempt of suicide
Depression must be dealt with on every level of the person’s being. Five Element acupuncture is structured for this. The theoretical model of the five elements can be useful in diagnosing and treating a patient suffering from depressive illness. It is vital to assess the severity of a depressive’s condition, and tend to their individual needs. In any case, the five element acupuncture approach can be seen as one perspective in dealing with these conditions.
The body-mind is a self-healing, adaptive system. Emotions are part of the adaptive response. That includes uncomfortable emotions like fear, anger and grief. Unfortunately, we are often taught to repress difficult emotions and label them as undesirable or pathological. We attach stigma to mental health problems rather than looking at the root cause. However, these emotions exist for a reason, rooted in our most basic instincts.
Five Element acupuncture treatment for depression can facilitate healing in unique ways.
Benefits of Five Element Acupuncture for Depression:
- Significant reduction in depressive symptoms including improved sleep, better digestion, and a greater sense of well being
- Improvement of vitality and stamina
- Improved relationships with others
- Reduction in long term medication costs
Mental health is so important. Please remember if you are struggling with depression that you are not alone. Lifestyle habits like meditation, breathwork, diet, nature, physical activity, and sleep can help as well.
If you have any questions about how Five Element Acupuncture can help you, please reach out to Beverly.
