Alternative treatments for mental disorders
In BC, doctors routinely prescribe medications for people with depression, anxiety disorders and other mental disorders. But the widespread use of medications doesn't mean that drugs are the only option for treating mental illness."We encourage people with mental illnesses to explore both traditional and alternative forms of treatment," says Grainne Holman, from the Health Promotion Department of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Vancouver-Burnaby branch. "Some people with major depressive disorder find that antidepressants and/or cognitive therapy is the best route, but people with milder depression sometimes feel better with regular exercise or a change in diet, for example." Cognitive therapy is based on research showing that people can alter their emotions and even improve their symptoms by re-evaluating their attitudes, thought patterns and interpretations of events.
Although she doesn't advocate any specific therapy, Holman says many people with mental health needs are discovering that alternatives ranging from biofeedback to music therapy can help restore peace of mind. "People need to be aware that these alternatives exist," says Holman, but she cautions: "they also need to know how to evaluate existing information about how effective they are, and about whether there are any adverse effects when alternative treatments are taken together with traditional treatments."
Jane, a 30-year-old biologist, takes 900 mg a day of St. John's Wort, an herb that has been routinely prescribed for depression in Germany for decades. Large-scale research reviews indicate that the herb may offset physical symptoms of clinical depression. Moreover, the data shows that consumers are slightly less likely to stop taking St. John's Wort than other anti depressants, like SSRIs. The herb has undergone many safety tests that explore possible herb-drug interactions and side-effects, and these suggest that it is safe and healthy to use under the control of a physician, with only a few side-effects or interactions reported.
Consumers should also be aware that the concentration of active ingredients in herbal formulations may vary from one manufacturer to the next, therefore, it is best to seek the advice of a naturopath about the most reputable brands for a specific purpose. Jane says she likes the herb because it is inexpensive and available at local health stores unlike prescription antidepressants which she tried for two months.
"One thing that makes me feel better about St. John's Wort is the fact that I'm in control of it," she says.
Michael Koo, 34, who has had depression for at least a decade, agrees. He says the keys to his recovery are reaching out to others and expressing his feelings. He's not alone. Nearly 10% of Canadians struggling with symptoms of mental illness or addiction turn to self-help groups, telephone hotlines and Internet communities for support.
Koo also finds it helpful to take time to connect with his body. "It involves stretching, breathing, making sounds and getting up and dancing to music, especially with other people," says Koo. "It's going back to what animals already do."
Biofeedback is a technique that helps people read more
