Self-Care or Complementary Treatments
Antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or combinations of the two represent the most common treatment for depressive illness. However, a variety of self-care approaches also can be used to help alleviate depression. These include:
- acupuncture
- exercise
- light therapy or phototherapy (for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) only; see Seasonal Affective Disorder)
- massage therapy
- relaxation
Some of these self-care approaches may be used as an adjunct to pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, while others are used alone. Scientific evidence supports several nonpharmacological approaches for reduction of depressive symptoms, such as exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic), relaxation techniques, and at least one herbal remedy. It is important to consult your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. It also is important to inform your doctor about any nutritional supplements or herbs that you are taking so as to avoid harmful drug interactions.
