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Is There a Role For Non Traditional Therapies in Treating Depression?

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personaloneAs a caregiver and someone who is watching a loved one struggle with a mood disorder, finding your way around the world of “cures” and healing techniques can be confusing. Most people start with a trip to a therapist who can screen you and then recommend where to go for help. Typically, the standard treatment is talk therapy in conjunction with medication. Psychiatric medications can be prescribed by Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists and increasingly by  your Primary Care Physician.

Although seeking treatment from a PCP is convenient and can be easier to schedule than finding a specialist, sometimes finding a skilled psychiatric prescriber will benefit you in the long run. These professionals are specialists in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar and other mental health disorders.  Having a medication specialist for depression will likely improve your chances of finding the best treatment options for your family member.

What Are Some of the Non Traditional ( or Alternative) Treatments for Depression?

There are probably many more treatments but here are some of the top “alternative” or adjunct treatments to medication and/or talk therapy.

  1.  rTMS, or Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation -a form of brain stimulation therapy which uses magnetic impulses instead of electricity to stimulate parts of the brain. It was develped in the early 1980’s as a possible treatment for depression. According to PsychiatricTimes, there are many people do not respond to pharmacological interventions, which is estimated to be 20-40% of 121 million people globally who suffer from depression.
  2. The use of light boxes for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAS). This seemingly benign treatment needs close analysis and awareness of the possible safety issues.  It is always prudent to include your your doctor of pharmacist in the discussion about medications and/or medical conditions which might be made worse if light box therapy is introduced. Check out CET.org for the latest safety information on this treatment.
  3. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy –
  4. Massage treatments – According to the American Massage Therapy Association, therapy has long been a treatment for myriad medical and mental health wellness approaches.
  5. Hypnosis – The focus seems to be on the ability of hypnosis to enhance treatment of depression when coupled with other therapies, e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for example. It is considered another effective tool in the treatment of depression by many therapists.
  6. Sleep Deprivation Therapy – this therapy reportedly has quite a high success rate but the down side is that the mood boost usually only lasts until the patient falls asleep. Scientific America has an in depth article on “Why Sleep Depravation Eases Depression”.
  7. Chinese herbal medicine – Some practitioners, Joel Harvey Schrek of PositiveHealthOnline, among them, contend that unlike western medicine approaches, Chinese Herbal Medicine has the potential to cure mental illness.
  8. Psychosurgery – this type of treatment has been around for a long while and is typically a collaboration between psychiatry and neurosurgery. It is widely reported that about 1/3 of patients show significant improvement in their symptoms after surgery. Over time the side effects have diminished and makes it a viable choice for intractable depression.

What Role Do Alternative Therapies Play in Treating Depression?

For a majority of people, alternative therapies are used in conjunction with medication and/ or talk therapy. In addition, research does indicate that patients have longer lasting results when using these therapy approaches together. However, the path to feeling better does not always end with a prescription and a good therapist. People are increasingly adding or replacing the “go to” approaches (Medication & Therapy) with the some of the alternative treatments above.

If your loved one is struggling with depression and wants to try the “alternative therapies” what is one to say? Well, according to Andrew Solomon, Author of “The Noon Day Demon – An Atlas of Depression” , there are many people who report being helped or healed by alternative therapies. The idea of deviating from the tried and true treatments of depression can sometimes be worrisome but Mr. Solomon  responds to the dilemma  this way:

“Depression is a disease of thought processes and emotions, and if something changes your thought processes and emotions in the correct direction, that qualifies as a recovery. Frankly, I think that the best treatment for depression is belief, which is in itself far more essential than what you believe in.”  p137

Simply put, there are so many variables playing into the healing of mental dis ease – your specific situation, your openness, genetics, the sociological and physiological factors all play a role in the “healing” factor. So when it comes to supporting a loved one struggling with mental dis-ease, supporting their quest for alternative techniques and treatments is like keeping that space open for healing opportunites, whatever form they may come in.

4 Ideas for Supporting a Family Member with Depression And The Use of Alternative Treatments:

  1. Become educated about the alternative treatments available and whether adding one of them can help existing treatment of the depression.  Keep an open mind and approach these therapies with a curiosity rather than skepticism.
  2. Seek out the best possible practitioner of the treatment. Talk with professionals for possible referrals.
  3. Support the person in their quest to feel better- even if your psychiatrist is against the idea, support your family member and understand the pros and cons of alternative treatments.
  4. Encourage your family member to join a support group which focuses on their particular illness for bipolar or depression and anxiety.

As Solomon points out, in the end, emotional pain and the alleviation of it, is not a new phenomenon. For most of the people suffering with depression, the combination of  medication with psychotherapy is an excellent place to begin. Just be prepared, if your family member’s depression does not subside or it is a long term chronic depression, the quest to be well might involve healing of a different sort—  utilizing some of the alternative therapies mentioned above may be warranted.

Three Common Problem Areas To Consider Before Leaving a Relationship

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WHITECARIMAGEHave you ever said to your partner, “I can’t do this anymore!”, and really meant it –“this time”. Or have you noticed s/he is coming home later and later after work, avoiding confrontation or refusing to address the issues in your relationship?  These are normal situations in most relationships but heed the warnings so the situation doesn’t escalate to walking out the door for good.

Things to Consider Before Leaving a Relationship

  1.  Are there children and/or pets involved?
  2.  Are you able to sustain two households financially if you part ways?
  3.  Have you sought outside help through a spiritual guide, a licensed counselor or a mediator?

If you have one foot out the door, stop and take a deep breath. Consider the years you’ve invested in your partner and if your decision will affect any children or pets. Allow yourself some much needed time to better understand what is going on with you before throwing in the towel. After all, what can be so bad about slowing down the decision to leave your partner. In so doing, you may be able to minimize problems that are sometimes made worse with hasty decisions. Who knows, you might even be able to stop the worst from happening and stay together.

Decisions have consequences, some more serious than others.  Leaving a relationship deserves a well thought-out plan. Even if the result is that you still end up parting ways, providing more careful thought before acting on your feelings is generally a good idea.

Four Relationship Problem Areas That may Require Professional Help

Generally speaking, there are themes that tend to lead to unhealthy and  unhappy relationships. If one or all of these themes are present, stop long enough to reflect on what your responsibility is in the issue. In times of stress, more often than not, it is helpful to focus on yourself and understand what you bring to the relationship and how it might be adversely affecting your partner. Know thy self, as they say, is the key to being able to work through problems.

1.  What Are Your Emotional Needs And Are They Being Met?

We all have needs. These are things that, if received to our satisfaction, make us feel our best. Before walking away, consider if you are getting your needs met within the relationship– This includes Needs such as affection, sexual fulfillment; conversation; recreational companionship; honesty & openness; having an attractive spouse; financial support; domestic support; family commitment;  and admiration. If you feel some of your needs are not being met to your satisfaction, in most cases this is fixable! Needs can be identified and communicated to your partner. Most couples feel frustrated and alienated by unfulfilled needs. As a couple, each person is responsible for understanding thier own needs and communicating this to your partner. The opposite is also true. Once you understand your partner’s needs, it is your obligation to do your best to meet some of those needs to the best of your ability.

2. Are You Familiar With the ABC’S OF Communication Skills?

Before walking away, ask yourself if you have the skills to communicate what the problem is. If not, there is a good chance that communication may be a problem in the relationship. And the truth is, if it’s a problem in your current relationship, well, you know……where ever you go there you are. Chances are, you may run into the same issue other relationships with family and friends (and a future relationship after this one). So take the time to think about whether your communication skills are up to the challenge of communicating effectively in your relationship.  Increasing your skills is one way to feel better and more empowered in your relationship.

3. Are You Participating in Social Media “Mishaps” and other Computer-Related Emotional Infidelities?

If you are the victim of a spouse who can’t put down their phone or stay away from social media during dinnertime or “together” time, you’re in good company. This is fast becoming a huge problem area for unhappy couples. Internet cheating and the emotional distance caused in part by the internet and social media can have devastating consequences on your relationship.

Being engrossed in social media and texting with people other than your spouse has the potential to cause problems for committed long-term healthy relationships.  It is easy to disconnect from your partner when you are more interested in screen friends who seem to understand you.  Careful with this one, while these relationships can feel benign, texting and using other social media to foster relationships that may be inappropriate can be a trap. These infidelities can be just as hurtful and devastating to your partner. In fact, sometimes it’s even worse, given the boldness with which people can engage behind a phone or computer device.

Here is an common case of how this can become a problem in the relationship.  Imagine your partner comes to the dinner table and is preoccupied with their phone, receiving text messages and the like. You might hear a ring tone go off for various things including new email, facebook post updates(ugh), or text and phone messages.  When you look over their shoulder they pull away and say “oh it’s nothing”…… or, you notice a new password on your partner’s phone that limits your ability to view everything which feels suspicious since they didn’t mention anything to you about a password. Your first reaction might be anger, then feeling hurt, and invariably disagreements persist over time. After fighting about the above issues it is likely trusting your partner is more difficult and eventually this may lead to feeling indifferent toward your partner —  simply not caring one way or the other about the negative relationship patterns you both have succumbed too.

4. Are You or Your Partner Struggling with Drug or Alcohol Abuse?

It’s no secret that alcohol and drug addiction can have devastating effects on a relationship.  It’s a very complex issue which cannot be addressed here. However,  if you are leaving your relationship because of this issue (for you or your spouse), consider if you have explored all treatment options.  This may include things like; going into a detox facility, intensive outpatient treatment, medication management, group supports like AA and NA, individual,couples and family counseling.  While it can be a life long challenge for the person with the addiction, there is help and support for the relationship. Struggling with addiction does not mean you or your partner cannot be together, but it does mean there is an elephant in the room that must be addressed if you want a long and healthy relationship.  Whether the issue is with your partner or a family member, don’t go it alone.  Find a skilled Addiction Counselor who can assist you in identifying healthier coping skills for maintaining a healthy relationship while in recovery.

So keep your foot in the door while considering your options — who knows, solving some of these problems may lead you to a healthier, happier relationship.

 

Mary K Logan works with couples and individuals who have one foot out the door in a relationship. She enjoys working with couples to define and explore alternatives to leaving a relationship.  Mary is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Life Coach with a private practice in Amesbury, MA.

Can I really “control” my anxiety?

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What to do if you feel anxious? If you are noticing that you avoid certain places and people, it could be a sign you are anxious. Below is a wonderful resource for adding coping skills to your personal strategy to deal with anxiety. And for the holidays,  Linda Esposito has an audio designed to give you support in dealing with difficult family situations during the holidays. I really enjoy reading her posts and especially appreciate her edgy style. Wired for Happy is worth checking out! [Read more…]

Do you send a “get well” card to someone struggling from serious depression or other mood disorders?

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Recent statistics say that 19 million people suffer from chronic depression. 2 million of those are children. Chances are you know someone struggling with depression but you might not realize it. If you are like me, when someone I know struggles with a mood disorder I stay “away” thinking it’s “best to let them recover alone”, and “they’ll snap out of it sometime” — I’ll just wait for that to happen, yeah that’s what i’ll do, I think to myself. Why, I wonder, do we treat people with mood disorders differently from someone suffering from a medical problem? The answer seems obvious to me: The stigma of mental dis-ease is still alive and well. Overcoming this stigma for the person struggling is hard enough. As a friend or family member, don’t fall into the trap of ignoring their plight, since this will only feed into the already stigmatized disorder.

How to ‘be’ there for someone suffering from depression

I like to start with the “people are people” motto.  Remember, simply treat the person with dignity and respect. If they had foot surgery what would you do? How would you act? Maybe call them send a card? Yes! Yes! Absolutely! We get into trouble with mental illness because many people feel uncomfortable discussing it or even knowing someone with mental illness. The most helpful thing you can do is NOT to treat the person differently. Get educated about the illness and get over your uncomfortable feelings and do the right thing. What is “the right thing” you might be wondering? My expert friend, Joan, has a unique perspective to share with people looking to communicate with those struggling with Mental dis-ease.

Some Healthy Wisdom To Consider

Joan is 78 years old and considers herself the “Queen of Depression”. She has taught me a lot about this subject. As a child she lived with a mother who was clinically depressed for almost her entire childhood. Then her own clinical depression in adulthood followed by dealing with a son who has schizoaffective disorder. Joan has an uncanny ability to notice when other people need something. She says or does “just the right thing” at the appropriate time. Her caregiving and nursing capabilities seem to come naturally and we are all the more nurtured for them.

As you might imagine, Joan’s opinion is invaluable since she has the perspective of 1) a child living with someone’s mental illness, 1) as an adult going through her own bout with clinical depression, and 3) as the mother of a son who struggles with schizoaffective disorder. Joan is the “go to” person to assist family, friends and others how to effectively communicate with people and do the right thing. She is sort of an all around Miss Manners with an emphasis on dealing with people who are struggling with mood disorders.

Top two suggestions on staying connected to someone with depression

Recently, I asked Joan to share her wisdom on how I should help my friend who is suffering from serious depression and anxiety disorder. I wanted to know what to “do” to make things better.

Joan is quick to point out that her recommendations are perhaps simply good manners and good friendship. Separating the “dos” and “don’ts” from those with and without mood disorders may be missing the point. According to Joan, as human beings we all suffer at times whether we are clinically diagnosed as having “x” disorder is not.  The important thing is that you are reaching out to someone you love during tough times, period.  Joan recommends two simple but powerful methods for communicating with the person recovering:

  1. First of all, don’t ignore the person. They need to hear from you. Calling and/or writing a quick note is always a good bet. Joan feels that calling the person is the first thing you should do. Simply say “I was thinking of you and hope you are doing well”. The phone call doesn’t have to be long or profound. A simple “Hi” will go a long way.
  1. Offer to do something for the person. For example, if kids are involved you might say, “I’d like to do something — can I take the kids to dance class on Thursday?” or “I’d like to make you a little something for dinner. How would this Wednesday be? I’ll drop it off say around 5 PM if that’s okay”.

The idea behind making specific suggestions is often overlooked. Joan strongly advises that you be specific about what you will do and put a date and time to it. Simply saying to the person “call if you need anything” is not the way to go. Be specific and follow-through. These are two simple but powerful suggestions!

Thanks, Joan.

Communicating with others struggling with Mental dis -ease

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Embrace your fears — be open and honest with your family member with depression
Millions of Americans will experience depression at one point in their lifetime. Some will have chronic depression while others will have a brief episode lasting several weeks to years. What does this mean in the context of how we conduct our life with people we love who happen to suffer from depression or other mental illness?
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Is this Marriage Over?

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shutterstock_151004585You may have heard your wife express her desire for better communication, but opening up isn’t something you’re able to get straight. You’re aware of the statistics pointing toward this issue leading to divorce, but does this have to be the situation for your relationship? One thing many men may not realize is they’re not alone in their struggle with communication, the anxiety it causes, and the depression that may result if their relationship is falling apart. The good news is, with effort, you have some solutions, and things will begin feeling better.
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Is Anxiety Really Mind over Matter?

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I recently stumbled across a gem of a newsletter for ridding yourself of anxiety. Linda Esposito of “Wired for Happy” writes forcefully and realistically on the subject. Below is a snippet taken from her latest newsletter. These quotes offer a good way to ground yourself and to move beyond your anxiety.

22 Calming Quotes for People with Anxiety

  1. P.S. You’re not going to die. Here’s the white-hot truth: if you go bankrupt, you’ll still be okay. If you lose the gig, the lover, the house, you’ll still be okay. If you sing off-key, get beat by the competition, have your heart shattered, get fired…it’s not going to kill you. Ask anyone who’s been through it.” –Danielle LaPorte2. “Anxiety is love’s greatest killer. It makes others feel as you might when a drowning man holds on to you. You want to save him, but you know he will strangle you with his panic.” –Anais Nin3. “Anxiety’s like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far.” –Jodi Picoult4. “Life is ten percent what you experience and ninety percent how you respond to it.” –Dorothy M. Neddermeyer
    [Read more…]

Mental health: a family affair

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Do you need guidance for talking about mental dis-ease in family members?

For some families, the idea of mental illness of a loved one can be embarrassing. I wonder why, when people who suffer from diabetes, heart disease or other ailments are treated with understanding and assistance to address the issue. Mental health issues rob people of productive days, being social with family members, progressing in life, and being able to tend to daily activities like they use to. Something like panic disorder can sneak up on you after years of ignoring chronic anxiety. Yup, all of a sudden you are unable to do the things you use to. But there is help and hope — it’s all around us, we live in miraculous times for both medicine and therapy approaches to treat mental health issues.
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How to Set Goals When Others Around You Are Standing Still

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Goal Setting and The Art of Taking Stock

More often than not, when you care for a family member struggling with depression, anxiety or other debiliating mental health concern, sometimes goal setting can seem a bit selfish.

Once a year as part of my own process of goal setting, I write down all the things I’ve accomplished and compare it to my list from last year.  Yes, I admit, there are more things I did not get around to! Never the less, the process of writing things down allows me to feel good about achievements and to set my intentions for the upcoming year.  NOTE: according to Tony Robbins, author, speaker, and an inspiration to millions, the simple act of writing this list dramatically increases my chances of actually achieving my goals!

How Does Fear Get in The Way of Goal Setting and Personal Growth?

My own experience is that many times individuals who deal with mental illness or chronic medical issues in the family get stuck and stop evolving because of their situation. We can become so focused on the mundane and the other person’s situation that we forget our own life.  I have felt this fear of moving on and knowing that my family member will always be where he is.  It is helpful to remind myself that my goals are important to me and that he does the best he can, and that’s okay for him and me.

Moving Beyond The Fear

What are we to do with this fear and why am I writing about it?Because such thoughts and feelings keep us stuck — and soon our life will simply pass with no real personal growth…….. we live to survive not thrive is the way I look at it.

What are your goals, old or new, that have been waiting? Maybe you wanted to train for a road race? Become a kayak expert, or learn to cross-stitch? Resolve to unpack those old, or new goals, dust them off and make a plan!

Susan Jeffers is an author who writes beautifully about the subject of “fear”. In her book “Feel the Fear And Do It Anyway”, she reminds us that the “doing” often comes before the “feeling better”.

The truth is everyone experiences fear and it is not something that goes away. Yes, things get easier over time (sometimes) but there will always be an element of fear when we are pushing ourselves to do better, to grow and evolve as a person. Jeffers reminds us that if we have faith in ourselves to handle whatever comes up, we can diminish and work through that fear. What a wonderful reminder to take risks and have the self confidence that we can handle it!

Evolving and growing while your family member dealing with emotional issues is difficult to be sure. But dealing with and managing fear is part of life in general. Jeffers reminds us that we must take risks in order to expand self worth and live a full life. So take a minute right now and ask yourself: “How can I get outside my comfort zone today?” Maybe calling someone who intimidates you or investigating a new career. These actions will bolster your self confidence which in turn can do wonders for your wellness in the face of difficult family circumstances.