What is Depression?

In everyday language, depression refers to any downturn in mood. This downturn may last for only a short time and may be caused by something trivial. This is different from Clinical depression, which is marked by symptoms that last two weeks or more and are so severe that they interfere with daily living.

Depression is a mood characterized by feelings of disadvantage and loss. When depressed, people often become quiet, less energetic and withdrawn. Depression can sometimes be characterized by feelings of sorrow, grief, misery and melancholy.

Depression can be a temporary lowering of mood ('feeling blue'), or a long-term persistent and intense lowered mood, as well as disruption to one's ability to function in day-to-day matters.

People may become depressed for many reasons. Reactions to events, loss of a friend, loved one, job are perhaps the most obvious causes. Less obvious causes include disillusionment about one's career prospects, financial pressures, issues with children or other family members. Divorce, domestic disputes and financial difficulties are common causes of a depressed mood. Other causes of depression are climatic conditions, such as a rainy weather and a lack of sunlight, loneliness, and feelings that one isn't cared about by others.

There are also a number of biological factors that can cause sadness or depression. These include hereditary, hormones, illness and other internal factors that can affect the way you react to your environment.

How Can Acupuncture Help?

Acupuncture considers the body, the mind and the emotions as one continuum. This is different from the western medical view, which holds the mind and emotions as separate from the body. Therefore, an acupuncturist can treat depression and anxiety just as she treats any other sort of pain or discomfort….as a disruption in the normal and natural flow of qi.

In every treatment, we spend time on emotional concerns. Many patients comment that I ought to have a therapist’s shingle out next to my acupuncture sign because of this. Emotional well being is an integral part of health and an important piece of treatment

Question: Does acupuncture work with counseling or therapy?

Acupuncture and counseling support each other beautifully. I work closely with several therapists in town. We know that the combination of self-understanding and enhanced energy flow can lead to deep and lasting personal progress.

Question: Can you receive acupuncture if you are on antidepressants or other medications?

Absolutely. Acupuncture works right along with the medications. Some patients are often able to get off some medications after treatment.