Pros and Cons of Depression Treatment Options

Are you looking for help with depression symptoms? Depression affects nearly 19 million Americans. While depression symptoms can interfere with daily living activities, there are viable options available to combat depression.

In addition to traditional depression treatments many people have found yoga helpful in fighting depression, as this treatment option works to address symptoms naturally through focused yogic breathing exercises and targeted movements.

Traditional Depression Treatment Options

The primary treatment option for depression symptoms, of course, is prescription medication, in the form of antidepressants, which require a medical examination and diagnosis. Many medical professionals will recommend counseling or psychotherapy in combination with these prescription medications to produce the most positive outcome.

While antidepressants are effective, they are also accompanied with possible side effects. While the side effects don’t impact every individual, they should be taken into consideration when considering treatment options for fighting depression.

Common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, sexual dryness and other sexual problems, headaches and constipation. Most side effects are noticeable during the initial phases of taking depression medication, and subside over time as the body has time to adjust to the hormonal changes.

Exercise and Yoga for Depression

Many individuals fighting depression report positive changes in mood and attitude when they introduce exercise into their weekly or daily routine. Physical activity works to introduce endorphins into the body, which naturally improve a person’s mood. Physical activity also works to improve a person’s physical appearance, which also increases confidence and outlook on life.

While there are a variety of exercise routines available that produce effective results for depression symptoms, many people are drawn to yoga for its added relaxation benefits. Most yoga for depression practices, such as Amy Weintraub’s LifeForce Yoga, combine focused deep breathing exercises with targeted, slow movements. The targeted movements provide similar benefits to other forms of exercise in terms of improving appearance, releasing endorphins and improving mood.

Deep yogic breathing settles the mind and produces a closer connection between the mind, body and spirit. Individuals who regularly do yoga breathing exercises often respond better to daily stressors, improving their ability to manage their overall life.

Yoga for depression in this way can offer a natural approach to help combat depression, whether in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.