Can Naturopathic Medicine Treat Depression?
By Helene Pulnik | Published on August 12, 2010 | 0 Comments
When it comes to very severe depression, traditional medicine is usually the best course of action. But people with mild depression can often benefit from treatment by a naturopathic physician, such as Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc, who runs Glastonbury Naturopathic Center and Wholistic Spa in Glastonbury, CT. She has more than 25 years’ of experience helping people with all sorts of problems, and works on the mind and body in connection with the spirit for optimal health.
Naturopathic medicine is very helpful in helping people with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, and mild depression. If somebody has severe clinical depression, then he probably does need to be on conventional medication. The natural remedies are not strong enough or fast-acting enough for situations that are more extreme.
I do treat people with the whole stress complex – people who have a lot of stress and anxiety or may be mildly depressed. They respond very well to naturopathic medicine, although as mentioned, in severe cases of depression we do refer the patients out to receive the appropriate medical care they need.
Helpful in Treating Anxiety and Stress
Patients who are suffering from anxiety and stress respond very, very well to naturopathic medicine, and just by treating their stress and anxiety, we can help their depression as well. I do neuro-transmitter testing for anxiety, insomnia and depression, and I also do adrenal stress hormone testing, which helps with balancing people’s stress hormones.
If you are treating just the depression and not the stress, then you are not treating the whole person. So that is where treating the whole person concept comes into place. The wholistic approach that I take with people who have depression is that I look at the whole person, not just the symptoms, and come up with a plan that works.
Looking at the Whole Person
When a new client comes to me, I look at his level of stress, I look at how he is sleeping, and I look at his dietary and exercise habits. I also try to get a sense of what his job is and what his work is like. I also look at what his social contacts are, to see if he is connected with other people.
Often, as studies show, people who have spiritual connections – not a religious one but a spiritual one – tend to be less depressed. So we look at and we treat the whole person. We are a haven of total wellness and we focus on the complete package, meaning your physical, mental, emotional and energetic well-being. By treating the whole person, we can get truly achieve the best results.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.