Symptoms of Depression
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by both physical and
psychological symptoms that can be detrimental to one's normal daily
functioning. Depressed individuals often suffer from poor sleeping habits,
crying spells, anxiety, worry, poor memory, inability to concentrate, body
aches, stomach disturbances and a lack of interest in activities previously
enjoyed. In extreme cases, individuals become helpless and hopeless about their
lives and suicide is often considered.
Modern Treatment for Depression
Modern medicine typically treats depression with a form of psychotherapy
and/or anti-depressant drugs regardless of the specific symptoms presented by
the depressed patient. In the United States, the DSM-IV, a diagnostic tool for
appropriately categorizing psychological disorders, is widely used in the
diagnosis and treatment for depression.
How Chinese Medicine Views Depression
In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not recognize depression
as a particular illness per se, but it aims to treat the specific symptoms that
are unique to the individual using a variety of techniques such as acupuncture,
Chinese herbs, tui-na massage, and energetic exercises to restore imbalances
found in the body.
Based on a holistic approach, acupuncture consists of
fine needles inserted along various points in the body, with the purpose of
stimulating the body's flow of energy and functionality, known as Qi. Though
acupuncture has been traditionally taught as a preventive form of health care,
it has also been proven effective in the treatment of pain and chronic
conditions.
Studies of Acupuncture for Depression
Since the early nineties, studies around the globe have suggested that
treating depression with acupuncture has a positive and holistic effect on
depressed patients, particularly when used in combination with psychotherapy and
herbal treatments.
Psychologist John Allen, from the University of Arizona in Tucson, and
Acupuncturist Rosa Schnyer, conducted the very first pilot controlled study on
treating depression symptoms with acupuncture in the Western scientific world.
In a double blind randomized study, 34 depressed female patients who met the
DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were assigned to one of three treatment groups for
eight weeks.
The first group received acupuncture treatment specifically tailored to their
depression symptoms. The second group received a general acupuncture treatment
not specific to depression, and the third group was placed on a waiting list for
acupuncture treatment, but received no treatment. The study found that those in
the tailored acupuncture treatment experienced a significant reduction in
symptoms, compared to those in the non-specific treatment. Moreover, over 50% of
the participants no longer met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for depression
after the study.
The study findings suggest that using acupuncture alone could be as effective
as other types of treatments for relieving depression symptoms typically used in
Western medicine, such as psychotherapy and drugs. While these results are
promising and the United Nations World Health Organization has approved
acupuncture as a treatment for depression, further clinical trials with larger
samples are deemed necessary to endorse this new hope for relief.
Sources:
Allen, J. J. B. (2000). Depression and acupuncture: a controlled clinical
trial. Psychiatric Times Online, 22, 3.
Tian, C. H. (2002). Acupuncture treatment for depression. New England Journal
of Traditional Medicine, 1, 4-7.
About the Author
A culmination of studying
psychology and being a patient of integrative medicine gives Indira
Samayoa-Bettner a unique understanding of the human body and
spirit.
Indira Samayoa-Bettner holds a BS in psychology and is currently
pursuing her Masters Degree in San Diego, California. She ontinues to use
acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to improve and maintain life-long health.
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