Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.
In 2013, depression was the second leading cause of years lived with a disability worldwide, behind lower back pain. In 26 countries, depression was the primary driver of disability.
There are few distinct types of depression as well as levels of severities:
- mild depression – has some impact on your daily life
- moderate depression – has a significant impact on your daily life
- severe depression – makes it almost impossible to get through daily life
- Adjustment disorder – depression elicited by external events
- Postnatal depression – sometimes new mothers, fathers or partners develop depression after they have a baby
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – depression related to seasonal changes and a lack of exposure to sunlight
Main symptoms of depression:
- continuous low mood or sadness
- feeling hopeless and helpless
- feeling of worthlessness or guilt
- having low self-esteem
- feeling tearful
- feeling guilt-ridden
- feeling irritable and intolerant of others
- having no motivation or interest in things
- finding it difficult to make decisions
- not getting any enjoyment out of life
- feeling anxious or worried
- having suicidal thoughts
The physical symptoms of depression:
- moving or speaking more slowly than usual
- changes in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
- constipation
- unexplained aches and pains
- lack of energy
- lack on appetite
- low sex drive
- changes to your menstrual cycle
- disturbed sleep – for example, finding it difficult to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning
The social symptoms of depression include:
- avoiding contact with friends
- taking part in fewer social activities
- neglecting your hobbies and interests
- having difficulties in your home, work or family life.
Acupuncture and depression
Chinese term for depression is Yu and it has double meaning: depression and stagnation.
Depression is most commonly caused by a stagnation of Qi (or, vital energy) in the body. It is Qi that regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. Stagnation or blockage of Qi can be caused by many factors such as stress, physical trauma, emotional trauma, constitution or poor diet. Acupuncture can help with regulation of Qi and thus not only unblocks the flow of this energy but also treat the underlying source of the depression.
If you experiencing symptoms of depression, please do get in touch to see how acupuncture can help you.
Current research on acupuncture and depression
Most research on acupuncture for depression has been carried out in China with Western drugs as comparators. Two recent systematic reviews, both drawing on Western and Chinese data, found that acupuncture was similar in effectiveness to anti-depressant medication.
Studies indicate that Acupuncture can have a specific positive effect on depression by altering the brain’s mood chemistry, increasing production of serotonin (Sprott 1998) and endorphins (Wang 2010). Acupuncture may also benefit depression by acting through other neurochemical pathways, including those involving dopamine (Scott 1997), noradrenaline (Han 1986), cortisol (Han 2004) and neuropeptide Y (Pohl 2002).
Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the ‘analytical’ brain which is responsible for anxiety and worry (Hui 2010). Stress-induced changes in behaviour and biochemistry may be reversed (Kim 2009).
To read more or current evidence based research and references please visit BAcC research site here.