Depression is a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. There are many different treatments for depression from chemical to homeopathic and from meditational to the neuro-stimulation of the brain. Various environmental, bio-chemical and stress factors can cause or exacerbate depression. There are psychosocial factors as well: According to Robert Ivker, author of "The Complete Self-Care Guide to Holistic Medicine” psychosocial factors can be broken into the following three category.
1. BODY: Physical and Environmental (Candidiasis - yeast overgrowth, inhalant and food allergies, childbirth-postpartum, hormone dysfunction (PMS, menopause), folic acid or thyroid gland deficiency, lack of exercise and obesity.)
2. MIND: Mental and Emotional (grief, loss, failure, addictions, lack of self-expression or stimulation and sense of powerlessness or emotional childhood traumas.)
3.SPIRIT: Spiritual and Social (Lack of purpose or meaning in life, feelings of isolation; lack of compassion, connection or a committed loving relationship)
Research evidence indicates that brain biochemistry is a significant factor in depressive disorders. For example, individuals with major depressive illness typically have too little or too much of certain brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters.
Traditional methods of battling depression relied on medications, which regulate the neurochemical serotonin and include such well-known names as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Celexa. Other medications, not as widely used due to their massive side effects utilize a different approach – they regulate the level certain enzymes present in a human body that destroy neurotransmitters.
In general, any anti-depressant drug has potential side effects including insomnia, skin rashes, anxiety, headaches, stomach aches or loss of sexual desire – a list that makes a patient wonder whether the medication is worse than the disorder itself. And if the list above doesn’t sound unpleasant, here are the potential side effects of stronger drugs, used to treat atypical depression, e.g. cases that do not respond to traditional medications: dizziness, rise on blood pressure, psychotic symptoms, seizures, stroke and coma.
Luckily, as the depression research continues more treatment possibilities are becoming available and many of them do not require toxic medication with life-threatening side effects. According to Wikipedia, (over 125 research studies) the introduction of an extremely very weak electrical current into the brain stimulates neurotransmitters in humans. The Micro-current Therapy used at Amita Healing Center is typically less than one milliampere (the current needed to power a light bulb is about 11,000 times stronger) and is not only absolutely painless, but also barely sensible.
Human brain produces various wave forms at any given time. Alpha waves are the brain waves one feels when they are alert yet relaxed. Decreased alpha wave activity can lead to various medical conditions. People with psychological disorders, have irregular brain wave patterns – deficiencies of some and excessiveness of others. For example, patients suffering from depression, stress, anxiety, epilepsy, and even schizophrenia have high beta wave power and low alpha wave power. The Micro-current therapy used at Amita Healing Center increase alpha wave activity. The results are often noticeable after one or two sessions. No serious side effects have been reported which makes Micro-current Therapy a much healthier alternative to chemical anti-depressant.
As psychotherapy research progresses, alpha wave enhancement is on its way of becoming the new major tool in fighting mental illness.
For details visit:www.amitausa.com
