It is a mood disorder in which a person feels persistently sad and has a loss of interest in everyday activities. Many people feel low, upset, and sad from time to time. It happens to everyone at different times of their lives but being sad is not the same as being depressed. In depression, there is constant sadness accompanied by feelings of hopelessness continuing for weeks together which interfere with everyday activities and affect one’s personal and professional life. This is indicative of clinical/ major depression that requires treatment.
Homeopathy offers a very safe and gentle treatment for cases of depression. Homeopathic medicines are natural remedies that work at a very deep level of the mind to help overcome this condition. The main objective of homeopathy in depression cases is not merely giving symptomatic relief but to effect a cure. With its use, initially the severity of the complaint reduces gradually. Afterwards, a state of well-being is regained. Suppressing a complaint is also not the nature of homeopathic remedies in any form. Homeopathy is helpful both for acute as well as chronic cases of depression. In mild to moderate forms of depression, there are high chances of recovery with homeopathic medicines. But it has limitation in helping very severe forms of depression, especially with suicidal tendencies where other treatment options need to be looked out for.
Constitutional remedies
Homeopathy deals with treating depression with well-selected constitutional remedies which refers to medicines selected based on a person’s emotional, mental and physical state that brings forth his/her personality. These medicines do not act just superficially, rather work on a deep psychological level and treat the person holistically rather than just the symptoms. With proper constitution treatment in homeopathy, this derangement in the mental health of a person is corrected to offer a feeling of comfort and well-being and restoration of mental health. It leads to effective cure in depression cases.
Highly reliable, alternative treatment choice
Homeopathy is a 200-year-old healing science founded on the basis of fixed principles. So the hit and trial method of treating is not followed here. Right from the case taking, its evaluation, the medicine selection, potency choice, dosage and repetition all are done as per the specified laws of homeopathy. This is what makes it a very reliable treatment option for depression cases. With a complete course of homeopathic treatment as guided by a homeopathic physician in most of the cases of mild to moderate depression, a successful cure follows.
Natural medicines with no side effects
The greatest advantage of using homeopathic medicines for depression is that they are free of any side effects. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from naturally occurring substances. These lack any harmful chemicals or toxins. So, no adverse effects follow the use of homeopathic medicines. On the other hand, the medicines used in conventional mode like antidepressants, sleeping pills, and mood stabilizers are known to cause many side effects. Here, opting homeopathy can help prevent facing such side effects.
Non habit-forming medicines
Homeopathic medicines for depression are non-habit forming means it does not create any dependency thus one doesn’t have to take it for whole life. Its dose is gradually reduced when recovery begins and completely stopped when the patient gets better. But in conventional mode, the medicines are habit-forming and one may become dependent on those medicines. So here too preferring homeopathic treatment is advantageous to save oneself from lifelong dependency on conventional medicines.
Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines For Depression
The top 8 homeopathic medicines for depression are Ignatia, Natrum Mur, Aurum Met, Kali Phos, Sepia, Cimicifuga Racemosa, Lachesis and Coffea Cruda.
1. Ignatia Amara – For Acute Cases That Follows Some Grief
Ignatia Amara is a leading medicine to treat cases of depression. It works wonders in case of acute depression that has just taken off from some sort of grief. For example, depression triggered by acute grief like the death of a loved one, broken relationships and disappointments in life can be treated wonderfully with it. Those who need it remain sad all the time. With this, they have weeping spells. They also isolate themselves and avoid social engagements. They brood all the time ie; lost in deep thought which makes them sad and worried. Along with the above-mentioned symptoms, they may be very irritable. Their mind gets dull with weak memory. Excessive weakness also appears among them. It is also an excellent medicine to treat bipolar disorder.
When to use Ignatia Amara?
It should be the first choice of medicine to deal with cases of depression of recent origin triggered by acute grief like the death of a loved one, broken relationships with marked sadness, and weeping spells.
How to use Ignatia Amara?
Both low and high potencies of this medicine work well, however, it is advised to begin with low potency. So, initially, it can be taken in 30C potency two to three times a day.
2. Natrum Mur – For Chronic Cases
Natrum Mur is preferred to treat cases of chronic depression. It suits those who are very sensitive and sad, accompanied by sporadic episodes of weeping. They remain absorbed in grief all the time and dwell on the unpleasant memories of the past. They don’t like consolation, and it worsens the complaints. They tend to get offended easily. Along with it, they don’t have an interest in doing any sort of work. It is also beneficial to manage depression in women before their periods.
When to use Natrum Mur?
Natrum Mur is the best choice of medicine to manage cases of chronic (i.e. long term) depression with sadness, weeping, and aversion to being consoled.
How to use Natrum Mur?
Use of this medicine is advised in 30 C potency that can be taken one to two times a day.
3. Aurum Met – For Suicidal Thoughts, Hopelessness, Worthlessness
Aurum Met is useful to those who have constant suicidal thoughts with extreme sadness accompanied by hopelessness. Along with this, they feel that they are worthless and of no value. They assume negative thoughts and the future seems dark to them. They feel that life is a burden, it’s useless to live, and they long for death.
When to use Aurum Met?
This medicine can be selected for managing depression when suicidal thoughts, hopelessness are prominent with sadness.
How to use Aurum Met?
It is best suited in 30C potency that can be taken up to 2 times in a day.
4. Kali Phos – For Depression With Intense Stress and Worries
Kali Phos is the next top-listed medicine for depression. It mostly helps people who are over-stressed and have much to worry about. They remain constantly sad, and gloomy. With this, they have negative thoughts in their minds. Those who need it feel mentally and physically exhausted. Other symptoms that they may present include anxiety attacks and spells of weeping. Apart from the above-mentioned symptoms, complaint of sleeplessness is another major concern among them.
When to use Kali Phos?
It is suitable for managing depression attended with extreme stress and worries with marked exhaustion.
How to use Kali Phos?
This medicine is usually recommended in 6X potency. Kali phos 6X can be taken three to four times a day depending on the intensity of the problem.
5. Sepia – For Depression During Menopause
Sepia is an excellent medicine to deal with cases of depression in women during menopause. The most important symptoms present in them are sadness, aversion to seeing family members, and loss of interest in doing any work either mental or physical, even missing out on daily routine activities. There is also indifferent behaviour towards life and family. Such people are constantly lost in worries and are stressed with self-pity. They are very irritable and get offended easily. Sporadic weeping spells seeking consolation, and sympathy. Loss of sexual desire is another major complaint in them with the above symptoms. Apart from depression, during menopause, it is also helpful to treat such cases triggered after childbirth.
When to use Sepia?
It is a highly preferred medicine in women who suffer depression around menopause time with sadness, indifferent behavior, lack of interest in any work, and aversion to family members.
How to use Sepia?
Sepia can be taken in 30 C potency once a day. To use its high potencies like 200C one needs to consult a homeopathic physician.
6. Cimicifuga Racemosa – When It Begins After Childbirth (Post-Partum Depression)
The use of Cimicifuga is highly considered in cases of depression among women that begin after childbirth. Women who need this medicine suffer extreme sadness. They feel that they are enveloped in darkness from which it is difficult to come out. They also feel exhausted by these symptoms. Other symptoms that accompany the above-mentioned symptoms are excessive talking, indifferent behavior, fear of death, and fear of going mentally insane.
When to use Cimicifuga Racemosa?
The use of Cimicifuga Racemosa is especially suggested for managing depression in women triggered after childbirth with extreme sadness and the sensation of darkness all around her.
How to use Cimicifuga Racemosa?
It works most wonderfully in 30C potency and can be taken once or twice a day.
7. Lachesis – When Delusions Attend Depression (Psychotic Depression)
Lachesis is well-indicated among cases where delusion is present along with depression, such as in cases of psychotic depression. Delusions are false, fixed beliefs that cannot be shaken off even when evidence is provided against that belief. Lachesis is administered when people have sadness, feelings of being abandoned, excessive talkativeness, and delusions. Such persons indulge in excessive talking and frequently jump from one subject to another. A lot of ideas crowd their mind at a given time. Sometimes violent anger and a state of madness are witnessed. When it comes to delusions, a person may get suspicious and he or she may feel as if someone may poison or harm him or her. Other symptoms that appear in them are restlessness, aversion to work, and running away from the world.
When to use Lachesis?
The use of Lachesis is highly recommended for cases of depression with marked delusions, sadness, excessive talkativeness, and suspiciousness.
How to use Lachesis?
This medicine can be used in 30C potency just once a day.
8. Coffea Cruda – For Managing Sleeplessness
Coffea Cruda is very effective for managing sleeplessness in these cases. It is indicated when there are constant chains of thoughts in the mind that lead to sleeplessness. There is marked restlessness at night with tossing and turning. Other symptoms include mood changes, irritability, anxiety, weeping, and weakness.
When to use Coffea Cruda?
This medicine can be prescribed to manage complaints of sleeplessness in depression cases.
How to use Coffea Cruda?
Consider its use in 30C potency once or twice a day.
What Causes Depression?
The causes of depression are not fully understood. But certain factors are thought to play a role.
These are as follows:
1.Genetics – Those with a family history of depression are at risk of developing it. The exact genes involved here are not known but research is going on to ascertain the genes that are involved.
2. Changes in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) – It is through the transmission of these chemicals from one nerve cell to the other that the communication of the brain with its different parts occurs. The chemicals include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They play a role in controlling a person’s feelings, moods, emotions, happiness, and pleasure. An imbalance between these chemicals is thought to play a role in causing depression.
3. Hormonal changes – Certain hormonal changes can be involved in causing the onset of depression. These changes can arise during pregnancy, after childbirth, during menopause, and due to thyroid.
4. Some changes in the structure of the brain, and the frontal lobe being less active are the other reasons that can trigger depression.
5. Having a history of disorders like anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and bipolar disorder increases the risk of depression.
6. Those having some chronic illness, chronic pain, and chronic disease are also prone to develop depression.
Who Is At Risk of Depression?
1. Those having some blood relatives suffering from depression
2. Those who have low self-esteem and are self-critical
3. People with negative thinking
4. Who have long-term stress
5. Women are more at risk as compared to men
6. Having a history of mental trauma like the death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse
7. Those going through financial problems, difficult relationships, issues at workplace or job loss, divorce
8. Who have some serious chronic illness like cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic pain
9. Those abusing recreational drugs, and alcohol
10. People taking medicines like sleeping pills, certain medicines to control high blood pressure, and corticosteroids
What Are Its Symptoms?
Persistent sadness and depressed mood are the main symptoms. Many other symptoms accompany depression. These mostly include hopelessness, tearfulness, lack of pleasure, interest in activities that were previously enjoyed, isolation, and withdrawal from social engagement.
Other symptoms that may appear with this are feeling of guilt, feeling of worthlessness, negative thoughts in mind, tiredness, changes in sleep (either excessive sleep or loss of sleep), and loss of sexual desire. In severe cases, thoughts of death and suicide may come across one’s mind.
In addition to the above, the rest of the symptoms that may appear include outbursts of anger, irritability, anxiety, concentration difficulties, difficulty in
Some physical symptoms may also appear that include headaches, body aches, and gastric issues.
It can affect relationships with family members. Certain conditions can also get worse due to depression like heart disease, joint pains, asthma, obesity, cancer, and diabetes.
A) Among men, the main symptoms are sadness, hopelessness, anger, aggressiveness, anxiety, irritability, lack of interest in activities that previously gave them pleasure, tiredness, drugs /alcohol, thoughts of death, decrease in sexual desire, difficulty in concentration, changes in sleep patterns (excessive sleep or no sleep), bodyache, headache, digestive complaints.
B) In women the main symptoms are sadness, hopelessness, irritability, social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, thoughts coming slowly/ talking, changes in sleeping habits (excessive sleep, difficulty in sleep or early waking), thoughts of suicide, decreased energy levels, changes in weight/ appetite, pains, and headaches.
C) Among children, irritability, mood swings, anger outbursts, feeling of incompetence, refusal to go to school, a decline in academic performance, and avoiding friends.
Are there any tests to diagnose it?
There are no tests that can diagnose it. The diagnosis is made based on clinical symptoms. Sometimes thyroid tests and Vitamin D and B12 tests are conducted as they can trigger depression.
Hi, i suffered from anxierty disorder and drpriscribed me aconite 200 5 drops twice daily for about 40 days then aconite 1m 4 drops one a week which i have taken a total of 3 doses and dr told me to stop med gor 1month observation , if symptoms recur he wiil givee aconite cm, mt anxiey is 95 percent finished but i stil had a fast heart beat for which i consulted anothrt dr who said it was asabi kamzori i.e neural weakness so prescribed me ginkgo syrup ingred:avena Q,barta carb 8 x,ginko biloba 2x,kali phos 3x ,pasifloraQ …im better now but still i have genrral weakness and bad apetite …dont feel hungry and not so active plz tellme wether im taking proper treatment or not and i have taken 1 bottle of bioplasgen 28 general tomic but after stoping med im weak again.plz reply. Thanks
hi
is there some medicine that is used for mood enhancing?
Hi Gud evening I just want to know tht I am taking ignatia amara 200 for depression so now I Want to take apple cider vinegar for my weight loss so I can take both medicine same time?
I have been suffering with depression all my life. I was taking an antidepressant for 6 month. Now I am taking autism reticulum 30 c for about two weeks, twice a day. This morning, I felt very sad. I was thinkin about all the suffering in the world. I take st.John sector for depression and ballerina and melatonin to sleep. I also take a lot of vitamins. I am 63 year old female who has been a vegetarian most of my life.
I have been suffering from depression from last 20 years and the cause of my depression excessive guilt feeling. I have been on allopathic medicines from last 10 years but I do not think I am 100 % ok.
Those medicines gives me some relief but not 100 %.
I have been taking lamitor OD 200 mg, Clonil 25 , cutipin 25 mg, fluoxetine 100 mg, Zolex .05 per day.
Also taking ayurvedic 5 HTP, St. john wort, ashwgandha.
Dr Sharma please help me and suggest homiopethic medicines.
I need to know which medicine (and potency) I should be taking for depression. I did not find anything relatable in the descriptions above. Mine has evolved from severe anxiety attacks to depression now. I’m 32. It occurs all of a sudden, and lasts anytime between a few hours to 3-4 days. I feel fatigued and only feel like sleeping the whole day. Can’t get any work done.
Sir,
My wife aged 59, retired from Govt service 1 1/2 one and half years ago is suffering from anxiety and depression symtoms for the past 6 months.She is a robust woman and used to face challenges boldly.But after depression has set in, she has lost interest even in day to day activities and lost weight by 5 Kgs.She could not sleep in night and hence we consulted a leading psychiatrist in chennai.He prescribed Nexito 10 mg and Etilam 1 mg daily.She has been put on this medication for 6 months.Though she has recovered to some extend,the dullness prevails in the day time.Hence Could you please give remedy in Homeopathy?
Age 21. Lean and thin body. I had an affair. I found he is a drug addict. Now he is a nuisance for me. He follows me wherever I go.
I left my studies a 2 year course diploma. Now only 3 months left for exmn. I have no sleep, I simply lie down always. I have no appetite. I shout at every one. No interest in anything. I have told to my parents about this affair.
my son having age 16 years behaves as under
body turned to be stone
aggression mood and beats family members
cries to the extreme
beats his head with his hands
pl let me know whether it is a sign of depression
at present we are giving him homopathy medicine tranquile and adal
whether it is a correct medicine.
this medicine cures him to some extent. kindly guide me what to do so that he will be allright
thanking you
waiting for your reply
Sir,
My son is doing PhD at Indian Institue of Schiences, Bangalore. When he was studying Intermediate in Sree Chaintnya college, Hyderabad, 6 years back he attempted sucide due to dipression. He doesn’t want to continue his studies. How ever, after a lot of trials we made him to write exams. He got good rank in EAMCET, later on good rank in GATE and got admission in M.Tech., at IISC, Bangalore. Now doing PhD. But still we observed that he is carrying that dipression there alos. In hostel, we observed that He has broken his cell phones. when question about this, he replied that now and then he goes into depression. Recently he fell down in an accident due to which he feels pain when he bends down. It is not cured even by using medicines. Now his depression is gone to high lelvel.
Sir, please suggest me whether this depression can be over come by using homeopathic medicine. If so let us now what is that medicine, how it is to be used.
Awaiting for your reply to my mail.
Thanking you sir,
Yours faithfully,
Obuladas, Anantapur., AP.
dr.sharma hello mein pichle 3saalo se acidity,low blood pressure,body pain specially shoulder,neck,back
pain and knee pain se aur mujhe hr samay thakan aur chidchidapan rhta hai aur mera ghar se bahar kahi pr bhi jane ka dil nhi krta maine job bhi isi wjah se chodh di kyunki mujhe hr samay ghabrahat aur bechaini hoti hai akele kahi jati hu to dil ghabrata hai 2baar mujhe panic attack bhi aachuka hai tb mera bp ekdm down hogya aur pulse b gayab hogyi lga jaise ki rooh nikalne wali hai bht allopathy kraya bt kuch fayda nhi hua ab aap btaiye k.mein kya kru raat me neend bhi nhi aati wajan bhta jarha hai plz help.me bht pareshan hu me.
I suffer from no sleep, anxiety and cranky or even anger at times. I’ve tried medical depression medication but usually the side effects are worse than the disease. I am alwayso tired, even though I exercise regularly, use a nutritionist and am gluten-free – dairy free. I’ve never used homeopathic remedies but I’d like to try it. I believe strongly in the law of attraction. So this sounds like a good fit. If I could get some advice on what to buy and where I’d be very grateful.
Thanks Mark
Sir, recently one month back I have gone through the angioplasty with two stents, I was not obessed and at the age of 62 years , was very active used to walk 6-7 Km per day, but all of sudden when I went to Hospital, after pain in left arm, Doctors after angiography told me that LAD is 100% block since many years with development of colleterals arteries and they did angiplsty with two stent
After that even without any pain I am completely depressed and suffering from fear psychosis that my condition is not imrooved and I will die, anxiety and depression is to me
Please advise me for few Homeopathic medicine
I suffer from very bad depression. I lack energy, get headaches daily, and just feel like I can’t even get up and do anything. I cry frequently. I’m a single mom of two and pregnant with my third, and previously was in a abusive relationship.
I have taken two doses of Ignatia Amara 200c which helped but still feeling really down.some days are way worse, other days I feel good!
Depression symptoms. Burning sensation in whole body, confusion in routine work, less sleep or no sleep, can’t eat lemons curds or any fermented food
Hello drsharma i am 36 year old married male ……i have ibs (diarrahea) and muscular pain plz suggest me best homeo medicines
My daughter aged 32 is in depression due to her 4years unpleasant married life nearing breaking point.dosnt want talk meet even me.confined in room alone with her mobile n laptop n our pet Mili.she used to smoke now heavily.havinng food but sleeping less.taking and asuming every thing wrong around.though she is quite but when I try to talk or ask any her requirement she shouts historically I am 70 years old alone.please help me
Can homeopathy be used during pregnancy? I am suffering depression and I am pregnant. I have 2 other children that are suffering because I am stuck in bed all day and I’m not myself. I don’t want to take anti depressants and deal with crazy addictions etc. I need to start feeling better soon. Please help.
My wife shyamali Sarkar, aged about 45 yrs, suffering from mental disorder, While she is in normal condition, have no problem but when she is not in normal condition she talk adnormaly, vomating tendicy
i have treated with Allopathic medicine but failed please advice
Dear doc i am using feliz s 10 mg and librium 10 mg daily to cure depression , can i take homeopathic medicine
i am depression confused mind and nor clear mind
Recently I have angioplasty with two stents and after that I am facing depression with fear psychosis every time I am worried for my disease
Please guide me for homeopathic anti depressant