Homeopathic Remedies for Depression

Approximately 14 million people in the United States suffer from depression. The word “depression” comes from the Latin deprimere, to press down. To feel depressed means to have feelings of severe despondency and dejection. Depression often occurs along with other illnesses and medical conditions. Depressed people may think: “What is wrong with me? Why can’t I find the sunshine and happiness in my life anymore? I used to have a zest for life, but now I have a hard time facing each day.”

Homeopathy can provide a safe and effective way of treating depression, sadness, and anxiety. Under the guidance of a skilled homeopath, you may find relief from feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness. (Please note: The following information is not meant to be a replacement for seeking medical help; these remedies are possible alternatives and/or adjunct therapies to other treatments.)

Did You Know?
You can visit the National Center for Homeopathy at homeopathycenter.org to find a practitioner in your area.

Aurum metallicum:

This remedy is indicated for people who have feelings of total helplessness. Their depression runs very deep. They work themselves too hard, often to achieve impractical goals. Being alone makes them feel worse, so they’re often seen as work-aholics who spend all their time at the office. They feel there is a dark cloud of melancholy overhead, which cannot be shaken. They feel worse if there is a loss of work or business failure, trouble with finances, or a disappointment with love in their life. They are full of regrets, and often feel that they have neglected their duty toward their work, family, or friends. Their anger sits just below the surface, and they can easily fly off the handle. Often these people feel that suicide is the only possible way out of their situation.

Natrum muriaticum:

This depression often starts when there has been a loss, such as the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship. Patients can be very good at holding grudges from some perceived slight, often for many years past the incident. They find it very difficult to move on with their lives because no resolution seems possible. They hold emotions inside themselves, resulting in a closed personality. These people are good at holding onto their secrets so thatothers may not see their pain and depression. Their emotions are held in check, so they rarely cry in frontof others, which in turn creates an appearance of being unfeeling or stoic. They tend to fall in love with unattainable people, often because they are vulnerable and have a fear of rejection.

Calcarea carbonica:

This remedy may be beneficial for especially overbearing depression. Patients may feel they havesunk so low they are at the bottom of the ocean. They are so overwhelmed and exhausted they cannot seem to swim to the surface. They worry and fret over everything, even the most seemingly unimportant issues. Work may seem like a daunting task that continues to pile up and will never be finished. This can spin into depression and melancholy. They tend to suffer from a lot of self-doubt, and may prefer to go home and curl up by themselves and cry.

Stannum metallicum:

In Chinese medicine, the lungs are connected to the emotion of grief and unresolved issues, and this remedy, as well as Natrum Muriaticum, can benefit the lungs as well as help with certain types of depression. The people who respond best to Stannum metallicum are depressed and anxious, and often feel hopeless. They feel low-spirited through-out the day, are often discouraged, and want to cry, even though crying makes them feel worse. They are discontented with life and difficult to please-nothing makes them happy. They also tend to be very sensitive to what others say or think about them, which can be an especially big issue in this day of social media. These people can become obsessed with what others post about them or how many “likes” their own posts receive.

Mercurius solubilis hahnemanni:

With wild mood swings, from happy to sad, these people can feel very irritable with a seemingly short fuse. They withdraw from society and wallow in their depression. The depths of their sadness make them consider the idea of suicide. They always feel hurried, which may manifest in their speech, leading to stammering. They have a lot of nervous energy, which manifests as twitching. They can be very impulsive, and yet also very apathetic. They like change, whether rearranging the living room furniture or moving to a new home, and often feel restless. They can get caught up in their own thoughts, so much so that they may forget to eat. In women, PMS may make their feelings worse. They are suspicious of others, and have fears that something bad may happen.

These are just a few of the most common homeopathic remedies used to treat depression. If you don’t relate to the descriptions presented here, know there are hundreds more possibilities that could help. Consult a qualified homeopathic practitioner to find a targeted remedy that will work best for you.

Bach Flower Essences & Depression

I have extensively studied the Bach Flower Remedies, and use them successfully in my practice. They are not technically homeopathic remedies, but they are very gentle in their action, and have been very helpful in treating depression.

Bach’s Clematis can be especially helpful for someone with feelings of being out of touch with reality and disconnected from what is going on around them. They tend to live in a fantasy world, and think more of the future than the present. They feel discontented with their lives and find it difficult to face the day, choosing to stay in bed and sleep. Clematis can help to stabilize a person’s feelings of being overwhelmed, and help them to calmly face the difficulties before them.