In 2004, the FDA demanded that drug manufacturers place a Black Box Warning on their antidepressant products stating that the drugs could cause suicidal behavior in people 18 to 24 and another study found they could cause stokes in post-menopausal women. All of this research has caused patients to ponder what other problems may be linked to this class of drugs.

While these recent studies on antidepressants have pointed to psychotherapy as a superior treatment for depression, there is even more evidence supporting the use of complementary and alternative therapies used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Over the past decade, there has been thousands of studies demonstrating that complementary and alternative therapies and lifestyle changes can help heal psychological problems far faster than drugs or psychotherapy alone. That's why I combine psychology and naturopathy; so the people I work with can feel better faster and enjoy lasting results. Naturopathy is basically the study of complementary and alternative medicine at the doctoral level.

The Overwhelming Feelings of Depression

People often turn to antidepressants because they're feeling overwhelmed and the drugs have been recommended by their doctor. Depression can sometimes feel like a life sentence, like you're trapped inside a body and there's no way out. I understand. Many years ago, I was also depressed, so I do know how it feels. When I got better, I wanted to help others experience the joy and light-heartedness that I was experiencing.

Patients and their family members often overlook the symptoms of depression, assuming that feeling depressed is normal for someone struggling with a serious problem, such as divorce, loss of a job, or chronic illness.

Symptoms of depression are also frequently masked by the other conditions, resulting in treatment for the symptoms - but not the underlying cause of - the depression. It is extremely important to treat all forms of illness at the same time.

Common symptoms of depression include:

• Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
• Significant weight loss or weight gain
• Sleep disturbances; sleeping too much or not able to sleep
• Problems with concentration
• Apathy (lack of feeling or emotion)
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

• Focus on the behaviors, emotions, and ideas that contribute to his or her depression.
• Understand and identify the life problems or events, such as a major illness, a death in the family, a loss of a job, or a divorce that contribute to depression and help them understand which aspects of those problems they may be able to solve or improve.
• Regain a sense of control and pleasure in life.