Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Mechanistic Approach for healing of Depressive Disorders.

Depression is a mental state characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem, and selfreproach. Pharmacological therapy is considered evidenced based approach and frequently used for the treatments of depression. Pharmacological healing of depression involves the use of different class of drugs like monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOI], tricyclic antidepressant drugs [TCAD] and 2nd generation antidepressant drugs [2GAD] including the selective nor epinephrine and serotonin reuptake-inhibitors. However, problems associated with pharmacological therapy are patient adherence, high treatment cost, drug associated side effects, low diminution rates and high placebo responses. Objective of the present review is the compilation of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) approaches for the treatment of depression. CAM approaches includes the use of herbal remedy, traditional Chinese medicinal plant formulation, traditional Japanese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic formulations, nutraceuticals, aromatherapy, acupuncture, music therapy, stress and relaxation techniques, yoga and meditation. Benefits of the CAM approaches embrace the relatively reduced prevalence of adverse effects, economical, better patient compliance and are holistic approach to the folk’s problems. The database was searched using the different term “Depression: Alternative Therapies”, “Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of depressive disorder” and depressive disorder in combination with St John’s wort, exercise, acupuncture, and omega-3 fatty acids. The specific CAM approaches were selected based on the available reviews and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]