Depression :(

Depression touches one in three Americans in their lifetime and comes at great personal and economic cost. Current treatment for this problem in America is often impersonal and focuses primarily on psychopharmacology. The impact of depression is enormous in terms of human suffering and economic costs both nationally and globally. Estimates of the yearly economic cost of depressive disorders, in the United States alone, range from 30 to 44 billion dollars (Wells, 1996). Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and World Health Organizations (WHO) have released a five-year study of the leading causes of death worldwide, which reveals that depression was the fourth leading cause of disease-burden in 1990. By 2020, it will be the single leading cause of death worldwide (Murray & Lopez, 1996). It seems that people are unable to cope with hustle and stress in every day life. Daily T.V. commercials talk about depression and the medical treatment for it, most commonly Prozac. (Prozac) Fluoxetine is now one of the top ten most prescribed drugs in the U.S. with 30 million users (Stokes & Holtz, 1997).
Research showed that rats and mice with artificially induced cancer developed an increased rate of tumor growth when they were given Prozac or other antidepressants. Prozac has been implicated in numerous suicides and acts of violence, and can cause nausea, nervousness and insomnia. So, given the facts and the side effects of the medical choice, what are my alternatives?
Nothing is easy in life, and just taking a pill will not solve problems. Health and happiness comes from within, not from an outside force, pill or potion. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a quick fix? We all know that quick fixes are NOT long-term, but the side effects of a drug can be! Getting down to basics can be part of the solution as well as part of our earthly journey. Therapy, change of diet, exercise, and chiropractic care create the foundation for change and is the “alternative” versus the quick fix. The nervous system is the connection between the brain and body. If there is any subluxation, or misalignment, your mental status, attitude and overall quality of life will be affected. In my nine years experience, I have found that people under chiropractic care lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. Certain lifestyle changes are essential: exercise (secret natural endorphins, which are 200 times more powerful than morphine with no side effects), diet changes (no refined sugars, white flour, or artificial sweeteners), and meditation, which creates focus, balance and better connection with yourself. The combination of these will make a huge impact on you and your family life.
In a recent research project, they compared chiropractic care, exercise and anti-depressants. The results showed that the group that exercised and received chiropractic adjustments had the best results with no side effects. One patient said, “After having depression for fifteen years, chiropractic care, along with exercise and the proper diet, has allowed my body to be the happiest and healthiest it’s ever been.”
By taking a pill, people want a quick fix, while the path to health a lot more of a commitment. Remember, in order to have happiness, you must be willing to change.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-224.