Can Acupuncture Help You with Depression? blog

Can Acupuncture Help You with Depression?

  • Difficulty sleeping – can be too much or too little

  • Alcohol or drug abuse

  • Consistent feelings of sadness or emptiness

  • Decreased interest in activities the person once enjoyed

  • Decrease in energy or fatigue

  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness for no obvious reason

  • Inability to concentrate

  • Noteworthy weight gain or loss that is unexplained

  • Low mood

  • Increased irritability

  • Reckless behavior

  • Decreased libido

  • Thoughts of suicide in more serious cases

  • Physical symptoms like headache, back pain, and digestive issues

  • Changes in eating habits or appetite
  • Bereavement

  • Chronic illness

  • Loneliness

  • Stressful life problems like financial issues or relationship problems

  • Trauma or abuse especially at a young age

  • Brain chemistry

  • Hormonal changes such as with pregnancy or thyroid issues

  • Genetics
  • Manic Depression or Bipolar – this type of depression is trademarked by radical changes in their mood or energy occurring over longer or shorter periods of time.

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – this type of depression is trademarked with depression symptoms felt at specific times of the year. These feelings are felt more often during the winter months, but can happen any time of the year.

  • Major or Clinical Depression – this type of depression is what most people think of when they think of depression and that is feeling depression symptoms for longer than 2 weeks.

  • Postpartum Depression – this type of depression is depression that is experienced in the months following giving birth, and is often known as the “baby blues”.

  • Persistent Depressive Disorder – this type of depression is often known as high functioning depression as these people often put on a good front but feel persistent sadness and a pessimistic outlook.

  • Atypical Depression – this type of depression is very common and is marked by a pattern of depressive symptoms which goes on and off for years.
  • Weight gain

  • Dry mouth

  • Headaches/migraines

  • Insomnia

  • Sexual dysfunction

  • Nausea

  • Brain fog/dizziness

  • Skin rashes
  • Opioid receptors and opioid peptides (involved in the central and peripheral nervous system involved in pain modulation, response to stress, and reward)

  • Neurotransmitters

  • Hippocampus – this area of the brain can diminish in those with depression

  • Neuroinflammation – can be caused by autoimmune issues or traumatic brain injury

  • Neuroendocrine system & HPA axis – these can affect bodily function
  • Stimulating the area of the brain that is responsible for decreasing pain and stress, and switching off the amygdala responsible for worry forcing the body to relax.

  • Altering how various areas of the brain communicate with each other by increasing resting brain activity which is dysfunctional with depression.

  • Decreasing pain which can often be a main factor in those who have chronic illnesses who have developed depression.

  • Changing the brain chemistry, and increase serotonin and endorphin production (these are the hormones that encourage feelings of wellbeing).
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255

  • Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ individuals – 1-866-488-7386

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) – 1-800-662-4357

  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – Dial 988

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