The placebo effect
This is the improvement in the general health of a patient even without taking administered medication. The improvement may be either observable or felt. It is facilitated by factors like classical conditioning, the expectations of the patient, or even a regression to the mean, among others. The placebo is an inert pharmacological substance that is responsible for producing an effect similar to that of an antibiotic or any other medical active substance (Coerlo 1OOO-05). Over the years, pharmacists have used the placebo effect to treat and, sometimes, cure health conditions such as acute depression, heart conditions, stomach complications such as ulcers, among others.
Alternative treatments for depression
Natural alternative treatments for depression actually work better than biochemical alternatives like antidepressants. They are more likely to offer a treatment that is more effective than that of standard therapies because they induce natural healing and they also contain nutrition. They add holistic support to the healing system of the body, which helps the body to overcome physical and mental problems. One fact that is mostly understated in medical circles is that the mind, body, and every other organ in the human body mostly function separately (Prudic, 50). However, various body and mind systems interact in complex networks of biological, metabolic, and even hormonal relations.
In this regard, when any of the organs face an obstacle during the process of treatment, the others get affected as well (Dalton, 344). Whereas some organs may receive antidepressant drugs positively, a few others may resist. That explains the side effects. Natural methods are however accepted by all the body organs. The natural medication includes certain diets and nutrition, some herbs, exercise, social support, among others.
Works Cited
Coerlo, Holland. “Journal of Consulting and ClinicalPsychology.” Journal of Consulting and ClinicalPsychology, 75.6 (2007): 1000-05. Print.
Dalton, Newton. “Second-tier natural antidepressants: Review and critique.” Journal of Affective Disorders, 130.3 (2011): 343-357. Print.
Prudic, Jordan. “Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 157.4 (2000): 50. Print.