In the United States there are approximately 14 million people who suffer from depression. The word ‘depression’ comes from the Latin deprimere, to press down. To feel depressed means to have feelings of severe despondency and dejection. Depression often occurs along with other illnesses and medical conditions.

The following information is not meant to be a replacement for seeking medical help, but is presented as a possible alternative or adjunct to other treatment.

The right homeopathic remedy can help many people with depression and sadness. People may think: “What is wrong with me? Why can I not find the sunshine and happiness in my life anymore? I used to have a zest for life, but now I have a hard time facing each day.”

Homeopathy is a safe and effective way of treating depression, sadness and anxiety. Under the guidance of a skilled, professional homeopath, you may find relief from your feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness.

It is difficult to select only 5 homeopathic remedies for this article, since there are hundreds of remedies used to treat depression. The following remedies listed are by no means going to be a match for every person, so if you feel you do not relate to the remedy descriptions, know there are many more possibilities that would be a better fit for you.

Aurum metallicum: This remedy has feelings of total helplessness. Their depression runs very deep. They work themselves too hard, often to achieve impractical goals. Being alone makes them feel worse, so they are often looked at as workaholics; those people who seem to live at the office. They feel there is a dark cloud of melancholy overhead, which cannot be shaken. They feel worse if there is a loss of work or business failure, trouble with finances, or a disappointment with love in their life. They are full of regrets, and can feel they have neglected their duty towards their work, family or friends. Their anger is just below the surface, and they can easily fly off the handle and explode with violent temper. Often these people feel that suicide is the only possible way out of their situation.

Natrum muriaticum: This depression often starts when there has been a loss, such as the loss of a loved one, or disappointment in relationships. They can be very good at holding grudges from some perceived slight, often for many years past the incident. They find it very difficult to move on with their life because no resolution seems possible. They hold emotions inside themselves, resulting in a closed personality. These people are good at holding onto their own secrets so that others may not see their pain and depression. Their emotions are held in check so they rarely cry in front of others, which in turn creates an appearance of being unfeeling or stoic.

They often fall in love with unattainable people, such as falling for a married person, or with someone who has no intention of being in a relationship.

They are vulnerable and have a fear of being rejected.

Calcarea carbonica: This remedy represents a depression into the depths of darkness. They feel they have sunk so low they are at the bottom of the ocean. They are so overwhelmed and exhausted they cannot seem to swim up to the surface. They worry and fret over everything, even the most seemingly unimportant issue. They dwell on how their day will be, how work seems like a daunting task that continues to pile up and will never be finished. This can spin into depression and melancholy spirits that are always low. There is a lot of self-doubt, and they would prefer to go home and curl up by themselves and cry.

Stannum metallicum: The people who need this remedy are depressed, anxious and feel hopeless. They feel low-spirited throughout the day, feeling discouraged and wanting to cry all day long, even though crying makes them feel worse. They are discontented with life, difficult to please and nothing makes them happy. They are easily discouraged, and very sensitive to what others may say or think about them. In this day and age of social media this can be a big issue. These people can become obsessed with what others post about them. They get fixed ideas or thoughts that they have trouble letting go of.  In Chinese Medicine, the lungs are connected to the emotion of grief and unresolved issues. This remedy, as well as Natrum Muriaticum, also has major issues with the lungs.

Mercurius solubilis hahnemanni:  With wild mood swings, from happy to sad, these people can feel very irritable with a seemingly short fuse. They withdraw from society and wallow in their depression. The depths of their sadness makes them consider the idea of suicide. They always feel hurried, which may manifest in their speech and which may lead to stammering. This shows the difficulty in which they feel they can express themselves. They have a lot of nervous energy, which shows as twitching. They can be very impulsive, and yet also very apathetic. They like changes, whether it is rearranging the living room, moving to a new home, or just a feeling of restlessness within their body. They can get caught up in their own thoughts, so much so that they may forget to eat. In women, PMS may make their feelings worse. They are suspicious of others, and have fears that something bad may happen.

 

A bonus Bach Flower Remedy

I have extensively studied the Bach Flower Remedies, and use them successfully in my practice. They are not technically homeopathic remedies, but like those remedies the Bach Flowers are very gentle in their action, and have been very helpful in treating depression.

Clematis: This Bach Flower remedy helps someone with feelings of being out of touch with reality, and disconnected with what is going on around them. They tend to live in a fantasy world, and think more of the future rather than being in the present. They feel discontented with their lives and find it difficult to face the day, choosing to stay in bed and sleep. Clematis can help to stabilize a person’s feelings of being overwhelmed, and help them be able to calmly face the difficulties before them.