Depression is a common but a serious mood disorder. It can affect both sexes and any age. Risk factors for depression are family history of depression, concurrent medical illnesses, medications, trauma, shock or stress. Depression is associated with certain conditions such as Diabetes, heart disease, AIDS, cancer, Parkinsonism etc. Post-delivery blues and old age depression is also very common.

Depression in childhood presents with irritability or high levels of anxiety. Symptoms of depression are low feeling, sad, anxious or angry mood, feeling of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness, lack of interest, fatigue, sleeplessness or excessive sleepiness, increased or diminished appetite, increased or loss of weight, aches and pains, and thoughts of committing suicide.

Patients with depression often do not express themselves. They do not feel understood and do not get helped. Most patients with mild to moderate depression do not go to a health professional. In many societies mental illness is a taboo which makes them more and more isolated.

Homeopathy treats depression well. There are many homeopathic medicines like Aurum met, Cimicifuga, Ignatia, Liliumtigrinum, Natrum mur, Natrum sulph, Sulphur etc which are very helpful in treating depression. Homeopathic physician takes the case in detail and facilitates patient to express his emotions. Individualistic approach in homeopathy helps addressing specific causes of depression in individual patients. Homeopathy does not have one size fit all approach which helps specially in disorders of mind.

Use of homeopathic medicines for depression along with counselling helps recovery of the patient much faster. In children, old age and in patients not amenable to counselling or psychotherapy homeopathic medications help greatly in treating depression. Pregnancy related depression is also treated very well with homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies for depression do not produce any side effects or hamper body functions hence they are safe even if they are to be taken on a long term basis.