Anxiety and Depression
One in four of us will experience some kind of mental health problem every year, and the most common type is anxiety combined with depression.
In China, acupuncture has a long history of use for mental and emotional disorders, modern studies in China have found that acupuncture is as effective as amatriptaline in treating depression and even more effective in treating anxiety. (Luo et al, 1990, Yang et al 1994)
In the West, we are beginning to realise how useful acupuncture can be for mental health problems. Acupuncture treats both body and mind and aims to restore balance to the system. Patients feel calmer, experience fewer anxious feelings, have better energy levels, higher self-esteem and an increased sense of well-being. This may be to do with acupuncture's ability to stimulate endorphin release.
Anxiety and depression can make it hard for us to make healthy choices in our lives. Maintaining healthy lifestyles with regular sleeping patterns, well-balanced meals, exercise and time to do things you enjoy, can seem impossible to acheive. As a course of acupuncture progresses, it becomes easier to change our habits and make better choices.
There is time during your treatment to talk about these issues, and to discuss advice relevant to the things you want to do. (If you have underlying issues to talk about, and haven't had an opportunity to do that, a referral to a counsellor may be appropriate.) Acupuncture offers individualised support for the changes you want to make.
Research shows that acupuncture can improve mental health. A pilot study carried out at two mental health centres in the East End of London, provided 8 acupuncture treatments for patients and then asked, 'What effect has acupuncture had on your overall health?' Patients reported a 'marked improvement' in their condition. (Hougham 1997)
A survey carried out by the Mental Health Foundation found that 85% of those asked had found complementary medicine extremely helpful (Faulkner 1997) .
I am currently involved in a clinical trial concerning acupuncture and it's possible benefits for people with depression. Run by the University of York, the Acupuncture , Counselling and Usual care for Depression (ACUDep) trial has recruited over 750 patients and is looking at the effects of the three arms of treatemtn for a period of 12 months.
If you are interested in having treatment please contact Harriet or ring our reception on 01904 709688.
Acupuncture for Depression and Anxiety (PDF) - from the British Acupuncture Council website.
References
Faulkner A. (1997) Knowing our own Minds-A Survey of How People in Emotional Distress Take Control of Their Lives. London: Mental Health Foundation
Lou H. Jia Y. Wu X. and Dai W. (1990) Electro-acupuncture vs amatriptaline in the treatment of depressive psychosis. International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture 1(1):7-13
Yang X Liu X. Luo H. and Jai Y. (1994) Clinical observation of needling extra channel points in treating mental depression. Journal of Chinese medicine (14) 1:14-18
Hougham P. (1997) Acupuncture in Mental Health - the Tower Hamlets Project, 2nd ARCC Research Symposium, SOAS, London
"Above all, acupuncture has helped me with my physical vitality. Previously my depression had led to my early retirement on health grounds from the civil service. Had I had access to acupuncture at that time, I believe I would have gained another two to three years of working life. Acupuncture has not cured my depression in itself, but its assistance in dealing with the low vitality, which has been the worst symptom of my depression, has been invaluable." David, 64
"I had a terrible situation going on at work and was in a lot of debt. I would get a sense of dread that started in my stomach and seemed to rise up my body. My heart would race and I felt like my head was exploding. I ended up shaking uncontrollably and feeling like I was going to die. I couldn't hide it and didn't want to leave the house. Acupuncture really relaxed me and helped me understand what was going on. I learned to control my panic attacks, and after a while I stopped getting them. I didn't want to take tablets because I was breast-feeding my baby at the time, so the acupuncture was great for me." Jenny, 24