Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics in the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, summary of results, 2020-2021, estimated that over 2 in 5 (43.7%) Australian aged 16-85 had experience a mental disorder during their lifetime. Depression has physical manifestations inside the brain. In the past, depression was often described as simply a ‘chemical imbalance’ in the brain. Specifically, scientists believed that a lack of the neurotransmitter serotonin was to blame, which is often referred to as the ‘feel good’ chemical.
While chemicals most certainly are involved, this view really does not capture just how complex depression is. In recent years, scientists noticed that the brain cell growth and connections may play a larger role. Studies show that the hippocampus tends to be much smaller than average in the people who suffer from depression. Other areas of the brain are also physically affected especially in the region that controls memory and emotion. The longer a person has been depressed, the smaller the hippocampus becomes. The cells and networks literally deteriorate. It turns out that stress may be a main trigger in the decrease of new brain cell in this area of the brain. Neuro-scientist still do not have a complete picture of what causes depression. It seems to have to do with a complex interaction between genes and environment. Because of depression symptoms are intangible, it is hard to know who might look fine but is actually struggling.
The good news is acupuncture is found to be an effective and safe treatment for depression. Several large clinical studies have found promising results for the use of acupuncture in treating depression, stress and anxiety. Many western healthcare providers question the efficacy of acupuncture since it is not exactly a verifiable treatment. However, research does show that the needles from acupuncture treatments release endorphins and serotonin in your body. In one 2013 study, researchers also found that electro-acupuncture, a type of acupuncture treatment was just as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) in easing depression symptoms. Another study also found that acupuncture increase hippocampal and network neuroplasticity and decrease brain inflammation which potentially alleviating depressive disorders.
In these years of my practice, I found that most of my patient with mental health condition have a certain degree of digestive issue, such as IBS, chronic constipation, diarrhoea, poor appetite, fatigue acid reflux, gastritis and so on. A troubled gut can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can affect the gut. Have you ever notice that if you feel hungry, you might feel cranky but feel satisfy after eating? Treating the gut is as important to treat the mood since our digestive system is our second brain. Hence, I often include some acupuncture points to improve the digestive function as part of my treatment protocol to improve the mood. When it comes to prescribing Chinese herbal medicine for mental health issue, the herbs that fortify the gut should be the main ingredients of the herbal formula along with some herbs that have antidepressant active compound.
We all have good days and bad days. Then there are those days when something isn't quite right, you've got something on your mind, or things just seem too much. It can make a real difference having someone to talk to. To hear what you have to say. And to give you advice. If you’re going through a hard time right now, the Beyond Blue Support Service (1300 22 4636) is free and available 24/7 for brief counselling.
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