The 8 Best Foods to Eat For Depression

Superstar foods
Research shows a diet rich in produce, fish, whole grains and nuts reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease. Studies suggest such a diet also may help relieve symptoms of depression and even prevent it.

“Scientific evidence shows a clear connection between what you eat and your risk of depression and dementia,” says Drew Ramsey, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City and author of the upcoming book “Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss and Transform Your Health.”

Here are 8 superstar foods Ramsey and other experts say can ease symptoms of depression and even help to prevent it. (Note they aren't a substitute for seeing a mental health care specialist if you think you're depressed or taking any medication you've been prescribed.)

Wild salmon
Studies have found people with depression are likely to have certain inflammatory proteins in their blood, brain and spinal cord fluid. Salmon and other oily fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation. If you have depression, two weekly servings of cold-water fish may ease your symptoms, according to Ohio State University researchers.

Salmon also contains vitamin B12, zinc and protein which are all important for brain health, says psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD. “The brain is your body's master mood regulator," he adds. Stick with wild salmon and other sustainable seafood. If you're pregnant or nursing, have no more than 12 ounces of fish per week.

If you don’t like fish, supplements may help. A large Canadian study found omega-3 supplements reduced symptoms in people with depression (who did not also have anxiety disorders).

Berries
Fruits help fight inflammation because they’re low in fat and high in antioxidants. But berries have the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruits and vegetables, according to the Department of Agriculture.

A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2012 found patients suffering from depression had significantly lower levels of vitamins A, C and E compared with a healthy control group. After being treated for six weeks with antioxidant supplements, the patients had significantly lower depression scores.

Berries are rich in anthocyanins, powerful phytochemicals that give them their bright hues. They're critical to brain health, says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, because they increase levels of BDNF, a brain-protecting chemical that improves memory while warding off depression.

Curry made with turmeric
If you’re a fan of Indian food, you’re in luck. Turmeric — the ingredient that makes curry yellow — contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound that has a protective effect against major depression, according to a study in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In animal studies, curcumin also has shown promise for treating depression, according to an article in the Scientific World Journal.

Research in people is also promising. A 2014 study in Phytotherapy Research found patients with major depressive disorder who were treated with 1000 mg of curcumin for six weeks had similar symptom relief as those taking 20 mg of the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac).

Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate (not milk chocolate) is packed with antioxidants — and the darker the better. Dark chocolate also contains tyrosine, an amino acid that contributes to the production of dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure centers in the brain, according to the Women’s Brain Health Initiative, an organization that promotes research about brain aging diseases that affect women. Dark chocolate also stimulates the production of endorphins, brain chemicals that make you feel pleasure.
Even in terms of nutrients, dark chocolate has value. “You get a good dose of iron and fiber,” says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD. But remember chocolate has a lot of calories, so make a little go a long way.

Lentils
One cup of lentils provides 90 percent of the recommended daily allowance of folate, a B vitamin shown in studies to help ward off depression, according Roberta Lee, MD, author of "The SuperStress Solution." In fact, a Harvard study showed people with depression may have a significant deficiency of folate.

Lentils also are a great vegetarian source of protein (18 grams in a cup), which is important for brain health. “People tend to have a problem getting plant-based protein into their diet," says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD. Legumes, he says, are a great way to go.
Lentils provide lots of iron, too, which can boost energy. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, and its symptoms can include depression, according to Ramsey.

Walnuts
According to the Women’s Brain Health Initiative, walnuts contain a variety of nutrients and other substances that help boost brain health, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and protein. Walnuts also are a good source of tryptophan, which plays a role in increasing serotonin levels, in turn helping us feel more relaxed and happy.

Walnuts provide magnesium as well. This crucial mineral calms and relaxes blood vessels and nerves. Up to two-thirds of Americans don’t get enough magnesium in their diet, according to Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD.

Eating walnuts will help guard against magnesium deficiency, which has been linked to depression. In an article on depression and magnesium deficiency published in the Journal of Geriatric Medicine, the authors noted symptoms of magnesium deficiency range from apathy to psychosis.

Kale
Kale is a true superfood, says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, who is so impressed with the nutritional benefits of this vegetable he wrote an entire book about it: "Fifty Shades of Kale." One cup of raw kale (in a salad, say) has only 33 calories, he says, but provides more than the recommended daily allotment of vitamins A, C and K.

Kale contains a good deal of folate (vitamin B9), so eat up — several studies have linked folate deficiency with depression, according to Ramsey. Kale also is a rich source of iron and vitamin B6 — both needed to make the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which play important roles in mental health.

Kale also boasts omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), a compound that helps lower the risk of depression, according to Ramsey.

Tomatoes
Can a tomato a day keep the therapist away? Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect against depression, according to a Japanese study in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Researchers found a tomato-rich diet lowered the risk of depression. In fact, older people who ate tomatoes two to six times a week were 46 percent less likely to suffer from depression than those who ate tomatoes less often than once a week.

Look for smaller varieties, because much of a tomato’s nutrients are in the skin. A pound of grape tomatoes has more skin than a pound of larger varieties, Ramsey advises. "Also look for darker-skinned tomatoes because they have higher concentrations of other important brain-protecting compounds, such as anthocyanins." By canning some of your summer tomatoes, he says, you can have tomatoes year-round.

Anger management: 10 tips to tame your temper

Do you fume when someone cuts you off in traffic? Does your blood pressure rocket when your child refuses to cooperate? Anger is a normal and even healthy emotion — but it's important to deal with it in a positive way. Uncontrolled anger can take a toll on both your health and your relationships.

Ready to get your anger under control? Start by considering these 10 anger management tips.

1. Think before you speak
In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything — and allow others involved in the situation to do the same.

2. Once you're calm, express your anger
As soon as you're thinking clearly, express your frustration in an assertive but nonconfrontational way. State your concerns and needs clearly and directly, without hurting others or trying to control them.

3. Get some exercise
Physical activity can help reduce stress that can cause you to become angry. If you feel your anger escalating, go for a brisk walk or run, or spend some time doing other enjoyable physical activities.

4. Take a timeout
Timeouts aren't just for kids. Give yourself short breaks during times of the day that tend to be stressful. A few moments of quiet time might help you feel better prepared to handle what's ahead without getting irritated or angry.

5. Identify possible solutions
Instead of focusing on what made you mad, work on resolving the issue at hand. Does your child's messy room drive you crazy? Close the door. Is your partner late for dinner every night? Schedule meals later in the evening — or agree to eat on your own a few times a week. Remind yourself that anger won't fix anything and might only make it worse.

6. Stick with 'I' statements
To avoid criticizing or placing blame — which might only increase tension — use "I" statements to describe the problem. Be respectful and specific. For example, say, "I'm upset that you left the table without offering to help with the dishes," instead of, "You never do any housework."

7. Don't hold a grudge
Forgiveness is a powerful tool. If you allow anger and other negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice. But if you can forgive someone who angered you, you might both learn from the situation. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want at all times.

8. Use humor to release tension
Lightening up can help diffuse tension. Use humor to help you face what's making you angry and, possibly, any unrealistic expectations you have for how things should go. Avoid sarcasm, though — it can hurt feelings and make things worse.

9. Practice relaxation skills
When your temper flares, put relaxation skills to work. Practice deep-breathing exercises, imagine a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase, such as, "Take it easy." You might also listen to music, write in a journal or do a few yoga poses — whatever it takes to encourage relaxation.

10. Know when to seek help
Learning to control anger is a challenge for everyone at times. Consider seeking help for anger issues if your anger seems out of control, causes you to do things you regret or hurts those around you.

7 Types of Therapy That Can Help Depression

Finding a therapist
Depressed? Anxious? The good news is that talk therapy can really help, sometimes as much as medication. But if the only thing you know about therapy you learned from watching The Sopranos, finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming.

“There are probably more than 400 types of psychotherapy,” says Jeffrey Magnavita, PhD, a licensed psychologist and affiliate professor of clinical psychology at the University of Hartford.

The good news is that therapies fall into one (or more) “schools,” each with its own theories and techniques. Find out your options and choose the therapy that will work best for you.

Psychoanalysis
This is the mother of all talk therapies. Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis, which probes the patient’s psyche and brings unconscious impulses and behavior patterns to the surface, more than a century ago.

The treatment centers on the dynamic between patient and analyst, and it can be rigorous—you may attend several sessions a week for years, if not decades.

The power of psychoanalysis is that it “creates a laboratory,” says Prudence Gourguechon, MD, the president of the American Psychoanalytic Association. “If you have a person who can't make decisions, for example, [the patient] actually starts demonstrating the same behavior right there in front of you.”

Psychodynamic therapy
You might call psychodynamic therapy psychoanalysis lite. Patients rarely lie on The Couch, sessions are less frequent (usually only once a week), and the treatment is briefer (sometimes a year or less).

You may not dig as deep as in psychoanalysis, but treatment still focuses on the unconscious, personal development, and the relationship between therapist and patient.

“The psychodynamic therapies are all modifications of [psychoanalysis],” says Dr. Gourguechon. “They hold to the same basic premises, but the techniques are different and the goals are more limited.”

Cognitive therapy
Negative thought patterns can cause—or contribute—to depression and anxiety, and cognitive therapy aims to turn that thinking around.

During treatment, you'll learn how to recognize harmful or irrational thoughts and replace them with more constructive ones.

Unlike psychoanalysis, cognitive therapy is geared toward solving immediate problems. It is brief (typically 16 weeks or less) and highly structured, with a specific lesson plan for each session. It also involves “homework”: The therapist may ask you to track your moods or practice new ways of thinking, for example.

Behavior therapy
As cognitive therapy targets negative thoughts, behavior therapy can help you overcome problems by changing your behavior.

For example, one common technique to treat anxiety disorders and phobias is "desensitization," in which a patient is gradually exposed to (or asked to imagine) anxiety-inducing situations as a way to become more comfortable with them.

Behavior therapy is often paired with cognitive therapy in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), an umbrella term that refers to many methods that incorporate both techniques.

Interpersonal therapy
Are interpersonal conflicts and a lack of social support causing your depression? If so, interpersonal therapy (IPT) might be right for you.

In IPT—which is brief and focused, like CBT—patients closely examine their relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and other key people, with the goal of resolving interpersonal conflict, improving communication, and building a more solid support network.

As part of the treatment, you may be asked to create an “inventory” of important relationships and role-play with the therapist.

Experiential therapy
In this type of treatment, you'll learn to distinguish healthy emotional responses from those that are misguided or harmful.

But unlike some types of therapy in which the patient-therapist relationship is strictly neutral, experiential therapy is characterized by the supportive, empathetic relationship that the therapist cultivates with the patient.

“If the person who’s being treated feels understood and feels a warmth from the therapist, these factors in and of themselves seem to be a large part of what makes people get better,” says Magnavita.

Online therapy
Don't rule it out. Like just about everything else, you can now get therapy on the Web, in real time. You can use instant messaging (IM) or set up one-to-one video services such as Skype, to interact with your therapist much as you would in person.

This may be particularly helpful if you lack transportation, live in a rural area, or are otherwise unable (or unwilling) to visit a therapist’s office.

What little research has been conducted on Internet-based therapy appears promising. In a 2009 study published in the Lancet, 38% of patients who received up to 10 sessions of CBT via IM recovered from their depression.

Everyone feels a little melancholy when the days get shorter. But for some people, the change in the seasons brings with it something more serious than the blues: seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that can be debilitating.

How to Help Someone Who's Depressed

What to do
When someone you know and love is clinically depressed, you want to be there for that person. Still, keep in mind that your friend or loved one has a medical condition, so giving support may mean more than just offering a shoulder to cry on.

“There are many things you can do to make them feel better,” says Jackie Gollan, PhD, assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, but medical care may be what they really need to recover.

Here are nine helpful things you can do for someone with depression.

Realize treatment is key
Depression is a medical condition requiring medical care. As a family member or friend, you can listen to the person and give your support, but that might not be enough.

If you keep this in mind, it can prevent you from losing patience or getting frustrated with them because your best efforts don't "cure" their depression.

"People that are depressed can't sleep it off; they can't avoid it," says Gollan. "You can give care and support, but it's not going to solve the problem."

Get active in their care
The best thing you can do for someone with depression is support his or her treatment. Tell your friend or loved one that depression is a medical problem and ignoring it will not make it go away.

"If someone breaks their leg, they are taken to a doctor or hospital," says Gollan. "If someone has depression, they need medical care and psychosocial support."

Talk about it
Let them know that you and others care about them and are available for support. Offer to drive them to treatment or, if they want to talk to you about how they're feeling, know what to listen for.

"This can reduce risk of suicide," says Gollan. "Listen carefully for signs of hopelessness and pessimism, and don't be afraid to call a treatment provider for help or even take them to the ER if their safety is in question."

Stay in contact
Call or visit the person and invite her or him to join you in daily activities. People who are depressed may become isolated because they don't want to "bother" other people.

You may need to work extra hard to support and engage someone who's depressed.

"Activities that promote a sense of accomplishment, reward, or pleasure are directly helpful in improving depression," says Gollan. "Choose something that the person finds interesting." Still, keep in mind that they may not feel interested in the activity right away.

Routines that promote exercise, nutrition, and a healthy amount of sleep are helpful.

Focus on small goals
A depressed person may ask, "Why bother? Why should I get out of bed today?" You can help answer these questions and offer positive reinforcement.

"Depressive avoidance and passivity can be reduced through activation [to help the person regain a sense of reward] and small goals of accomplishment," says Gollan.

Document and praise small, daily achievements—even something as simple as getting out of bed.

Find local services
Use support services in your community or online resources such as National Alliance on Mental Illness to help you find the right specialists to consult on depression treatment. A primary-care physician or an ob/gyn can also provide referrals for a psychiatrist.

Some people with depression may not recognize that they're depressed. Explain to them that the condition can get progressively worse, even become chronic, if not treated early. Hence, it's worth investigating supportive services and specialists.

Encourage doctor visits
Encourage the person to visit a physician or psychologist; take medications as prescribed; and participate in cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.

Gollan suggests checking the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies or the American Psychological Association to locate psychologists and medical centers' psychiatry departments.

Pay attention
If someone you love has been depressed in the past, pay attention if the person is experiencing some of the riskier life phases (in terms of depression), such as adolescence or a recent childbirth.

Also, if the going is rough for him or her emotionally due to marital separation, divorce, job loss, a death in the family, or other serious stress, be ready to step in to help.

What do you say to someone who’s depressed? All too often, it’s the wrong thing. Here is a list of helpful things to tell someone battling depression, and even more importantly, what not to say.

Colors That Help With Depression

Every color of the rainbow can affect our mental health, whether consciously or subconsciously. Color affects our body, mind and spirit in both positive and negative ways. This can be demonstrated in a simple experiment of changing into a special outfit in a favorite color as opposed to a drab palette for the same occasion.

Colors Correlate with Emotions
Colors often are correlated with different emotions. Pastels of blue and green are associated with relaxing and thoughts of tranquility, as in nature's settings of blue skies and forests. Yellow, being a more vibrant color, often is used to lift one's spirits as a sunny day does. Purple is used to show wisdom and majestic powers, as in a king's robe. White expresses cleansing and purifying thoughts. While these colors often reveal these moods, other elements can change the emotional impact. Using this general knowledge of colors you can plan the best environment for good mental health--whether it be in a home setting, school, hospital or place of retreat.

Same Colors in Different Settings
Choosing colors for a beach cottage can be a reflection of nature. Hues of blue can help you recall the emotions of blue skies and a day on the lake. Perhaps a splash of yellow can brighten a room, as the sun shines on the water. These same colors used in a hospital setting can bring a calmness to patients who are suffering from depression. Pale blue walls with a picture of that same retreat setting can bring peaceful feelings to mind. Add a fresh plant with bright yellow flowers, and the hospital room is transformed into a place of healing.

Children's Hospitals
In contrast, brighter shades of blue and green in a children's hospital can enhance healing, relaxation and compassion. Even splashes of red bring strength and energy into this place of healing. Some hospital settings have playrooms transformed into a jungle, zoo or an undersea environment.

Colors Enhance Experiences
All experiences are enhanced by color, whether positively or negatively. Altering a person's environment with a different color can change their outlook on their circumstances dramatically. Moving from a gray, drab basement to a sunlit room painted in pastels can help transform a depressed mind to one filled with hope and possibilities.

5 Stages of Depression

Identification
There are no definitive stages of depression as the illness manifests differently in every individual according to internal and external factors such as gender, age or cultural influences. However, there are some similar, or typical, symptoms or behaviors related to depression that may occur between various individuals.

Feelings
A person experiencing severe or mild depression may have difficulty interpreting or handling their emotional responses. As detailed on Healthy Holistic Living (healthy-holistic-living.com), these emotions may include feelings of hopelessness, a lack of confidence, irritability, anger, fear and tension/anxiety. Depending on the source or type of depression, these feelings will vary in severity and length of time during which they are overwhelming to an individual.

Thoughts
A depressed person's thoughts are often clouded or overburdened. A person may have thoughts of guilt, worthlessness or self-harm; an individual could also experience impaired judgment, memory loss or have difficulty making rational decisions.

Behaviors
Some typical behaviors, or outward warning signs, of depression, as outlined by Healthy Holistic Living, could include lethargy, impulsiveness, neglect of personal hygiene or appearance, loss of appetite, insomnia and a general lack of enjoyment in life's pleasures.

Considerations
Because there is no one cause of depression, it is difficult to determine a specific cycle related to the behaviors and emotions of a depressed individual. These symptoms are merely generalizations and may be indicative of other underlying medical problems. As with any illness, depression should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. Because of the nature of depression, it is imperative to look into an individual's specific mental, emotional and environmental triggers to target their specific form of depression in order to plan for an individualized approach to healing.

Signs of Depression During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is often portrayed in the media as joyous time, and it certainly is for many women. But the reality is that while pregnancy puts physical demands on the body, for many women the experience can be troubling mentally as well. According to the March of Dimes, 10 to 20 percent of pregnant women show signs of major depression. And for women who have shown depressive symptoms before, the odds are even greater. But treatment is available, often without the use of drugs that could possibly compromise the pregnancy. The key is knowing the signs and symptoms of depression and seeking evaluation and possible treatment early on.

Time Frame
Changes in hormones during pregnancy can certainly contribute to days when a woman may feel a little blue. Typically those days pass, however, and her mood will brighten. But if a pregnant woman displays symptoms of depression for two weeks in a row, she should be screened for depression and begin talking with her doctor about treatment--even if it's talk therapy with a psychologist or mental health counselor.

Lack of Interest
The most obvious sign of depression is feeling low, but it is the presence of other symptoms that likely signals major depression. A lack of interest in activities that you previously enjoyed is an especially revealing sign. Those activities could include socializing with friends, hobbies, shopping, watching movies, reading, etc. If you are aware that you no longer have an interest in these things or you notice this change in a pregnant woman, it's time to address the situation.

Guilt
Feelings of guilt, especially for no discernible reason, are common signs of depression. It can be helpful to talk with other women who either are pregnant or who have been pregnant, to understand that such feelings are common.

Sleep and Appetite Changes
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than normal are typical signs of depression, though in pregnant women, such changes are expected, regardless of mental health. But they are still worth watching, especially if you are having trouble sleeping for reasons unrelated to finding a comfortable position lying down. Likewise, appetite changes are normal during pregnancy; foods you once loved may seem unappealing and vice versa. Still, it's worth noting if you have noticeable changes in your eating habits along with other depressive symptoms.

Thoughts of Suicide
If you experience any feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide (or of harming the baby), you should seek help immediately. Sharing your feelings, good and bad, with your partner can help, as well as keeping your doctor informed of not just changes in your physical health (energy level, pain, etc.), but in your mental health, too. While it's not uncommon to have feelings of hopelessness, it's vital to your health and that of your baby to remember that those feelings can pass and be replaced with the more joyous rewards of motherhood.

Unhealthy Behaviors
Untreated depression can be dangerous for the mother and the unborn baby, because the condition is often accompanied by poor choices in nutrition and by unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse, according to the American Pregnancy Association (APA). Such behaviors can lead to premature birth, low birth weight and developmental problems. Untreated depression during pregnancy can also carry over once the baby has been born, a time when feelings of depression and anxiety can be even more concentrated and the health of mother and child are especially vulnerable.

Addressing Symptoms
If you or someone you know is showing depressive symptoms during pregnancy, the first step should be a conversation about those feelings with her health care provider. He can then recommend a plan of action, perhaps starting with a support group, talk therapy, medications, light therapy or another approach. It's very important, though, that you consult with your doctor about medications, supplements or any treatment that could possibly affect negatively the health of you and the baby.

Symptoms of Depression Anxiety Disorder

Depression is the No. 1 cause of disability among adult Americans ages 15 to 44. It can often present alongside other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders. While this can make both diagnosis and treatment more challenging, the majority of patients who are engaged in a comprehensive treatment program can expect to achieve significant symptom relief. In order to get help for depression and anxiety, however, it is necessary to first recognize the symptoms.

Depression
Clinical depression is a type of mental illness that causes depressed mood and can severely impair day-to-day functioning. There are several subtypes of depression, and each can present with different symptoms. Although everyone goes through periods of feeling "down," clinical depression differs in that these feelings are much more intense and persistent.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the standard reference for diagnosing mental disorders, indicates that in order to receive a diagnosis of depression, an individual must experience the symptoms for at least a two-week period, and these symptoms must be serious enough to interfere with everyday activities, representing a change from the previous level of functioning.

Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorder is a generic term for a group of disorders in which severe anxiety is the main symptom. There are four primary types of anxiety disorders, which are: phobias (specific fears and anxiety), generalized anxiety disorder (chronic fear, anxiety or worry in a variety of situations), post-traumatic stress disorder (panic symptoms related to past trauma) and panic disorder (physical symptoms of stress and anxiety that may or may not be associated with any specific event).

Symptoms of Depression
The symptoms of depression can vary somewhat among individuals. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual lists the following symptoms of depression: a depressed mood most of every day, "markedly diminished interest or pleasure in ... activities, nearly every day," marked change in weight (gain or loss) and appetite, oversleeping and fatigue or insomnia, slowed motor activities, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of suicide.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by a pathological sense of worry and panic, and can greatly interfere with one's ability to function effectively in day-to-day activities. Although there are several different types of anxiety disorders, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual lists the following as general symptoms: excessive feelings of anxiety, which may or may not occur in response to specific stimuli; physical stress responses, such as rapid heartbeat; hyperventilation; and dizziness.

Relation of Anxiety to Depression
Nearly half of the individuals who are diagnosed with depression also suffer from an anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Depression can reinforce anxiety and excessive worrying, just as anxiety can fuel depression. The good news, however, is that both conditions are very treatable, and often respond well to the same types of treatments: antidepressant medication, psychotherapy and healthy lifestyle changes.

Color Therapy for Depression

Color therapy, or chromotherapy, is meant to balance an individual who lacks energy due to an emotional, spiritual, physical or mental problem. According to Missouri Western University, studies on color therapy for depression have had mixed results, so it may or may not work for you. If you do decide to try color therapy, you should receive treatment from a qualified practitioner because too much exposure to a certain color could cause adverse side effects.

Effects of Colors
Different colors are said to have different effects on people. When color therapy was being developed, the Russian scientist S.V. Krakov found that exposure to pure red light had a stimulating effect, while exposure to pure blue light has a sedative effect. Red light tends to speed up heart rate and respiration while increasing blood pressure, and blue light tends to slow heart rate and respiration and lower blood pressure.

The different colors you might be exposed to in color therapy are red, which promotes energy; orange, which promotes pleasure and enthusiasm; yellow, which promotes mental clarity; green, which promotes balance and calm; blue, which promotes good communication and knowledge; indigo, which is a sedative; and violet, which promotes enlightenment or spiritual awakening.

Depression and Color
If you begin color therapy for depression, you will probably primarily be exposed to blue light. According to Vanderbilt University's Health Psychology page, the success of blue light in treating depression was first acknowledged by the scientific community in 1990 at the annual conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science .

If you have depression symptoms due to SAD (seasonal affective disorder), you will probably be exposed to white light or full spectrum light. This treatment is similar to color therapy, but is called light therapy, because the main goal for people with SAD is to simulate sunlight.