Healing Depression

Depressive disorders affect almost 10% of the North American adult population age 18 and older in a given year, and about 25% of adults will have a major depression episode. It is projected that depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020. Conventional medicine is adept at prescribing medications for depression, but not well versed at addressing the causes of depression or preventing this disease. Fortunately, naturopathic medicine has proven to be especially effective and safe in doing do. Healing Depression is an authoritative guide for the naturopathic, conventional, and integrative practitioner, providing comprehensive information about the underlying factors that contribute to depression, how to diagnose the disease properly, and how to safely and effectively treat depression using natural medicines, while weaning patients from medications. Depression is a multifactorial disease best treated by a multifaceted integrative approach. Treating the cause affords the most complete and long-lasting clinical result, while cooperating with the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) is the guiding principle of naturopathic medicine, unifying its multifaceted modalities, from clinical nutrition and botanical medicine to homeopathy and mind-body therapy. Based on the most current research and evidence-based practices, Healing Depression will become a standard text for medical libraries, healthcare practitioners, and patients for years to come. "Living a life without joy is what living with depression is like. Dr Bongiorno has provided an excellent overview of depression as well as a guide to how it is treated in both standard and naturopathic models. His book will help healthcare providers of all licenses raise their patients out of the pit of depression." Dr Walter Crinnion, ND, Professor, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine