Though they are understudied compared to drugs, several alternative therapies have shown promise in the treatment of depression. Perhaps their largest draw is that while it can be unclear whether or how much they help, they usually don’t hurt.
Side effects are minimal, and alternative therapies are often less expensive than biomedical treatment. According to a 2004 brief by the Center for Studying Health System Change, 6 million Americans sought alternative treatments in 2002 because of concerns about the rising cost of traditional health care.
Promising alternative therapies include:
- Supplements (such as St. John’s wort and S-adenosyl- L-methionine, or SAMe)
- Physical activity
- Stress reduction techniques (such as meditation)
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Diet and nutrition
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
Related material: There are other options.
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