Depression: Overview for Clinicians

Overview

Integrative Health, like Whole Health, is built around the Circle of Health, which emphasizes the importance of personalized, values-based care that draws on mindful awareness and eight areas of self-care: Physical Activity, Surroundings, Personal Development, Nutrition, Recharge, Family, Friends and Coworkers, Spirit & Soul, Mind and Emotions.  Conventional therapies, prevention, complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches, and community also have important roles.  The narrative in Integrative Approach to Depression, Part I  describes how the Integrative Health approach could have an impact on a person with depression.

Depending on individual needs, an Integrative Health approach to depression can incorporate a number of different self-care, conventional care, and complementary health approaches.  Depression is responsive to a variety of interventions, ranging from improved nutrition, sleep, and physical activity to enhanced connections with others.  Many professional care approaches can prove useful—even essential.  This includes an array of psychotherapies and other mind-body approaches, medications, supplements, light therapy, and a variety of other options. See Integrative Approach to Depression, Part I, II, and III to learn more about the evidence for the efficacy and safety of these different approaches and how you might incorporate them into a Personal Health Plan (PHP).

Please see the downloads section for more detailed clinician and patient information.

Disclaimer: This information is for general education. Please work with your health care practitioner to use it in the best way possible to promote your health and happiness.