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By Donna Cunningham, MSW
The following is
an excerpt from Donna's new ebook, Flower Remedies -- How Plant's
Energies Can Heal Us. To order a copy, visit
Moon Maven Publications.
 The term depression is misused and overused, often when people just mean
they have the blues. Essence practitioners need to distinguish between the
popular usage of the word and clinical depression, which generally does not
respond well to essence therapy, because it is a biochemical condition and
can require medical treatment. Clinicians recognize two types of serious
depression: chronic depression, which may be part of the person's character,
and reactive depression, which is akin to grief and is a natural and healthy
reaction to loss. Chronic depression is often the result of a deficit in the
body's chemical balance or an extremely difficult life situation that has
lasted for many years. Reactive depression is temporary, though often
immobilizing. It is usually triggered by an event, such as a death, divorce,
loss of a job or other career setback, or the children graduating and moving
out of the house.
 Reactive depression can be very deep and painful. A recent event may trigger
the reaction, but often evokes sorrow over much deeper and older losses. In
questioning the person, be alert to depression that is immobilizing, lasts
longer than is reasonable, or doesn't improve with time. For reactive
depression, the client needs permission and even encouragement to keep on
feeling the sadness and working the loss through. In our society, we are
pressured to get over losses quickly and keep producing. Thus the
practitioner's validation of the importance of the loss and the time it
takes to get over it can be very supportive.
Clinical depression wears many disguises. They include fatigue,
hopelessness, major weight losses or gains, irritability, sleeplessness or
sleeping too much, purposelessness, lack of interest in sex or other
pleasures, and suicidal impulses. Addictions, especially to alcohol or
sugar, are often attempts to alleviate a depression. Unfortunately, alcohol
and sugar in themselves can depress the central nervous system, acting as
"downers". Exercise, such as jogging, seems to help depression, because it
changes the brain chemistry.
The above is how this article first appeared in the March, 1999 issue of Vibration -- click on the image to see that entire issue.
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If your client, family member, or friend exhibits symptoms of clinical
depression, especially of the life-robbing chronic variety, you would be
remiss -- not to mention potentially liable -- if you did not strongly suggest
medical care. Nor should you claim that flower remedies cure clinical
depression, as you would then be practicing medicine without a license. The
FDA, which visits most of the flower remedy makers from time to time, has
taken a strong position against any claim that flower remedies are effective
against depression or any other psychiatric disease entity.
 Severe clinical depression is possibly the trickiest -- and potentially most
dangerous -- area for a flower essence practitioner to deal with. In general,
you would want to ask whether clients are on any medication before starting
with flower remedies, but especially if the complaint is depression. My own
clinical experience is that antidepressants may sometimes block the effects
of flower remedies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Cunningham is Vibration's co-editor and a well-known author of books
on metaphysical topics like
flower remedies and astrology.
This has been an excerpt from Donna's new ebook, Flower Remedies -- How Plant's
Energies Can Heal Us. To order a copy, visit
Moon Maven Publications.
To find out about Donna's services, visit her web page.
ART CREDITS: This page treatment was created by Hometown Websmith with additional images from Art Today.
The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.
  
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