There is no way that we could appreciate the good times in life if we hadn't experienced the lows. Likewise, it is the memory of happier times that get us through the low points on life's journey. The peaks and troughs are normal. They are life.

But when the feelings of sadness persist, or when we are thrown violently between highs and lows seemingly without reason, then is the point to seek out depression treatment. Normally, our experience in life affects our mood, and this controls the hormones released in our body. Depression results when our hormones control us.

Depression Treatment

So when the signs of depression are found, how can they be treated? Depression treatment usually consists of anti depression medicines such as tricyclic, amitriptyline, imipramine, lithium, and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors that can stabilize the mood of the patients. However, any good physician will also recommend a balanced diet to restore any nutrients that may be deficient in the body and thus be causing the depression. It is because of this that supplementing medication with vitamins is also highly recommended in the treatment of depression.

B vitamins, a collection of similar, but not identical, vitamins are shown to have a wide range of properties that can effectivelt treat each of the major signs of depression. So let's look at these in more detail...

Knowing the Signs of Depression

Depression can be classed into two main types:

Anxiety depression occurs when the levels of hormones that make us feel happy are too low in the body. Sufferers feel sad, low, and dejected and crucially, the anxiety depression persists for at least two weeks without interruption. Anxiety depression is also called unipolar depression and can be triggered by any stressful situation such as a death, loss of a job, or the break up of a relationship.

Manic depression, or bipolar disorder, is another form of depression in which a patient suffers from extreme mood swings from very high to very low. Manic depression is caused by hormonal imbalances.

For both types, the main symptoms and signs of depression are:

Loss of interest, headaches, and stomachaches

Inability to concentrate, sleep, and make decisions

Feeling of tiredness, fearfulness, and dejection

Change of appetite, and recurring thoughts of death

Any natural depression treatment must be able to target each one of these symptoms and reduce them in the patient. This is where B vitamins come in, as their wide-ranging properties can effectively deal with all the signs of depression.

A B Vitamin for Every Sign of Depression

B vitamins for feelings of sadness and dejection:

Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is an essential component in the production of SAM-e, a "feel-good" neurotransmitter that can significantly improve a person's mood. Depression has been linked to deficiencies of vitamin B6 in the body.

B vitamins for an in ability to concentrate and make decisions:

Depression has also been linked with anemia, and inability to concentrate, coupled with a feeling of tiredness, is consistent with a low red-blood cell count. Vitamin B12 can be used as a depression treatment because it helps in producing and maintaining red blood cells responsible in oxygen transportation in body, controlling mood swings.

B vitamins for feelings of fearfulness and anxiety:

Studies have shown that low levels of folic acid, or vitamin B9, can cause depression. Folic acid makes an effective depression treatment because it clears stress hormones from the liver, reducing feelings of anxiety.

B vitamins for feelings of fearfulness and anxiety:

A double-blind study conducted on women showed that vitamin B6 treatment for depression can bring emotional stability and hormonal balance. Supplements of vitamin B6 can help women get rid of their post menopause anxiety and depression. Folic acid is also important for the proper functioning of the brain and the maintenance of emotional stability.

So what B vitamins do I need?

The simple answer is: all of them! It has been found that taking high dosages of a particular type of B vitamin can induce deficiencies of the others. This can lead to other symptoms that can only confuse and hinder normal depression treatment. That is why a B vitamin complex, containing all the B vitamins mentioned in this article, plus all the others useful in the maintenance of optimum health of the body is recommended for natural depression treatment.