As a caregiver and someone who is watching a loved one struggle with a mood disorder, finding your way around the world of "cures" and healing techniques can be confusing. The topic of alternative therapies is a hot topic for many traditional therapists and thier cohorts, the psychiatrists. While it is certainly true that traditional therapy and pills or a combination thereof have provided relief for many suffering mental dis-ease, one need look to the other percentage of affected people to see that for a great many more (and the truth is we don't know how many people are actually "cured" or "healed" from either of these two therapies.) they don't find the relief they seek. This is perhaps why alternative therapies have a place alongside traditional healing modes.

Most people start with a trip to a therapist who can screen you and then recommend where to go for help. Typically, the standard treatment is talk therapy in conjunction with medication. There are increasing numbers of people who seek treatment through their primary care physician, which has it's own pros and cons. Although this seems to be a popular avenue, caution is recommended since mental illness is a type of specialty. You probably would not go to your primary care physician for heart surgery so you might want to think twice about asking a primary care doctor to diagnose and treat you for a mood disorder, such as depression or bi polar disorder.

What role do alternative therapies play in treating mood dis-orders?
For many suffering from mood disorders, alternative therapies are popular and used in conjunction with medication and or talk therapy. Some of the more serious alternative treatments include; repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS); the use of lightboxes for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD); eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy; massage treatments; hypnosis; sleep deprivation therapy; Chinese herbal medicine; group therapies; support groups and psychosurgery.

Many people report being helped or healed by alternative therapies. Exactly why they work is not a question to be answered here. In his book, The Noonday Demon, Andrew Soloman eloquently states it this way: "Depression is a disease of thought processes and emotions, and if something changes your thought processes and emotions in the correct direction, that qualifies as a recovery. Frankly, I think that the best treatment for depression is belief, which is in itself far more essential than what you believe in." p137

Simply put, situation, openness, genetics, sociological and physiological factors all play a role in the "healing" factor. Who are we to instruct the person struggling with mental dis-ease to stop searching for ways to assuage their pain. Very often there is no "cure" and the pain may or may not subside over time with or without help from medication therapy and other methods of alternative healing. If your loved one is struggling with depression, for example, and wants to try "alternative therapies" what should your response be? This may have more to do with your finances than anything else. But based on Mr. Soloman's thorough examination of depression, it is a good bet that standing in support of your loved ones search is not meaningless if they hold a belief in the cure. We may never know which combination of or single treatment cures or heals all those who suffer.

Suggestions and ideas for offering support to someone with a mood disorder who is interested in alternative therapies:
1.Assist them in getting educated. Read everything you can about the therapy. Keep an open mind and curiosity about the various therapies if they show interest.
2. Seek advice from on line support groups for people who have gone through the types of therapies you are investigating.
3. Find the best in the field. If your loved one wants to try hypnosis, EMDR or other type of therapy, find the best people available to provide it. Many traditional therapists are increasingly adding things like EMDR to their repertoir. Ask your doctor or other professionals for information on the selected therapy of choice. Getting a referral from a professional is preferable to finding a someone in the yellow pages. Not always, but as a rule yes. Treat it as you might a research project and get the best information and medical help possible. This also pertains to seeking treatment in alternative modes.
4. Don't give up your existing support system (e.g., individual or group therapy and/or medication)
5. Remember, these therapies cost money so be mindful of prioritizing and setting limits if finances are a factor.

In the end, personal pain and the alleviation of is not a new phenomenon. For some it is critical that they receive professional help in conjunction with alternative therapies. For others, the quest might involve healing of a different sort. Keep an open mind and as always don't go it alone, seek professional guidance in support of getting well.

Mary Logan is a professional life coach specializing in support of the caregiver. Inspiring audios and her free :"Are you an effective caregiver" assessment can be found at http://www.fromsurvivetothrive.com