Magnetic Therapy

Depression is one of the most common causes of human suffering and yet one of the least understood. Why do some people get depressed in the same situation that others may find stimulating and challenging?

There are so many levels of severity and triggers for depression that it often seems that each patient presents a unique case. This is where the use of chemical anti depressants as a blanket cure all, falls down. Anti depressants and chemical interventions are vital in many cases but they should be treated as a short term coping strategy not a “cure”.

PERSONALIZE EVENTS
My experience suggests that depressed people tend to personalize all events, a late train arrival is “life” making things bad for them, the other 200 people who are also delayed, do not seem involved to the depressed person.

Most of us have an emotional neutral where we are neither happy nor unhappy but a depressed person does not seem to have a neutral. I use the terms happy and unhappy but this is not to denigrate the utter misery of depression. I use these words to differentiate one feeling from the other not to quantify that feeling. When dealing with depression you have to encourage small definable steps, relief of a particular pain finding one happy memory at a time etc. This can be a very frustrating for the therapist as a depressed patient will often find a happy memory, then discard it again within hours claiming they have never been happy. In severe cases the family and loved ones of the patient seem to actually suffer more than the patient. Some patients do not realise they are depressed; they often externalize all their feelings and “blame” others for their own reactions to events. Some depressed people can appear impatient, attention seeking and demanding; these aspects may also be due to the persons personality but they could be unconscious attempts to mask depression, low self esteem etc.

NEW TREATMENTS
There is a great deal of work going on to evaluate the potential of Magnetic Therapy to treat depression via the stimulation of  brain activity.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is being researched and expensive equipment being produced. And already claims of success in treating depression are being made. Contrary to my usual attitude when involved with Magnetic Therapy, I would suggest some caution is needed. I quote from some original work that has been published:-

“It is important to note that the although the effects of TMS are temporary (often lasting for less than 80ms) and that once the TMS effects have worn off neuronal activity returns to normal, there is a small risk of seizure associated with repetitively stimulating the brain for long periods. As a consequence of this TMS is never used on participants who have at risk from epilepsy, fainting and the old or young”.

I am sure the people developing the techniques and equipment will overcome all potential problems but we should be aware they exist.  In a previous article I mentioned some of the work on repetitive TMS etc and would suggest a student would be advised to look up the web for research material.- with the usual web caution, not all that is published on the web has been verified as true and honest. Check the sources and treat with caution. There is a huge amount of information but it is early days in the development of this as a heath care tool. There is no doubt that stimulation of certain aspects of brain activity could alleviate depression in many cases.

TREAT THE CAUSE
Depression can be helped by the use of 'magnetic therapy'. Relief of pain can have a huge beneficial impact on a patient who is depressed because of constant pain. The old holistic mantra 'treat the case not the symptom' is especially true in depression; it is also especially difficult in depression. The cause may be constant pain that is treatable but it may also be some very deep seated psychological problem rooted in distant childhood. It may also be triggered by poverty, emotional damage, alcohol, drugs, frustration etc.

Use magnets to treat local pains, Bracelets- joint wraps etc); use magnets to enhance blood supply to the brain- (a necklace or head band). Use spot magnets on the acupuncture points in the ears.

In the on line course we explore all of these aspects and practical uses of Magnetic Therapy

Depression is a complex illness and the variations from patient to patient require a holistic and careful approach. From chemistry in the brain to psychological disorders, from social to physical problems, all can play a part and most usually it is a mix of all of these things. Magnetic Therapy can help