An herbal alternative. Hypericin, the active ingredient in the herb Saint John's Wort, is already an accepted treatment for depression in Germany, and is now gaining widespread use in the United States. European studies suggest that a standardized dose of 0.3 percent hypericin in 300 milligrams of raw herb, taken three times a day, is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, while provoking minimal side effects. A study by the National Institute of Mental Health is now under way to verify these findings. Because Saint John's Wort can interact with prescription antidepressants, you may want to check with your doctor before you begin taking it.
Various preparations are available at pharmacies and health food stores.
Psychotherapy Research shows that some depressed patients can benefit as much from short-term psychotherapy as from medication. In these studies, medication relieved the symptoms more quickly. However, patients with moderately severe depression who received psychotherapy instead of medicine gained as much relief from symptoms after 16 weeks. If you're reluctant to take medication, or suffer unpleasant side effects, psychotherapy is a viable alternative. In general, however, psychiatrists agree that the severely depressed do best with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.