Causes & Symptoms:
Recognising and accepting 'depression' is a first step towards curing it. How do you know that you, a close family-member or a friend is going through depression? If you:
• are feeling sad, lethargic, pessimistic, hopeless, worthless or helpless much of the time and/or
• are having difficulties making decisions, not concentrating or having memory problems and/or
• have lost interest in your favourite things or activities, have problems at home, school or work, and keep yourself isolated and/or
• feel low energy, restless, irritable or eat abnormally (less or more) or having sleeping problems and/or
• are engaged in risky behaviour and/or
• are thinking about death, suicide or your funeral then you may be suffering from depression.

Types of depression:
There are several types of depression. Losses in life cause 'normal depressed mood and grief'. Sudden changes in life cause 'adjustment disorder with depressed mood'. Mild or major depression is dependent on the severity of symptoms such as: despair, hopelessness, guilt feelings, incapability of feeling pleasure or having sex, sleep problems, appetite problems, unusual indecisiveness or suicidal thoughts or attempts. Manic-depression involves major depressive episodes alternating with high-energy periods of wildly unrealistic activity. Atypical depression involves alternating periods of depression with periods of fairly normal days. Seasonal Affective Disorder is due to lack of sunlight in the winter. Post-partum depression is caused in women who have just delivered a baby.

Remedies:
The following are the most common natural ways of curing depression:
Natural Cure:
• Apple: Take apples with milk and honey. This remedy will act as a very effective nerve tonic and re-charge the nerves with new energy and life.
• Cashewnut: is another valuable remedy for general depression and nervous weakness
• Asparagus: take one or two grams of the powder of the dry root of this plant once daily
• Cardamom: Powdered seeds should be boiled in water
• Lemon Balm: alleviates brain fatigue. Take thirty grams of the herb, and put in half a litre of cold water and let it stand for twelve hours. Strain the water, and take small does throughout the day.
• Rose: prepare an infusion of rose by mixing 15 grams of rose petals with 250 ml of boiling water.

Vitamins:
Take all foods rich in Vitamin B. Examples: whole-grains and green vegetables

Dietary Considerations:
Completely stop intakes of caffeine (tea, coffee, Coke, Pepsi etc), alcohol, chocolate, white flour products, sugar, and white rice.

Exercise:
Physical exercise, not only keeps the body physically and mentally fit, but also provides recreation and mental relaxation. It is nature's best tranquilliser. It provides a sense of accomplishment and reduces the sense of helplessness.

Meditation & Spiritual Activities:
Learn the art of relaxation and meditation. It will bring some normalcy to your life. Go to the depths of our rich Vedas, and you will understand the meaning of karma, death, life, etc. This in turn will help you rationalise events, which otherwise would trigger depression.

Counselling and Social Activities:
Become more active; divert attention towards other people and things. The pleasure of achieving something overcomes distress or misery. Perform
community service or take up a hobby. If you have a Guru, seek Her/His advise. Talking/counselling always helps you feel better, especially with a wise person such as a Guru.

In closing, be positive, be optimistic, be mindful of your diet, be spiritual!