Management of Depression based on Integrated Medicine Viewpoint

Aim and Depressive disorder is one of the most common psychological disorders which may diminish personal function if not treated well. Common treatments for this disorder include serotonergic substance reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Some references also suggest herbal remedies for the treatment of this disorder.
Methods and Materials: This review article was designed to evaluate the conventional and complementary treatments for depression. Treatment methods were gathered from Persian medicine textbooks and were revised and summarized after consulting with an expert panel. The conventional medical treatment methods were also reviewed and presented.
Findings: The herbal remedies have considerable efficacy in depression treatment and may be suitable choices for complementary therapy.
A physician would choose the best treatment method depending on depression severity, recurrence, duration and other underlying diseases. It is necessary to conduct scientific research projects to evaluate the safety and efficacy of complementary therapies in this field.