Feeling sad from time to time is one thing. But when we talk about depression, we refer to a specific diagnosis—one that is chronic and disrupts life. It is a complex condition, and it is more common than many realize—affecting millions worldwide. And the environment has a lot to do with it. This is where essential oils for depression come in.

But we will get to that shortly.

Biologically, depression can often be explained by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals affect our moods, our energy levels, and even our ability to have fun.

When they are not firing like they are supposed to, we may feel persistent sadness, inability to find motivation, difficulty concentrating, and plenty more.

Genetics, hormonal imbalances, chronic stress, and more can also influence depression.

The Environment’s Role in Depression

While our genetics lay the groundwork, how we interact with the world around us makes a difference. Environmental depression is a reality. Even the seasons can influence our chemistry to experience depression when the sun is gone (or even when the sun is out too much).

Indeed, the environment is a significant factor. Stress, lack of social support or friends, simply being in a stressful environment—all of these can impact your depression levels. Respectively, when these things are good (at least to you), they can help reduce depression symptoms.

This is also environmental. Working in a room with open windows and good lighting, a clean, spacious space, being in the woods, or seeing the ocean outside your window can help.

Essential Oils for Depression

So what are they? Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants known for their fragrance and environmental properties. They have been used for centuries in various cultures for their healing properties. But can they really help with depression? Let’s take a closer look.

How Essential Oils Impact Your Body

Your nose is connected to your brain. That much is obvious: sending signals and receiving them. But more specifically, your nose (the olfactory system) is connected to the limbic system in your brain. This is where emotions, memories, and even arousal are.

It should ring true to you. Certain aromas can bring you right back to a time in your life. Or the smell of apple pie cooling gets you salivating. When these kinds of things are triggered, it becomes a cycle (in this case, a positive cycle) where the brain then delivers serotonin and dopamine. These two neurotransmitters affect mood.

So, short answer? Yes. Essential oils can help with depression. They aren’t a magic bullet or the answer to all your mental health woes. But they can absolutely help, especially if you respond well to certain oils and aromas.

Essential Oils Do Even More for Depression

Some essential oils can also reduce inflammation and cortisol levels, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.

• Lavender Oil: Known for its calming effects, it can help reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep, which is crucial for mental health.
• Bergamot Oil: This citrusy oil has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, making it a popular choice for those with depression.
• Rosemary Oil: It has stimulating properties that can help enhance focus and reduce mental fatigue, which are common issues in depression.

The Environmental Impact of Essential Oils

Back to the environment aspect of depression, essential oils can affect this in a few ways. Aromatherapy is a practice of bringing essential oils (and other aromas) into your space. It adds to the atmosphere to bring a sense of calm and well-being and can reduce stress.

Then, there is simply the personal care aspect. When we are willing to take care of ourselves, we enter another good cycle. It makes us feel better, helps us make better decisions, and moves us in a good direction on a personal level.

Taking a bath with oils, getting a massage, or using them in your skincare are all ways to take care of yourself. You can create self-nurturing rituals with essential oils for depression and see the difference it makes over time.

A Few Tips for Using Essential Oils for Depression

• Start Small: For topical use, begin with a few drops in a diffuser or a couple of drops in a carrier oil.
• Safety First: Always do a patch test to check for allergic reactions, and consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you’re pregnant or have existing health conditions.
• Quality Matters: Use high-quality, pure essential oils to ensure the best therapeutic effects.

Getting Help With Depression

As great as essential oils can be for depression, they typically are not the “cure.” They tend to be part of a holistic, individualized treatment option if they make sense for the person struggling.

So, yes. Make use of essential oils for your mental health. But always remember, depression is a disease of the mind. There is no shame in reaching out to get help from people trained to treat it.

If you want to know more about how a mental health facility or IOP option for treating depression can make a difference in your life, call us at Lido Wellness today: 949-541-8466.

Imagine a gray world. Things might have been in color once. But time has passed, and life has happened. It might be significant things that have happened to you. But it might just be the grind. The living of your circumstances. Whatever it is, the color is gone. This is Dysthymia. Also known as persistent depressive disorder. It might be a milder form of depression than major depressive disorder. But the symptoms can still be devastating.

What Is Dysthymia Like?

There’s a constant background hum of sadness and fatigue throughout the day. You might be able to get out of bed, but engaging in the world around you has no appeal. Talking to friends and coworkers is an extra effort you don’t have. Meeting new people is far from a priority.

Things you once liked to do become distant memories or just lack appeal. Part of this is the struggle of focus. Concentrating is work, and thoughts feel like water slipping through your fingers. It is the underlying (or overlaying) hopelessness. Your quiet voice is not insidious nor comforting — it simply says, “This is your life, and things will never get better.”

You may be able to walk through life, but you live in a relentless gloom. The important part is that it is chronic. It’s not just a case of the blues. It is a gnawing emptiness that has settled in for the long haul. It has been around for at least a year and doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

Here are a few symptoms of Dysthymia:

Symptoms:

• Depressed mood: Most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years (one year for children and adolescents).
• Appetite changes: Poor appetite or overeating.
• Sleep disturbances: Insomnia or hypersomnia.
• Low energy or fatigue.
• Low self-esteem.
• Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions.
• Feelings of hopelessness.

What Causes Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Just like most mental health issues, PDD can occur for a variety of reasons. But it is important you don’t blame yourself for this. Life creates us. We are participants, but our control over the contributing factors of Dysthymia is minimal.

Genetic Factors

• Family History: Individuals with a family history of depression or other mood disorders are more likely to develop PDD.

Biological Factors

• Brain Chemistry, Hormonal Imbalances, Brain Structure

Environmental Factors

• Chronic Stress, Trauma, Neglect or Abuse

Psychological Factors

• Personality Traits, Chronic Illness

Social Factors

• Isolation, Socioeconomic Status

Other Contributing Factors

• Substance Abuse, Medication Side Effects

How Do you Treat Dysthymia?

This is not just a bad day or even a bad week—it’s a low-grade, chronic cloud that hangs around for at least two years in adults (one year for kids and teens).

Dysthymia involves a persistent imbalance in brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. These are the pleasure and motivation chemicals in the brain. Also, they regulate our general well-being.

There is some good news in all of this. Some light in the persistent depressive disorder tunnel. Antidepressants can help rebalance things so that you are on the path to feeling better on a daily basis.

Healing With Therapy

But real healing can come in the form of therapy. CBT makes a difference in helping people regain their lives. In this kind of treatment, you are given tools to reframe your life and create coping strategies for when things start to feel off.

You will likely also hear about the benefits of exercise, nutrition, and holistic healing in your therapy. Many people are surprised to learn how much impact these three things have on Dysthymia and how a few lifestyle tweaks can make a tremendous difference.

The gray of life can find color again. Remember, there is hope, and there is help.

Get Help with PDD in Newport Beach

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s time to take action. At Lido Wellness Center, we specialize in providing compassionate, comprehensive care for those struggling with Persistent Depressive Disorder.

Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Newport Beach offers tailored treatment plans designed to help you regain control and find hope.

Don’t let Dysthymia keep you in the shadows any longer. Call us today at 949-541-8466 and start your journey towards a brighter tomorrow.

 

LIDO Wellness Center is a leading anxiety and depression treatment center that works with individuals suffering from all forms of anxiety and depression. Our team has the depth of experience and knowledge to properly evaluate your individual condition, make an accurate diagnosis, and create an effective treatment plan that is tailor-made for you. We use only evidence-based therapies at our treatment center. Our warm and caring environment will also help you on your way to reconnection and renewal.

What to Expect at Our Depression Treatment Center Orange County?

When it comes to treatment for depression, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The severity of an individual depression dictates how their treatment will unfold. A comprehensive admission process helps us gather enough details about you and your condition in order to make a proper diagnosis. Once you have been diagnosed, our professionals work together to determine the appropriate level of care and mental health treatment approach that is right for your individual need.

Our personalized treatment plans focus on treatment options that may include:

• Individual therapy
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Alternative approaches
• Psychiatric medication
• Group therapy
• Aftercare plan

Therapies We Use to Treat Depression 

Many types of therapy have been used to effectively treat people who are struggling with depression. At our Depression Treatment Center Orange County, your personalized plan will include several therapeutic modalities and evidence-based therapies. These therapies can help make it easy to process your experience, make vital lifestyle changes, develop healthier coping skills, and learn more about depression and recovery.

Depending on your individual needs, this therapy may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing. These therapies and principles will be incorporated into different sessions. If your depression and anxiety treatment team determines that you can benefit from medication, it can also be included in your treatment plan.

Why Choose LIDO Wellness Center for Treating Depression?

It is quite common for signs of depression to be misdiagnosed for other forms of disorders such as bipolar disorder, dementia, or even conditions like ADD/ADHD. Getting the wrong diagnosis equates to getting the wrong treatment, and this can make your symptoms worse, keeping you in a plunging spiral. At LIDO Wellness Center, our professionals have the knowledge and experience to distinguish depression from other health conditions and identify any co-existing problems that also need treatment.

Our experience has taught us that depression is not a simple or single disorder, and the same medication won’t work for everyone suffering from depression. Based on our examination, we can better determine how you’ll respond to treatment and get well faster. We also offer detox treatment programs for people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Once you complete your treatment program, our team will also put in place an aftercare plan to ensure you are able to continue your recovery after walking out of our door.

Turn Your Life Around Today

If you or a loved one is in need of a depression treatment center Orange County to help with your depression, LIDO Wellness Center has the treatment facility that is right for you. Contact us today for a free consultation!