By Donna Cunningham, MSW The following is an excerpt from Donna's new ebook, Flower Remedies -- How Plant's Energies Can Heal Us. To order a copy, visit Moon Maven Publications. The term depression is misused and overused, often when people just mean they have the blues. Essence practitioners need to distinguish between the popular usage of the word and clinical depression, which generally does not respond well to essence therapy, because it is a biochemical condition and can require medical treatment. Clinicians recognize two types of serious depression: chronic depression, which may be part of the person's character, and reactive depression, which is akin to grief and is a natural and healthy reaction to loss. Chronic depression is often the result of a deficit in the body's chemical balance or an extremely difficult life situation that has lasted for many years. Reactive depression is temporary, though often immobilizing. It is usually triggered by an event, such as a death, divorce, loss of a job or other career setback, or the children graduating and moving out of the house. Reactive depression can be very deep and painful. A recent event may trigger the reaction, but often evokes sorrow over much deeper and older losses. In questioning the person, be alert to depression that is immobilizing, lasts longer than is reasonable, or doesn't improve with time. For reactive depression, the client needs permission and even encouragement to keep on feeling the sadness and working the loss through. In our society, we are pressured to get over losses quickly and keep producing. Thus the practitioner's validation of the importance of the loss and the time it takes to get over it can be very supportive. Clinical depression wears many disguises. They include fatigue, hopelessness, major weight losses or gains, irritability, sleeplessness or sleeping too much, purposelessness, lack of interest in sex or other pleasures, and suicidal impulses. Addictions, especially to alcohol or sugar, are often attempts to alleviate a depression. Unfortunately, alcohol and sugar in themselves can depress the central nervous system, acting as "downers". Exercise, such as jogging, seems to help depression, because it changes the brain chemistry. If your client, family member, or friend exhibits symptoms of clinical depression, especially of the life-robbing chronic variety, you would be remiss -- not to mention potentially liable -- if you did not strongly suggest medical care. Nor should you claim that flower remedies cure clinical depression, as you would then be practicing medicine without a license. The FDA, which visits most of the flower remedy makers from time to time, has taken a strong position against any claim that flower remedies are effective against depression or any other psychiatric disease entity. Severe clinical depression is possibly the trickiest -- and potentially most dangerous -- area for a flower essence practitioner to deal with. In general, you would want to ask whether clients are on any medication before starting with flower remedies, but especially if the complaint is depression. My own clinical experience is that antidepressants may sometimes block the effects of flower remedies. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Cunningham is Vibration's co-editor and a well-known author of books on metaphysical topics like flower remedies and astrology. This has been an excerpt from Donna's new ebook, Flower Remedies -- How Plant's Energies Can Heal Us. To order a copy, visit Moon Maven Publications. To find out about Donna's services, visit her web page. ART CREDITS: This page treatment was created by Hometown Websmith with additional images from Art Today. The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment. previous page     top    next page Current Issue Back Issues Resources FAQ Contact Us Search Books Submit an Article Subscribe ©1999 Vibration Magazine/The World Wide Essence Society PO Box 285     Concord, MA 01742     978 369-8454 webmaster@essences.com