Clients who cite depression as one of their symptoms often consult aromatherapists. But what exactly is depression? How can we help our clients to manage and understand depression? When do we need to refer these clients to a Psychologist or Doctor? When can we treat them with our essential oils? Which essential oils will be the best choice?

To answer these questions we must first have a full understanding of the symptoms that constitute depression. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has a tip sheet that I find very helpful. It is entitled Understanding and Managing Depression. I would like to give you some extracts from this paper, with permission from a Tasmanian APS Branch Member.

While I do not suggest at any time that we are qualified to diagnose clinical depression, it is important that we recognise symptoms in order to refer on to the appropriate health professional any serious doubts we may have in regard to our clients’ well-being. We must also be aware that clients who come to us may already be taking oral anti-depressant medications. Some of these do not interact favourably with all essential oils or herbal preparations.

There is of course not only one positive way that we can help. Massage and the touch of a caring person will give results that do not need to be explained. Relaxation, mentioned many times in the following paper, is something we are all capable of giving. There are any numbers of essential oils that affect the psyche in a positive way. The choice of essential oil will ultimately depend on your client, your analysis and her likes and dislikes of aromas you intend to blend.

Unfortunately depression is used to describe many different, yet sometimes overlapping experiences. To many people feeling depressed means feeling sad, "blue", down, disappointed or upset. However, one can feel all these emotions without being clinically depressed. Feelings of sadness or the blues are generally brief in duration and have minimal or slight effects on normal everyday functioning. Clinical depression is an emotional, physical and cognitive state that is more intense and long lasting and which has more negative effects on an individual’s day-to-day life.

It is also important to distinguish depression from the sadness we naturally experience after loss (such as bereavement). Although the grief associated with loss is often intense and long lasting, such emotions are healthy and functional, allowing people to adjust and develop to their new life after the loss. Depression on the other hand is not functional or healthy. Instead of providing people with new avenues for development and growth, depression often robs us of finding meaning in our lives and inhibits personal growth.

Finally it is helpful for depressed people to understand what depression is and is not. It is not something to be ashamed of or guilty about. It is not a character flaw ort a sign of a weak personality lacking in discipline or personal strength. It is not "just a mood" which someone "can snap out of". Most importantly, depression is not permanent – that is, the chances of complete recovery are excellent. A number of psychological and pharmacological treatments are effective and readily available.

People who experience depression often find themselves not enjoying activities they previously enjoyed. Not only do they miss out on positive experiences by not participating in enjoyable activities, but people around them associated with such activities may also suffer.

The following points provide some general guidelines for increasing the amount of pleasurable activity you experience.

1. Make a list of activities you find (or used to find) enjoyable. Make sure you write down as many activities as you can. Remember to list both very enjoyable activities and those that are only marginally enjoyable.

2. Plan schedules of activities each day to include enjoyable activities. Try to increase the amount of time each day available for positive activities.

3. After the activity really think about the aspects of it that were enjoyable. Talk to others about activities they enjoy and reflect on positive experiences.

4. Remember that during a depressive episode things may not seem as enjoyable as they were previously. Focus on the positive, no matter how small, and remember that as you recover, the level of enjoyment you experience will only increase.

Changes in sleeping patterns (both excessive sleeping and insomnia) are also common in individuals experiencing a depressive episode. Inappropriate sleeping patterns can exacerbate difficulties with mood and make routine interpersonal communication and daily activities seem excessively difficult and frustrating.

1. Make sure you get up at roughly the same time every morning no matter how tired you feel.

2. Avoid sleeping during the day and taking naps early evening before bed time.

3. Reduce tea and coffee intake to a maximum of 4 cups per day and do nor have any tea or coffee after 3-4 pm.

4. When you are awake at night do not lie in bed trying to sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time .Get up and go to another room and engage in a relaxing activity such as reading, listening to music, or a relaxation exercise until you feel sleepy – then return to bed and sleep.

Worrying – or excessive rumination on possible future negative events and negative thinking about yourself, your circumstances and your future, are frequently occurring types of negative thinking patterns people with depression experience. Worrying and negative thinking are unhealthy in that they reduce a persons ability to focus on recovery and tend to increase the vulnerability to other unhealthy emotions and behaviours.

Changing negative thinking patterns and reducing worry is not as easy as it may seem. This is the area where people often require the assistance of a psychologist or other mental health professional. Below are some helpful suggestions to get you started in learning to control worry and reduce negative thinking.

1. When worrying about a problem find a piece of paper and write down exactly what the problem is. If there is more than one problem, write down each one individually. Once you have written each problem down, then systematically go through a problem solving exercise to address each one and examine all the possible outcomes (both positive and negative) and their likelihood.

2. When dealing with negative thinking patterns take time to think about how realistic negative thought are. Try to explore alternate thoughts and explanations for circumstances. Keep a record of thoughts and possible alternative more helpful ways of thinking.

3. Avoid excessive discussing negative thoughts and feelings. When discussing things with colleagues, family or friends try to focus on positive aspects of situations. Negative thinking and dwelling on negative topics will not help you to feel good.

4. Keep yourself busy and your mind focused on tasks. Avoid unstructured time where your mind may wonder and dwell on negative themes.

5. Try to think positively. There are many things you can do to address the cognitive (thinking) component of depression. Some of these include: make a list of your skills, talents and achievements, try to identify the three most beautiful things in your environment, reminisce about a time when you were really happy, successful or content.

6. Keep a journal of your thoughts, identify negative and unhelpful thoughts, and try to correct them (see below).

7. Do not make any major life decisions, such as quitting your job r getting married or separated while depressed. Remember, you may not be seeing yourself, the world or the future in a clear way when you are depressed.

Irritability, agitation and fatigue are common experiences among people with depression. Sometimes people feel frustrated with their rate of recovery or the level of support available, and annoyed that they don’t feel they have the energy to do any more. Sometimes people find themselves getting more easily upset with those around them. Irritability, agitation and fatigue are more easily compounded by changes in sleeping patterns and other symptoms associated with depression such as negative thinking.

Being irritable and agitated is a normal part of depression and it is important that others around you provide support or are aware of this so that they can be more patient and understanding rather than annoyed and unsupportive. Below are some tips to help you deal with feelings of irritability and agitation.

1. Make sure you take the time to educate and advise key support people (such as close friends, family and colleagues) of what you are going through. Help them to understand that if you appear somewhat irritable or agitated, it is not because you are unhappy about them, but rather because you are currently recovering from depression. Also take the time to thank them for their support and provide any further feedback on how they can best continue to support you.

2. When you are feeling irritable or agitated, stop and settle your self down. Ask yourself what is driving your emotions. If it is negative thinking, then use strategies outlined previously to tackle negative thoughts. If you are tired – pace out your workload to allow for this. If you feel unmotivated – try and incorporate some enjoyable activities into your schedule.

3. Practice regular relaxation activities and organise regular times to talk with a support person such as an APS Psychologist about how you are coping and implementing new coping skills. By taking time out to relax regularly, and communicate with supportive people you greatly reduce the impact of potentially irritating and frustrating experiences.

4. Be as active as possible despite fatigue. Try to schedule activities to fill up spare hours of the day. Activities may include exercise, social interaction or even routine household chores. If activity seems impossible, try to force yourself to do three things each day – it could be getting out of bed, getting changed out of your pyjamas, and brushing your hair. Even the smallest amount of activity is better than no activity at all.

If you find this paper helpful in future client analysis, and should you require any further information

The Australian Psychological Society home page address - http://www.psychsociety.com.au 

Baths 6 drops (from standard eyedropper that yields 20 drops per 1mls), add to warm full bath just before entering. Agitate the surface to assist dispersing the oil. Alternately pre disperse the oil in a tablespoon of full cream milk or cream.

Massage 2.5% or 5 drops (from standard eyedropper that yields 20 drops per 1 ml) Blend into 10mls of carrier medium.

Vaporise / Diffuser 5 drops (from standard eyedropper).

Compress using 3 drops (from standard eyedropper) into 4 – 5 litres of hand warm water.

Steam inhalation with 3 drops (from standard eyedropper) into near boiling water. Add oils just prior to covering head with towel to inhale.

Personalised perfumes by combining 10 drops essential oil into 10mls pure alcholol. Put into atomiser for use.

Spritz with 5 drops to 250 mls of spring water. Add essential oils and shake well before spraying over face and body. Close eyes prior to spritz

Bergamot Citrus bergamia
Black pepper Piper nigrum
Ginger Zingiber officinale
Vaporiser blend, alternately use on tissue to inhale through out the day.

Lavender spike Lavandula spicata
Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
Frankincense Boswellia carterii
Use in the bath of an evening to nuture.

Rosewood Aniba roseodora
Roman Chamomile Anthemis nobilis
Tangerine Citrus reticulata
Subtle, gentle blend for reflection. Great in the bath, for massage or vaporising.

Peppermint Mentha piperits
Basil Ocimum basilicum
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
To get moving mentally, use in the vaporiser or as a spritz or perfume.

Petitgrain Mandarin Citrus reticulata
Neroli Citrus aurantium
Ylang ylang Cananga odorata
Gentle blend that evokes lighter, warmer, weather and activity. Use as a bath, massage or perfume. Also useful travel blend for spritz.

Caution should be exercised with each essential oil, checking contra-indication for use on each individual.

Reprinted from Simply Essential Issue 42 November 2001
© IFA Australian Branch Inc copyright.

Copyright © 2004 International Federation of Aromatherapists. - A.B.N. 22 061 652 140
Last modified: October 08, 2007