Are you un-happy? Psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioural therapy, prescription drugs, alternative therapies and herbal remedies all profess to offer an answer, but which one is right for you? Emily Craven, daughter of a professional psychotherapist and final year undergraduate student explores the routes into having a healthy mind…

We all experience low points in our lives but many of us are able to take refuge in the belief that although the world may seem to be falling apart at least we have our health. But what if we don't have our health?

The renowned life coach Louise Hay believes that “we create every so-called illness in our body.” In her multimillion selling book 'You Can Heal Your Life' she coaches the reader through a series of steps designed to promote positivity in the mind and in doing so  heal their 'dis-ease,' “Resentment that is long held can eat away at the body and become the disease we call cancer.”  

Mrs Hay also writes that “Criticism as a permanent habit can often lead to arthritis in the body. Guilt always looks for punishment, and punishment creates pain. (When a client comes to me with a lot of pain, I know they are holding a lot of guilt.) Fear, and the tension it produces, can create things like baldness, ulcers, and even sore feet. I have found that forgiving and releasing resentment will dissolve even cancer."
 

Mrs Hay lists countless patients she has helped recover from their physical problems through life coaching. Her book includes a medical dictionary in which she explains the 'mental' origins of various illnesses.  For example, 'warts' she describes as 'little bursts of hatred'. She then recommends an affirmation for the patient to say in order to heal their ailment.

Riveronline what like to state clearly that if you do believe yourself to have a physical illness of any sort then one should pop off to one's GP, maybe take Mrs Hay's book to read in the waiting room.
 

There are many ways in which an individual can heal their mind. Psychotherapy, is very popular in the U.K. It is an interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in aspects of their lives.

Another approach would be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Such a treatment consists of regular meetings with a CBT therapist which go on for about 10 weeks. This treatment is often highly effective for those who suffer from low self-esteem and depression. Essentially CBT strives to influence your way of thinking. For example, having once thought that when people were laughing, they were laughing at you, it seeks to show you that such a line of thought is illogical and it is most probably the case that they were just laughing. CBT is often available on the NHS and you can be put in touch with a CBT therapist through your local GP.             

There are also many alternative therapies available which claim to be able to heal the mind and body. Acupuncture, herbs and chakra balancing are all worth considering. Some believe that meditation can also be very helpful.

An alternative therapy I believe to be a great starting block for treating mood disorders is Nutritional Therapy. Food intolerances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and a lack of Omega 3, 6 9 as well as amino acids are considered to contribute to mood swings and depression. Being tested for intolerances and deficiencies and amending your diet if necessary, including taking food supplements, is vital to maintaining a healthy mind and body. It is also important to exercise regularly. You can find your local nutritional therapist here.

When going to a GP to ask for help in coping with depression, patients may be offered anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac. If the patient wishes to take such drugs they are often only prescribed for a short time as critics believe they only suppress the problem and not treat it. There are also herbal remedies available  which work in harmony with the body and are very helpful in evening out an individual's moods. St John's Wort is probably the most famous but an increasingly popular herbal remedy is Viridian's Rhodiola Rosea Maximum Potency. It is available online or at Food For Thought in Kingston.  However, what works for one may not necessarily work for the other.

I would like stress to each and every student suffering from depression to not go on suffering alone. How we perceive ourselves can contribute to the direction our life takes. There is a philosophy that we all get the life we expect to get and the life we think we deserve. These philosophies, if used in a positive way can be highly empowering. Don't let your mind work against you! Make it work for you by having a healthy mind so that you can be sure to lead a successful, fulfilling and disease free life.