Acupuncture for depression as a combination therapy

The symptoms of depression, such as constant dejection, tormenting thoughts or withdrawal from friends and family, are often treated with medication, so-called antidepressants. An alternative is psychotherapy, which aims to slow down the carousel of thoughts. When used together, both methods are more effective - talk or behavioral therapy stops the brooding, and medication can then often be taken in lower doses. The treatment effect has been proven to last longer.

Needles alleviate side effects and increase the effect of medication

Comparative studies have also shown that acupuncture optimally supports the treatment. This is because taking antidepressants has many undesirable side effects, including nausea, dry mouth and sleep disorders. "These can be significantly alleviated through the use of needle therapy," says Dr. Richard Musil, senior physician at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. The antidepressants often respond even better afterwards. "In individual cases, it has also been observed that complaints that can be a side effect of stopping medication, such as withdrawal headaches, respond well to acupuncture," emphasizes the expert. Needle therapy is particularly helpful when antidepressants need to be discontinued due to intolerance or pregnancy, for example.

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