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What are complementary therapies?
These are ways of helping yourself stay healthy which complement medical treatment. While these can be helpful, care needs to be taken, especially when you have a mental illness. Some people use them instead of medical treatment or without consulting their doctor – this can be dangerous as substances used in ‘natural’ therapy are not required to undergo the same rigorous tests for safety as prescribed medications. The term ‘natural’ is also misleading, as most prescribed medications are actually derived from natural substances too.

What types of complementary therapies are there, and how effective are they?
There are many different types of complementary therapies with varying degrees of effectiveness. It is very important that you consult with your doctor before using any of them, especially regarding interaction with prescribed medications.

Some examples are:

Physical activity
Research show that regular physical activity (around 30 minutes a day) not only has physical benefits, it is good for your mental health too. Exercise releases chemicals in the brain which reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety in many people.

Massage & relaxation
Massage has been practised as a healing tradition in many cultures for thousands of years. Studies show that massage and other forms of relaxation excercise can help in the management of anxiety disorders and depression.

Meditation
Regular practice of meditation may offer long-term health benefits, such as reduced stress and blood pressure. However, where meditation involves deliberate holding of your attention on some subject, object or process, it is not recommended for people who have an anxiety disorder or psychotic symptoms.

Yoga
Yoga is based on a series of structured, synchronised body poses. The benefits of regular practice include increased fitness and lower levels of stress and anxiety. However, like meditation, when yoga involves intense concentration it is not recommended for people who have an anxiety disorder or psychotic symptoms.

Nutrition
Eating fresh food with plenty of vegetables and fruit is important for all of us. eating oily fish such as tuna or sardines a few times a week is also important as a source of omega 3 fatty acids. There is some evidence which suggests this may help lower the risk of depression.

Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicine claims to mimic or provoke the symptoms of an illness, in the belief that this will strengthen the body’s ability to heal itself. There is no evidence that homeopathy can help people manage mental illness.

Herbal Medicine
St John’s Wort and passionflower may help reduce the symptoms of depression, but can interact with prescribed medications. another naturally-occurring substance, same, may also help with mild depression. Remember to always tell your doctor if you are considering taking a non-prescribed substance, because of the risk of interactions.

How do I find out more?
It is important to ask your doctor about any concerns you have. SANE australia also produces a range of easy-to-read publications and multimedia resources on mental illness. For more information about this topic see:

• The SANE Guide to Healthy Living
  Explains the benefits of being physically healthy, gives tips on how to started becoming healthier and overcome obstacles as well as giving suggestions on finding support to help stay healthy.

• The SANE Guide to Medication and other Treatments
  Explains how all the different aspects of treatment work, by looking at clinical care, medication, support in the community and helping yourself.

To order visit the SANE Bookshop at www.sane.org or call 1800 18 SANE (7263)

SANE Australia . . . Complementary therapies

© SANE Factsheet 18.

This Factsheet may be freely downloaded, copied and distributed on condition no change is made to the content. SANE Australia is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of information or opinions contained in the Factsheet. Version: English, 2009.