請不要將凱西保健數據所包含的信息作為自我診斷和自我治療的指導。如果一個人想應用數據中的原則及技術，與一位具備資格的醫療保健專家合作是非常必要的。
什麼是抑鬱症？
抑鬱症可以說是一種病態的憂愁和悲傷。抑鬱症的特點是沮喪，缺乏希望，感覺到無價值或者並不適當的罪惡感，以及思考能力和注意力下降。當症狀嚴重時，人們還可能會反復出現有關死亡的念頭（特別是自殺）。
抑鬱症非常普遍。事實上，提到它就像是“精神疾病中的感冒”。而且，它不是一種新病了，作為一種普遍的情緒性功能失調它已經被認識許久了。
在許多國家，抑鬱症指的就是“melancholia憂鬱症”，“melancholia”這個詞來自希臘人，他們認為“melancholia”是身體化學元素不平衡的結果。由於身體的黑膽汁過多引起的。膽汁是肝臟和膽管分泌的一種化學物質。
在凱西所處的時代，“melancholia”這個詞指的就是抑鬱症“depression”。所以也並不奇怪，凱西的許多解讀裡都將這兩個詞交替使用。作為一個醫學名詞，“melancholia”依然被應用在現代精神病學診斷上。但是，現在使用它時特指的是抑鬱症的某一種類型。根據這個詞的希臘起源，“melancholia”現在用來指的是伴隨著強烈生理症狀的抑鬱症，比如失眠和食慾下降，對幾乎所有的日常活動失去興趣或樂趣，以及心理活動有障礙（伴隨著過多或過少的身體運動或活動）。治療“Melancholic depression”最好（同時）運用生理治療（比如，藥物治療）。有趣的是，凱西在使用“melancholia”這個詞時，非常詳細的談到了“depression”生理方面的特點。
抑鬱症的成因
研究顯示出抑鬱症的成因可能有很多種。但在過去幾年中，重點放在了抑鬱症的生物學研究上。科學家們探索神經系統出錯了的化學物質與抑鬱病症之間的關係。研究的焦點集中在神經細胞用於交流聯繫的化學信息上（被稱為神經傳遞素）。
如果腦部的某些神經傳遞素出現了問題，神經細胞間的交流聯繫會被抑制。當這個化學性的機能障礙出現於腦部與情緒、感覺相關的區域時，抑鬱症就會出現。簡而言之，當神經細胞間的聯繫被抑制時，據說神經系統自身的活動便會低落，這種抑制會導致精神和身體全面性壓抑。推測起來，治療師們開出的抗抑鬱藥物應該是改變了神經細胞的化學媒介才改善了腦內（細胞間）的聯繫。這個關於抑鬱症成因及治療的生化學解釋有時候被稱作“抑鬱症的醫學模式” 。
凱西對抑鬱症的看法
在有關於抑鬱症的解讀案例裡，凱西對於神經系統病理病狀的生動描述領先於現代醫學研究數十年。當他在案例裡談及此類神經系統病理時，有時會用“神經衝動失效”來表達神經細胞聯繫失敗。
對於這個特殊的“神經衝動失效”，解讀給出了很多原因。在很多案例裡，腺的機能障礙被指出是問題的源頭。凱西的解釋是神經系統（的運作）依賴於身體的腺體為神經細胞的正常工作提供必不可少的化學物質。當腺體無法提供這些關鍵性的化學物質時，各種不同的生理、心智和情緒上的病症就會出現（包括抑鬱症）。在好幾個抑鬱症的案例裡，被指出是內分泌腺（出現）病症（最常出現的是腎上腺、甲狀腺和松果體腺）。值得注意的是，現代醫學研究也已認識到了這些重要的內分泌腺對抑鬱症的影響。
凱西還指出毒性是引起抑鬱症的另一個普遍的生物學原因。在一些解讀裡，他談及由於神經纖維吸收了毒素而對神經系統產生的一種“減弱”作用。很明顯，這種減弱作用對神經系統具有消極影響才導致了這個特殊的“神經衝動失效”。
很自然的，這類案例的治療建議重點大都集中在淨化身體上。改變飲食結構，伴以有規律的按摩和水療法，常常是這類案例共同的治療方案。
雖然凱西的觀點與抑鬱症的現代醫學（生化學）模式有許多相似之處，但兩者之間依然有著重要的區別。相對於嚴重依賴藥物來調節神經系統的化學（元素）平衡，他通常會推薦更為自然的方法。這些具備“整體觀”的治療方法可以幫助身體成為自己的醫藥箱並因此將自己錯誤的生化機能轉向正常運作。所謂“整體觀”指的是當診斷疾病和給出治療建議時，凱西傾向於將人作為一個整體來考慮（包括身體，心智和靈性）。也因此，艾德格凱西被廣泛認同為“現代整體醫學之父”。
凱西的觀點與醫學模型的另一個不同之處在於，他認為心智和靈性因素會導致神經系統的抑鬱症。比如，他常常指出心理與靈性方面的原因是導致神經系統生病的首要因素，舉例來說有，負面的態度或者在個人生活中缺乏靈性指導。
解讀中有許多個由於精神原因（也就是身心失調）而誘發抑鬱症的案例。“心即建構者”是解讀中突出的主題，這句話也是基於心理活動與神經系統與生俱來的固有聯繫而發的。在案例裡，自我譴責常常被指出是一種特別具有破壞性的心理活動模式。無法按照理想生活（或者甚至無法擁有一個理想）有時也是精神抑鬱的一個主要原因。
抑鬱症的治療建議
雖然艾德格凱西的治療建議會根據每個個體的獨特需要而因人而異，但以下的幾點還是代表了在治療和預防抑鬱症時可以普遍採納的方法。
•淨化（身體）內部：改善排泄系統是要優先考慮的一步，因為解讀指出血液中含毒是抑鬱症一個普遍原因。水療法（熏蒸浴和洗腸法），手力療法（整骨術和脊柱按摩法），推拿以及（注意）飲食都是改善排泄系統的主要方法。
•手力療法：手力療法（脊柱按摩和推拿）可以幫助中樞神經與外周神經系統更好的協作。這點很重要因為解讀不斷指出抑鬱症的病理成因是“神經衝動失效”。
•RA治療儀：當案例出現了煩躁焦慮、疲倦或失眠等明顯症狀時，使用治療儀會有幫助。這個簡易的裝置看起來就像一塊電池。但它並不產生任何可以被測量得到的電力能量。解讀堅稱它是利用了人體自身的振動能量來調節循環和神經系統。
•戶外鍛煉：解讀也一直強調適當的露天（也就是要接觸陽光）戶外運動的重要性，由此可以放鬆心情，改善排泄系統。在某些案例裡，戶外鍛煉也算得上是光照療法的一種形式。所謂的“光照療法”就是利用光來治療疾病。光照療法作為一種治療抑鬱症的自然療法已經沿用好幾個世紀了。
•實踐理想：在恢復治療的優先選項中，去實踐理想是非常重要的一步，這不僅僅是對整個療程而言，對長期的保持健康平衡也具有意義。這一實踐也是一種認識和改變不良態度和信念的有效方法。
•幫助他人：在基本治療方案涉及的心靈層面，會鼓勵人們用更為開闊的視野來看待他們目前的狀況。幫助他人時所帶來的人與人之間相互聯結的感覺對抑鬱症的治療非常有益。凱西經常推薦抑鬱的人們去找一個比自己狀況還糟的人來幫助。他曾強調幫助自己最好的方法就是幫助別人。
•閱讀療法：解讀還一直建議深受抑鬱症之苦的人們閱讀和學習具有鼓舞啟發性質的靈性資料。這在臨床上叫閱讀療法，這種方法現在被許多心理醫療專家用來治療多種精神疾病，包括抑鬱症。與他的基督教背景相一致的是，凱西特別喜歡將聖經作為靈感的來源。某些章節曾被反复推薦給抑鬱症患者閱讀（最常推薦的是申命記第30章，約翰福音第14、15、16、17章）
原文：
OVERVIEW OF DEPRESSION
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Depression can be thought of as a morbid sadness. Depression is characterized by dejection, lack of hope, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, and diminished ability to think or concentrate. When severely depressed, individuals may also have recurrent thoughts of death (especially suicide).
Depression is very common. In fact, it has been referred to as the "common cold of mental illness." Yet, depression is not a new illness. It has long been recognized as a common emotional disorder.
For many centuries depression was referred to as "melancholia."The term melancholia is derived from the Greeks who believed that depression resulted from an imbalance in the body's chemistry. Melancholia was thought to be caused by an excess of black bile. Bile is a chemical secreted by the liver and gall duct.
Just as in Edgar Cayce's era, the term melancholia is still used to designate depression. Not surprisingly, many of Cayce's readings use the two terms interchangeably. As a medical term, melancholia is still used in modern psychiatric diagnosis. However, it now refers to a subtype of depression. In recognition of its Greek origins, melancholia now refers to depression with strong biological features, such as disturbed sleep and appetite, decreased interest or pleasure in all or almost all daily activities, and psychomotor disturbances (such as too much or too little bodily movement or activity).Melancholic depression is thought to respond better to biological treatments (such as drug therapy).Interestingly, Edgar Cayce spoke at length about the physical aspects of depression when he used the term melancholia.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
Research suggests that there are probably many causes of depression. However, in recent years, great emphasis has been placed on the biology of depression. Scientists have explored the relationship between faulty chemistry in the nervous system and depressive symptoms. Specifically, research has focused on the chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) which nerve cells use to communicate with each other.
If there is a problem with certain neurotransmitters in the brain, communication between nerve cells may be inhibited. When this chemical dysfunction occurs in the areas of the brain associated with emotion and cognition, depression may result. In simple terms, when nerve cell communication is inhibited, the nervous system itself may be said to be depressed in its activity. This inhibition my lead to a general depression of mind and body. Presumably, the antidepressant drugs prescribed by medical doctors can therapeutically alter the chemical messengers used by nerve cells, resulting in better communication within the brain. This biochemical explanation of the cause and treatment of depression is sometimes referred to as the "medical model of depression."
EDGAR CAYCE'S PERSPECTIVE ON DEPRESSION
Edgar Cayce was decades ahead of modern medical research when he gave graphic descriptions of nervous system pathology in cases of depression. When he spoke of such nervous system pathology in cases of depression, he would sometimes use the expression "lapse of nerve impulse" to portray the breakdown in nerve cell communication.
The readings give many reasons for this characteristic "lapse in nerve impulse."In numerous cases, glandular dysfunction was cited as the source of the problem. Edgar Cayce's explanation was that the nervous system is dependent upon the glands of the body to provide the chemicals essential for normal nerve cell functioning. When the glands fail to provide these essential chemicals, various physical, mental and emotional symptoms (including depression) can result. Endocrine gland pathology (most often the adrenal, thyroid and pineal glands) was noted in several cases of depression. Significantly, modern medical research has also acknowledged the involvement of these important endocrine glands in depression.
Toxicity is another common biological cause of depression cited by Edgar Cayce. In some readings, he spoke of a "deadening" effect to the nervous system produced by the absorption of toxins into the nerve fiber. Apparently, this deadening effect could have a depressive effect upon the nervous system leading to the characteristic "lapse in nerve impulse."
Naturally, treatment recommendations in such cases focused heavily on therapies intended to cleanse the body. Improved diet, with regular massage and hydrotherapy, were common prescriptions in such cases.
While Edgar Cayce's perspective has many similarities to the modern medical (biochemical) model of depression, there are important differences. Instead of relying heavily on medication to alter the chemical balance in the nervous system, he would usually recommend more natural methods. These "holistic" therapies would help the body to be its own "medicine chest" and thus bring its faulty biochemistry back into a healthy state."Holistic" refers to Cayce's tendency to consider the whole person (body, mind and spirit) when diagnosing illness and making treatment recommendations. Hence, Edgar Cayce is widely regarded as the "father of modern holistic medicine."
Another difference between Cayce's perspective and the medical model is the role of mental and spiritual factors which may lead to depression of the nervous system. For example, he would often note psychospiritual causes, such as unhealthy attitudes, or a lack of spiritual direction in a person's life, as a precedent of nervous system pathology.
The readings contain many examples of mentally (i.e., psychosomatically) induced depression."Mind is the builder" is a prominent theme in the readings and is based upon the inherent association of mental processes with the nervous system. Self-condemnation was a particularly destructive mental pattern frequently noted in cases of depression. Failure to live up to an ideal (or even have an ideal) was sometimes cited as a primary source of mental depression.
TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEPRESSION
Although Edgar Cayce's treatment recommendations varied from person to person based on the unique needs of each individual, the therapies which follow represent some of the common suggestions for treating and preventing depression.
INTERNAL CLEANSING: Improving eliminations is a high priority because the readings cite toxemia as a common causal factor associated with depression. Hydrotherapy (fume baths and colonic irrigation), manual therapy (osteopathy and chiropractic), massage, and diet are the main therapies for improving eliminations.
MANUAL THERAPY: Manual therapy (spinal manipulation and massage) assist in establishing better coordination between the central and peripheral nervous systems. This is important because the readings consistently portray the pathophysiology of depression as a "lapse in nerve impulse."
RADIAL APPLIANCE: The Radial Appliance may prove helpful in cases where restlessness, fatigue or insomnia are significant symptoms. This simple device resembles an electrical battery. However, it does not produce any measurable electrical energy. The readings insist that it utilizes the body's own vibratory energies to help equalize the circulatory and nerve systems.
OUTDOOR EXERCISE: The readings also consistently stress the importance of moderate outdoor exercise in the open (i.e., sunlight) for relaxation, improving eliminations, and in certain cases, as a form of phototherapy. Phototherapy is the use of light to treat illness. Phototherapy has been used for centuries as a natural means of treating depression.
IDEALS EXERCISE: The ideals exercise is an important intervention for establishing priorities, not only within the therapeutic regimen, but also for long-term health maintenance. This intervention is also an excellent means of recognizing and correcting dysfunctional attitudes and beliefs.
SERVICE TO OTHERS: The spiritual phase of the basic model encourages persons to take a broader perspective on their immediate situation. Altruistic service provides a sense of interpersonal connectedness which can be extremely therapeutic in the treatment of depression. Cayce often recommended that depressed persons find someone who is in a worse condition and help them. He emphasized that the best way of helping self is to help others.
BIBLIOTHERAPY: The readings also consistently recommend that persons suffering from depression read and study inspirational material. Clinically known as bibliotherapy, this therapeutic technique is now used by many psychotherapists for the treatment of many forms of mental illness, including depression. Consistent with his Christian religious orientation, Edgar Cayce showed a preference for the Bible as a source of inspiration. Certain passages were repeatedly recommended for persons suffering from depression (most often the 30th chapter of Deuteronomy and the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th chapters of John).
Note: The above information is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please consult a qualified health care professional for assistance in applying the information contained in the Cayce Health Database.
Note: The above information is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please consult a qualified health care professional for assistance in applying the information contained in the Cayce Health Database.
注意：以上信息不是鼓勵用於自行診斷和自行治療。請向合格的衛生保健醫療等相關專業人士在參閱凱西健康資料庫後諮詢。
原文：http://www.edgarcayce.org/
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健康和恢復活力中心H.R.C.(Health & Rejuvenation Center)
譯文：凱西中國http://www.edgarcayce.org.cn/
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