절식법으로 치료한 갱년기우울증 1례에 대한 임상보고

The immediate effect of the fasting treatment against the depression of the female patient in the menopausal period

purpose : The purpose of this paper is to report that the fasting treatment was quick and effective against the menopausal depression. So that the further study on the fasting treatment for the menopausal depression is expected. methods : This fasting treatment included three periods. The first was to reduce the food intake and the sodium intake as well. The second was for fasting for two weeks. During this period, the patient drank 250cc of the fermented herbal juice and 2500cc of water a day and had the lactobacillus supplement twice a day. Then, the third was for rebuilding. During the rebuilding period, the patient followed the limited sodium diet for two weeks. results : After the fasting treatment done, the symptoms that patient complained before went away. The BDI score went down from 19 to 3. And, of course, the patient lost her body weight and the fat. conclusions : The 49-year-old female patient in the menopause period was suffering from the lack of energy, depression, sleeping disorder, constipation, and weight gain. She took the fasting treatment along with the acupuncture at the holistic medical clinic, 'The Seasons' from Jan 16th 2009 to Feb 27th(the main fasting period was for 14 days). The BDI score indicated that she had the depression as her score was 19 at the first examination. After the treatment was completed, the BDI score dropped to 3. Therefore, I report the immediate effect of the fasting treatment again the depression. Women are twice as likely to get the depression as men. Especially, the women in menopause period tend to get the depression as they are facing the physical, mental, and social changes which can act as the stressors. Besides, women tend to get depressed when they gain weights. Thus, I suggest the further study on the fasting treatment should be carried on so to apply it more positively to various problems in the field of the psychiatry.