Have you lost
the sweetness in your life? You might as well go to your local doctor
because he is handing out anti-depressants like candy. Unfortunately
though, depression is an often misdiagnosed and hence mistreated disorder.
The anti-depressants given to many will only lead to their #1 noted
side effect. And that is Depression.
Once named "melancholia",
shamans and sages felt that bad thoughts or demons caused the disorder.
Today we delineate into one of many categories: unipolar, bipolar,
high histamine, low histamine, serotoninergic, catacholamine excess
or deficiency. Unipolar, high histamine, serotoninergic excess
or catacholamine deficiency all are noted by lowered energy whereas
the others are more of an anxiety.
Proper function
is as follows: The area where two nerves meet and exchange information
is referred to as a 'synapse'. This synaptic region is filled with
fluid in which neurotransmitters travel and 'transmit' information
from one nerve to another. These neurotransmitters can be serotonin,
norepiniphrine or dopamine. (We acquired and build these neurotransmitters
from the amino acids in our diet.)
As one nerve releases
a neurotransmitter, the other nerve has its receptor that will then
accept and process the information. Once it has received the information,
the neurotransmitter is then returned to the originating nerve for
recycling or it is destroyed. The recycling, or 'metabolism' of the
neurotransmitters morphs them into a substance that can be absorbed
by the bloodstream. The enzyme that performs this duty is monoamine
oxidase, or MAO. The changed neurotransmitter is eventually eliminated
during urination. Meanwhile the nerves must replenish the neurotransmitters
for future use.
During depression there may be a depleted supply, or excess, of neurotransmitters.
Some scientist only look at serotonin and some observe the characteristics
of norepiniephrine and dopamine as well. When depleted, the nerve
is unable to send signals properly. Other doctors feel that the nerve
receptors may be faulty. This would cause an inconsistency in nerve
reaction. Serotonin alone has over 15 different receptors and more
are being identified daily. Impeding the speed of science, each of
these receptors has a different effect on hormones and emotions and
they are still being studied.
The first synthetic
medications used to treat depression were accidentally discovered
while experimenting with anti-tuberculosis drugs. For quite some time
it was considered witchcraft to modify behavior with medication. Sugar
fell into this category for a while and was noted to alter adrenal
function, attributing sugar as the cause of many neurological disorders.
Today drugs alter neurotransmitters in some fashion, according to
cause, in order to elevate discomfort.
In the 1940's,
tricyclic drugs, better known as MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
began to hit the market. Although they worked for some, they brought
death to others. In those that it worked for, eventually they decreased
serotonin reuptake and the synapses had a rise in serotonin levels.
Thus individuals who were depressed, in turn ended up with anxiety
and vice versa. In the 1970's TCAs or tetracyclic heterocyclic drugs
were offered as an alternative. In 1988, Prozac, a SSRI (Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor), was mass-produced and suddenly 22 million
Americans were prescribed the drug to go with their other eighties
fads. Along with the prescription came a glazed over culture with
high divorce rates and congested livers.
We have been led
to believe that if we aren't giddy and full of laughter at all times,
then we must be depressed. Yet the chemical firing in our bodies is
much more complex than that. Anti-depressants such as Wellbutrin and
Zyban work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and dopamine. Effexor
inhibits serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. SRIs such as Prozac,
Paxil and Zoloft are prescribed to those that have low levels of serotonin
in their synapses. They were designed to allow more of the serotonin
to remain in the synapses for extended periods of time. These drugs
are being prescribed all too often and thus are equipping the patient
to have a false sense of reality, a detachment, and an indifference
to one's family, friends and environment. These neurotransmitters
are the key elements to mood elevation and the drugs only inhibit
the process or alter it as opposed to nourishing the system and equipping
the body with the proper nutrients for control and healthy living.
As with most anti-depressants,
you will note a warning to avoid if taking an MAO or MAOI. How many
people do you think know if they are on such acronyms? Along with
the creation of this emotional instability, these drugs are also noted
in many cases of joint pain, abnormal blood cell counts, sexual dysfunction
and altered appetite/weight. In some cases there has been a new disorder
'serotonin syndrome' in which an overdose or faulty interaction with
other drugs would cause a SSRI to induce hallucinations, irregular
heartbeat and seizures.
A common cause
of depression is linked to prescription medication. Yes, your all-knowing
family physician could easily overlook the fact that the antibiotic
or antihistamine that you are taking could be the cause of your being
'down and out'. For this reason it is elemental that one be knowledgeable
of all medications and supplements that you use. Diuretics, beta-blockers,
hormone replacement therapies, painkillers, sleep aids, Tagamet and
Zantac can all create the imbalance of neurotransmitters that may
color your days gray.
For individuals
who have already been subject to synthetic anti-depressants, it is
essential that you wean yourself from these drugs while transitioning
to other therapies. Sometimes the sudden loss of said chemicals can
contribute to a deeper and more disturbing reality for the depression
sufferer. Balancing the adrenals with products such as AD-C and Licorice
Root may prove beneficial. While transitioning it is vital to keep
the bowel and liver in good condition in order to aid in elimination
of wastes and to support the other organs in their responsibilities
as well. Other forms of cleansing utilize diet, sweating and fasting.
For many amino
acids are the keys to unlocking their door to habitual happiness.
Tyrosine and Phenylalanine will both elevate levels of norepinephrine,
seen to improve mood in depression and anxiety case studies. Approximately
15% of patients at the Brain Bio Center were noted to have low plasma
levels of methionine. Determination of these levels is imperative
to assessment since many respond rapidly to treatment. Since 1976
s-adenosyl l-methionin (SAM) has elevated mood, eliminated suicidal
tendencies and improved intellectual performance. This improvement
was noted in approximately 80% of the cases. This is as effective
as clomipramine and amitriptyline.
B-Complex has
remarkable results for many sufferers. Folate and B12 are required
for neurotransmitter metabolism and thus their deficiencies can contribute
to various neurological disorders. Dr. Peter D'Adamo has successfully
treated depression, hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder in
many O Blood Types with high doses of Folic Acid and B12. One should
always make sure to incorporate a B-Complex when taking a single B
vitamin.
B Blood Types
tend to dwell on their thoughts and are quite frequently misdiagnosed
with depression. Magnesium supplements seem to counteract many of
depressions symptoms such as fatigue, appetite changes, sleeplessness
and lowered immunity in these individuals. In order not to imbalance
the calcium levels, one should make sure to ingest calcium rich foods
while working with magnesium supplementation. Other options for B's
include SAM-e whereas very few will benefit from the popular 'A' or
'AB' therapy of St. John's Wort. O and B Blood Types tend to already
have an absence of MAO. Since St. John's Wort is an MAOI, many 'O's'
say that they feel uneasy or unusual on this supplement. 5-HTP works
well for 'O's' as well, but it doesn't hold the same option for other
blood types.
Essential Fatty
Acids (Flax Seed Oil, Omega-3, Omega-6, Black Currant Oil, Borage
Oil) are significant and are always beneficial due to their ability
to nourish the myelin sheaths of the nervous system. Kava Kava will
help to eliminate nervous tension as well as Distress Remedy, Nutri-Calm
and Niacin.
It is interesting
to note the chain of events that occur prior to depression diagnosis.
The thyroid plays an elemental function in this physiology. Hypothyroidism
is often overlooked and the depression, a mere symptom, diagnosed.
Depression is noted and is sometimes the first diagnosed in 40% of
hypothyroid patients. Doctors feel that hypothyroidism increases ones
possibility of depression as well as amplifying its symptoms.
As we all know,
it is impossible to cure without finding out the cause. Unfortunately,
the allopathic community all too often is not looking for the cause
of the depression and is merely dosing Americans with anti-depressants.
If a group of depression patients were tested, approximately 10-15%
of them would be found to have thyroid disorder.
Depressed patients
repeatedly show signs that they are unresponsive to a number of substances
that should release the growth hormone as well as thyroid stimulating
hormones. In these instances, individuals are also not responsive
to antidepressants due to an undiagnosed thyroid insufficiency.
In many cases
feeding the thyroid with the rich mineral iodine (found in kelp, algae,
spirulina, and GreenZone) can alleviate the depression and turn hypothyroidism
around. Foods rich in iodine include egg yolk, molasses, parsley,
apricots, dates, prunes, fish and chicken. For you meat lovers, unfortunately
red meat inhibits liver function and congests the blood for many.
These individuals may need to cleanse the liver and blood with supplements
such as AD-C and LIV-C. The addition of l-Tyrosine will help the thyroid
to convert T-4 to T-3 in the liver while Myrrh and Lavender essential
oils will have benefit as well.
It is up to you
to know the difference between being a little blue and having depression.
And it is also your decision to stay clear of synthetic medications
in an effort to maintain the highest of integrity in your system.
In many cases there is not a need for medication and there is a lot
that cleansing, diet and environment can do. Sometimes the down time
is just that - a slowing of a routine pace in order to get one to
look inward for clues to their blues. Journaling, supplements and
a little sunshine work wonders. Coping with our daily situations and
healing from our past may be essential in breaking from the depression
rock that weighs us down. Finding your balance in nutrition, emotions
and spirituality could free you to swim in the waters of happiness.