People, you are a walking human experiment if you take anti-depressants. There are many alternatives to these medications--most involve finding the root cause of the problem. And the root cause is not "you were born with a brain imbalance". This passive, hopeless perspective can make depression worse on it's own.
Here are some imbalances that can cause depression:
- Thyroid insufficiency
- Adrenal fatigue
- Hormone imbalances
- Reactive hypoglycemia, blood sugar handling problems
But there are physiological problems that can lead to depression. Some can be alleviated by diet, exercise and natural solutions--including balancing hormones. This goes for men, too. Low testosterone is a huge cause of depression in men. A combination of talk therapy and natural treatments can have amazing results.
Anti-depressants should be a last resort in all but the most extreme, desperate cases. Otherwise, finding a health-building lifestyle regimen can eliminate depression and create a happy life--rather than avoid, or medicate a sad one.
Amen. I never took 'em for very long, but did try Pamelor and Zoloft briefly and Paxil VERY briefly. They gave me strange nervous tics, noticeable when I was falling asleep at night. When I went off Zoloft, I went off all at once and went on an incredible high, culminating in a rather rash marriage. We're still married after 14 years but sheesh, it was not what I had planned.
ReplyDeleteI think exercise is the most underrated antidepressant. When I'm working out I get noticeably happier, thinking of things to do and nice things to say to people next time I see them. Later when I'm sitting around a lot, I get blue, blah and I forget all my happy resolutions. Working out long and hard results in more lasting cheefulness.
Seems obvious that it's some sort of oxygen/circulation/endorphin thing. Physical but curable.
Anon,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finding more healthy ways to overcome depression.
Unfortunately, people are under the mistaken impression that mind meds solve all problems. In fact only about 40% of those who take them receive any benefit. But for those who take them, the long-term effects could far outweigh the benefits.
The physicians and shrinks were really pushing them a few years back. My MD said try it, if it works that means you ARE depressed. A sort of bass-ackwards diagnosis. If you came up with reasons not to try it, you were just being difficult.
ReplyDeleteThen again, just about every complaint was attributed to *depression* if a quicker diagnosis wasn't forthcoming. I got pretty tired of that. Especially when I didn't KNOW I was depressed, and you get in this no-I'm-not, yes-you-are game with the doc.
If I was *depressed* it was probably more due to alcohol abuse and lack of exercise. But that's not as sexy as a mental problem that can be "cured" with a pill.