Handling Depression Throughout the Year

The holiday season is an emotional time for many people. And depression is a very common complaint now and at any time of the year, with as many as one out of five people experiencing major depression at some point in their life. The annual sales of prescription antidepressants is estimated at $10 billion annually.

The symptoms of a major depressive episode may include: depressed mood and/or diminished interest or pleasure; significant changes in weight; changes in sleep patterns; fatigue; feelings of worthlessness; indecisiveness and diminished ability to concentrate; and even thoughts of suicide or harming oneself. These episodes last for at least two weeks.

Physical Causes of Depression

Helping people address their depression and improve their mood is a process that is unique for every patient, in my experience.

First of all, possible physical causes of depression must be identified and addressed. Low thyroid gland function can commonly cause or increase depression. Other physical conditions that may contribute to depression include anemia, poor blood sugar regulation, chronic infection and changes in hormone production.

Diet and lifestyle habits may also contribute to feelings of sadness. Avoiding substances that affect neurotransmitter release like illicit drugs, smoking, caffeine, chocolate and alcohol is helpful for some. Because of its effects on blood sugar levels, avoidance of refined carbohydrates that include sugar, refined sweeteners and white grains can be helpful too.

Non-Prescription Solutions

Exercise is very important for improving mood; it helps the body work better and enhances the release of mood-elevating chemicals called endorphins. When starting out, I typically advise people to do whatever form of exercise works best for them. Some options are walking, swimming, hiking, yoga, weightlifting, running, playing sports, aerobics or going to the fitness center. When using natural supplements and herbs to treat depression, it is most important to avoid the adverse effects that can be caused by taking too many things that alter neurotransmitter levels in the brain. These side effects can be very serious, so working with a medical provider who is knowledgeable in the use of natural depression therapies is important.

St. John’s Wort is probably the most famous natural therapy for depression, with clinical studies that show it is effective for treating mild or moderate depression with maximal effect occurring after three to six months of therapy.

Unfortunately, St. John’s Wort increases the activity of liver enzymes that affect many prescription drugs, either increasing or decreasing their effectiveness. For this reason, St. John’s Wort can be dangerous if you are taking other important medications.

Other herbs are used for patients with depression, but none with as strong an antidepressant effect as St. John’s Wort.

Herbal Solutions

There are, however, great herbs for helping with anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and other concerns of depressed patients. The herbs used depend upon the symptoms of the individual patient.

Most pharmaceutical antidepressants work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. The neurotransmitters most commonly targeted are serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

Serotonin is produced by the body from the amino acid L-tryptophan (turkey is famous for having this amino acid). While it can be hard to find this amino acid in stores, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) can be easily found. In the body, L-tryptophan is converted to 5-HTP before it can be made into serotonin.

Both norepinephrine and dopamine are formed from the amino acid L-tyrosine. While there is little clinical research on the effects of L-tyrosine and depression, it makes biochemical sense to ensure the body’s ability to make these important neurotransmitters through supplementation of L-Tyrosine.

Seek Professional Guidance

Treating depression can be a complicated process; there are so many approaches, and patients often need an individualized approach to get the best results.

While I have outlined some basic thoughts and approaches to the natural treatment of depression, it is important to seek guidance from a knowledgeable health-care professional to ensure safety and optimal results.

Ask for help if feelings of depression and harming yourself become strong.

Local resources include the Northwest Center for Family Service and Mental Health at 860-435-2529; the Northwest Mental Health Authority at 888-447-3339; and, in case of emergency, dial 911.

Richard Malik is a naturopathic doctor with a practice in Lakeville offering comprehensive health care for the entire family.