Depression: Synthetic vs. Homeopathic
Depression is defined as “a psychological problem thought to be brought on when there are abnormal amounts of important chemicals in the brain such as serotonin or norepinephrine, the chemicals known as mood balancers” (University of Michigan).
As early as the 1950’s, synthetic drugs were being created in the fight against depression. There are three “principal types” which consist of: the tricyclics, the MAOI’s, or monamine oxidase inhibitors, and the SSRI’s, or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.
The tricyclics essentially work to “desensitize” the neurons in the brain from reabsorbing the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine which are in charge of mood. The MAOI’s actually reduce the quantity of the enzyme in the brain which transports the mood altering chemicals resulting in more neurotransmitters like serotonin. A larger quantity of neurotransmitters results in depressive symptoms reducing. The SSRI’s, the most popular of the synthetic drugs, work like the tricyclics in how they prevent the re-absorption of the brain’s serotonin. So as the brain produces more, in turn the patient has twice as much as before.
So what’s the problem?
If these were the only effects of the medications, there may have never been the need to return to a more holistic or natural approach to treating depression. Unfortunately, these drugs can have some serious side effects for most patients. In the tricyclics, elderly patients experienced blood pressure problems, dizziness, and fainting. Other side effects even included heart irregularities, impotence, weight gain, confusion, and even anxiety. Perhaps the most frightening side effect is the increase in suicide and suicidal thoughts in patients.
In October or 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a “Public Health Advisory” to warn the public about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications. The same company responsible for these drugs even being on the market was now warning its consumers about them.
So the recent increase over the years in people turning to natural therapies is hardly surprising when you see the statistics. A study done by the National Institute of Health discovered that a mere 30% of patients got better after beginning their medications. In one British study, side effects were the reason 45% of its participants discontinues the use of their medications. 65% eventually stopped altogether.
James Whorton, Professor of Medical History at the University of Washington School of Medicine believes that people are turning to alternative therapies because conventional doctors tend to “treat people as containers of organs that have to have the disease beaten out of them”. He also believes that traditional doctors tend to go against nature and try to find a cure without using the body’s natural abilities.
Holistic or natural medicine can help depression in a variety of ways. Chinese medicine which states that emotions are the cause of physical ailments including depression, believes that herbal therapy, reduction and eventually cessation of anti-depressants and counseling is best when treating depression. .Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India believes that good mental health is achieved through regular exercise, sleep, eating a balanced diet and sexual activity.
The traditional approach in natural medicine to treating depression uses herbs instead of synthetic drugs. St. John’s Wort, a popular herb prescribed by many alternative doctors contains the active ingrediant “hypericin” which acts naturally in some of the same ways the MAOI’s do by slowing down the reabsorption of serotonin.
Unlike the synthetic drugs which usually cause a sense of “flatness”, herbal remedies tend to produce a “natural brightness” as well as combat depression. Dr. Hyla Cass, M.D. says she prefers herbs to synthetics because “they have been used for thousands of years and have a much better safety record”. She goes on to say that sometimes the herbs affect the body positively in ways that were unintended as well.
In addition to finding the right herb(s) to best suit a person’s needs with depression, there are some other basic lifestyle changes common to the natural approach to treatment. Some of these include:
1. Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, drugs, processed foods, and refined sugar.
2. Exercise at least twenty minutes per day up to five times a week.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Get enough quality sleep every day.
5. Try organic food as opposed to processed whenever possible.
6. Oxygenate your body with deep breathing techniques or meditation.
7. Frequent exposure to natural sunlight is very beneficial.
The American Journal of clinical Nutrition also says there is a connection between depression and a diet that lacks fatty acids otherwise known as Omega-3. Some good sources of Omega-3 are coldwater fish such as, salmon and halibut. Fish oil is also good to take and can be found at any drugstore.
Though ultimately a personal choice, depression treatment through the holistic approach has been proven to have a more positive effect on the whole person--not just to subdue the emotions, but to eradicate them by taking care of the physical and mental parts of the person.
(editor's note) Those suffering from chronic or severe depression, bi-polar or any more serious conditions should consult their doctor or therapist before discontinuing any medications.
