Depression

Depression is the most common adult psychiatric disorder, and it's on the rise worldwide. Mood disorders currently affect almost 16 million people. Depression is both a mental and emotional state that stems from a wide range of causes, and affects women more than men. In general, there seem to be five underlying origins for depression.

1. Great loss, as of a spouse or child, and the inability to mourn or express grief.

2. Bottled up anger and aggression turned inward.

3. Negative emotional behavior, often learned as a child, that controls relationships.

4. Biochemical imbalance characterized by amino acid and other nutrient deficiencies.

5. Drug induced depression. Many prescription drugs create nutrient deficiencies.

Common Symptoms: Manic episodes alternating with deep depression; excessive self-reproach and guilt; fatigue; unusual drowsiness; inability to think and disorientation; memory loss; wired feeling; paranoia attacks; headaches; sweating, palpitations; loss of interest in pleasure; poor food absorption and significant weight loss even if meals are good; recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Common Causes: hypoglycemia or other sugar imbalance; sugar or alcohol dependency; chemical or food allergies; glandular imbalance with high copper levels; drug abuse; hypothyroidism; prescrption drug addiction or intolerance; negative emotions discharging hormonal; secretions into the bloodstream; the inability to cope with prolonged and intense stress.

Warning: Before you try PROZAC - It has had more side effect complaints than any other drug. Ask your doctor about hypnotherapy, biofeedback or acupuncture. All three of these relaxation techniques have had good success in overcoming chronic depression.
 

Helpful Herbs and Supplements:

drhealth St John's Wort (0.3 percent hypericin 3X daily) is reported to be a very effective natural antidepressant. Studies show improvements in many psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, apathy, sleep disturbances, insomnia, anorexia, and feelings of worthlessness and most important, with out side effects.

drhealth Kava-Kava extract is helpful in reducing stress and anxiety with no side effects.

drhealth L 5-hydraxytryptophan (5-HTP) (50 mg 2X daily or 100 mg 1X daily) have shown increases the cell's output of serotonin (5HT). Various behavioral and biochemical studies reveal 5-HTP is closely involved in aiding depressive disorders as well as reducing anxiety. In addition people described as "minldly insomniac" have reported sleep enhancement. Many reports of mild weight loss were also recorded.