alternative treatments for depression ?
Q.Does anyone know of and/or can advise about alternative treatments for severe depression (where pharms. do not work) ? Supplements or otherwise. Any supplement, smart drugs, etc. that have been effective with long term depression. We're using some cranial treatment that uses from mild electricity which seems to help some, but it is too early to tell.
A.There is a diet alternative. I personally know two people who have had excellent success with giving up gluten. Both though had to also give up dairy to get back to normal health. One was bi-polar. The other went on to set up the No-Milk mailing list. There have been many anecdotal reports on the gluten-free mailing list. There are also many anecdotal reports from Atkins dieters that moods have improved on that diet (they are on a very low gluten diet). You can also write to me or Ron below with further questions. This is a report that demonstrates a variation in urinary peptides in psychotic depression. Nonetheless, it is difficult to argue that opioids cannot be involved in depression, when this group reports what appear to be the same peptides in the urine of depressed people, in greater quantity than normal. Bear in mind that psychotic depression often includes hallucinations.......which brings us back to LSD.... for what its worth, they make the point that the peptides can not be clearly connected to diet. In fact, they seem to be of the opinion that the peptides are endogenous, and a peptidase insufficiency is at the root of the problem. But isn't it fairly possible that exogenous peptides with opioid activity, assuming increased intestinal permeability, might offer an explanation for this? I think so. A supplement that has been extremely effective is called Extramin which includes Saint John's Wort (main ingredient), and Kava Kava, among other things. According to books on herbal therapy, Saint John's Wort, taken internally, has been used for centuries to treat depression, and Kava Kava can induse physical and mental relaxation and is helpful for anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress-related disorders, etc. Sunshine, light therapy, Vitamin D, B12, B6, fresh air, no thinking about the: What ifs - should-could or would have's, learn/feel self love, allow self to be less then perfect. These have all helped me. But then I also take the pharms and they work. Most of all I found that I had to let up on my strong judgments of self. Depression is chemical and mental in origin. Both need to be treated. One with out the other will not work. Most of my mental work was taken from an Oprah, show in keeping a thankful general (list 5 things you are thankful for each day. Some days all that was listed was being thankful for the sun, moon, stars, trees, and birds. Depression is not something to take lightly, it can be deadly. I am so glad you reached out to this newsgroup. Please get some help. Life really is worth living, and enjoying. The one thing I held on to was the knowing the sun would come up and the sun would go down, and the world would go around. And knowing all this motion was happening, also gave me the knowing that my life was in motion too. Even when I felt like it was not. Treat your self to something you enjoy. Be kind to your needs. I will pray for you.
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