William asks…
Alternative medicines and/or home remedies for depression?
I have already come to the conclusion that I have clinical depression.Although I never been officially diagnosed,it is quite obvious and has been proven by multiple online tests.Over the past month,I have been taking “St. John’s Wart” religiously and using aroma therapy to help with the symptoms.My mother is against taking me to the doctor due to her disapproval of modern medicine.She asks that I search online for alternative,natural medicines and home remedies.Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.Thank you!
vti answers:
I have a number of friends that have found success with Amoryn, so I’m more than happy to help spread the word about this product. It’s an all-natural supplement designed to help with feelings of depression. Amoryn’s formula contains Rhodiola Rosea, 5-HTP, and St. John’s Wort, among other ingredients. You can learn more about these ingredients and why they’re included in the Amoryn formula at http://www.amoryn.com/advantage.html. This website is actually has a lot of useful info, so take some time to look around.
St Johns Wort seems to be one of the few supplements that has a substantial amount of clinical research behind it. If you’re looking for a St. John’s Wort (SJW) product, it’s my understanding that’s important to find one that’s been standardized for hyperforin. This is main active component responsible for reducing symptoms of depression. Here’s a link to a clinical research study published in a reputable medical journal discussing the importance of hyperforin – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15492771
Another great resource is the Kelly’s St. John’s Wort Blog – http://www.sjwinfo.org/
Try Google-ing “Alternative Supplement for Depression” – There’s some good info there about how to naturally overcome depression without prescription medications.
Start there and continue learning about different alternatives. Everyone’s different, so the best long-term approach is to continue educating yourself and find what works best for you.
Hopefully this information is of some help. All the best!
David asks…
What is a good way to curb depression without meds?
Ok…i am 31, and i am also bipolar. I used to take meds to curb depression cause the military made me but they made me feel worse. nothing tragic has happend in my life well nothing i would consider tragic that is. my bouts of maina are getting worse and depression is more frequent. What is a good way to help with depression that will not involve taking mood altering(which make it worse) pills? foods maybe?
vti answers:
Left untreated, bipolar disorder will escalate over time. That’s just the nature of the beast. If you were on antidepressants, these can sometimes induce manic episodes. You may just need to find a different medication. I was on Depakote and really didn’t like it, so I switched to Lamictal. I kept the dose as low as I could, too, so that I still experienced some minor mood fluctuations. It’s a balancing act, but it really is worth it.
My cousin never stuck with his meds and ended up killing himself two years ago. You have to remember that bipolar disorder is a potentially fatal disease and you have to treat it like one. You can use exercise and diet, as well as supplements, to help control mood swings, but nothing will help more than finding the right meds. I went off my medication about 5 months ago to start trying to conceive, and I’ve managed to avoid the big swings, but I miss the stability of medication too.
Sandy asks…
How can I beat postnatal depression without the use of antidepressants?
It’s been suggested that I may have postnatal depression, I would like to try something other than antidepressants first can any one help?
vti answers:
PLEASE don’t give in to the whole ‘herbal supplement’ bullshit.
Herbs contain the same types of chemicals found in prescription medication, just in lesser quantities and in unrefined forms.
MOST PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS ARE DIRECTLY DERIVED FROM HERBS.
The chemicals found in herbs CAN be transfered through breast milk just like the prescription medications and otc medications.
Just because it is labeled as “Natural” doesn’t mean it is safe to use while nursing.
FDA’s New Label Law Won’t Stop Fraudulent Dietary Supplements
http://www.livescience.com/health/070626_bad_supplements.html
Why People Use Unproven Remedies
http://www.livescience.com/health/080313-bad-airborne-colds.html
PLEASE listen to your doctor… They are NOT out to “Scam” you or “Milk you for all you are worth”. Doctors are doctors because they want to HELP YOU!
The herbal nut-jobs are the ones that are out to squeeze you for every dime they can… They sell unproven and often times dangerous DRUGS or, even worse, outright lies that do nothing so they can make a buck.
90% of herbs and “Alternative Medicines” are PLACEBO EFFECTS and nothing more.
Homeopathy: Science or Superstition?
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkgb5UaTdAY
Penn & Teller: Alternative Medicine
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=7843377&searchid=c3bd7674-d209-487f-a2d0-e43d17d4234c
Your hormones are all over the place right now and you need to focus on being as healthy MENTALLY as well as physically for the sake of your child…
Remember… Thanks to the study of Epigenetics, we now know that how you TREAT your child can actually alter how their DNA switches on and off and can hardwire them to be less healthy as adults.
YOU NEED TO BE HAPPY FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR CHILD!
NOVA/BBC Horizon: The Ghost In Your Genes:
You need to go to your doctor and ask them for advice… You need to see a councilor to help focus your mind and organize your thoughts.
PLEASE don’t give up on “Modern Medicine” because of the conspiracy bullshit about how they are trying to ‘make you/keep you sick”.
Robert asks…
How do I cope with depression and stress?
I really do believe that I am in a depression right now. My life hasn’t really been easy the last couple of weeks, and I don’t do well under stress. I have been so stressed out. Im not as jolly as I was, and I just don’t feel myself anymore. I don’t have anyone to talk to, and I just feel like I have no one. I feel like Im all alone. What are some ways to cope with this? I really want to feel happy again.
vti answers:
I have a number of friends that have found success with Amoryn, so I’m more than happy to help spread the word about this product. It’s an all-natural supplement designed to help with feelings of depression. Amoryn’s formula contains Rhodiola Rosea, 5-HTP, and St. John’s Wort, among other ingredients. You can learn more about these ingredients and why they’re included in the Amoryn formula at http://www.amoryn.com/advantage.html. This website is actually has a lot of helpful info, so take some time to look around.
St Johns Wort seems to be one of the few supplements that has a substantial amount of clinical research behind it. If you’re looking for a St. John’s Wort (SJW) product, it’s my understanding that you need to find one that’s been standardized for hyperforin. This is main active component responsible for reducing symptoms of depression. Here’s a link to a clinical research study published in a reputable medical journal discussing the importance of hyperforin – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15492771
Another great resource is the Kelly’s St. John’s Wort Blog – http://www.sjwinfo.org/
Try Google-ing “Alternative Supplement for Depression” – There’s some good info there about how to naturally overcome depression without prescription medications.
Start there and continue learning about different alternatives. Everyone’s different, so the best long-term approach is to continue educating yourself and find what works best for you.
Hopefully this information is of some help. All the best!
Jenny asks…
What is depression and behaviors of people who have it?
What is depression? What are the behaviors involved with it? Are there treatments available to correct it?
vti answers:
Clinical depression (as opposed to situational depression, which is when you feel depressed because of something like a break up, a death in the family, etc.) is something that happens in your brain. The brain of a depressed person lacks certain chemicals that regulate mood, namely serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Antidepressants are usually the best line of defense, because they regulate those chemicals in your brain that are out of whack. However, they are not ‘happy pills,’ and moods must be monitored by a doctor while taking antidepressants (especially since a possible side effect is making your mood worse), and the person still needs to see a therapist and learn how to cope with their depression. Oftentimes these people will be on antidepressants for the rest of their lives–it is, for many people, a lifelong illness.
Other lines of defense include therapy (a must if you’re taking antidepressants), natural supplements like St. Johns Wort (usually best for people with mild, not severe, depression), exercise, light therapy, vitamins (especially Vitamin D), and support groups.
The symptoms of depression are varied, but a depressed person will exhibit at least some of these symptoms:
–Crying for no reason
–Feeling hopeless and helpless
–Not enjoying activities they used to enjoy; withdrawing from friends and activities
–Problems falling asleep and/or falling asleep and insomnia or sleeping too much; nightmares
–Feeling ‘in a daze’
–Difficulty concentrating; doing poorly in school; difficulty making decisions
–Thoughts of suicide; feeling like your family and friends would be better off without you
–Feeling guilty for no reason
–Changes in appetite (marked increase or decrease)
–Physical symptoms, like headaches and stomaches
–Decrease in self esteem
–Fatigue (mental and/or physical)
–Feelings of overwhelming sadness
–An inability to feel emotion
Sometimes depressed people will hurt themselves (ie. Cutting) and/or turn to drugs and alcohol
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