re: natural remedies and depression Question was asked of me on anothers page, what do I think about natural remedies, and there was a particular study referenced. Since people are asking me questions Im happy to try to share my best impressions and experiences from 30+ years of dealing with this stuff, but ignore if of no interest.... and remember that I am not any professional -- although I do think I have formed sounder judgments on some of these issues than quite a few professionals Ive encountered through the years (take my assertion with less or more credibility as you choose, of course). I have never doubted that there *might* be natural remedies that are effective in treating various forms of depression, but I have tried some a lot without benefits in MY case only (I dont presume to judge for all). Certainly I know people who swear by meditation, positive psychology, humor, etc. and I would not ignore any of those approaches, best in combination. Some of these things should be done no matter what other approaches one tries, I think. I would note a few caveats: (1) a lot of the studies (see link at bottom) are poorly constructed, even when they claim double-blind etc. (2) 60 patients is a VERY small study sample (a general problem in much of this field); (3) I think that the label depression is a very broad umbrella which actually covers quite a variety of biochemical brain and body conditions -- thus, it may well be that some are best treated by a natural remedy, some the *correct* pharma med (which can be hard to determine due to the complexity of the cases); some cases may indeed be best treated by one of the talking therapies; and some number of cases do simply improve and clear with enough time. ALSO, (4) there is a vast spectrum between the mild to moderate cases of depressoin and the range of severe to catastrophic depressions. I suspect that some proclaimed natural remedies may help with the former but probably not the really severe cases. It may well be that some things treat mild or moderate symptoms well but may not affect the most severe symptoms. In the worst cases depression can approach something like a catatonic state (remember that Im not a professional, simply spouting what I have seen, heard, and/or experienced).Anyone contemplating suicide with a plan (as compared to many more patients who have some thoughts but not (yet) definite intention) is by my definition in a severe depression. I dont know if the profession defines it the same way, but I take genuine intention to commit suicide as itself a symptom of severe depression. Such cases need to be treated far more urgently and aggressively than any other, imho. I have gone quite a bit to holistic health clinics over the years and tried various natural remedies when NOT on any anti-depressant (to be able to give as pure an individual trial as possible. I spent a long time experimenting with various doses and preparations of St. Johns Wort because that has been enormously hyped as a natural remedy, but I can find not the slightest effect of SJW for my own case. That does not make me doubt that it might be effective for others -- I know there are so many varieties of brains, diets, lifestyles etc. I dont question that turmeric (curcumin) might work well for some patients (see article below for reference to a study of tumeric). The study referenced does not really suggest that it works *better* than Fluoxetine (Prozac), only that it might work about as well. Given the intricacies of sub-types of depression that I have speculated about, this would not surprise me at all. I think each profile of brain biochemistry in depression may turn out to be best treatable by a different, unique approach. As for alleged dire side effects of Prozac (in article) I think they are probably greatly over-hyped by people (even patients) who do not have a scientific understanding of the issues. However there are some number of bad reactions to just about any medication (hence the fine print on all the labels) and certainly this is true for anti-depressants. That does not mean they are not life-saving in many more cases, or that they do not benefit large patient populations. First, some number of people classified as depressed will commit or attempt suicide, that goes with the illness. Whether taking Prozac makes that any more likely, I severely doubt, unless perhaps proper instructions were not followed (which is a common problem with many meds and patients). It does take some weeks (2-4 weeks commonly) for any pharma anti-depressant to reach effective levels; the reasons for this are still not understood, so far as I know. It could be that some number of patients on any particular anti-depressant get very discouraged if they do not get quick results or if they do not accept or understand other side effects which may occur (dry mouth for instance). Most side effects are very minor and passing, but it is certainly possible to have a serious reaction to almost any medication. One last thing for the moment, in some or many cases I think a battery of treatments may be the best approach, i.e., why not try natural + positive psychology/psychotherapy + one or more anti-depressant meds as called for? In such approaches I think it is best to add one thing at a time, so that there is some chance of knowing the differences if something is or is not effective, but I think being eclectic and welcoming to different approaches may make a lot of sense for many people. whydontyoutrythis/2013/07/study-turmeric-more-effective-than-prozac-at-treating-depression.html
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 23:50:56 +0000
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