Depression is a matter of degree

Published September 4, 2004 in the North Island Weekender

It is quite normal to experience feelings of being blue. The difference between that and clinical depression is how long those feelings last. Symptoms of depression that may need medical attention include: feeling sad or depressed most of the time, unable to enjoy things you once did, chronic fatigue, trouble sleeping - either too little or too much, difficulty concentrating, increased or decreased appetite and weight, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, panicking for no reason, restlessness, feelings of anxiety or worry, and suicidal thoughts. Bipolar depression is bouts of depression alternating with mania or feelings of hyper elation.

Sally, a single woman, aged 30 came to the office wanting to get off her anti-depressant Prozac. She had been taking it for one year for the treatment of anxiety and depression. She now felt ready to come off of it. I explained to her that anti-depressants are important for some people to get them through a difficult time in their life, but it does not address the cause of the depression. Once people have stabilized and are ready to treat the cause then it is time to try naturopathic remedies. Along with naturopathic remedies I recommend seeing a counsellor to understand why the depression started in the first place and to learn new life skills to prevent it from reoccurring.

In addition to getting Sally on a good female multivitamin formula that provides adequate B complex for the nervous system, I recommended that she start her day with Greens First, a super food smoothie that not only gives her energy for the morning but also provides nutrients for her liver and helps her detoxify. As always I got her on Nutra Sea, purified herring oil, to provide a high amount of DHA, an essential fatty acid that is very important for optimal brain function. St. John’s Wort that is standardized to contain hyperforin is the treatment of choice along with important co-factors. Hypericin is another constituent in St. John’s Wort but it will not help depression! The other concern about St. John’s Wort is that it should not be taken at the same time as Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) antidepressants such as Zoloft, Effexor or Prozac without professional supervision. I suggested Sally speak to her MD about decreasing her Prozac very gradually while she began my treatment program and I gave her my pager number in case she ran into trouble.

At her next visit she informed me that she had decided on her own to just quit the Prozac cold turkey and she felt horrible for close to a week and was dismayed at the effect this had on her and vowed to not try SSRI’s again. I explained to her that she wasn’t out of the woods yet. I was then able to use the full doses of the naturopathic medicines to continue to assist her through her depression, as I was sure it was going to come back in some form.

I did a complete chemistry blood profile and learned that she was anemic and that her thyroid was sluggish and with this additional support she began to feel better and better.

I gave her some homework as well. I encouraged her to get the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron to awaken her creative side. I suspect that some depression arises because people are not in control of their lives and it is the case of the tail wagging the dog. This book helped identify areas of her life that were missing and gave her ideas on how to add them back. I also had her begin a gratitude journal. This is from the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Get a lovely book and write 5 things you are grateful for at the end of every day. Some couples and friends do this together using email. The idea is that if you take stock of what you are grateful for as the day progresses you are more aware in the moment when it happens, to be grateful. It will open your heart to receive more positive and creative things in your life and you will find yourself becoming more content.

Sally was feeling much better within 3 months and I was able to reduce some of the medicines and continue her on a basic program. She had identified some of the obstacles in her life and was heading in a new direction towards her life goals.

Not all depression is treated as easily, however naturopathic physicians offer supervised treatments for most stages of depression from mild to severe that can often be combined with the treatment you may be currently receiving.

 

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com