Depression is a serious medical illness. In contrast to the normal
emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or passing mood states,
clinical depression is persistent and can interfere significantly with
an individual's ability to function.
The impact of depression, a common illness that can occur in any
family, is enormous in terms of human suffering and costs to the
Nation. Symptoms of major depression, which affects nearly 10 million
American adults each year, include:
- a sad or empty mood
- reduced or lost interest in usual activities
- memory disturbances
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- changes in sleep and appetite (increased or decreased)
- irritability
- fatigue
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- frequent crying
Some people have a chronic but less severe form of depression,
called dysthymia (or dysthymic disorder), that is diagnosed when
depressed mood persists for at least two years and is accompanied by at
least two other symptoms of depression. Many people with dysthymia also
have major depressive episodes. While unipolar major depression and
dysthymia are the primary forms of depression, a variety of other
subtypes exist.
Depression can be devastating to all areas of a person's everyday
life, including family relationships, friendships, and the ability to
work or go to school. Many people still believe that the emotional
symptoms caused by depression are "not real," and that a person should
be able to shake off the symptoms if only he or she were trying hard
enough. Because of these inaccurate beliefs, people with depression
either may not recognize that they have a treatable disorder or may be
discouraged from seeking or staying on treatment because of feelings of
shame and stigma. Too often, untreated or inadequately treated
depression leads to suicide.
Antidepressant medications are widely used, effective treatments for
depression. Existing antidepressant drugs are known to influence the
functioning of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals used by brain cells
to communicate), primarily serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine,
known as monoamines.
Psychotherapy is also effective for treating depression. Certain
types of psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and
interpersonal therapy (IPT), have been shown to be particularly useful.
More than 80 percent of people with depression improve when they
receive appropriate treatment with medication, psychotherapy, or the
combination.
Hypericum (St. John's Wort)
has become increasingly popular in Germany where physicians routinely
prescribe herbal medicines to treat depression and other health
conditions such as anxiety and sleep disorders.
Adverse interactions have been reported between hypericum and two
drugs: indinavir, a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV and
cyclosporine, a drug used to reduce the risk of organ transplant
rejection. Potentially dangerous changes in drug effects can occur when
medications such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin
(Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) and warfarin (Coumadin) are taken with hypericum
extracts. Hypericum extracts can decrease the blood levels of
antiretroviral medications that are used in the treatment of HIV
infection, thus making these drugs less effective. Recent data show
that the plasma levels of the protease inhibitor indinavir (Crixivan)
were reduced by more than 50% by hypericum products. NIMH and the NCCAM
are conducting a clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of St.
John?s wort.
The following combinations are those recommended for depression:-
Vitamins :- B Complex, B1, B3, B6, C, E
Minerals :- Potassium, Zinc
Amino Acids :- L-tryptophan, L-tyosine, Phenylalanine
Food Supplements :- Lecithin
Herbs :- Gotu Kola, Ginseng, Fo-ti-tieng, Valerian
The
nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements
that may help the condition. Please do remember however that
nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in
no way replaces medical treatment.
