source: https://www.breath-body-mind.com/how-to-use-herbs-nutrients-and-yoga
What’s Depression?
Depression is like an octopus; it reaches its tentacles into so many aspects of life. The spectrum of depression – runs from prolonged, brief, mild feelings of being out of sorts and progresses to feelings of unhappiness, to more severe major depression , with serious persistent, recurring feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, despair, or suicidal thoughts.
First, it is important to determine whether depression is causing impairments – interfering in any significant way with the person’s life. It may interfere with the ability to function at work, reducing productivity, for example, or it may cause absenteeism the person is just too depressed to get up and go out. These are indicators that we are dealing with serious major depression. If it’s interfering with home life, for example, the person is not taking care of their health, or their children, or the things they have to do. That’s a serious depression.
Women are diagnosed with depression more frequently than men. In part, it may be that women find it easier to admit they’re depressed. Also, because women are far more likely to seek professional help for depression, they get counted. Many men just try to tough it out – white-knuckle through it without seeking professional help because depression is viewed as weak or unmanly.
Middle-aged men, especially if they are alone and have had losses – lost their job or their marriage – can be at very high risk for depression and suicide.
Elderly people are another high risk group. Many are experiencing illnesses – chronic pain everyday that they would like to escape from. They may be alone or isolated. Most of their friends have died. They may have lost a spouse. Their children may be too busy to spend time with them. If they are alone too much of the time, they may feel useless, unhappy and ill. Their quality of life is poor. Because of age, they only see things getting worse – not better. These circumstances can lead to severe depression.
Many people are taking antidepressant medications – for good reason – but unfortunately, they are often only partially effective. Only about 30% of people who are put on prescription antidepressants, actually have a very good response to them. About 30% get partially better and about 30% do not benefit.
Adapted from Andrea Garrison Interviews Dr. Patricia Gerbarg on the Topics of Suicide & Depression
Blog Talk Radio
November 22, 2010
Dr. Richard Brown and Dr Patricia Gerbarg discuss depression in their book:
How to Use Herbs, Nutrients & Yoga in Mental Health
Residual symptoms of depression take the joy out of life. Although the signs and symptoms of depression are well known, it is one of the most undertreated illnesses today. Prescription antidepressants have become the mainstay of treatment. Studies of antidepressant medications show that fewer than one-third of all patients achieve full remission within eight weeks.
Neutraceuticals, herbs and nutrients can be used as first-line treatments for mild to moderate depressions. Although most severe depressions require antidepressant medication for optimal response during the acute response phase (first 2 weeks) and for remission (8 weeks), CAM (complementary alternative medicine) can help by improving the initial response, increasing the rate and degree of remission, supporting long-term remission, and reducing side effects.
How to Use Herbs, Nutrients & Yoga in Mental Health
Richard P. Brown, MD, Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, Philip R. Muskin, MD
W.W. Norton, 2009
The Most Natural Antidepressant
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
Introduction to SAMe
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a completely natural antidepressant that exists in all the cells of our bodies and is essential for more than 100 chemical pathways that contribute to cellular metabolism. SAMe has been an important antidepressant in Europe for over 25 years. In some countries it requires a prescription and in others it is sold over the counter. The United States FDA approved SAMe as an over-the-counter neutraceutical in the late 1990’s. SAMe can be as effective as the most common side effects. Information on clinical studies of SAMe, who is most likely to benefit, how to use it effectively, and where to obtain high quality SAMe can be found in the chapter on disorders of mood in How to Use Herbs, Nutrients and Yoga in Mental Health Care. This chapter also describes the extra benefits of using SAMe for depression in individuals who also suffer from arthritis, HIV or Parkinson’s disease.
How to Use Herbs, Nutrients and Yoga in Mental Health Care
Richard P. Brown, MD; Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD; Philip r. Muskin, MD
W.W. Norton & Company (2009)
Scientific Articles Reviewing SAMe
Adenosylmethione (SAMe) for Depression: Biochemical and Clinical Evidence
Richard P. Brown, MD; Patricia L. Gerbarg; and Teodoro Bottiglieri, Ph.D.
Psychiatric Annals, 32(1): 29-44, 2002
Introduction
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) occurs naturally in all living cells, and is vital to cellular metabolism. SAMe was known to only a few US physicians and biochemical researchers until 1999, when it became available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. The delay in recognizing SAMe as a therapeutic agent was caused in part by instability in its native form, necessitating the development of stable SAMe-salts for use in pharmacological and clinical studies.
In over 75 clinical trials with more than 23000 participants, SAMe has been evaluated for treatment of depression, arthritis, liver disease, fibromyalgia, and other medical conditions. It is estimated that over 1 million people in Europe have already used it. SAMe became available in Italy in 1976, in Spain in 1980, in Germany in 1986, and more recently in Russia, China, Central and South America, and other countries. Because of differing regulatory procedures, SAMe is available by prescription in some countries and over the counter in others.
This paper reviews the basic biochemistry of SAMe, the pathways it influences in the body, and the studies of SAMe in depression. Shortcomings of these studies and the recent research that resolves their drawbacks are examined. SAMe’s proper use and its interactions, side effects, contraindications, and usefulness as an adjunct in the treatment of depression are also covered. Preliminary data on the benefits of SAMe in other psychiatric and neurological disorders is introduced. Finally, the authors offer directions for further research.
