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Any kind of serious illness is difficult to deal with, but when it comes to mental illnesses such as depression, it can be devastating for both the victims and the family. Unfortunately, as we will discuss in this article, often the “cure” can be worse than the depression itself. However, there is hope for the depressed person.

Depression

By Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH

Any kind of serious illness is difficult to deal with, but when it comes to mental illnesses such as depression, it can be devastating for both the victims and the family. Unfortunately, as we will discuss in this article, often the “cure” can be worse than the depression itself. However, there is hope for the depressed person. Let’s see what we can learn about the causes and treatments available for this illness.

What is Depression?

Depression is a mental illness that can negatively affect you both emotionally and physically. Depression is technically a general name for a family of conditions known as “depressive disorders.” Depression is a complex illness that is characteristically identified with feelings of hopelessness and despair, as well as a loss of interest in things that once were pleasurable to you. Depression is more than feeling down or having the blues. It is normal for all human beings to feel this way at times, but clinically depressed people often have no identifiable event that they can point to for feeling sad, and their struggles tend to be ongoing and life-controlling.

 

Depression is a major health problem in this country. It is thought to affect approximately 17 million Americans every year. Between health care costs and lost productivity, statisticians estimate that depression costs the United States economy about $53 billion annually. Untreated or misdiagnosed depression is the number one cause of suicide as well, so the stakes for managing this illness are extremely high. Is depression an equal opportunity condition? Not really. Twice as many females (about 25% of the female population) will experience at least one bout with major depression, and about 10-20% of those will go on to struggle with it on a chronic basis. The figures for males tell us that about one out of eight will have an acute depressive episode, with about 5-10% of those having to deal with it throughout their lifetimes. Folks of any age, from children to senior citizens, can become depressed, but the average age of the first onset is about the mid-20’s.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

The two most definitive signs of depression are:

 

• A depressed mood, which may manifest itself as overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair, and is sometimes accompanied by crying spells.
• Apathy towards daily activities that once used to bring enjoyment and satisfaction.

 

In addition to these two hallmarks of depression, there are many other common symptoms, some of which are specific to certain types of depression or certain age groups:

 

• Fatigue:  Many depressed people have very low energy levels, and feel as if they were “carrying a piano on their backs.” They are not refreshed by sleep, but may feel continuously burned-out, physically and mentally. Some will even move and speak more slowly than normal, and tend to talk in monotones.
• Changes in sleep patterns:  This can go either way. Some depressed folks will struggle with insomnia, while others may sleep too much. Many patients find that they wake up during the night and are not able to get back to sleep.
• Changes in appetite:  This can lead to either weight gain or loss. Some depressed people overeat to find comfort, and others will shy away from food.
• Morbid thoughts:  Depression can be accompanied by obsessive thoughts about your own death, the death of others, or committing suicide. These thoughts are fueled by a consistently negative and hopeless view of life and the future.
• Relational problems:  Depressed people will often withdraw from others, especially family members and close friends. Spouses will often lose interest in intimate relations and/or spending quality time with their partner. 
• Poor self-image:  Depression often leads to excessive guilt (often false guilt), and feelings of unworthiness and worthlessness.
• Cognitive difficulties, such as confusion, anxiety, unclear thinking, memory lapses, and inability to make decisions are common.
• Irritability:  Depressed people can become uncharacteristically agitated, restless, and easily angered.
• Physical problems:  A variety of ailments can afflict a depressed person, such as headaches, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, and backaches.
• In children and teens:  Kids have some distinct ways of indicating or experiencing depression. They may develop irrational fears (such as the death of a parent), behavioral problems, difficulties in school, refusal to attend school, or they may pretend to be sick. Children may also seem unusually angry or irritated if they are depressed.
• Senior citizens who are depressed tend to focus more on their physical troubles, and are often unwilling to discuss their emotional issues.
• Suicide, unfortunately, is all to often associated with depression. More females than males attempt suicide, but more males are successful. Thus, the suicide rate is four times higher for men than for women. Men over the age of 70 have the highest incidence of suicide.

 

 

 

 

 

What Types of Depression Exist?

There are many different kinds of depressive disorders, but basically there are two main types of depression:  Major depression, and dysthymia.

 

• Major depression is a depressive mood disorder that is acute in nature. To be diagnosed with major depression, a patient must experience symptoms for at least a two-week period. Episodes may consist of varying degrees of depression, from moderate to severe. Many victims of major depression find it difficult to function normally. Suicide is a possible risk for patients suffering from major depression.
• Dysthymia (dis-THI-me-uh) is usually less severe in nature, but is more chronic and tends to be ongoing. Cycles of dysthymia typically tend to rotate between depression and periods of feeling “normal.” The mood changes are often not extreme enough to disable a person, but still have a significant impact on the quality of one’s life. Dysthymia is often found in conjunction with other depressive disorders and psychiatric conditions such as social phobias, panic and anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. Some patients are diagnosed with both major depression and dysthymia, and this is commonly called “double depression.” Dysthymia is also associated with certain physical illnesses such as AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, postcardiac transplantation, and hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).
• The three other most common types of depressive disorders are:

 

ü       Bipolar disorder:  Formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, this form of depression is characterized by cycles of mania (elated, elevated moods) and depression. It involves both extremes (poles) of moods, and thus gets its name. When in the manic phase, patients may act impulsively and grandiose, as well as have times of creativity and great productivity. The depressive phase is similar to other types of depression. Some patients alternate mania and depression, but not all do. Bipolar may affect come in several cycles of mania or depression, followed by the opposite “pole.” And the patterns may change up on people, making it even harder to manage.

ü       Adjustment disorders:  This might be called “normal depression,” so to speak, because it is usually found in conjunction with a major life stressor that most people would normally be depressed about. Examples might include the death of a spouse or child, diagnosis of a major health problem, or divorce. Healthy individuals will go through the grieving process, adjust, and come out of the depression. However, when a person stays depressed under these conditions, they may be diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, either acute (under six months in duration), or chronic (over six months). The trigger(s) for an adjustment disorder may be one event or a combination of issues that result in chronic stress.

ü       Seasonal Affective Disorder:  Also known as SAD, this type of depression is relatively common, and is caused by seasonal fluctuations in the amount of daylight a person is exposed to. SAD may stand alone, or be associated with other types of depression and psychiatric disorders. Treatment with special lamps is very effective for many folks with SAD.

 

What Are the Causes of Depression?

This is a very complex question, and the answer is partly dependent on the type of depression and the circumstances surrounding it. However, researchers have discovered some generalities:

 

• Many cases of depression are thought to be triggered by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Certain substances called neurotransmitters are key to how the brain communicates with nerve cells. Imbalances in three particular neurotransmitters seem to be linked to depression: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Putting the brain back into a state of chemical balance is very helpful to many depressed people. HOW this is done (medication vs. natural alternatives) is a crucial topic, which we will discuss below.
• Heredity is also a major factor in depression. Genes have been discovered that are specifically linked to bipolar disorder. Beyond that, if you have a history of depression in your family, you are more likely to develop it yourself. Major depression in a family member statistically triples your own chances of having it.
• Hormones are suspected to play a role as well, although exactly how is not yet understood. We do know that women are about twice as likely to suffer from depression as are men, so it would seem logical that hormones are somehow involved.
• Substance abuse:  People who use and abuse drugs like nicotine, alcohol, and prescription medicines have a higher risk for depression. Researchers are not sure if depressed people become addicted in an attempt to self-medicate, or if the drug abuse actually causes the depression. It probably works both ways in some cases.

 

What Treatments Are Available for Depression?

“Big Pharma” makes an obscene amount of money selling medications to those who suffer from depression. The problem is that when doctors prescribe these powerful drugs, it is often a hit and miss process whereby the patients end up being guinea pigs and are inundated with a chemical soup that gets their brain chemistry so messed up that it is far worse than before the medications. Some of the available drugs have even been indicted in causing suicidal behavior, especially in children. I would be very careful about taking any drugs for depression. I am not saying there are no instances when medication is needed or helpful, but the vast majority of depressed people would be far better off if they stayed away from these drugs.

 

If the goal is to get the brain back into a state of chemical balance, there is a much more natural and safe alternative. Orthomolecular therapy is a treatment for depression based on bolstering low levels of certain nutrients within the body. Linus Pauling was one of the first proponents of orthomolecular therapy. He believed that most mental illness was caused by low levels of B vitamins, vitamin C, or folic acid. Supplementation with certain amino acids (tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine) is also helpful. The theory behind such treatments is that if we give the body enough of the natural nutrients that it is lacking, it will heal itself--a drastically different approach to typical allopathic medicine.

 

Depression is a very tough burden to bear, but it doesn’t have to be carried alone. If you struggle with depression, the support of loved ones and others who are finding freedom from depression can be invaluable to you. Just be careful about taking the medications that are handed out like candy once you are labeled “depressed.” You do have alternatives. Please consider them.