Depression is an Illness… It is also NOT a Character Flaw – Your Health Detective

Yes, this complex disorder baffles even the most respected scientists; that said, there are safe effective nutraceuticals to assist those who choose to not take antidepressant prescription drugs or those taking these drugs and want information on natural alternatives.

In the U.S. a suicide occurs every 17 minutes…

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 2.4 billion drugs were prescribed in 2005; of those, 125 million were antidepressants. A further economic study reveals that the economic burden of depression in America cost $43.7 billion in 1990 alone; in 2010 that cost is expected to have reached $60 billion…click to continue reading…

With the stated statistics in mind, it’s extremely important that we not only recognize this disorder as an illness, but also uncover possible biological causes from various sources along with natural alternatives to drugs. These drugs simply numb emotions so that the person affected just goes through life on auto-pilot, not feeling or experiencing healthy emotional expression…that’s surviving, not living!

Do You Have Symptoms that could be Depression?

A stigma still exists associated with acknowledging you’re depressed, especially for men. Instead of becoming a victim of the “Ostrich Syndrome” – sticking your head in the sand hoping if you ignore or deny it, it will simply go away” – get some professional assistance if you experience symptoms that include the obvious, and perhaps not so obvious, manifestations of depression.

Thoughts of suicide
Difficulty or inability to express or experience emotion
Feelings of guilt, helplessness, or worthlessness
Chronic insomnia or sleeping too much
Challenges with concentration, memory, or decision-making
Overeating or loss of appetite
Feelings of extreme sadness or anxiety
Feelings of pessimism or hopelessness
Experience a “victim mentality” – not taking responsibility for your actions
Chronic fatigue or decreased energy
Chronic aches and pains, including pain in soft tissues, headaches and digestive distress
Inability to organize tasks or your time – even though you make attempts, you never follow through

Experts Speak Out

A psychiatrist who I have great respect for, Hyla Cass, M.D., has been using herbal and nutritional treatments with her patients for years. In an interview with Newsmax, Dr. Cass stated, “Natural supplements should be the first line of treatment. Their more gentle actions are often all that is needed to resolve the imbalances leading to depression.” Pharmaceutical drugs do not support healthy nerve cell brain function; they manipulate the action of individual neurotransmitters believing that changing the levels of chemical messengers relieves depression.

The most prescribed herbal remedy for depression in Europe, specifically in Germany, is St. John’s Wort. This natural remedy is reportedly used twenty times more in Germany than the prescription drug Prozac for treating depression and disorders associated with it.

Pharmaceuticals strive to increase levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin – St. John’s Wort also improves serotonin levels and with far greater side effects according to European studies.

Antidepressant Drugs – Short-term Benefit, Long-term Disaster

Medications like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and others carry a very high price in the side-effects they induce;

Weight gain
Nervousness and/or anxiety
Excessive sweating
Diarrhea and/or constipation
Dry mouth
Tremors
Headaches
Nausea and/or loss of appetite
Reduced desire and ability for sexual intimacy in men and women
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
“Brain Fog” – diminished ability to think, concentrate, make decisions or always second-guessing themselves after a decision is made

Antidepressant drugs such as Cymbalta have been reported to even induce hallucinations and suicidal thoughts and/or manifestations.

Wait a second…aren’t most of the above listed side-effects exactly what these drugs are supposed to treat? You’re getting the picture, that’s exactly my point. I’m not saying that someone who is in a deep state of depression and is suicidal shouldn’t have medical intervention. What I am saying is that for the short-term to stabilize them it may be acceptable. However, when the conventional medical professionals simply continue to prescribe more drugs for more symptoms, they are doing the patient more harm than good because the treatment then becomes drug-management. As drug treatment continues, the patient loses more and more quality of life without ever getting to biological causes or natural options to manage the disorder.

Epidemic on the Rise

In the past 15 years, the number of those seeking treatment for depression in the U.S. has doubled; now 25 million a year. What is worse is that current research shows that 90% of these people left their physician’s offices with a prescription for antidepressants…got a symptom, here’s a prescription, period! How the numbers stack-up says a lot.

13% of those age 65 or older; 20% of all suicides – the aging baby-boomers are already more prone to suicide than any other generation
In any one year, 9.5% of the U.S. population (about 18.8 million) suffer from a depression disorder
The national rate is 11 suicides for every 100,000 people
35 million Americans annually suffer from SAD according to JAMA

Known Risk Factors

→ Loss of job

→ Divorce or separation

→ Poor social support

→ Illness and lack of validation for “invisible illnesses”

→ Alcohol/Drug use

→ Loneliness (living alone or estranged from others)

→ Depression

An interesting study in Europe found that countries with the highest per capita fat intake in their diet had the highest rate of suicide. The majority of research shows that essential fatty acids actually alleviate depression and boost moods – the key here is the type of fat consumed! Essential fatty acids are a completely different class of fats and restore biological balance to the body and mind.

What You can do to Help Yourself

Exercise at least 30 minutes every day – it’s proven to improve moods. If you happen to be feeling depressed, rather than just moping around, go outside for a walk to get your blood flowing; you are encouraging the clinical depression if you stay inside and feel bad for yourself. If you have difficulty being motivated enough for even a walk, ask someone to be your walking “buddy” and to help you attain your daily goals.
The environment in which you spend most of your time plays a vital role in your emotional health, whether you’re depressed or not. Surround yourself with those who have a positive mental consciousness – you cannot afford to be around negative people, they are emotional vampires.
Avoid ALL chemical sweeteners, they are neurotoxins and can cause or contribute to cognitive disorders of all types, including depression.
Avoid all processed foods; they contain dangerous neurotoxins as preservatives, flavor-enhancers, etc., especially avoid monosodium glutamate (MSG) and all its aliases under which it can legally be hidden…see article archives for a complete list.
Color psychology experts agree, that, “color feeds the subconscious like nutrients feed the body.” Just think about it.

Author’s Note:

I teach the philosophy of color psychology to my patients and Wholistic Rejuvenist students because I’ve studied and practiced it for over 30 years and have witnessed the great health benefits. I’ve consulted with hospitals, corporations and private individuals on design concepts to benefit from the marvels of color psychology – even prisons and children’s rooms who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Do not under-estimate the power of color in your environment; it may save your life!

Safe Non-toxic Options

Eskaloft – over ten natural ingredients (including St. John’s Wort) to support healthy production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters while also benefiting moods for those with low spirits or unstable altering moods.

StressX – provides a blend of nutrients and amino acids (including L-thiamine and Lithium) to nutritionally support increased parasympathetic neurological responses. It supports a balanced and healthy emotional expression with anti-stress and mood-modulating benefits. This is the blend for those who are burned-out, stressed-out and emotionally vulnerable.

BioAdaptogen Ultra – an Ayurvedic blend of herbs formulated to support healthy adrenal function, a normal stress response, optimal energy levels, and overall well-being. Ingredients are known for centuries to additionally support healthy adrenal function.

Omega 3-6-9 Emulsion – delicious pharmaceutical grade fish oil in a unique, creamy liquid for a delicious, well-tolerated essential fatty acid supplement. Emulsified fatty acids have shown to be more absorbable and bioavailable than encapsulated products.

This complex uses purified salmon oil and cod liver oil, providing 360 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA per serving. It is as tasty as a lemon-flavored creamy yogurt!

NOTE: The above professional nutraceuticals are available through the exclusive source for all products I use and recommend for my patients, the Health Matters Store at www.gloriagilbere.com. If you don’t see a product listed, call their toll-free number at 888-352-8175 or send an email to healthmatterstore@frontier.com. Sharon, the store director, and support to my patients and customers, has provided exemplary service and products to my patients for over 15 years…she is an invaluable resource.

Your Health Detective:

Uncovering Clues to Add LIFE to Your Years…NOT Merely Years to Your Life, Naturally

Dr. Gloria Gilbère (aka Dr. G), N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D., D.S.C., EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist

Dr. Gilbère is renowned worldwide for her work in identifying and finding natural solutions to chemically-induced and inflammatory disorders, multiple chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Gulf War Syndrome, and digestive disorders that defy conventional diagnosis and treatment. She consults worldwide via telephone and at her Institute in north Idaho. Visit her website at www.gloriagilbere.com for details about consulting with her.

Creator of certificated courses to become a Wholistic Rejuvenist™ (CWR) and for post-graduate education for health and spa professionals. Go to www.gloriagilbere.com and click on Wholistic Skin & Body Rejuvenation (WSBR™) for course outline. Available on-site at worldwide locations, and via distance-learning at your convenience globally.

Information in this newsletter is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by medical professionals, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or disorder. The FDA has not reviewed or endorsed the contents of this educational publication.

Copyright is held by Gloria E. Gilbère, to which all rights are reserved. Other than personal, non-commercial use or forwarding, no material in this newsletter may be copied, distributed, or published without the expressed written permission of its author and copyright holder.

Resources:

depression.about.com/od/diagnosis/tp/depsymptoms.htm

Factors behind elderly suicide rate examined,” Washington, The Daily Progress newspaper, Charlottesville, Virginia, July 23, 2002

“Hard to Swallow,” WC Douglass

Washington Post Health, Oct 7, 1997

{“America Under Cover Documentary,” HBO documentary. In TV booklet – Feb. 2001

alcoholmd.com – Oct. 2001

Natural Medicine Chest, Conquer Depression without Drugs, “Food and Mood,” Let’s Live magazine, Jan. 2000