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Dr. Mercola

April 03, 2007
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Are Antidepressants Ever Necessary?

A new study suggests that about a quarter of the people who have been diagnosed with depression may actually be dealing with the normal and expected emotions associated with loss or traumatic events.

It is not unusual to experience depressive feelings when you have lost your job or marriage. But researchers are now suggesting that such feelings should not usually be diagnosed as depression.

The study was based on a survey administered to more than 8,000 Americans, which asked questions based on diagnostic criteria for mood problems.

The researchers found that extended periods of depression-like symptoms are common in people who have been through life stresses, and that this does not necessarily constitute illness. Only a fraction of people, however, had severe symptoms that could be classified as clinical depression.

Drug treatment may often be inappropriate for people who are responding to life's stresses. Supportive psychotherapy, however, may still be useful.

Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 64, No. 4, April 2007: 433-440

PsychCentral April 3, 2007

Washington Post April 3, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I think that this study is really about semantics. When I first started practicing in 1985 I was very sensitive to the issue of depression and diagnosed many thousands of my patients with it. No matter what you call it, there are many millions of people who are not doing well emotionally and as a result have major physical complications.

So I am not sure if I agree with this study, as my experience suggests many are suffering out there. However, the central issue is what do you do? If you are cluelesss like I was over 20 years ago you put people on antidepressants because that is the "standard of care." 

Then you find out later that antidepressants provide no meaningful benefit, can harm your immune system and exacerbate the risk of suicide among younger folks.

So clearly another option is required. Fortunately, there are many that do address the underlying causes. You can also start an exercise program today, as it clearly is one of the best-kept secrets for treating depression. Omega-3 fats like fish and krill oil are also very effective.

You can find out more about this by reading The Omega-3 Connection by Dr. Stoll. He is a Harvard psychiatrist who has done a great job of compiling the evidence supporting the use of fish and krill oils for depression.

Among the other effective therapies for taming your emotions and boosting your health: Learning a proven energy psychology tool like the Emotional Freedom Technique, used daily in my practice. For serious problems it would be prudent to not treat yourself with EFT and instead contact a health care professional who is trained in the technique. You can use the list of guidelines and practitioners compiled by Dr. Patricia Carrington.

Related Articles:

Dangerous Antidepressants Elevate Diabetes Risk

Antidepressants Proven to Work Only Slightly Better Than Placebo

New Warnings on Antidepressants' Link to Suicide


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Article's Comment     ( 60 Comments )
 
 
 +59 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Michigan Mom   
Savvy User
  
[ Joined on 06/06 ]
[ Posted on April 03, 2007 ]
Post Reply
Thank you Dr. Mercola for exposing the lies behind these drugs and the idea that every other person on the planet is "depressed." 

After my parents divorce, despite being a normal kid, with good grades and no complaints a social worker sent me for testing at the local University when I was in middle school. They diagnosed me with "depression." Then started the slew of drugs followed by my grades plummuting, mood swings and suicide attempts. Funny all that started AFTER they put me on those drugs. Of course that behavior just confirmed the diagnosis.

It took me years to figure out that there is nothing wrong with me and every time I am feeling angry or down or unmotivated I don't need to seek out medication for my "condition." What I need is to take responsibility for my own health both physical and emotional .

I eat well (for my MT), exercise daily, make sure I have sunshine and omerga 3's and voila, no symptoms.

I think exercise and sunlight are the two most critical components for me, if you are depressed give the natural approach a try.
 
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 +9 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Paraklaytos   
Novice User
  
[ Joined on 04/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 18, 2007 ]
 
 A response to depression can be to stay inside away from people and to not really desire any exercise, which of course are actually what will be very helpful to alleviate the depression.  Medication tends to be the first response to the stressful reactions (in this culture), whether it is cigarettes or coffee or menthylphenidate or dexedrine or antidepressants or mood stabilizers or analgesics.
However, to some extent, in response to a stressor, it is acceptable to be depressed, sad, grieve or mourn.  We all experiences losses of varying intensity.  If something has meaning, then a person will experience loss.  In this culture, the first response tends to be "GET OVER IT!"  However, helping others "get through it," and allowing ourselves to experience the grief makes more sense.

 +8 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY CATRYNA   
Apprentice User
  
[ Joined on 07/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 17, 2007 ]
 
 Many times after a trauma the whole immune sytem is put in jeopardy, especially the Adrenals, Pituitary and Thyroid. Often a depressed person will show other signs of glands not operating up to the optimum. A blood test or other examination can often prove this. After decades of depression, among other things, last year I was  diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. Thank goodness I had the good sense never to involve myself in taking Pharmaceuticals for the depression. After trying Armours and then a synthetic, with adverse repurcussions, I am now taking two supplemtents for the Hypothyroidism with wonderful reslults. So, if you have a depression problem find out what the root problem is. It might be in your head, but not the location that everyone thinks.

Have a nice day, Catryna

 +7 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY MDS   
Novice User
  
[ Joined on 01/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 17, 2007 ]
 
I think in many cases, drugs should be the last resort, not the first. In my opinion, depression can be a symptom of a problem: poor diet, lacking nutrition, little exercise, a high sugar/simple carb diet-- the typical American diet is appalling.  (Garbage in, garbage out.)  Symptoms of depression (crying, moody, lethargic, lack of focus) are also the same symptoms of hypoglycemia, hormone imbalances, thyroid problems, etc.  It's difficult, though not impossible, to find a doctor who is willing to help you balance your body with proper nutrition, exercise, natural hormone replacement.... but don't expect your HMO to contribute.

As a testament to "modern medicine"- my friend lost her husband of 25 years and 4 weeks later, her doctor prescribed antidepressants because she was "still" grieving!



 +7 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Area51   
Apprentice User
  
[ Joined on 12/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 17, 2007 ]
 
Amanda Rose and rauqust.....what you are talking about is post partum depression. A natural progesterone cream should work for that. Here is a sample of Jon Barron's article on depression and post partum and why progesterone cream is what he recommends.......

Progesterone

This is particularly important since women experience clinical depression twice as often as men. Over the years I have been recommending progesterone crème to women, it has picked up the nickname from many of them: "The Happy Crème." Any time progesterone levels drop such as during the monthly cycle, immediately after giving birth, or all the time if you are in a state of estrogen dominance, depression is a likely result. Using a good progesterone crème can provide an almost instant turnaround in attitude.

And while we're on the subject, let's talk about post partum depression. It's real. During the weeks leading up to birth, progesterone levels have soared to levels 10-20 times normal. No wonder women seem to glow during pregnancy. But immediately after birth, progesterone levels plunge to almost zero. No wonder so many women experience extreme, even psychotic levels of depression. Simple supplementation with progesterone crème will resolve the depression over 90% of the time. In fact, any doctor who recommends antidepressants for post partum depression without trying progesterone crème first, should be named as an unindicted co-conspirator since they truly share the blame for any psychotic incidents that may result.

 +7 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Amanda Rose