Depression
Everyone gets sad or down at one time or
another. But for many people, depressed
feelings persist for weeks, months, and
sometimes years. Like diabetes or heart
disease, depression is a serious medical
condition that can grow progressively worse
if left untreated. Long-term depression
interferes with how well we succeed in the
world and how we relate to our colleagues and
loved ones. Long-term depression darkens our
thoughts, drains our energy, and drags at our
work life and special relationships.
Depression affects approximately one out of every ten adults in the U.S. Fortunately, depression is highly treatable. The approach depends on the type of depression. Healthcare professionals recognize four categories of depressive disorders.
- Major Depression - This is the most severe form of depressive disorder. A greater number of symptoms are present and they are more acute than in other categories.
- Reactive Depression - This is mild-to-moderate depression that results from traumatic events, such as a divorce or job loss.
- Dysthymic Disorder - This is a chronic, low-level depression that continues for years. Individuals with dysthymia may experience major depression when a life crisis occurs.
- Depression (not otherwise specified) - This category is used by healthcare professionals when the symptoms do not match other categories.
Depression and Neurotransmitters
Depressive disorders are among the most common neurotransmitter-related conditions. Others include anxiety disorders, compulsive behaviors, insomnia, and migraines. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons”. They are present throughout the body and are required for proper brain and body functions. Serious health problems, including depression and anxiety, can occur when neurotransmitter levels are too high or too low.
Every neurotransmitter behaves differently. Some neurotransmitters are inhibitory and tend to calm, while others are excitatory and stimulate the brain. Deficiencies involving the central nervous system’s neurotransmitters—serotonin and norepinephrine—appear to be involved in the development of depressive disorders. Disruptions in other neurotransmitters, like GABA and glycine, have been more closely linked to anxiety disorders. Environmental and biological factors—including stress, poor diet, neurotoxins, or genetics—can cause imbalances in the levels of neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. These imbalances can trigger or exacerbate depressive symptoms.
Facts about Depression
Depression that lasts more than several weeks begins to affect every aspect of life. The most common symptoms of longterm depression include loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of overwhelming sadness or fear, changes in appetite (weight gain or loss), disturbed sleep patterns (insomnia or sleeping more than normal), changes in levels of activity (restlessness or significantly slower movement), fatigue (both mental and physical), lowered self-esteem, and thoughts about death or suicide.
Depression can affect children, teens, and adults. Depression is highly treatable, yet only about one-fifth of the more than 18 million American adults suffering from a depressive disorder are currently under the care of a physician or a psychologist.* Studies indicate that 54 percent of the American population believes depression is a personal weakness, and 41 percent of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help.* Depression may develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetic makeup, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. Depression is commonly misdiagnosed and under-treated. Depression can mimic physical illnesses and cause fatigue, muscle tension, sweating, nausea, cold hands, difficulty swallowing, jumpiness, gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea, and other physical symptoms.
* Data adapted from the National Institute of Mental Health
Improving Treatment
Most of the drug-based methods used to treat depression include chemicals that either imitate a neurotransmitter or redistribute existing neurotransmitters. Many affect serotonin, and some affect other neurotransmitters like GABA, norepinephrine, or dopamine. It is generally believed that drugs supporting serotonin signaling will be beneficial when depression results from a lack of serotonin, and that GABA supporting drugs will be effective when a person’s symptoms are caused by a lack of GABA.
While the idea of matching a drug to a chemical imbalance is generally supported, the vast majority of healthcare providers prescribe psychological drugs based only on a patient's symptoms, and very few actually try and match a drug to a biochemical imbalance. This may explain why some drugs are ineffective for some patients.
Neurotransmitter function can also be supported with nutrient-based programs. Neurotransmitters are made from various components of food in a normal, healthy diet. Increasing the amounts of these dietary constituents can help maintain normal neurotransmitter levels. Targeted Amino Acid Therapy has great success in treating anxiety disorders naturally.
While no program can guarantee success for
everyone, it is worthwhile to effectively match a drug-based and/or
nutrient-based program to the specific needs of the
individual.