The recent 60 Minutes show, Unhappy Pills, has highlighted the need for changes in the way people who experience depression are treated. There is no disputing that antidepressant medications are meted out too readily when we consider that, as stated by Professor David Healy, only about one in ten people receiving them are actually benefiting from their usage.
Indeed in the right balance they can be successful for the treatment of some severe cases of depression; however the number of people taking these pills - including children under the age of 13 years - who are NOT getting better on them, is significant and of great concern to us as a society.
The phenomenally tragic cases profiled on 60 Minutes, where troubled individuals were prescribed medications that are believed to have played noteworthy roles in the heart-breaking conclusions to theirs, and in some instances their loved-ones lives, cannot be swept under the pharmaceutical companies boardroom carpets any longer.
These companies have long known about the risks and side-effects of the products they pedal; do we assume that in the name of big business they view some loss of life as justifiable collateral damage? It doesn’t bear thinking about; but a positive outcome from the Unhappy Pills show is that the public are talking loudly about this issue and demanding answers.
The inefficiencies and risks associated with antidepressant medications highlight the pressing need to find safe and efficacious treatments and/or adjunctive treatments. And in searching for answers, the choices offered by Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to people with depression, anxiety and other nervous system problems are increasingly coming to the fore, and there is strong science behind many of these options.
Depression is multifaceted - it is influenced by our nutritional status, our genetic makeup, our hormonal balance (or imbalance as is more likely the case), our emotional wellbeing, our work, home, and relationship statuses, as well as traumatic life events. Each individual case will have unique causes, and therefore will require a specific set of treatments to address their particular needs.
Countless studies back the benefits of nutritional therapies for people with depression. I stress benefits, not necessarily cures. Often nutritional supplements and prescription medications will work together to stabilise a person’s moods. It is about correcting imbalances to enable the body to heal, rather than just eliminating symptoms.
Some key nutrients that research shows are important for helping depression include essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamin D, the B complex vitamins and St Johns Wort. The omega-3 EFAs, DHA and EPA, are critical components of nerve cell membranes and play an important role in neuronal communication. EFA imbalances can impair the transmission of messages between nerve cells, leading to cognitive deficits and mood alterations, including depression. DHA is an important structural component of brain tissue, with EPA being more specific for treating the symptoms of depression. EFAs are a safe and well tolerated treatment option that can support the efficacy of the antidepressant drugs, or be used alone to support and prevent depressive disorders, including in children and adolescents.
It is recommended that people with depression or who are at risk of developing depression have their EFA levels checked, and if necessary any deficiency treated immediately. Another important nutrient is vitamin D. Studies show that low vitamin D levels are associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and major depressive symptoms, especially in people who have a history of experiencing depression. In light of this research suggests it is advisable to check the vitamin D levels of people diagnosed with depression as part of their treatment assessment plan.
B-complex vitamins assist in the production of neurotransmitters, therefore inadequate levels of B-vitamins, particularly folate, vitamin B12, niacin (B3), and vitamin B6 may not only may lead to mood alterations, but also can impact overall brain function, memory, and cognition. Of all the herbs researched and utilised for mood disorders, St Johns Wort stands out as an effective alternative to prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. Studies show St Johns Wort has been shown to be slightly more effective than Prozac, and does not pose the risks of undesirable side-effects. It is important a person is not taking prescription antidepressants if they are going to use St John Wort.
It is also interesting to note that reports in scientific papers that have been released in the past few months reveal that depression is often associated with gastrointestinal (GI) inflammations and other conditions in which low grade inflammation is a component. The release of proinflammatory chemicals may in turn affect the normal functions of the brain. Treatment with probiotics, vitamin B complex, vitamin D and omega 3 EFAs - all of which can have positive effects on GI inflammation, may therefore reduce the effects of the proinflammatory mediators on the brain and consequently the symptoms of depression. This may ultimately have a positive influence on current treatment options for depression.
Lastly, a recent study out of Spain showed that a diet high in fast foods and bakery goods increased the risk of developing depression, particularly due to the decreased intake of EFAs and B complex vitamins. The status of our diet, which provides so many critical vitamins, minerals, trace elements and antioxidants, is paramount to not only our physical health, but our mental health too. We don’t take our daily foods exclusively in the form of a simple pill or supplement, and nor should we take our medicines in this form either. Most importantly, if you or someone close to you is experiencing depression it is imperative that the assistance of a trained health professional is sought.
Depression affects approximately one in five women and one in 10 men - you are not alone! Chat to friends and family, a church leader, a trusted colleague, counsellor or support group.
The free counselling services, Life Line 0800 543543 and Youth Line 0800 376633 provide around the clock support - it is as simple as picking up the phone. Note: Do NOT stop your antidepressant medication unless under the close supervision of your doctor.
