Alternative Treatments for Depression

What is depression? Like many other chronic illnesses, depression can be caused by a wide variety of factors and is characterized by several out of a long list of symptoms. It affects people of all ages, races, and nationalities and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is the most costly of all diseases largely because it disables people who would otherwise be productive. It is estimated that 10 percent of the US population experiences depression severe enough to require medical attention with women twice as likely as men to develop depression.

Normal vs. Clinical Depression
Although it is often normal and healthy to experience sad moods in response to a trauma such as the loss of a loved one, a major depressive episode is characterized by inappropriate sadness that persists, or is out of proportion with its apparent cause. Clinical depression can further be categorized into Unipolar depression, marked by recurring episodes of sadness, and bipolar depression, in which the sadness alternates with periods of elation and mania. Unipolar depression is by far the more common of the two. Both kinds of clinical depression can be caused by number of factors, including constant tension and unresolved stress, genetics, chemical or hormonal imbalances, chronic illness, poor diet, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and even inadequate sunlight.

If your depression is clearly reactive to stresses or events in your life, many of the therapies below may ease some of your discomfort and help you work your way through the source of your sadness. Professional counseling is also a good idea. If you suspect that you are clinically depressed, first consult a doctor to rule out any underlying illness (such as a thyroid problem) and then see a psychologist or psychiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Obviously it is best to work with a doctor who embraces natural therapies and will work with you to find the cause of your depression. The suggestions here will support your therapy and will also point you to toward possible causes or aggravating factors of your disorder.

Symptoms

A depressed person will usually have several of the following symptoms:

• Inability to enjoy things
• Fatigue
• Mood swings, at times characterized by unexplained weeping
• Feelings of apathy, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, irritability, or guilt
• Sleep problems (either insomnia or sleeping too much)
• Appetite disturbances (eating too little or too much)
• Headaches, backaches, and digestive problems
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Increased anxiety.
• Decreased sex drive
• Avoiding social situations
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Root Causes

Any of the below can cause depression by themselves, but most depressed people are affected by more than one factor.

• Tension and stress
• Unresolved emotional issues
• Chronic illness or pain
• Neurotransmitter imbalance
• Hormonal imbalance, especially after childbirth or as a result of oral contraceptives and other synthetic hormone medications. Commonly occurs with PMS and Menopause
• Preexisting conditions, most commonly hypoglycemia, anemia, sleep apnea, low adrenal function, and malfunction of the thyroid gland
• Alcohol and recreational drug use.
• Poor diet
• Food allergies
• Nutritional deficiencies (particularly B12, folic acid, B6, B1)
• Lack of sunlight
• Medications, including corticosteroids, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, and some pharmaceutical antidepressants
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Candidiasis
• Sleep disturbances

Testing Techniques

Following are tests that help assess possible reasons for depression:

• Neurotransmitter balance - urine test
• Hormone testing (thyroid, DHEA, cortisol, testosterone, IGF-1, estrogen, progesterone) - saliva, blood, or urine tests
• Vitamin and Mineral Analysis – blood test (especially test magnesium, B12, folic acid B6, B1)
• Anemia - blood test (CBC, iron, ferritin, % saturation)
• Food and environmental allergies/sensitivities - blood, electrodermal tests
• Blood sugar balance - blood test
• Toxic metals - urine or hair analysis

DR. STENGLER'S SOLUTIONS

Diet and Lifestyle
One of the most important dietary considerations to prevent or improve depression is the balance of fats. The American diet has an overabundance of saturated fats (as found in red meat and dairy products) and omega 6 fatty acids (polyunsaturated fatty acids) as found in vegetable cooking oils such as soy and corn oils. The brain is primarily composed of fatty acids and requires a constant dietary supply of omega 3 fatty acids. While omega 3 fatty acids are most recognized for their cardiovascular benefit they are quite important for normal mood. Various studies, including a recent one in Psychosomatic Medicine have demonstrated that a relative imbalance between omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids is associated with symptoms of depression. (Conklin SM, Manuck SB, Yao JK, Flory JD, Hibbeln JR, Muldoon MF. High omega-6 and low omega-3 fatty acids are associated with depressive symptoms and neuroticism. Psychosom Med. 2007 Dec;69(9):932-4. Epub 2007 Nov 8. ) Omega 3 fatty acids can be consumed through cold water fish such as ocean salmon, sardines, and low mercury content tuna. Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds are also healthy sources.

It is also important to reduce simple sugars in the diet which may worsen depression. Do eat regular meals so that blood sugar swings do not affect your mood.  Avoid artificial sweeteners which may aggravate depression in susceptible users.
Various studies have demonstrated that exercise is comparable in its benefit to that of depression drugs.  Routine exercise (3 hours a week) can profoundly reduce depression. (Blumenthal JA, Babyak MA, Doraiswamy PM, Watkins L, Hoffman BM, Barbour KA, Herman S, Craighead WE, Brosse AL, Waugh R, Hinderliter A, Sherwood A. Psychosom Med. 2007 Sep-Oct;69(7):587-96. Epub 2007 Sep 10 )

Supplements
There are several good supplements that may be prescribed by Dr. Stengler depending on the root cause(s) of your illness. Examples include 5 hydroxytryptophan, S-adenosylmethionine, B12, folic acid, St. John’s Wort, and specific homeopathic remedies such as Natrum Muriaticum.

Patient Testimonials

I went to Dr. Stengler to help me with my thyroid and subsequent struggles with depression. He helped me greatly by switching me to a natural thyroid and prescribing a regimen of daily supplements. My thyroid is now balanced and I rarely experience depression. I have also taken my four children to him and they are all healthy and doing well academically. ~ Patrice Reynolds - Del Mar, CA

Almost one year after giving birth to my first child, my energy level had never recovered. Family members said it was because of my age (in my mid-30's). Friends said it was "normal"…they all felt this way. But I also suffered from absence of libido, excessive irritability, disappearing social interest, and overwhelming sense of burnout. I refused to accept it being "normal" for me and sought help from Dr. Stengler. After a very brief meeting, I was sent home with a daily homeopathic treatment and a suggestive supplement. Ten days later, I started to notice a difference. I wake up now feeling ready to face the day's challenges. I am calm enough to organize my plans and thoughts. I just put on a party to celebrate my son's first birthday. I am making changes to improve my profession. Most importantly, I want to have physical intimacy with my husband, and I am confident about it. I'm very grateful for having had such a wonderful result from a Christian doctor who uses his God-given talents so well! ~ Rose - Scripps Ranch, CA

We are so grateful to Dr. Stengler for helping our daugthter. After trying counseling and antidepressants, it is a relief to know my daughter can be helped without drugs and their side effects. When she was on antidepressants, she was even more tired during the day and couldn't sleep at night. After reviewing her results from her neurotransmitter with Dr. Stengler, it all made sense why she is the way she is...depressed, tired and unmotivated. My husband and I truly believe her amino acid supplements are increasing her serotonin levels. She is a happier, motivated person. She doesn't sleep or nap like she used to. We feel her low serotonin levels are genetic and are so happy she has an alternate path to follow instead of drugs. We are so impressed with her results. Thank you for all of your help and support. ~ Elizabeth W. - San Diego, CA