Herbal anti-depressant?

[Coffee20]

Does anyone take them? Does it work?

I am thinking about taking something, I am not that sad or really depressed, but seriously disturbed and unmotivated.

I don't want to take normal anti-depressant, I used to take them once and felt like sleeping all the time.

Or do you have another tips?

[Feelin Frisky]

Herbals are unspecific blanket treatments that effect more of your body and mind's systems than necessary and usually under-treat the exact issue. You don't have enough experience to blow off all of today's wide range of anti-depressants. I urge getting educated--what family of AD's did you try? i.e.e SSRI, tricyclic et al. How long did you stay on it? i.e. did you give it enough time to see if you could acclimate to it where you weren't sleepy? Did you advise your doctor or just withdraw from treatment?

 

Medication for depression as well as anything else involving the brain and behavior is always a process of experimentation--there is no dip stick or litmus test for what is off in your chemistry. Thus one must be vigilant in finding the right med or combination of meds to achieve the balance where you feel you're best self coming forward. Supplements and herbals can be dangerous and I am proof. I took some over-the-counter supplement which depressed my ability to produce GABA, a necessary neurotransmitter, which turned me into a nervous, sleepless, wreck for months. The best course is working with a doctor and not giving up. There are miraculous meds available today.

[Coffee20]

Herbals are unspecific blanket treatments that effect more of your body and mind's systems than necessary and usually under-treat the exact issue. You don't have enough experience to blow off all of today's wide range of anti-depressants. I urge getting educated--what family of AD's did you try? i.e.e SSRI, tricyclic et al. How long did you stay on it? i.e. did you give it enough time to see if you could acclimate to it where you weren't sleepy? Did you advise your doctor or just withdraw from treatment?

 

Medication for depression as well as anything else involving the brain and behavior is always a process of experimentation--there is no dip stick or litmus test for what is off in your chemistry. Thus one must be vigilant in finding the right med or combination of meds to achieve the balance where you feel you're best self coming forward. Supplements and herbals can be dangerous and I am proof. I took some over-the-counter supplement which depressed my ability to produce GABA, a necessary neurotransmitter, which turned me into a nervous, sleepless, wreck for months. The best course is working with a doctor and not giving up. There are miraculous meds available today.

 

I was taking this one - Trazodone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for one year 2 years ago. I went to my doctor told him, that I have hard times with them, so he changed them into different ones, the new ones were even worse, I felt really depressed after them .

Then I gave up on them and never go to the doctor again.

Just need to calm down a little bit now.

[FitChick]

SAMe is supposed to be safe and natural. I've never taken it myself. This is a very informative website for any supplement questions.

[whichwayisup]

Bulk up on vitamins and minerals daily. And, double, or even triple your dose of vitamin D. Can buy the 1000 units of it in a bottle. combo that with daily exercise, especially yoga, trust me you will feel so energized and have more energy.

[Nohbody]

Yes... herbal anti depressants have been something of a miraculous treatment...

I'm lucky to be in a state where I can get a card for them

[Feelin Frisky]

I was taking this one - Trazodone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for one year 2 years ago. I went to my doctor told him, that I have hard times with them, so he changed them into different ones, the new ones were even worse, I felt really depressed after them .

Then I gave up on them and never go to the doctor again.

Just need to calm down a little bit now.

 

Oye. Trazodone is given to make people sleep. It is not representative at all of other meds, especially the ones in the SSRI class. Personally I hate trazodone--it gives me a side effect called tardive dyskinesia which makes it hard to stop moving and thus keeps me awake even though I'm drowsy. I won't take it. I HAVE used Prozac though for many years and I swear by it. It's like a pair of eyeglasses for the mind that helps me choose my emotions rather than have my emotions just bowl me over.

[WhyWontYouBe]

Tetrahydrocannabinol.

[Coffee20]

Tetrahydrocannabinol.

so should I now start to smoke marihuana?

[Coffee20]

Oye. Trazodone is given to make people sleep. It is not representative at all of other meds, especially the ones in the SSRI class. Personally I hate trazodone--it gives me a side effect called tardive dyskinesia which makes it hard to stop moving and thus keeps me awake even though I'm drowsy. I won't take it. I HAVE used Prozac though for many years and I swear by it. It's like a pair of eyeglasses for the mind that helps me choose my emotions rather than have my emotions just bowl me over.

 

I hate trazodone too, it also lost that sleeping effect and same as you I was awaken most of the time and another side effect - I had hallucination.

I heard that Prozac is very aggressive pill, so you say that it was good for you.

I still don't know if I want to take anti - depressant, they still seem to me like brainwashing pills.

[Coffee20]

do you guys have some experience with this? - Chlorella Tablets - Power Packed Little Pills or this - Roasted barley tea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I heard that they are also good for psyche, though there is no mention.

[Feelin Frisky]

...

I still don't know if I want to take anti - depressant, they still seem to me like brainwashing pills.

 

No one brainwashed me. I took responsibility for my side of a breakup even though my partner was the one who was crazy with borderline personality disorder and Prozac seriously did for me what I could not reason for myself. It seemed to make me more clear on the edges and boundaries of everything. That's the opposite of brainwashing--call it uber clarity so that there is a choice of thoughts and feelings rather than an automatic takeover of thoughts and feelings. ETA: Prozac is not "aggressive" and millions have had great results with it for more than two decades now. It should not be discarded out of hand based upon superficial biases.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Feelin Frisky

[Nohbody]

I take anti-depressants/anti-anxiety pills for PTSD from the war. i think that they are not the end all/be all, but they do improve my quality of life when combined with therapy and lifestyle changes.

[Coffee20]

I think there is nothing really wrong about taking anti - depressant pills, especially if you feel really low, but not longer than a year and I can understand that there are some people, who have to take them longer, because they are really seriously depressed, but I don't think I am that depressed, that's why I asked for some alternatives

but thanks for your replies anyway

[Coffee20]

I take anti-depressants/anti-anxiety pills for PTSD from the war. i think that they are not the end all/be all, but they do improve my quality of life when combined with therapy and lifestyle changes.

 

if it's combined with therapy then it can work really well

for me I haven't met a good therapist yet, I usually come and they tell me I am ok, racional and down to earth , I always make this impression, it's not bad though, I am happy to make me look this way, but those days when I really needed help it wasn't that good for me

Edited May 31, 2012 by Coffee20

[FitChick]

Coffee20 try out The Lefkoe Method. Read their website first and watch the testimonials and professional endorsements. People usually use it as a last resort when pharmaceuticals and other forms of conventional therapy don't work, which is most of the time, in my experience.

 

If you can afford $200 have a phone session. That might be all you need. There is a free interactive website but I find it a bit confusing so I hate to recommend it to a newbie, and I've used the Method for many years now. If you're interested, you can PM me for further information.

 

Otherwise try nutritional supplements and foods. You can google those.

[Exit]

Something about the idea of anti-depressants has never agreed with me. Like someone mentioned, there's no real points and numbers test for mental health so it involves a process of trial and error and that's what I don't like about it. If someone can tell me what my problem is, tell me what chemical or neurotransmitter isn't working and why, and what medication would fix it, I'd go for it. But I have so far refused to open the door to anti-depressants because I know it won't be just one, it'll be a process of "Take this one for 4-6 weeks until it gets in your system. Give it time to work. Not working? Okay, get off of it and hope there's not a terrible withdrawal, and then try this one for 4-6 weeks". On and on. Oh and now there's medications like Abilify that you take on top of your anti-depressant if you aren't feeling well enough. No thanks.

 

There are plenty of natural things I've heard about for helping your mood, but it involves the same trial and error, except I don't feel so bad about trial and error when it's not involving crazy pharmaceutical chemicals. 5-HTP, Vitamin D, Sam-e, Magnesium, St Johns Wort, etc. I actually Google'd "magnesium and depression" as I was typing this and found some interesting articles that make me want to give that a try again. I also think I might have noticed a little bit of a result when I was taking 5-HTP.

 

And then there's even more basic stuff like just getting exercise, it's definitely a mood enhancer. And making sure your diet is healthy. I've heard the claim more and more in recent years where someone will refer to your gut as your "Second brain" because it actually has a lot to do with production of certain neurotransmitters and chemicals, and if you have an unhealthy gut with the bacteria all out of whack, supposedly it can affect your mood. Just type in "gut second brain" on Google and you'll find a bunch of material about how serotonin is formed in the gut, etc.

 

There are countless natural things that can be tried and I guess that's part of why I don't like the immediate jump to strange medications (most of which come with that disclaimer that they might make you even more depressed or more suicidal).

 

If you have a reason to be depressed, even more reason that I think you should explore more natural options. I've always said, if I was waking up in a mansion with a great family and a great career and couldn't do anything but go cry in the corner all day, then you can tell me something is out of whack in my head. When I find myself depressed, I can quickly point on the things in my life that make me feel that way. I don't like this widespread attitude that sadness is not an acceptable emotion and should be medicated away.

 

Anyways, that's my rant. There's plenty of other things to look into if you don't like the sound of medication.

[Coffee20]

FitChick:

Hello, thank you so much for this interesting side, I am reading now. Glad to hear that it helped you I will PM you later.

 

Exit:

thank you a lot for you answer, I have to agree with your first paragraph .

the reason why I felt so down was my break up, I don't know why, but today I feel so well, I woke up and I have experienced happiness after the long time. I even exercised a bit and it helped me, it's weird because sometimes I do and don't feel anything. Above all today I had nice walk in the forest with my friend and it helped a lot .

[ascendotum]

My thoughts are very similar to Exits. I have tried a few ADs in the past and hated them for the most part. Felt worse..increased somnolence and blunted emotions suck, and for many ADs are just treating symptoms in a lot of cases and not really addressing the cause. (they do help a lot of people get on with life though)

 

You mentioned chorella, I have had experience with this and it was good & nuetral depending on the brand. The liquid that was good for me is no longer made, and al the other liquids are not as potent and have spearment which I hate. Chlorella tablets are ok but dont have the same effect on well being and detox.

 

I dont know what other ADs you have taken, but I get the impression a lot of docs just seem to think serotonin when it comes to depresssion, and there are other neurotransmittors & hormones that come into play. You mentioned being un-motivated...maybe give the ammino acid Tyrosine a shot (building block for noradrenaline + dopamine)

 

Also aren't you the girl thats underweight, and trying to bulk up? I have battled for many years likewise. I used to feel tired a lot because I was eating every few hours and continually digesting food, which was tiring for me. Maybe you in the same boat. Make sure you are getting quality fats/oils into your diet, and also dont discount the possibility some of the food you are stuffing yourself with, you may have an undiagnosed intolerance/allergy to, which can easily effect your zest for life.

[Coffee20]

My thoughts are very similar to Exits. I have tried a few ADs in the past and hated them for the most part. Felt worse..increased somnolence and blunted emotions suck, and for many ADs are just treating symptoms in a lot of cases and not really addressing the cause. (they do help a lot of people get on with life though)

 

You mentioned chorella, I have had experience with this and it was good & nuetral depending on the brand. The liquid that was good for me is no longer made, and al the other liquids are not as potent and have spearment which I hate. Chlorella tablets are ok but dont have the same effect on well being and detox.

 

I dont know what other ADs you have taken, but I get the impression a lot of docs just seem to think serotonin when it comes to depresssion, and there are other neurotransmittors & hormones that come into play. You mentioned being un-motivated...maybe give the ammino acid Tyrosine a shot (building block for noradrenaline + dopamine)

 

Also aren't you the girl thats underweight, and trying to bulk up? I have battled for many years likewise. I used to feel tired a lot because I was eating every few hours and continually digesting food, which was tiring for me. Maybe you in the same boat. Make sure you are getting quality fats/oils into your diet, and also dont discount the possibility some of the food you are stuffing yourself with, you may have an undiagnosed intolerance/allergy to, which can easily effect your zest for life.

 

Hello,

thanks for an answer. I have already ordered chlorella and that barley I hope I will get some energy, because I feel exhausted a lot.

Anyway I felt bad after anti - depressants too, I didn't see things clearly, I saw everything in mist, I was able to function and felt neutral, but I want to feel emotions and not to be sleepy all the time.

I do the same I eat a lot and I digest very quickly. I really try to get some quality food, vegetable, fruit, but I am not sure whether I don't have allergy towards milk, cause I have acne after it.

[ascendotum]

Hello,

thanks for an answer. I have already ordered chlorella and that barley I hope I will get some energy, because I feel exhausted a lot.

Anyway I felt bad after anti - depressants too, I didn't see things clearly, I saw everything in mist, I was able to function and felt neutral, but I want to feel emotions and not to be sleepy all the time.

I do the same I eat a lot and I digest very quickly. I really try to get some quality food, vegetable, fruit, but I am not sure whether I don't have allergy towards milk, cause I have acne after it.

 

I got acne from milk too. I used to drink a lot of it, loved the stuff, but was diagnosed intolerant to it. Goats milk was supposed to be okay for me, and I started drinking that and became intolerant to it. Same with soy + oat milk. I drink almond or coconut milk now. If you dont get any bowel issues then you probably ok with the milk, but if you do, then maybe get some allergy testing. It can be a cause of depression/lack of motivation. Worst for creating that effect with me was wheat.

[Coffee20]

I got acne from milk too. I used to drink a lot of it, loved the stuff, but was diagnosed intolerant to it. Goats milk was supposed to be okay for me, and I started drinking that and became intolerant to it. Same with soy + oat milk. I drink almond or coconut milk now. If you dont get any bowel issues then you probably ok with the milk, but if you do, then maybe get some allergy testing. It can be a cause of depression/lack of motivation. Worst for creating that effect with me was wheat.

 

thank you, I avoided milk and my acne has been slowly disappearing, hmm I feel really sorry to have this reaction to milk, I really love it too. I will try that almond milk or coconut, thanks for tips ;-)

[Feelin Frisky]

Something about the idea of anti-depressants has never agreed with me. Like someone mentioned, there's no real points and numbers test for mental health so it involves a process of trial and error and that's what I don't like about it. If someone can tell me what my problem is, tell me what chemical or neurotransmitter isn't working and why, and what medication would fix it, I'd go for it. But I have so far refused to open the door to anti-depressants because I know it won't be just one, it'll be a process of "Take this one for 4-6 weeks until it gets in your system. Give it time to work. Not working? Okay, get off of it and hope there's not a terrible withdrawal, and then try this one for 4-6 weeks". On and on. Oh and now there's medications like Abilify that you take on top of your anti-depressant if you aren't feeling well enough. No thanks.

 

There are plenty of natural things I've heard about for helping your mood, but it involves the same trial and error, except I don't feel so bad about trial and error when it's not involving crazy pharmaceutical chemicals. 5-HTP, Vitamin D, Sam-e, Magnesium, St Johns Wort, etc. I actually Google'd "magnesium and depression" as I was typing this and found some interesting articles that make me want to give that a try again. I also think I might have noticed a little bit of a result when I was taking 5-HTP.

 

And then there's even more basic stuff like just getting exercise, it's definitely a mood enhancer. And making sure your diet is healthy. I've heard the claim more and more in recent years where someone will refer to your gut as your "Second brain" because it actually has a lot to do with production of certain neurotransmitters and chemicals, and if you have an unhealthy gut with the bacteria all out of whack, supposedly it can affect your mood. Just type in "gut second brain" on Google and you'll find a bunch of material about how serotonin is formed in the gut, etc.

 

There are countless natural things that can be tried and I guess that's part of why I don't like the immediate jump to strange medications (most of which come with that disclaimer that they might make you even more depressed or more suicidal).

 

If you have a reason to be depressed, even more reason that I think you should explore more natural options. I've always said, if I was waking up in a mansion with a great family and a great career and couldn't do anything but go cry in the corner all day, then you can tell me something is out of whack in my head. When I find myself depressed, I can quickly point on the things in my life that make me feel that way. I don't like this widespread attitude that sadness is not an acceptable emotion and should be medicated away.

 

Anyways, that's my rant. There's plenty of other things to look into if you don't like the sound of medication.

 

Sure, exercise, oxygenation of the brain, nutrition, staying busy--all these things are good natural medicine. But you mentioned "withdrawal" as part of taking the wrong med and that needs to be understood to be different based upon the medication. Modern SSRI medications have no abuse potential and no addiction potential so one will not experience classic "withdrawal" in which one is physically ill for a week or two. The withdrawal on may feel from an SSRI that happens to make a condition worse rather than better--which is possible--is just getting the effect of that med out of your system. I have done that a few times and it was no big whoop. I understood that it was my struggle and this was part of it. The bottom line however--the real best benefit is to find a med that helps you learn something about yourself that no one else could ever tell you and that you will never figure out yourself because your misaligned chemistry is your norm. You won't know that how you've lived was inhibited by a chemical malaise because that's all you've ever known. Finding a med that allows you to personalize the difference in yourself and build upon it is a life-saver if not a new life-builder that is worth the experimentation and it is not likely that there will ever be a test for what is amiss in one particular mind versus another except maybe after your dead when they can slice your brain open. It makes good sense for a lot of sufferers to take direction of their lives into their hands with sound medicine before they blow decades away on half measures.

[FitChick]

A great book about the tactics of the FDA and BigPharma is Overdosed America, written by a doctor who had access to the pharmaceutical companies' own clinical trial information, including stuff that showed their products were dangerous. Read the reviews at amazon.com, many written by physicians. It's all about the money, honey! The public is finally waking up to the fraud.

[denise_xo]

I've heard several people having positive results with St. Johns Wort, but I don't have any personal experience.