Hildreth on Health: Who is depressed and why?

Depression is a mood disorder lasting two weeks or longer that produces exaggerated inappropriate feelings of sadness, worthlessness, emptiness and dejection.

It strikes for no apparent reason. It is far more common in females and may be experienced periodically from teenage time until elderly.

Sufferers may experience episodes of sadness, persistent irritability, unexplained crying, loss of self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, pessimism and worthlessness along with a feeling of guilt and emptiness. It is not something that that can be turned on or off, so, gentleman, don’t get irritated with them. You will just make things worse.

Hormonal imbalance can play a big role from puberty on. Interestingly, it has been shown that heredity can be a factor. Some researchers place a lot of emphasis on heredity and hormonal stability or instability from puberty on.

Internal biochemistry is a major factor. Some researchers feel that it is the main factor.

The biochemistry that I am referring to is the level of different neurotransmitters in the brain. They are emotional stabilizers. Most of the different drugs that are available for depression are directed toward normalizing or supporting the different neurotransmitters.

Utilization of birth control pills through the teens, 20s and 30s, and then utilization of synthetic estrogen for hot flashes from the late 40s on create an increasing hormonal imbalance, neurotransmitter deficiencies and the tendency toward depressive symptoms.

The drugs used have centered around the three different groups. As with most drugs, they all express certain side effects. The tricyclics such as Tofranil and Elavil are common but are only about 60 percent effective and, like the others, experience a whole list of side effects.

The next commonly used group is the monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as Nardil and Parnate which act as a shield to norepinephrine and dopamine.

The third group is the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and Prozac. These are the SSRIs and enhance or increase serotonin levels.

Each group has merits; however, there are no synthetic drugs used that effectively change that which may be desirable without changing something that is not desirable. That is because everything in the body works in unison and whatever may be forcibly altered for a specific desire will always alter a natural and normally functioning process to an undesirable side effect.

With that said, there is always the desire to correct naturally that which has been lost in the aging process and by living in the environment and customs that we have and are creating, assuming they are making our life easier and more pleasurable.

Possibly No. 1 is the availability and desire to maintain an intake of balanced, quality, nutritional meals three times a day and adequate oxygen from clean environmental air around us.

Secondly, maintaining a balanced intracellular hormonal state that has been altered by excess estrogen production due to pre-puberty increased hydrocarbon environmental conditions, birth control pills for the teens, 20s and 30s, and synthetic estrogens for the late 40s, 50s and 60s to maintain comfort from hot flashes.

All of this for comfort with no thought as to maintaining hormonal balance required to take us into our 60s, 70s and 80s with less fear of breast cancer or other tissue changes.

Natural components that may be added to either supporting the utilization of existing neurotransmitters or aiding in natural production of deficient neurotransmitters may be SAM-e, a natural substance that the body can produce from the essential amino acid methionine and adenosine triphosphate that is found in all cells of the body.

St. Johns wort is an herb that some of you may be familiar with. This herb is more commonly used in other parts of the world.

Omega-3 is very important; deficiencies have been related to neurotransmitter deficiencies.

High B-complex deficiency support, not uncommon with aging, may be crucial in some of us.

Other vitamins and minerals may be supportive as we age for neurotransmitter production and utilization.

The goal should be to acquire a good nutritional balance, hormonal balance, spiritual stability, and physical and mental exercise.

Correct these to the best of you and your doctor’s ability and then supplement for clinical support if needed with the available and less destructive drugs to realize clinical comfort and freedom from depression.

You may be surprised with the improvement by natural support, particularly if it has been a lifetime struggle. Keep smiling and learning. Until next time, wake up each morning with a smile and a kiss for the one near you.

Contact Dr. DeWall J. Hildreth at 625-1101 or cnhcgv@yahooo.com Dr. Hildreth specializes in hormone balancing and musculoskeletal degeneration. He practices with Continental Natural Health Clinic, 210 W. Continentall Road, Suite 130. His column appears biweekly.