Definition – Feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in life, combined with a sense of reduced emotional well-being.
Symptoms :
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of interest in social activities
- Tiredness
- Concentration problems
- Anxiety
- Thoughts of suicide
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Hallucinations or delusions
Causes:
- Often no single cause;
- Physical illness
- Hormonal disorders
- Hormonal changes after childbirth
- Certain drugs (e.g. oral contraceptives) may contribute
- Heredity
- Social and psychological factors
Treatment:
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Eat a diet of plenty raw fruits and vegetables, with soybeans and bean products, whole grains, seeds, nuts, brown rice, millet and legumes – if too few complex carbohydrates are consumed, serotonin depletion may occur, resulting in depression
- Eat white fish, containing essential fatty acids (particularly omega-3); turkey and salmon, high in tryptophan and protein, also uplift spirits
- Avoid wheat – wheat gluten has been linked to depressive disorders
- Avoid aspartamine (in soft drinks and artificial sweeteners) – may block serotonin formation and cause depression
- Avoid fatty foods – they cause sluggishness, slow thinking and fatigue, and interfere with circulation
- Avoid all forms of sugar – sugar boosts are followed by slumps and depression
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and processed foods and eliminate any food allergens that may be contributing to depression
- Keep the mind active and get plenty of rest and regular exercise
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy; counseling; support group
Supplement Recommendations
- Essential fatty acids (salmon oil, flaxseed oil, primrose oil) – aid in transmission of nerve impulses; needed for normal brain function
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan – increases serotonin production (not to be used with anti-depressants)
- L-Tyrosine (up to 50 mg per pound of body weight, on an empty stomach with 50 mg vitamin B6 & 100-500 mg vitamin C for better absorption) – boosts adrenaline production, alleviating stress; raises dopamine levels, improving mood (not to be taken with an MAO inhibitor drug)
Herbs
- Lemon balm – good for stomach and digestive organs during stress
- Kava kava – induces calm and relieves depression (can cause drowsiness; long-term use may lead to dry, scaly skin and yellowish discolouration of hair and nails; not to be used if pregnant, nursing, or on anti-depressants)