Depression Treatment   Treatment for depression in conventional medicine is determined by the severity and type of depression.  Most cases of depression will be treated on an outpatient basis.  For mild depression, psychotherapy is the preferred method of treatment.  This therapy can be with completed with visitations to a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.  For moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is used in conjunction with specific medications.   SSRI's, or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, MAOI's (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), and HCA's (heterocyclic antidepressants) are the most common medicines used in patients with moderate to severe depression. Other medication that may be prescribed include 5-HT antagonists and catecholaminergics. [10]  Because of the activity these drugs have on specific neurotransmitters in the brain, one is advised not quit the drug at once; as this may lead to a more serious rebound depression.  Any changes in a treatment protocol should be under the supervision of a licensed physician.   There are some alternative treatments that have been effective treating mild to moderate depression.  Due to the pronounced effects of these treatments on the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, it is recommended that individuals consult a physician before beginning any alternative treatment program.  Many of the common drugs used to treat depression interact with alternative treatments, and may eventually cause ‘serotonin syndrome'.  Serotonin syndrome results from an excess of serotonin in the brain, and can cause high blood pressure, increased heart rate, anxiety, etc.     Supplements helpful for Depression Treatment   St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) St. John's Wort has been extensively studied as a treatment for depression.  It is useful alone for mild to moderate depression, and can be a valuable addition to drug therapy for severe depression.  The exact mechanism of its action is still not completely understood.  St. John's Wort appears to increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. [11]   One study compared the effects of Hypericum extract to imipramine, an HCA.  It was found that Hypericum yielded therapeutically equivalent results, and far fewer side effects than imipramine.  Patients also tolerated St. John's Wort better than HCA. [12] Another study, comparing Hypericum extract to the SSRI, sertraline, indicated that St. John's Wort was as effective for mild to moderate depression as sertraline. [13]  In another study, comparing Hypericum to placebo in mild to moderate depression, patients had significant benefit.  A significant number of patients had a greater than 50% improvement in just 6 weeks. [14]   Tryptophan Tryptophan is the amino acid precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Supplementation with tryptophan can increase the production of serotonin.  Tryptophan is often depleted in patients with depression.  In various studies, tryptophan has been effective in treating mild to moderate depression. In one particular study, tryptophan was found to increase the benefit of Fluoxetine, a SSRI, without causing serotonin syndrome. [15]   Folic Acid Folic acid is a vitamin necessary for proper functioning of the central nervous system. The level of folic acid in the serum or blood of patients with depression has proven to affect treatment.  One study found that low folic acid levels were associated with a decreased treatment response to SSRI's and HCA's in patients with major depression.  Folic Acid supplementation increased the effectiveness of these commonly prescribed drugs. [16]  Another study found that deficient levels of folic acid were related to the degree of depressive disorder. [17]   DHEA DHEA is a steroid hormone precursor produced by the body.  It has been studied as a treatment for major depression.  Fluctuating hormone levels are thought to contribute to depressive episodes.  The exact mechanism for DHEA and it influence upon depression is not fully understood, though is has some effect on neural cell receptors in animal models.  Supplementation of DHEA for 6 weeks resulted in significant antidepressant effects and a decreased score on the Hamilton depression scale in patients with major depression. [18]     Learn More About Depression Introduction to Depression Depression Treatment Products helpful for Depression Go Back Learn More

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