Depression and Mood Disorders

Drug-induced Depression

Depression is often a side effect of drug usage, particularly of substances not often considered drugs, i.e. oral contraceptives, caffeine and cigarettes (tobacco products or inhalants). Other common drugs associated with depression include corticosteroids, beta-blockers and other blood pressure medications. All these drugs disrupt the normal balances between the monoamines in the brain. The intake of caffeine (coffee, tea, colas and over-the-counter drugs), stimulants, and analgesics, has been positively correlated with the degree of mental illness in psychiatric patients.

Hypoglycemia

The brain is highly dependent on glucose (blood sugar) as an energy source. A drop in blood glucose levels results in the release of hormones, which increase blood sugar levels, i.e. adrenaline, glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone. It appears that only adrenaline produces the physical symptoms of hypoglycemia -sweating, tremors, increased heart rate, anxiety, and hunger. If the onset of hypoglycemia is sudden, these symptoms predominate. If, however, the onset is gradual, this physical phase may not be recognized. Instead symptoms such as dizziness, headache, clouding of vision, blunted metal activity, emotional instability, confusion, and abnormal behavior predominate. Depressed patients do have a higher incidence of hypoglycemia. Correction of any underlying disturbance in glucose metabolism is the first step in treating psychiatric patients.

Hormonal factors in depression

Many hormones are known to influence mood; however, it is beyond the scope of this article to address all of them. Instead, we will only mention some effects of the thyroid and adrenal hormones.

Thyroid function - Low thyroid function and depression are closely tied, but whether the low thyroid function is a result of depression or the depression a result of low thyroid function remains to be definitively determined. It is probably a combination. Depressive illness is often a first or early manifestation of thyroid disease, as even subtle decreases in available thyroid hormone are suspected of producing symptoms of depression. Depressed patients should be screened for Hypothyroidism, particularly if they complain of fatigue as well.

Adrenal function - Like the thyroid gland, dysfunction of the adrenal gland is closely associated with depression. The psychological effects of increased adrenal release of cortisol mirror the effects of orally administered corticosteroid drugs - depression, mania, nervousness, insomnia and schizophrenia. The effects of corticosteroids on mood are related to their shunting of tryptophan away from serotonin synthesis.

Allergies

The idea that food and environmental allergy can produce psychological symptoms is not a new one. However, it is an idea not generally well accepted by orthodox medical practitioners and is discussed more extensively in lay publications. The evidence is documented by a few controlled studies.

Environmental Factors

Many environmental factors can produce psychological symptoms, particularly chronic exposure to solvents, pesticides and heavy metals (ie. lead, mercury...). Hair mineral analysis is a fairly accurate method of detecting these toxic substances.

Exposure to numerous solvents, such as those used in paints, furniture making and boat building, has been reported to produce psychological symptoms, including depression. Virtually any toxic chemical or environmental exposure is capable of producing psychological symptoms or mood disorders. The diagnosis of an environmentally induced depression rests largely on a detailed medical history.

Candidiasis

Much attention has been focused on intestinal overgrowth of the yeast candida albicans. Virtually every symptom imaginable has been purported to be the result of candidiasis. It may be the causative factor in a wide variety of illnesses, or it may be representative of a deeper disorder, possibly of the immune system or liver. Candida is believed to induce a wide variety of mental and neurological manifestations. These may be due to disturbed intestinal flora or reduced hepatic (liver) cleansing of candidal antigens and/or by-products.

Monoamine metabolism and precursor therapy in depression

The use of monoamine precursors has offered a more natural way of influencing monoamine metabolism than prescribed antidepressant drugs like monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. The amino acid tryptophan serves as the precursor to serotonin and melatonin, while phenylalanine and tyrosine are precursors to dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenalin. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in high amounts in fish, some meats, dairy products, eggs, nuts, and wheat germ. People who have trouble digesting high protein foods may not be getting the tryptophan they need from their diets. As a result, brain serotonin levels may get low and lead to depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, mania, anxiety, insomnia, PMS, and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and obesity. If you take tryptophan, make sure it is balanced by other amino acids (always safer to take low-dosages of amino acids). Tryptophan is made more effective by also supplementing vitamins B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B6 and vitamin C (including bio flavonoids). Its' uptake in the brain is enhanced by taking it with a high complex, carbohydrate meal (whole grains, fruit, vegetables and legumes). Foods which contain preformed serotonin also help brain uptake of tryptophan -these include- bananas, walnuts, and pineapples.

If digestion is poor, digestive enzymes and probiotic supplementation may be beneficial.*

Exercise

The value of some type of exercise program in the therapy of depression cannot be overstated. Exercise has been demonstrated to have a tremendous impact on improving mood and the ability to have a tremendous impact on improving mood and the ability to handle stress. In a recent study it was found that increased participation in exercise, sports and physical activities is strongly associated with decreased symptoms of depression (feelings that life is not worthwhile, low spirits, etc.), anxiety, (restlessness, tension, etc.) and malaise (rundown feeling, insomnia, etc.). It appears that exercise, sports or physical activities, is a critical component of a happy as well as a healthy life.

Dealing With Depression

As is obvious from the above discussion, full understanding of the causes of depression has not yet been achieved. However, many important, potentially controllable factors have now been identified, and most individuals can be helped. Males are just beginning to identify and understand depression. Never feel shameful about depression. Everyone has bouts of feeling low during their lifetime.

Unnecessary time is wasted by not addressing our depression and dealing with the underlining cause(s). For instance, in some people, an anniversary of a major emotional trauma can trigger a recurring bout of depression. Depression can begin after returning to work after the holidays, or during the dark, cold winter days, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sometimes depression is a result of buried feelings of grief or anger that need only be expressed in order to re-establish balance and dispel depressive moods. A strong sense of duty and responsibility, or perfectionist and controlling tendencies, can cause a burden that becomes too heavy to bear. In the elderly, depression can be particularly problematic, since many factors combine to cause it. These include multiple grief related to the death of loved ones, isolation and the inability to be self-sufficient, combined with a typically unhealthy diet and overmedication. Many symptoms of depression will occur if the body is struggling to function under extreme fatigue, whether it is due to exhaustion, a physical illness or autointoxication (the reabsorption of toxins in the body).