Antidepressant Reviews

Pharmaceutical and natural remedies for depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.

This antidepressant reviews article provides information about pharmaceutical and natural remedies for depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. Although antidepressant medications are commonly used in mainstream medicine there are effective natural alternatives available including vitamins for depression treatment and a range of herbal remedies. This article will present the FACTS about some of the most popular drugs and over-the-counter supplements available. The advantages and disadvantages of each are outlined in an attempt to help you determine the option (or options) that are best for you.

Pharmaceutical Antidepressants

e.g., Prozac, Luvox, Tofranil, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor

Pharmaceutical antidepressants are generally the first line of treatment for depression offered by mainstream doctors. They work by increasing the availability of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) which are important for mood. The neurotransmitters targeted by antidepressants include serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.

Despite increasing types and brands of antidepressants on the market, no one brand stands out above any other in terms of effectiveness. It's pretty much trial and error to determine the drug that works best for a specific person. The major benefit of newer antidepressants is that the side effects are fewer, although still there (approximately 20 to 40 percent of people stop their use because of the side effects). Studies have shown antidepressants to be effective in helping anywhere between 30 to 60 percent of people who are depressed. This unfortunately means that a great portion of people receive little benefit from them. Some of the more common side effects of antidepressants are listed below.

• Anxiety, nervousness
• Weight gain - Click here for information about why antidepressants may lead to weight gain.
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Increased heart rate
• Loss of appetite
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Sexual dysfunction
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Heavy menstruation
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Increased sweating

St John's Wort

St John's wort is an herbal antidepressant that has its greatest popularity in Europe. It comprises 25 percent of all antidepressant prescriptions in Germany. St John's wort is thought to work via its impact on neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine and GABA. It also has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects.

A recent paper published in the prestigious Cochrane Review, analysed studies conducted on almost 5,500 people that compared the effectiveness of St John's wort with pharmaceutical antidepressants. The authors concluded that St John's wort is as effective as standard antidepressants in treating depression and had fewer side effects.

Most studies have shown that the therapeutic component of St John's wort comprises an ingredient called hypericin and the levels of hypericin are important in determining its effectiveness. Research suggests that around 1800mcg per day of hypericin is optimal for improving mood. Products that contain less than this level are unlikely to provide enough therapeutic benefit.

St John's wort does increase some of the body's detoxification processes so it needs to be used with caution by people on some medications.

5-HTP

As can be seen in the figure opposite, 5-HTP is an amino acid that is produced from an essential amino acid called tryptophan. When the body is working correctly, tryptophan and 5-HTP are converted into the body into the brain neurotransmitter serotonin.

5-HTP is sold over-the-counter in most countries (not Australia) and is an effective natural option for the treatment of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. Although not as widely known as the pharmaceutical antidepressants like Prozac, it is probably as effective. The major benefit of 5-HTP is that it has little (if any) side effects although should not be used in conjunction with antidepressants because it can result in too much serotonin being produced in the body leading to a condition known as 'serotonin syndrome'.

For some people 5-HTP is not effective, particularly if there are deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals that are required to convert 5-HTP into serotonin. As can be seen in the figure above, there are a number of vitamins and minerals essential for the conversion of 5-HTP into serotonin.

Vitamins & Minerals

A range of vitamins and minerals have been used to help reduce stress and improve mood. For example, B-vitamins are commonly used to improve energy and reduce stress levels. Magnesium has also been used by natural therapists to help people reduce stress and tension. Folic acid has also been shown in numerous studies to increase the effectiveness of antidepressants. Other nutrients that have shown some promise in improving mood include calcium, inositol, zinc and chromium.

Vitamins and minerals are crucial for the production of brain chemicals and if deficiencies exist, then neurotransmitter levels will reduce. For example, to produce the mood-lifting neurotransmitter serotonin, calcium, folic acid, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C and zinc are important. If levels of any of these nutrients are low in the body, then serotonin levels will be lowered, resulting in a depressed and stressed mood.

Although helpful for many people in enhancing general health, vitamins and minerals as a sole treatment to reduce stress and improve mood is unlikely to be effective. Another problem is that not all vitamins and minerals are the same and many companies use cheap and inferior forms that the body cannot absorb well. As a general rule, chelated minerals are the best absorbed in the body and therefore provide most benefit.

SAMe

S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) is an important agent in the human body, contributing to over 40 essential biochemical reactions. In the area of mental health, it plays an important role in the production of neurotransmitters and appears to raise levels of dopamine.

SAMe has been shown in studies to be an effective treatment for depression, although in a couple of studies it has been shown to not be as powerful as antidepressant medications or St John's wort. However, its effects are felt more rapidly, often within one week.

SAMe is normally produced in the liver from the amino acid methionine. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are necessary for the production of SAME, and deficiencies of these vitamins result in low concentrations of SAMe. SAMe is very well tolerated but people with bipolar disorder or conditions associated with high dopamine should be cautious when taking this supplement.

Depression, anxiety, stress and other mood-related problems can have devastating effects on one's life if not treated. Fortunately, as can been seen from this antidepressant reviews article, effective drug and natural remedies for depression are available. From my own training and clinical experience, it is my opinion that unless otherwise indicated natural options should be tried first. They are often as effective and have less side effects. The goal for lifelong treatment should however, be to treat the cause/s of the problem rather than just treat symptoms.

If you are suffering from serious mental health problems consult with a proficient doctor or mental health practitioner.

Click here for information about BCN's UpLift - a natural mood formulation designed to reduce stress levels and enhance mood.