I just got off the phone with a family member who is living all alone in a new city, hates his job, hates his boss, and is very lonely and just in a negative place psychologically. He has very negative thought patterns, and I believe it's a neurochemical issue.
I think that helping him it is beyond just improving his situation (meeting new people, etc)....it seems like he "needs" something like Zoloft, because he is extremely negative, pessimistic, etc.
He was on an antidepressant a year ago, and it was the best I ever saw him. Now, he's off it, and slipping backwards. His job and relationships are suffering, and he now seems like a different person, off the drug.
I can't convince him to go back on the SSRI's....but he agreed to let me send him a package from vitacost.com with some oils that boost mood, etc.
I was hoping perhaps there is a health supplement to help I could "sneak" in there. But I need reommendations.
What do ND's use for people who are depressed, NOT due to any type of infection or TBD? Is there a supplement they give that acts as a natural Prozac?
Obviously it would need to be something that is safe to try, without doing any testing.
I just really want to help this person, at least boost them a little so that they can then get out of the house and take the steps they need to take to help themself.
His mood needs to be boosted, because when I talk to him, he spins everything to be negative, even in situations where I see a lot of hope. I truly think it's a neurochemicals-not-balanced issue.
Help??? I thought this would be the place to turn, since people with Lyme have tried so many things. Thank you!!!!
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I searched supplements for depression on iherb.com, and a DHEA supplement called 7-KETO by NOW brand came up.
Here is one review, below. Sounds pretty good to me. What do you guys think? Has anyone tried DHEA? Some other products suggested were 5-HTP too, and then GABA at night. Here's the review:
"I've suffered from a lifelong learning disorders, depression and social anxiety. Recently I ran across a case study of an individual with those same problems, who was successfully treated with 7-Keto (and DHEA).
It turns out that many learning disorders and anxiety issues are due to low DHEA levels, and therefore hormonal imbalances. DHEA is considered the "master" hormone that regulates other key hormones released by the adrenal glands. After just a week of supplimenting with mostly 7-Keto (also some DHEA and Pregnenolone) I began to sleep again (lifelong insomnia) and my depression disappeared.
Now I'm able to start focusing and my anxiety has diminished. It's great to be able to once again carry on conversations and to sit down and read a book!"
Posted by LittleLymie19 (Member # 15610) on :
I would look into the neuroscience product line for him...I have a family member that used a couple of supplements from that line and they were wonderful, and they worked! I believe he used Travacor and Excitaplus...but Kavinace is also good for anxiety.
Sam-e is also great.
I haven't tried it myself, but I know of a few people who have also had good luck with St. John's wort.
I hope that helps, and I hope you are able to help your family member! It's very sweet of you to be so willing to help him Posted by LittleLymie19 (Member # 15610) on :
A great resource for alternative ways to treat psychiatric disorders
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Thank you so much LL! This is a very important person to me, and he's in a pretty dark place. I feel like I have to do something. He lives all alone too, so he really needs something that will get him motivated to leave the house and embrace life.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
5htp converts to serotonin. That's the closest you will get to Prozac. Prozac recycles the serotonin your body makes.
If he is in a fragile state I would be careful what you send. 5HTP is pretty safe. Neuro science makes one called Serene but it's pretty pricey. It has some other nutrients in it as well.
You can get 5htp by any other brand and it will be much cheaper than Serene.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
what about st. john's wort?
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
DHEA should not be taken unless the body is deficient and should be taken under the guidance of a medical professional.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Thank you!
Okay, I've been reading some reviews on iherb.com, to get a sense of what helps the most people.
5-HTP seems like a good bet, so I think I'm gonna order a brand on the site with good reviews (Doctor's Best or NOW brand).
Also, some people say that L-Theanine, the amino acid, helps balance their mood and anxiety. I noticed it is in some of those pricier NeuroScience supps. I figured I could order the L-Theanine too, and tell him to add it in a week after he starts the 5-HTP, in case there is an anxious element to why he is "down." Also, L-Theanine is supposed to support the body in times of stress, and his job is very stressful.
I thought about St. John's Wort, but since it's an herb (I think), I figured for now I would try boosting his body with things naturally found in it first.
Mag is a good suggestion too Carol, and I think he has some at his place already, so i could bring that up. He already takes Fish Oil every day.
Any more input is still appreciated.
He is a young man, no other health problems known--so his body is not that fragile, and I figure experimenting with a few of these will do more good than harm at this point. He isn't really in a fragile state psychologically either, he just seems very depressed, but not fragile or suicidal. He is able to handle a high-stress job, he is just "miserable," to use his words. But like I said, it seems to be more than situational.
The only health problem he may have, very slightly, is like me he may have some genetic dysautonomia, because he always has a fast pulse, like me.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Thanks Abxnomore----that's good to know.
I'm thinking I'm leaning towards the 5-HTP and L-Theanine right now, so knowing that is confirming what I was thinking.
And, I was hoping to try things that will be safe for people to take, even if you aren't deficient. So good to know.
I was also considering a bovine adrenal supplement, because I'm thinking his adrenals must be fried because he is doing a very high stress job (he is leaving eventually), only having time for 5 hours sleep per night, and he is also dealing with love life issues. For what I gather about the bovine supps, they "support" the adrenal glands in times of stress....so I'm thinking they are not risky for most people to take like the DHEA would be?
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
L-theanine will probably be fine for the day time.
5HTP will help him get good sleep and increase serotonin levels.
I would not give him any adrenal stuff like that, without testing you can make things worse.
Research an adaptagen such as Ashwagandha or Rhodiolia.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Thank you very much.
So you think he should take the L-Theanine in the AM, and the 5-HTP in the evening?
He is already doing one adaptogen, in some tea I ordered him. He really likes this tea. It has Holy Basil in it, I think. I got that for him awhile back when he was also doing poorly with the stress. I will consider other adaptogens too.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
I'm not a doctor but I think that would be good to take it that way. L theanine relaxes you and helps with concentration and 5HTP increases serotonin, which I believe converts to melatonin which will help him sleep and improve his mood mood as well.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
B vitamins--B complex or, as a food, brewer's yeast (which can be tough to take, due to the yucky flavor)--can really help with mood and mental functioning.
These would undercut any other type of herb or specialized natural product, and be more likely to give a positive result.
Best,
Cass A
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Ginko Biloba.
Posted by Peedie (Member # 15355) on :
SAM-E 400mg. daily First thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Work out in a Gym - tennis - bike riding - something which really kicks up the cardio and gets the good hormones flowing to balance the bad.
A support group of some kind - Church if he is inclined to get his mind off himself and his misery.
To focus on a bigger world and accept people and things with their faults because nothing and nobody is perfect.
To talk with others and know he is not the only one, but unless he is willing to change his perception of things -- his life will remain depressing and sad.
Best wishes to you and your family. Hope this helps - we all get depressed - sometimes. -p
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