Are Your Antidepressants Working?

by | Feb 17, 2016 | Blog | 0 comments

Did you know that there are different kinds of depression? Major depression is often treated with antidepressants, which force more serotonin to remain in the synapse between neurons, increasing a sense of wellbeing. But this solution doesn’t often work for chronic depression, or low-grade depression that is often referred to as “treatment-resistant.”

The reason it doesn’t respond as well to anti-depressants is because the chemical imbalance may not be serotonin.

Chronic depression begins to look like a melancholy personality, like Eeyore, the donkey that never seems to smile and always seems to find something to complain about, although in an endearing sort of way.     

But for someone who deals with these symptoms daily, it is not exactly cute. In fact it can create total hopelessness and a sense that there is no sun coming to pierce the grey skies of life.

Chronic depression has a name: Dysthymic Disorder. I have studied dysthymia for many years and have made some conclusions about its chemical nature. It seems to be a deficiency in either beta-endorphins or dopamine. The problem is that both of these brain chemicals are hard to balance naturally; both increasing endorphins with imitation substances, such as narcotics, and stimulating a release of dopamine could be quite addictive.

Dysthymia correlates with Seasonal Affective Disorder. I have encountered many clients that struggle with symptoms of dysthymia most days, but that do seem a little better in the summer months than in the winter months. This occurs especially in Utah, where the inversions and cold winters can seem endless.

One solution that makes a huge difference in the winter for symptoms of dysthymia is Vitamin D. A therapeutic dose of this “sunshine” vitamin could be around 5,000 IUs per day, almost ten times the recommended daily allowance. The vitamin is just one factor, and other nutritional elements may need to be optimized for success, such as calcium.

Are you interested in learning how to balance your brain chemistry naturally?

*You can find much more information in my newly revised book: 10 Ways to Balance Your Brain Chemistry by Cristine Price, M.S. Pre-order the book at a discount price Here.

**For a limited time I am also featuring a free class that explains dysthymia, other mood disorders, addictions and brain chemistry. Enter Classroom Here