Dr. Joel Nathan
03-15-2009, 04:09 PM
I am focusing this report on substance abuse issues. The risk of depression is increased with alcohol or substance abuse among other conditions. Depression is not a character defect or sign of personal weakness.
Having in a 2-week span depressed mood and marked diminished interest or pleasure plus at least 3 of the following make the diagnosis:
Significant weight loss or gain
Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
Agitation or extreme sluggishness
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Fatigue
Diminished concentration or indecisiveness
Suicidal ideation
The real deal is that all feelings or emotions are associated with chemical changes in the brain. That is why meditation, exercise, massage and acupuncture all can help decrease stress and depression too. Neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins (natural opioids made in the brain and increased by exercise) are not in balance when you’re depressed.
Also other hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and thyroid hormone deficiencies can lead to depression. Patients who are treated for Hepatitis C with interferon and ribaviron can have severe depression. It is interesting that Procrit that is sometimes used to treat anemia in these patients can also help not only elevate blood count but there are receptors to this medication in the brain that help to lessen depression.
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in appropriate medical dosages such as is seen in the treatment of low testosterone levels in older men and in women can elevate mood and therefore decrease depression. When used in higher doses as is seen in the bodybuilding arena, mood elevation can extend to agitation, aggression and rage. This severely depletes the body of the neurotransmitters listed above. When depleted of the neurotransmitters, depression occurs.
Since testosterone production by the body is decreased when on testosterone, when one goes off this, the low testosterone levels that occur will lead in many cases to depression. The loss of size, weight or strength also leads some to feel less adequate and depressed.
Treatment is aimed at specific causes. Antidepressants can help, if needed. There are always side effects so the patient must be aware and educated on this. Antidepressant meds and mood stablizers are not the answer in all cases.
Sometimes, hormonal imbalances such as having low testosterone or low thyroid hormone can lead or add to depression. Medically supervised hormone replacement and monitoring is indicated in these cases.
In the case of testosterone, use of human chorionic gonadotropin post testosterone cycle will get the testes to start their own production of testosterone and decrease depression. Human Growth Hormone in the patient with documented deficiency can also help elevate mood. Psychotherapy with a social worker, psychologist or other counselor can help.
Group therapy and/or 12-step programs provide support to help depression. Just being in a group was shown to increase the survival time of women with metastatic breast carcinoma to help them live a quality and longer life than women on chemotherapy alone. Groups work.
There are a lot of unknown sources of healing of all diseases, including depression and substance abuse. This integrative medicine approach keeps me open minded to the spiritual aspects of health. Whatever mental, physical or spiritual sources that work to help one get and stay healthy need to be explored and studied.
Joel
Having in a 2-week span depressed mood and marked diminished interest or pleasure plus at least 3 of the following make the diagnosis:
Significant weight loss or gain
Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
Agitation or extreme sluggishness
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Fatigue
Diminished concentration or indecisiveness
Suicidal ideation
The real deal is that all feelings or emotions are associated with chemical changes in the brain. That is why meditation, exercise, massage and acupuncture all can help decrease stress and depression too. Neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins (natural opioids made in the brain and increased by exercise) are not in balance when you’re depressed.
Also other hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and thyroid hormone deficiencies can lead to depression. Patients who are treated for Hepatitis C with interferon and ribaviron can have severe depression. It is interesting that Procrit that is sometimes used to treat anemia in these patients can also help not only elevate blood count but there are receptors to this medication in the brain that help to lessen depression.
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in appropriate medical dosages such as is seen in the treatment of low testosterone levels in older men and in women can elevate mood and therefore decrease depression. When used in higher doses as is seen in the bodybuilding arena, mood elevation can extend to agitation, aggression and rage. This severely depletes the body of the neurotransmitters listed above. When depleted of the neurotransmitters, depression occurs.
Since testosterone production by the body is decreased when on testosterone, when one goes off this, the low testosterone levels that occur will lead in many cases to depression. The loss of size, weight or strength also leads some to feel less adequate and depressed.
Treatment is aimed at specific causes. Antidepressants can help, if needed. There are always side effects so the patient must be aware and educated on this. Antidepressant meds and mood stablizers are not the answer in all cases.
Sometimes, hormonal imbalances such as having low testosterone or low thyroid hormone can lead or add to depression. Medically supervised hormone replacement and monitoring is indicated in these cases.
In the case of testosterone, use of human chorionic gonadotropin post testosterone cycle will get the testes to start their own production of testosterone and decrease depression. Human Growth Hormone in the patient with documented deficiency can also help elevate mood. Psychotherapy with a social worker, psychologist or other counselor can help.
Group therapy and/or 12-step programs provide support to help depression. Just being in a group was shown to increase the survival time of women with metastatic breast carcinoma to help them live a quality and longer life than women on chemotherapy alone. Groups work.
There are a lot of unknown sources of healing of all diseases, including depression and substance abuse. This integrative medicine approach keeps me open minded to the spiritual aspects of health. Whatever mental, physical or spiritual sources that work to help one get and stay healthy need to be explored and studied.
Joel