Topic Title: Depressed
| |  "Depressed"
, Fri 10 Feb 14:03
I was pleased to accidentally come across ur website, it really helped me in understanding St Johns Wart and depression. I am 20 years old and am currently feeling quite depressed, i have felt like this for a couple of months now, and cant seem to find a way to fix whatever it is wrong with me. i have tried changing my diet, exercising more, taking multi-vitamins, u name it, i've tried it. i was about to start taking Prozac, when i came across tis website. My question is, Is it more wiser in my case to take St Johns Wart or should i just stay away from any anti-depressants.??
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Fri 10 Feb 2006 13:58 |
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| | "Re(1):Depressed" , Tue 4 Apr 15:54
(Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, just a psychology student)
A depression lasting several months is considered a major depressive episode, and treatment of some sort is generally recommended--though which treatments are appropriate is a matter of some debate as a major episode can be triggered by any number of things, each of which has a different solution. In the case of a single event causing depression, therapy is often prescribed; in the case of chronic or inexplicable depression, medication seems to be preferred. In all cases, particularly the latter forms, it is also important to ferret out other physiological causes (all kinds of physical ailments can potentially cause depression).
If you can trace your depression to a particular life event, then dealing with that is probably your best course. If not, then it may have to be physiologically addressed, and as you've tried diet and exercise (the front-line solutions), that leaves medications and such.
If you're apprehensive, SJW is likely a better choice than a conventional anti-depressant. (The only advantage prescription antidepressants can claim is more studies on their long-term effects, but those seem to suggest they are worse than with SJW.)
SJW is associated with fewer side-effects and fewer potential discontinuation problems. (Seems like most people go off of it cold turkey without any problems, but don't quote me on that.) So if you want a safe route, SJW is probably the best one available.
I can say from personal experience that simply toughing out a prolonged depression can be counterproductive. It may be that all you need is a kickstart, in which case SJW or a similar solution is ideal because you won't break your brain once you go off it. I can definately relate with the hesitance to try chemical solutions to emotional problems--our society places a fairly hefty stigma on "using pills to solve your problems." But while that stigma may be justified in the case of narcotics and such (since they make all of your problems worse in the long run) I don't think it's a healthy way to look at it when it comes to things like this.
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Tue 4 Apr 2006 12:6 |
| | "Re(1):Depressed" , Fri 10 Feb 19:30
I know exactly how you feel but have been going through depression off and on for 9 years now. I was on paxil for about 4 years, and been off for a year now but the depression is always there, and like you i came across this website and so far have heard good things about st john's wort. Are you already taking it?and if you are how much do you take? Just curious, only started taking them today. Well i wish you good luck , just wanted to say " I know what your going through"
Take Care,
Delcy
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Fri 10 Feb 2006 7:47 |
| | | "Re(2):Depressed" , Wed 15 Feb 13:55
Hello
Im 25 and the more i have looked into depression the more i think i may have been suffering for quite a long time. Im 25 and what has suprised me is how many younger people are feeling depressed, i must admit i though that it was something that was more common in later life.
I too am one of the SJW newbies, started taking it 5 days ago and just having a rather upset stomach at the minute, hoping it will improve soon.
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Wed 15 Feb 2006 11:27 |
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