Posted by Simus on March 31, 2004, at 1:24:56
In reply to Re: Do antidepressants really work?, posted by snapper on March 29, 2004, at 21:44:50
Snapper,
I have been reading some of your posts, and I think you are on the right track.
Certain medications have helped me to some degree, but others, well, I am glad that those other experiences are behind me.
But I am starting to strongly believe that we need to address the underlying cause of our problems, not just put a "band-aid" on the symptoms. Yes, the drugs can help our brains use chemicals more efficiently. But why are our brains low in these chemicals in the first place?
My research keeps pointing to nutrition. I don't mean JUST a healthy lifestyle: good diet, exercise, sleep, avoiding stress, etc. But also added vitamins, minerals, amino acids, Omega oils, etc., in the right balance for OUR bodies. That is easier to say than to achieve, because so many factors come into play. How does our body digest the nutrients it gets? Are there any genetic factors that cause our bodies to not utilize certain nutrients properly? Do we have excess of certain minerals that deplete us of others? There are so many factors.
I am still on ADs. And I may be for a while yet. It is tough to figure out what your body needs nutritionally, and what it has in excess. I have found that doctors don't generally see the value in nutrition, and thus aren't greatly helpful. I don't completely blame them. The drug companies have a lot at stake, and they have the ear of the medical community. Money talks. And then there is the fact that medical insurances do not always cover "unconventional" testing and treatment. How ironic that the one thing that may save them from the ridiculous costs of ADs, they won't even consider covering.
Good luck on your journey back to health.
poster:Simus
thread:330066
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040329/msgs/330651.html