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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HelenInCalif on April 9, 2003, at 13:42:45
I've been reading a lot here about depression and what people take for it. I need to put together a set of depression fighting supplements for myself to fend off a light but increasing depression due to work stress.
What I need- if it exists- is a spotter (the helper in weightlifting)... something that gives an extra push during times of high stress. In a month the work stress will be done- and I don't want depression to be my big takeaway from this particular job.
What I've read about includes:
- High doses of fish oil(What about flax?) for Omega 3 fatty acids
- SAMe,
- St.Johns Wort,
- DLPA (DL phenylalanine amino acid) plus B-6
My only current medication is dexedrine for ADD.Which of these might be a good start? Can omega 3 and DLPA could be taken together? How about the SAMe? It seems like of these the SJW is more like a traditional AD- taking longer to kick in.
Due to a very recent switch in insurance, it'd be a bad idea to start new prescriptions for another month or two. That's why I'm focusing on supplements.
Posted by linkadge on April 9, 2003, at 14:01:29
In reply to Fending off depression without a prescription?, posted by HelenInCalif on April 9, 2003, at 13:42:45
Many people find releif with SJW alone. If you buy a reputable and standardized brand, you should see effects in 2 weeks.
Fish oil is a good/ all around brain supplement and antidepressant. It has effects on mood and attention (ie may augment your add med) Some report good benefits with flax, but fish oil is more time tested. Plus these fats pass readily through the blood/brain barrier.
Other suplements that are handy for depression
are magneesium, vitamin c (very good for stress induced depression).Perhaps the best suplement you can take for stress and mood is FOLIC ACID. Please whatever you do, start you regiment with this (400-1000 mcg) and you will notice benefits. Good luck
Linkadge
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 9, 2003, at 16:42:20
In reply to Fending off depression without a prescription?, posted by HelenInCalif on April 9, 2003, at 13:42:45
> I've been reading a lot here about depression and what people take for it. I need to put together a set of depression fighting supplements for myself to fend off a light but increasing depression due to work stress.
>
> What I need- if it exists- is a spotter (the helper in weightlifting)... something that gives an extra push during times of high stress. In a month the work stress will be done- and I don't want depression to be my big takeaway from this particular job.The biggies for stress are the water-solubles. That's B-complex, vitamin C, magnesium. Stress trashes these first.
Chronic stress (you'll know if that's an issue) broadens the picture a bit. Anti-oxidants like alpha-lipoic acid, minerals like zinc and selenium, and your fish oils. Vitamin D and betaine are probably good to have, too.
> What I've read about includes:
> - High doses of fish oil(What about flax?) for Omega 3 fatty acidsFlax oil is more useful in women, but there is no substitute for fish oil, IMHO.
> - SAMe,
Betaine is cheaper, and probably just as effective.
> - St.Johns Wort,
You can't take prescription antidepressants with SJW. It works quite well for some people.
> - DLPA (DL phenylalanine amino acid) plus B-6
Morning only. It can be activating.
> My only current medication is dexedrine for ADD.
>
> Which of these might be a good start?I'd start with the water-solubles, and the fish oil. ADD and depression both respond to fish oil (a lot of the time).
>Can omega 3 and DLPA could be taken together?
Yes.
> How about the SAMe?
Don't use it with prescription meds, except under medical supervision.
>It seems like of these the SJW is more like a traditional AD- taking longer to kick in.
Ya, it can take a few weeks. But don't expect supplements to work like rocket fuel, either. We're all a little different. You just have to try stuff.
> Due to a very recent switch in insurance, it'd be a bad idea to start new prescriptions for another month or two. That's why I'm focusing on supplements.Look at it this way. The supplements are good for your health in general (particularly the heart and arteries). Mood effects are bonus.
Lar
Posted by McPac on April 9, 2003, at 22:35:37
In reply to Re: Fending off depression without a prescription? » HelenInCalif, posted by Larry Hoover on April 9, 2003, at 16:42:20
Do you take any probiotics? thnx
Posted by HelenInCalif on April 10, 2003, at 0:38:45
In reply to Re: Fending off depression without a prescription? » HelenInCalif, posted by Larry Hoover on April 9, 2003, at 16:42:20
Looking up definitions of chronic stress: it could be. What I've recently discovered is my immediate supervisor at work fits the definition I've seen of a bully (bullyonline.org) and has caused 3-4 weeks straight of intense stress (with several disconnected episodes before that).
My stress reactions match that website's descriptions, and they do say a person can get something like PTSD after this. Now, with me its only been a month, but still, that is constant stress each workday. The only good thing is that my job is temporary (yay, I won't be making money, but I'll be happy?!) But this depression is still creeping in.
What type of betaine do you use? I see that several forms exist, including betaine citrate and betaine aspartate.
Thanks again for the help!
> > I've been reading a lot here about depression and what people take for it. I need to put together a set of depression fighting supplements for myself to fend off a light but increasing depression due to work stress.
> >
> > What I need- if it exists- is a spotter (the helper in weightlifting)... something that gives an extra push during times of high stress. In a month the work stress will be done- and I don't want depression to be my big takeaway from this particular job.
>
> The biggies for stress are the water-solubles. That's B-complex, vitamin C, magnesium. Stress trashes these first.
>
> Chronic stress (you'll know if that's an issue) broadens the picture a bit. Anti-oxidants like alpha-lipoic acid, minerals like zinc and selenium, and your fish oils. Vitamin D and betaine are probably good to have, too.
>
> > What I've read about includes:
> > - High doses of fish oil(What about flax?) for Omega 3 fatty acids
>
> Flax oil is more useful in women, but there is no substitute for fish oil, IMHO.
>
> > - SAMe,
>
> Betaine is cheaper, and probably just as effective.
>
> > - St.Johns Wort,
>
> You can't take prescription antidepressants with SJW. It works quite well for some people.
>
> > - DLPA (DL phenylalanine amino acid) plus B-6
>
> Morning only. It can be activating.
>
> > My only current medication is dexedrine for ADD.
> >
> > Which of these might be a good start?
>
> I'd start with the water-solubles, and the fish oil. ADD and depression both respond to fish oil (a lot of the time).
>
> >Can omega 3 and DLPA could be taken together?
>
> Yes.
>
> > How about the SAMe?
>
> Don't use it with prescription meds, except under medical supervision.
>
> >It seems like of these the SJW is more like a traditional AD- taking longer to kick in.
>
> Ya, it can take a few weeks. But don't expect supplements to work like rocket fuel, either. We're all a little different. You just have to try stuff.
>
> > Due to a very recent switch in insurance, it'd be a bad idea to start new prescriptions for another month or two. That's why I'm focusing on supplements.
>
> Look at it this way. The supplements are good for your health in general (particularly the heart and arteries). Mood effects are bonus.
>
> Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2003, at 9:33:21
In reply to Larry, Re: Fending off depression , posted by McPac on April 9, 2003, at 22:35:37
> Do you take any probiotics? thnx
I have some in the fridge, but I don't use them regularly. More like a "I think I'll take some today" kind of thing.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2003, at 9:38:13
In reply to Re: Fending off depression... chronic stress, posted by HelenInCalif on April 10, 2003, at 0:38:45
> Looking up definitions of chronic stress: it could be. What I've recently discovered is my immediate supervisor at work fits the definition I've seen of a bully (bullyonline.org) and has caused 3-4 weeks straight of intense stress (with several disconnected episodes before that).
>
> My stress reactions match that website's descriptions, and they do say a person can get something like PTSD after this. Now, with me its only been a month, but still, that is constant stress each workday. The only good thing is that my job is temporary (yay, I won't be making money, but I'll be happy?!) But this depression is still creeping in.The sort of research you've been doing, and the nature of the comments you're making are definitely part of a healthy coping strategy. The simple act of taking these observations will probably lessen their impact on you. You recognize this is a temporary situation, you see the boss for the asshole that he is, and you're seeking resolutions via a number of means. Good for you.
> What type of betaine do you use? I see that several forms exist, including betaine citrate and betaine aspartate.
I have nevers seen betaine citrate and betaine aspartate before. I was thinking of anhydrous betaine, also called betaine freebase, or simply trimethylglycine (betaine is the trivial name, whereas trimethylglycine is the chemist-geek name). I do not recommend betaine hydrochloride.
> Thanks again for the help!My pleasure.
Lar
This is the end of the thread.
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