The Treatment of Depression
In addition to hypericum, which we will discuss shortly, there are two medically proven methods of treating depression: (a) two specific forms of "talk" therapy and (b) antidepressant medication.
The talk therapies are Cognitive Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. They are short-term, usually less than twenty one-hour sessions. Both involve the therapist working with the client in reshaping the client's thinking, perceptions, and view of the world so that they better serve the client.
These therapies rely on the fact that if one's view -- one's cognition -- of the world, relationships, and oneself is made less depressing, then one tends to feel less depressed.
Some people have never learned to see the world, themselves, and their relationships in anything but depressing terms. Cognitive and Interpersonal therapies aim at teaching a person how to live more reasonably, joyfully, and productively.
Even though the focus of this book is treating depression with hypericum, please do not conclude that we do not enthusiastically support and recommend Cognitive Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy, because we do.
The second form of treatment is antidepressant medication. In the past few decades, antidepressant medications have dramatically changed the way in which depression is treated.
Antidepressants work on the generally accepted medical theory that depressed people have a biochemical imbalance, which is sometimes genetic. This internal biological imbalance causes the brain to function at less than optimum levels. It is this biochemical imbalance that leads to the mental, emotional, and physical ramifications known as depression.
The human brain is the most intricate, complex, and exquisite communication center on earth. Ten billion brain cells transmit billions of messages each second. And, as Alan Watts pointed out, "It does all this without our even thinking about it." The biochemical messengers of this communication are known as neurotransmitters. (Neuro refers to the brain cells and transmitter to sending and receiving information.)
When neurotransmitters are at appropriate levels, the brain functions harmoniously. We tend to feel good. We have hope, purpose, and direction. Although we certainly experience the ups and downs of life, the overall mood is one of well-being, confidence, and security.
Research indicates that a deficiency in some of the neurotransmitters may be one cause of depression. On the other hand, excess amounts of neurotransmitters may be a cause of the manic phase of manic-depression.
Restoring these neurotransmitters to natural levels by way of antidepressant medication brings the brain back into harmonious functioning and a return to well-being.
The biochemical imbalance known as depression is not cured, but it can be successfully treated for as long as the depressive illness persists. (For some people, it will be the rest of their lives.)
Unfortunately, antidepressant medications have gotten some undeserved bad press. Antidepressant medications, taken under medical supervision, are among the safest of prescription medications.
There are side effects to antidepressant medications, just as there are side effects to all prescriptive medications. (That's one of the reasons they require a prescription.) Roughly half the people who take antidepressant medications, however, experience no side effects at all.
The side effects of prescription antidepressants include decreased sexual desire or function, dry mouth, nausea, tiredness, restlessness, and negative interactions with alcohol or other drugs.
Different antidepressant medications have different side effects in different individuals. If an unpleasant side effect is experienced with antidepressant A, antidepressants B, C, D, E, and more are still available to treat the depression.
More than seven million people in the United States are successfully being treated with antidepressant medications. Thanks to antidepressants, these seven million live happier, healthier, more productive lives.
Copyright © 1996 by Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D. and Peter McWilliams
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