Depression is a horrible disease. I say disease because many people assume that is mental illness. This unfortunate term leads us to assume that depression is a mental illness, that can be fixed with talk therapy. Yet if this is true, then why do we use antidepressant medication? This seems to indicate that we are dealing with an Endogenous Depression as defined here (http://www.google.com/search?complete=1&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=define%3A+endogenous+depression&btnG=Google+Search).

Drug therapy appears to be a palliative (http://www.google.com/search?complete=1&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=define%3A+palliative&btnG=Google+Search) measure, because it does not seem to address the underlying biochemical disorder that is said to cause depression. According to Insel, 40 per cent of patients taking antidepressant medications may experience some improvement, whereas 60 percent do not.
See:

Insel, TR (2006),Beyond Efficacy: The STAR*D Trial, Am J Psychiatry 163:5-7, January 2006 (http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/163/1/5)

It is often argued that medication is a stop gap measure to allow psychologists to treat the real cause of depression, namely past forgotten emotions or unresolved psychological issues hidden in the 'subconscious mind'. Thus according to this theory, depression is an illness where the mind has gone wrong, that can be changed by a program of persuasion (psychotherapy). Of course this assumption is in clear conflict with the biological approach of drug therapy.

Psychologists assume that the abnormal psychological experiences, such as feelings of depression for no apparent reasons, are the causes of depression, whereas the biologically minded therapists believe they are mere symptoms of a deranged biochemistry and not its causes.

Thus with about 60 per cent of patients not benefiting from AD medication and psychologists confusing 'causes and consequences' we should not be surprised that we have made little head way in solving the problem of depression in our community. The incidence of depression is rapidly reaching one in every ten people in the Western world.

Thus we are on the horns of a dilemma. Fortunately, our mythical beast has three horns. The alternative approach to either drug and/or psychotherapy is psychonutrition.

This is simply based on the fact that most of our brain chemicals, such as serotonin (http://www.google.com/search?complete=1&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=define%3A+serotonin&btnG=Google+Search) and others are derived form the food we eat.

Serotonin is produced from tryptophan (http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/rich_sources_nutrients.html#Tryptophan:), a protein and one of the essential amino acids found in food. Other nutrients are required to complete the conversion such as vitamin B6 and magnesium. Thus people on a low protein diet and lacking essential vitamins and minerals are unlikely to produce serotonin.

Perhaps the most important ingredient in the production of serotonin is biological energy called ATP (http://www.google.com/search?complete=1&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=define%3A+adenosine+triphosphate&btnG=Search), without which the body cannot manufacture the feel good neurotransmitters (http://www.google.com/search?complete=1&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=define%3A+neurotransmitter&btnG=Google+Search).

This biological energy is derived form the sugars we eat and when we have an obstruction in the absorption and metabolism of glucose the body cannot produce ATP necessary in serotonin production.

Our inability to produce biological energy is caused mostly by Insulin Resistance (http://www.google.com/search?complete=1&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=define%3A+insulin+resistance&btnG=Google+Search), which among others can cause hypoglycemic symptoms, one of which is depression.

The non-drug treatment for the hypoglycemic syndrome is by going on a Hypoglycemic Diet (http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/hypoglycemic_diet.html).

For a fuller expanation, please read:

Depression a Disease of Energy Production (http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/depression_energy.html)

I do believe that nutrition has a very big factor in how the brain and body functions as a whole. I do not think many people realize how important this nutrition is for everybody and that it might not be a mental or phycological problem as what most people would come up with. Thank you for your post.

Joe

I was diagnosed with depression & panic attacks when I was 17yrs old. I was put on anti-depressants and forces to have a looked at my diet. I had to cut of caffiene, Alcohol as well as other things and I started taking vitamin tablets that included magnesium & zinc extra to increase my vitamin in take. I do believe however stress is a big factor also.

I took myself off the anti-depressants shortly before my 18th Birthday as obviously I wanted to be able to drink alcohol etc to celebrate.

It was through sheer will power and support from friends and family that pulled me through.

If I intake too much caffiene now it can bring on panic attacks, so I try to avoid having too much caffiene. Tea does not count, it helps to calm you down after a panic attack or just as one is coming on, as it contains a stimulnat.

I do drinl alcohol, but only one or two different types, and I don't drink too often. I also make sure I eat 3 meals a day and that it is balanced.

These days Panic attacks occur when I am stressed out. However I am able to control them and I have devised techniques unique to myself to help cope with stress.

I am so much stronger these days and although I have my off days like anyone, depression is a thing of the past for me!! But I do put a ot pf effort into helping those around me to battle depression in anyway I can.