17 replies to this topic

[vader]

I think that medicating depression is futile. I have tried now many numerous anti-deps - they all suck for protracted depression / dysthymia / ptsd / anhedonia, whatever You want to call it. If it's sickness behavior, then we should treat the sickness - but how (then again, many people even on their death-bed seem to be perfectly fine hedonists with no evident depression)? Even new treatments like ketamine or psilocybin give short-lived results at best. 

[experimenting]

Man, I’ve dealt with depression like symptoms for years. You’ll see my post history, I have been fighting the fog forever. I’m still not getting anywhere yet, and I’m considering giving up the fight.

But you shouldn’t give up yet. Have you done all bloodwork? Literally everything? Tried every vitamin, amino acid to start with? Dietary modifications? Hormone modifications?

Antidepressants were useless for me too-because I have so many physical symptoms, my problem isn’t solved by adjusting my neurotransmitter ratios.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a cure for you. You just have to get creative. Carefully list your mental AND physical symptoms. Labwork. Etc etc.

[experimenting]

I think that medicating depression is futile. I have tried now many numerous anti-deps - they all suck for protracted depression / dysthymia / ptsd / anhedonia, whatever You want to call it. If it's sickness behavior, then we should treat the sickness - but how (then again, many people even on their death-bed seem to be perfectly fine hedonists with no evident depression)? Even new treatments like ketamine or psilocybin give short-lived results at best.

Look at your family members too. What symptoms do you share with them?

[gamesguru]

A lot of treatment resistant depression has anhedonic traits, and a probable dopamine or glutamate component.

 

It's a matter of finding something that works for you.  For me it's tea, magnesium, turmeric.  Commercial antidepressants don't directly work by serotonin, it's a lever mechanism which controls BDNF and hippocampal neurogenesis with some secondary rewiring down the serotonin pathways.  This effect, and the bulk of the benefits, can be obtained by myriads of other approaches.  Exercise and flaxseed with a more balanced diet would have significant benefits alone.

[experimenting]

A lot of treatment resistant depression has anhedonic traits, and a probable dopamine or glutamate component.

It's a matter of finding something that works for you. For me it's tea, magnesium, turmeric. Commercial antidepressants don't directly work by serotonin, it's a lever mechanism which controls BDNF and hippocampal neurogenesis with some secondary rewiring down the serotonin pathways. This effect, and the bulk of the benefits, can be obtained by myriads of other approaches. Exercise and flaxseed with a more balanced diet would have significant benefits alone.

Hey mate-

Did you manage to look at my thread in Brain Health?

Have I gone completely insane?

[Rorororo]

Depression is hard because it is such a generic disease.  It just means something is depressed.  You can treat it if you eliminate any possibilities, this will take time and money.  You can also use process of elimination (a good pysch. should be able to do this) by using attributes of your lifestyle, personality to pinpoint on what exactly is low. 

 

Its like asking is there a treatment for people that are high.  It depends, what exactly is high? Which level is high?

 

Don't keep your hopes down, there is MANY ways to treat some one now a days!

[jack black]

i had dysthymia all my life and some other comorbid conditions too. the only antidepressant that worked for me was Serzone, but it was pulled from the market many years ago due to ridiculously rare liver complications. it worked so well, i took 1/8 of pill every day with clear benefits and no side effects.

 

over the years, i figured out these were things that helped me to lessen my condition a little bit: vit B complex, NAC, Ashwaganda, carnosine, and lithium orotate. occasional psychodelics work too. i tried tons of other things with no results.

 

eating vegetable based diet (especially beans) helps me, but gluten and simple carbs make it worse. alcohol makes it worse.

 

the biggest help was actually from reading books on CBT, practicing mindfulness, and changing my outlook on life and my mindset. i used to be a perfectionist pessimist asshole and it was killing me slowly. now i forced myself to see glass half full, be spiritual, and engaged with friends and family, and developing strong and meaningful human connections.

 

IMHO, medications are useful to jump start your transformation, but one will not get better long term without hard work on your psychological issues. i'm sure good therapists can help with that, but i was not fortunate to find a good one. it can be done by yourself. the info is free and available on the internet/youtube, etc. 

[gamesguru]

there are some new breakthroughs on anhedonic depression.  Sometimes lifestyle choices like exercise, diet and attitude, and little things like turmeric/ginger, flaxseed, and magnesium can give a good boost.

[poonja]

Please check the first post regarding j142.  He reports long standing del depression that was cured four days after be inning use of j147.  I do nor suffer from depression but have found a mind brightening effect.  No known side effects.  well worn checking out imho.

[gamesguru]

its fake, he never had depression.  And you can't claim remission after 4 days.  Need months follow-up to confirm result.

[joee]

Turns out depression isnt really a thing.  Let me explain.  Sad feels, 'depressed' feels- are supposed to be temporary, passing things.

Ive been diagnosed with dysthimia at first.  Long lasting moderate to mild depression with bouts of legit heavy depression mixed in.

What Ive learned from a LIFETIME of wrestling with this.

Im not depressed.  I can be... but my issue..   Im BORDERLINE.  I have borderline personality disorder.  And I DISSOCIATE or had a habit of doing it.

I believe depression not to be an actual feeling, but a place along a spectrum between complete dissociation, and vitality.  With depression being close to dissociation.  
I see it as a retreat, a semi constant FREEZE response.

At least this is the picture I have of myself, for this issue.  Because long term depression, aint really a thing.  Feelings are transient.

[Dustin Bernhard]

I like the new approach they're taking with psilocybin and other previously illegal drugs. I do believe their are a lot of benefits to be had from the psychedelic experience. The problem comes when you reach the integration step as it's often a very spiritual or even religious experience but since most people already have there pre-conceived ideas about spirituality and religion it can be difficult to experience the full benefits. Even with an open mind some people just can't really wrap their heads around spirituality and all the lessons plant teachers have to offer us as they are kind of like solving riddles in a way and can also be quite complex, well psychology in general is complex as well though I guess. Often they'll learn about the neccessary lifestyle changes they need to make. Usually the same things a doctor would tell you but for some even a mystical experience like that isn't enough to really drive the point home unfortunately.

[EvaWhite]

Spirituality is one way. I was doing meditation to get out of thing when I had that phase. 

[Jesminnovak]

My sister struggled for years with depression and tried so many medications without much relief. It was tough seeing her go through that. We even looked into alternative treatments like ketamine and psilocybin, but like you said, the results were short-lived.

[adamh]

Depression likely has a number of causes. Antidepressant drugs sometimes work but fail for the majority of patients. There are many other things that have an anti depressant effect, drugs but also behavior therapy. A brightening of mood is a side effect of many medications meant for other things. This varies with the individual so we can't say one thing will have the same effect for everyone. Physical exercise can have a beneficial effect on mood.

 

Things I've come across that seemed to have uplifting effects not mentioned in this thread include nmn, mots c and st johns wort. Ketamine has a danger of addiction but seems to work but if the depression returns, the ket eventually loses its effect. Opiates have a temporary mood lifting effect but are no good for long term.

 

Some newer methods include brain stimulation with electricity or with magnetic fields. Some people have gotten benefits with that. Acupuncture may help in some cases. Hyperbaric oxygen may help some. There is usually no one thing that fixes it so a combination of drugs, exercise and perhaps talk therapy should be pursued using things that work. Chinese and indian medicine have herbs that can help such as ashwaganda. Try everything and find what works for you 

[Jesminnovak]

My sister struggled for years with depression and tried so many medications without much relief. It was tough seeing her go through that. We even looked into alternative treatments like ketamine and psilocybin, but like you said, the results were short-lived.

 

It's frustrating when nothing seems to work. Have you considered reaching out to someone at mentalhealthhotline.org? Sometimes just having someone to talk to who understands can make a difference.

Edited by Jesminnovak, 14 May 2024 - 06:47 AM.

[Peptide.ltd]

Depression is a complex psychological condition that can seriously affect the patient's normal life. Although there is no universal treatment, there are ways to help control and relieve depression symptoms.

 

The common method is drug treatment: there are some antidepressants that can help fight depression, such as Semax, Selank, Protirelin and other peptide drugs, as well as Tianeptine sodium, Coluracetam and other supplements. These drugs are helpful for the treatment of depression.

 

If drug treatment does not work for you, you may also try some psychotherapy methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT) and other types of counseling can provide strategies for coping and controlling depression. .

 

At the same time, changing your lifestyle, maintaining good living habits, and establishing and maintaining specific social relationships can reduce your loneliness to a certain extent, which will also help the treatment of depression.

 

In short, you should not give up looking for solutions. There are always more solutions than difficulties. I hope these suggestions can help you

[hydrus]

I think the idea of depression might be flawed. There may be some cases where it is appropriate but in many cases it isn't.

Much of what is called depression today is just a vague constellation of subjective symptoms can have many different causes.

 

Often it's just a symptom of something being wrong in your metabolism that manifests itself in a way that affects your brain function.

 

Depression treatment which is just superficial neurotransmitter manipulation doesn't fix anything.

 

It's effects are often achieved by numbing or disassociating people that's why the success rates for it are so low.

 

Instead of adopting the reductionistic approach, one could take  a more holistic view. Depression might be something affecting your entire body not just a select neurotransmitter receptor in your brain.

 

Keep in mind that many physical diseases today were once considered to be psychiatric. Much of what is called depression today will eventually viewed as a non-psychiatric illness as well. 

 

Instead of trying to trick or brainwash your brain into ignoring very real problems in your body, a cure would attempt to identify a real physical problem in your body and treating it. If that isn't possible one could at least attempt to promote general health by supporting the hormone, immune, digestive system etc.