And Did You Know? / Some Thoughts on Depression

Depression or “pure depression” may be defined by markedly increased activity in the deep limbic area of the brain. The deep limbic area contains several parts one of which is the amygdala, also referred to as the “reptile brain” which is plays a major part in the Fight or Flight response that we all respond to as humans.

When we concentrate the deep limbic area is at rest. When the amygdala comes on line in response to a threat or perceived threat, that is when we are afraid/experiencing fear the prefrontal cortex de-activates. The prefrontal cortex is is the brain’s supervisor meaning it is in charge of attention span, forethought, impulse control, organization, motivation and planning. It also modulates energy levels, goal setting ability and some personality functions. There is a lot of responsibility for your brain’s supervisor!

Have you said or perhaps heard someone say “I can’t think straight” or “I just can’t think”? If one is in Fight or Flight mode then one simply CANNOT “think straight. The part of your brain that plans, organizes and is in charge of forethought is shut down. No worries, it will come back online. Depressed persons may experience difficulty in the areas of attentiveness, being easily distracted, off task and even impulsive. (Yes these are also symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder but for the purpose of today’s writing we will focus on depression.)

If a person is diagnosed as clinically depressed a combination of psychotherapy and medication is often the best course of action, realizing that psychotropic medication is meant to be a short term endeavor to help provide relief. Also that psychotropic medication without psychotherapy will most likely not be of much benefit and ultimately will not suffice to provide relief of depressive symptoms.
Wellbutrin, generic name of Bupropion can be of help to increase energy, improve focus and help with achievement. In addition to this medication one will benefit from adding the following lifestyle improvements: exercise (especially in fresh air), eating more protein and less carbohydrates (keeping carbs as mostly if not all complex carbs), and learning techniques to quell negative thought patterns. Milder cases of depression may respond to all of the above without the prescribing of psychotropics such as Wellbutrin.

If the limbic system is frequently shutting down the prefrontal cortex it may also be due to any of the following: physical illness, drug or alcohol abuse, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) which is frequently diagnosed at Colorado’s higher elevations, infections, brain trauma (TBI) or exposure to toxic substances. Additionally if you have a low red blood cell count it may impair treatment of depression. In which case a primary care physician might prescribe Vitamin B-12.

I am not a physician and I am not trained to prescribe medication. I can however recommend what has proven to be beneficial. Some persons with pure depression have seen symptom relief by using DLPA (DL-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and SAMe ( S-Adenosyl Methionine.
DLPA increases adrenaline.
L-tyrosine boosts energy levels, mood and metabolism. May increase motivation and improve concentration. It would be taken 2-3 times per day. The recommended amount that is often suggested is100 -500 mg for children and 500 - 1500 mg for adults.
SAMe has been described as one of the best natural anti-depressants . It aids in neurotransmitters function. The recommended amount that is often suggested is 200 -400 mg@ 2-4 times per day.
If you choose to take a natural supplement always consult with your primary care physician concerning benefits, possible drug interactions and physical health conditions and your psychiatrist if you are currently prescribe psychotropic mediations.

Unfocused anxiety/ depression is not pure depression. You may be experiencing a combination of symptoms that are primarily depressive with some anxiety. If this is the case there is too little activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the brains’s supervisor.
There is increase activity in the deep limbic system or the basal ganglia (one part of that complex deep limbic system) This would mean you are experiencing inattentiveness, distraction, boredom, off task behavior and possibly impulsive behavior. (Sounds like those ADD symptoms again, right? Sometimes adult ADD and depression with anxious features overlap. This is where consulting a trained therapist is the best route and not trying to sort it all out on your own.)

I am not a physician and I am not trained to prescribe medication. I can however recommend what has proven to be beneficial to some persons experiencing mixed anxiety/depression. Some persons have seen symptom relief by using St. Johns Wort, L-tryptophan, 5HTP or Vitamin B6.
L-tryptophan would best be taken at bedtime, 1000 - 3000 mg.
5HTp is said to be 5 - 10 times more powerful than L-tryptophan and would be taken 2- 3 times per day, 50 -100 mg]
Vitamin B-6 would be taken at 50 mg per day.
If you choose to take a natural supplement always consult with your primary care physician concerning benefits, possible drug interactions and physical health conditions and your psychiatrist if you are currently prescribe psychotropic mediations.

In addition these lifestyle changes will help bring relief to mixed anxiety/ depression: exercise (especially in fresh air), eating more protein and less carbohydrates (keeping carbs as mostly if not all complex carbs), and learning techniques to quell negative thought patterns, psycho-education, psychotherapy and support groups.

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