Daily Archives: April 27, 2016

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) is a mood disorder that causes drastic changes in mood from high manic phases to depressive low phases. The manic phase is characterized by feelings of elated mood and exaggerated self-importance, talkativeness, little need … Continue reading →

The only true stand-alone CAM therapy for depression is St. John’s Wort. All other CAM therapies are typically considered adjuncts (additions) to other treatments. The following therapies are currently being studied to determine whether they benefit people with depression. These … Continue reading →

5-hydorxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a compound made from the amino acid (protein) tryptophan and is primarily found in the brain. 5-HTP is one of the basic building blocks for serotonin, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) thought to be responsible for mood regulation. … Continue reading →

SAMe (pronounced “Sammy”) stands for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. SAMe is a compound produced by the liver and used throughout the body in a chemical process called methylation. Methylation, essential to many chemical reactions in the body, is one of the last steps … Continue reading →

Omega-3 essential fatty acids (oils), which include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found primarily in fish (such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon) and some plants. While they are necessary for the proper … Continue reading →

Exercising as little as three hours a week can have a profound effect on the symptoms of depression. Researchers are puzzled about the exact reason for the benefits, but studies conducted with animals suggest that exercise increases brain neurotransmitters that … Continue reading →

St. John’s Wort has been used for thousands of years, and is currently one of the top selling herbs in the United States. More prescriptions are written for St. John’s Wort in Germany than many prescription drugs (such as Prozac). … Continue reading →

Everyone experiences sadness and unhappiness at some point in their lives. Clinical Depression, however, is more intense and of longer duration than typical sadness or grief, which interferes with a person’s ability to engage in daily activities. The symptoms of … Continue reading →

The following information describes a variety of other therapies for anxiety. Most of these therapies are mildly sedating, and have been used for years as successful anti-anxiety and calming remedies. There simply isn’t enough well-designed research to support their use … Continue reading →