Depression is currently the leading cause of disability world wide.
Recent data suggests that 45% of Australians will experience a mental health disorder in their life time.
More than 3/4 of Australian adults with pre-existing mental health struggles report a worsening of symptoms since the beginning of the pandemic.
Australia is the second greatest consumer of anti-depressant medications in the world. There are more treatment options available and being utilised every year but the prevalence of mental health conditions is on the rise.
Whats more is 1 in 3 psychologists have had to close their books due to over demand in the last 2 years.
The various antidepressants have been compared in many studies. Overall, the commonly used tricyclic antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) were found to be equally effective. Studies involving adults with moderate or severe depression have shown the following:
Without antidepressants: About 20 to 40 out of 100 people who took a placebo noticed an improvement in their symptoms within six to eight weeks.
With antidepressants: About 40 to 60 out of 100 people who took an antidepressant noticed an improvement in their symptoms within six to eight weeks.
In other words, antidepressants only improved symptoms in about an extra 20 out of 100 people.
This is likely due to the fact that, as well as neurotransmitter imbalance there are other primary and secondary drivers of depression that can initiate structural and functional changes in the brain.
These include sustained activation of immune system function, inflammation, brain anatomy and physiology, HPA imbalance and GIT disturbances.
As a naturopath, we seek to not only provide symptomatic relief but understand and address the underlying contributing factors to be able to support and enhance conventional options that are available.
We have access to tools such as the MDA (mood disorders appraisal); The MDA is a questionnaire your practitioner can grant you access to after an initial consultation and is a generally reliable clinical assessment and demonstrates that people with similar symptom pictures tend to present with the same deficiencies, even when symptoms can be caused by several neurotransmitters.
When first launched, a number of tests were done to compare the deficiencies identified in the MDA with pathology, ie. neuroendocrine metabolites and blood histamine levels. The results did coincide and the neurotransmitters that were found to be deficient, were measurably deficient.
Additionally, the use of nutritional and herbal medicine to positively influence specific neurotransmitter levels, when prescribed using the MDA, frequently result in improved symptom pictures.
We also have access to cortisol function testing, neurotransmitter testing and microbiome testing via a pathology clinic which we are able to refer to.
My favourite ways to support mental health through alternative therapies include:
Safffron - Saffron is beneficial for mood due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, serotogonergic, monoaminergic, neurotransmission, neuroprotective and HPA modulating properties.
Supporting GI function - Gastrointestinal bacteria directly synthesise neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, histamine, adrenaline and BDNF. Probiotics also reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Working on improving vagal tone - exposing your body to acute cold conditions, such as taking a cold shower or splashing cold water on your face, increases stimulation of the vagus nerve. While your body adjusts to the cold, sympathetic activity declines, while parasympathetic activity increases.
For more information, please get in touch mjanewellness@gmail.com
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