For goodness sake look at what you eat and drink first

Until you are totally sure you are free of contanmination by, copper, lead, aluminium, etc etc you can not expect any homeopathic treatment to work

Far too many Homeopaths jump in with remedies before ensuring the feild is clear of other problems

NEVER NEVER underestimate the hell that Metal contamination and food contamination can wreak on mind or body

If you haven't had your thyroid checked, I would recommend it...all the books say that most of the psych wards are filled with people that would be perfectly normal if their thyroids were corrected. Most people don't realize how common thyroid problems are...particularly in older women...but everyone can have the problem and it does run in families. I believe there is something at work today that is causing all these thyroid problems, partially it may be all the soy on the market, as it does suppress thyroid.

Also Ignatia and Kali Phos combined is great for insomnia, depression and anxiety.

Good luck,

When a person feels depressed, something needs attention. Too much stress can make
it hard to cope, and important feelings may be suppressed or turned inside. A major
loss or grief requires time and emotional support for real recovery-and even a
buildup of minor stresses (disappointments, setbacks, trouble in relationships, or
work-related problems) can contribute to depression. Dietary deficiencies, allergies andsensitivities, hormonal imbalances, or biochemical conditions may also be involved. A person going through a period of mild sadness or depression may find relief through
homeopathy. The guidance of an experienced homeopath is often valuable, to choose
a remedy that fits the situation best.
Arsenicum album: Anxious, insecure, and perfectionistic people who need this
remedy may set high standards for themselves and others and become depressed if
their expectations are not met. Worry about material security sometimes borders on
despair. When feeling ill, these people can be demanding and dependent, even
suspicious of others, fearing their condition could be serious.

Aurum metallicum: This remedy can be helpful to serious people, strongly focused
on work and achievement, who become depressed if they feel they have failed in
some way. Discouragement, self-reproach, humiliation, and anger can lead to feelings
of emptiness and worthlessness. The person may feel worse at night, with nightmares
or insomnia.

Calcarea carbonica: A dependable, industrious person who becomes overwhelmed from too
much worry, work, or physical illness may benefit from this remedy. Anxiety, fatigue,
confusion, discouragement, self-pity, and a dread of disaster may develop. A person who
needs this remedy often feels chilly and sluggish and easily tires on exertion.

Causticum: A person who feels depressed because of grief and loss (either recent or over time) may benefit from this remedy. Frequent crying or a feeling of mental dullness and forgetfulness (with anxious checking to see if the door is locked, if the stove is off, etc.) are other indications. People who need this remedy are often deeply sympathetic toward others and, having a strong sense of justice, can be deeply discouraged or angry about the world.

Cimicifuga: A person who needs this remedy can be energetic and talkative when feeling
well, but upset and gloomy when depressed-with exaggerated fears (of insanity, of being attacked, of disaster). Painful menstrual periods and headaches that involve the neck are often seen when this remedy is needed.

Ignatia amara: Sensitive people who suffer grief or disappointment and try to keep
the hurt inside may benefit from this remedy. Wanting not to cry or appear too
vulnerable to others, they may seem guarded, defensive, and moody. They may also
burst out laughing, or into tears, for no apparent reason. A feeling of a lump in the
throat and heaviness in the chest with frequent sighing or yawning are strong
indications for Ignatia. Insomnia (or excessive sleeping), headaches, and cramping
pains in the abdomen and back are also often seen.

Kali phosphoricum: If a person feels depressed after working too hard, being physically ill, or going through prolonged emotional stress or excitement, this remedy can be helpful. Exhausted, nervous, and jumpy, they may have difficulty working or concentrating-and become discouraged and lose confidence. Headaches from mental effort, easy perspiration, sensitivity to cold, anemia, insomnia, and indigestion are often seen when this remedy isneeded.

Natrum carbonicum: Individuals who need this remedy are usually mild, gentle, and
selfless-making an effort to be cheerful and helpful, and avoiding conflict whenever possible. After being hurt or disappointed, they can become depressed, but keep their feelings to themselves. Even when feeling lonely, they withdraw to rest or listen to sad music, which can isolate them even more. Nervous and physically sensitive (to sun, to weather changes, and to many foods, especially milk), they may also get depressed when feeling weak or ill.

Natrum muriaticum: People who need this remedy seem reserved, responsible, and
private-yet have strong inner feelings (grief, romantic attachment, anger, or fear of misfortune) that they rarely show. Even though they want other people to feel for
them, they can act affronted or angry if someone tries to console them, and need to be
alone to cry. Anxiety, brooding about past grievances, migraines, back pain, and
insomnia can also be experienced when the person is depressed. A craving for salt and
tiredness from sun exposure are other indications for this remedy.

Pulsatilla: People who needs this remedy have a childlike softness and sensitivity-and can
also be whiny, jealous, and moody. When depressed, they are sad and tearful, wanting a lot of attention and comforting. Crying, fresh air, and gentle exercise usually improve their mood. Getting too warm or being in a stuffy room can increase anxiety. Depression around the time of hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual periods, or menopause) can often be helped with
Pulsatilla.

Sepia: People who feel weary, irritable, and indifferent to family members, and worn out by the demands of everyday life may respond to this remedy. They want to be left alone and may respond in an angry or cutting way if anyone bothers them. They often feel better from crying, but would rather have others keep their distance and not try to console them or cheer them up. Menstrual problems, a sagging feeling in internal organs, sluggish digestion, and improvement from vigorous exercise are other indications for this remedy.

Staphysagria: Quiet, sensitive, emotional people who have difficulty standing up for
themselves may benefit from this remedy. Hurt feelings, shame, resentment, and
suppressed emotions can lead them to depression. If under too much pressure, they
can sometimes lose their natural inhibition and fly into rages or throw things. A person
who needs this remedy may also have insomnia (feeling sleepy all day, but unable to
sleep at night), toothaches, headaches, stomachaches, or bladder infections that are
stress-related.

If need more, you can email me at gary911@doctor.com

Depression

Depression, characterized by unhappy feelings of hopelessness, can be a response to stressful events,
hormonal imbalances, biochemical abnormalities, or other causes. Mild depression that passes quickly
may not require any diagnosis or treatment. However, when depression becomes recurrent, constant, or
severe, it should be diagnosed by a licensed counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Diagnosis may be
crucial to determining appropriate treatment. For example, depression caused by low thyroid function
can be successfully treated with prescription thyroid medication. Suicidal depression often requires
prescription antidepressants. Persistent mild-to-moderate depression triggered by stressful events is
often best treated with counseling and not necessarily with medications.

When depression is not a function of external events, it is called endogenous. Endogenous depression
can be due to biochemical abnormalities. Lifestyle changes and herbs may be used with people whose
depression results from a variety of causes, but dietary and nutrient interventions are usually best geared
to endogenous depression.

Dietary changes that may be helpful: Although some research has produced mixed results,1 several
double blind studies have shown that food allergies can trigger mental symptoms, including depression.2 3
Individuals with depression who do not respond to other natural or conventional approaches should
consult a nutritionally oriented doctor to diagnose possible food sensitivities and avoid offending foods.

Restricting sugar and caffeine in people with depression has been reported to elevate mood in
preliminary research.4 How much of this effect resulted from sugar and how much from caffeine remains
unknown. Researchers have reported that psychiatric patients who are heavy coffee drinkers are more
likely to be depressed than other such patients.5 However, it remains unclear whether caffeine caused
depression or whether depressed people were more likely to want the “lift” associated with drinking a
cup of coffee. In fact, “improvement in mood” is considered an effect of long-term coffee consumption
by some researchers, a concept supported by the fact that people who drink coffee have been reported
to have a 58-66% decreased risk of committing suicide compared with non-coffee drinkers.6
Nonetheless, a symptom of caffeine addiction can be depression.7 Thus, consumption of caffeine
(mostly from coffee) has paradoxically been linked with both improvement in mood and depression, by
different researchers. People with depression may want to avoid caffeine as well as sugar for one week
to see how it affects their mood.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful: Exercise increases the body’s production of
endorphins—chemical substances that can relieve depression. Scientific research shows that routine
exercise can positively affect mood and help with depression.8 As little as three hours per week of
aerobic exercises can profoundly reduce the level of depression.9

Nutritional supplements and other natural therapies that may be helpful: Oral contraceptives
can deplete the body of vitamin B6, a nutrient needed for maintenance of normal mental functioning.
Double blind research shows that women who are depressed and who have become depleted of
vitamin B6 while taking oral contraceptives typically respond to vitamin B6 supplementation.10 In one
trial, 20 mg of vitamin B6 were taken twice per day. Some evidence suggests that people who are
depressed—even when not taking the oral contraceptive—are still more likely to be B6 deficient than
people who are not depressed.11

Several studies also indicate that vitamin B6 supplementation helps alleviate depression associated with
premenstrual syndrome12 (PMS), although the research remains inconsistent.13 Many nutritionally
oriented doctors suggest that women who have depression associated with PMS take 100–300 mg of
vitamin B6 per day—a level of intake that requires supervision by a nutritionally oriented doctor.

Iron deficiency is known to affect mood and can exacerbate depression, but it can be diagnosed and
treated by any nutritionally oriented doctor. While iron deficiency is easy to fix with iron supplements,
people who have not been diagnosed with iron deficiency should not supplement iron.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 can create disturbances in mood that respond to B12 supplementation.14
Depression caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in the absence of anemia.15 Diagnosis of
deficiency requires a doctor knowledgeable in the field of nutrition.

Mood has been reported to sometimes improve with high amounts of vitamin B12 (given by injection)
even in the absence of a B12 deficiency.16 Supplying the body with high amounts of vitamin B12 can
only be done by injection. However, in the case of overcoming a diagnosed B12 deficiency, following
an initial injection by oral maintenance supplementation (1,000 micrograms per day) is possible even
when the cause of the deficiency is pernicious anemia. (See the Vitamin B12 section above for more
information.)

A deficiency of the B vitamin folic acid can also disturb mood. A large percentage of depressed people
have low folic acid levels.17 Folic acid supplements appear to improve the effects of lithium in treating
manic-depressives.18 Depressed alcoholics report feeling better with large amounts of a modified form
of folic acid.19 Anyone suffering from chronic depression should be evaluated for possible folic acid
deficiency by a nutritionally oriented doctor. Those with abnormally low levels of folic acid are
sometimes given short-term, high amounts of folic acid (10,000 mcg per day).

A deficiency of other B vitamins not discussed above (including B1, B2, B3, pantothenic acid, and
biotin) can also lead to depression. However, the level of deficiency of these nutrients needed to induce
depression is rarely found in Western societies.

Omega-3 oils found in fish, particularly DHA, are needed for normal functioning of the nervous system.
Depressed people have been reported to have lower DHA levels than people who are not depressed.20
Low levels of the other omega-3 oil from fish, EPA, have correlated with increased severity of
depression.21 However, researchers have yet to investigate whether omega-3 fish oil supplements help
people with depression.

The amino acid tyrosine can convert into norepinephrine—a neurotransmitter that affects mood. Women
taking oral contraceptives have lower levels of tyrosine, and some researchers think this might be related
to depression caused by the Pill.22 Tyrosine metabolism may be abnormal in other depressed people as
well,23 and preliminary research suggests supplementation might help.24 25 Several nutritionally oriented
doctors recommend a twelve-week trial of tyrosine supplementation for people who are depressed.
Published research has used a very high amount—100 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight (or about 7
grams per day for an average adult). It remains unclear whether such high levels are necessary for
optimal effect.

L-Phenylalanine is another amino acid that converts to mood-affecting substances (including
phenylethylamine). Preliminary research reported that L-phenylalanine improved mood in most
depressed people studied.26 DLPA is a mixture of the essential amino acid L-phenylalanine and its
synthetic mirror image, D-phenylalanine. DLPA (or the D- or L-form alone) reduced depression in
thirty-one of forty people in an uncontrolled study.27 Some doctors of natural medicine suggest a
one-month trial with 3–4 grams per day of phenylalanine for people with depression, although some
researchers have found that even very low amounts—75–200 mg per day—were helpful in preliminary
studies.28 In one double blind trial, depressed people given 150–200 mg of DLPA experienced results
comparable to that of an antidepressant drug.29

Phosphatidylserine (PS), a natural substance derived from the amino acid serine, affects
neurotransmitter levels in the brain that affect mood. In a controlled trial, older women given 300 mg of
PS had significantly less depression compared with placebo.30 After forty-five days, the level of
depression in the PS group was more than 60% lower than the level achieved with placebo.

Levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may be lower in depressed people.
Supplementation with DHEA improved depression in an uncontrolled study with only six subjects.31 A
double blind trial reported a significant reduction in major depression in six weeks using a maximum of
90 mg per day of DHEA.32 In that trial, no people had significant improvement with placebo, but five of
eleven people given DHEA had a 50% or greater decrease in symptoms. Depressed people considering
taking DHEA should consult a nutritionally oriented doctor. In addition, experts have concerns about
the safe use of DHEA, particularly because long-term safety data do not exist. See the DHEA article for
more information about the safety concerns.

Preliminary evidence indicates that individuals with depression may have lower levels of inositol;
however, the clinical application of this remains to be determined.33

An isolated preliminary trial suggests that the supplement NADH may help people with depression.34
Controlled trials are needed before any conclusions can be drawn.

S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is a substance synthesized in the body that has recently been made
available as a supplement. SAMe appears to raise levels of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in
mood regulation, and higher SAMe levels in the brain are associated with successful drug treatment of
depression. Oral SAMe has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for depression in most,35 36
37 but not all,38 controlled studies. While it does not seem to be as powerful as full doses of
antidepressant medications39 or St. John’s wort, SAMe’s effects are felt more rapidly, often within one
week.40

Disruptions in emotional well-being, including depression, have been linked to serotonin imbalances in
the brain.41 Supplementation with 5-HTP may increase serotonin synthesis, and thus researchers are
studying the possibility that 5-HTP might help people with depression. Some42 43 trials using 5-HTP with
people suffering from depression have shown sign of efficacy.44 45 46 Depressed people interested in
considering this hormone precursor should consult a nutritionally oriented doctor.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual supplement for information about
any side effects or interactions.

Herbs that may be helpful: St. John’s wort extracts are among the leading medicines used in
Germany by medical doctors for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Using St. John’s wort
extract can significantly relieve the symptoms of depression. People taking St. John’s wort show an
improvement in mood and ability to carry out their daily routine. Symptoms such as sadness,
hopelessness, worthlessness, exhaustion, and poor sleep also decrease.47 48

The St. John’s wort extract LI 160 has been compared to the prescription antidepressants imipramine,49
amitriptyline,50 and maprotiline.51 The improvement in symptoms of mild to moderate depression was
similar with notably fewer side effects in people taking St. John’s wort. It is important to note, however,
that the above studies compared 900 mg per day of St. John’s wort extract with only 75 mg per day of
the prescription antidepressants. Healthcare professionals consider this a very low amount.

A more recent study compared a higher dose of the St. John’s wort extract LI 160 (1,800 mg per day)
with a higher dose of imipramine (150 mg per day) in more severely depressed persons.52 Again, the
improvement was virtually the same for both groups with far fewer side effects for the St. John’s wort
group. While this may point to St. John’s wort as a possible treatment for more severe cases of
depression, this treatment should only be pursued under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

In the German Commission E monograph, the amount of St. John’s wort taken is typically based on
hypericin concentration in the extract, which should be approximately 1 mg per day.53 For example, an
extract standardized to contain 0.2% hypericin would require a daily intake of 500 mg (usually given in
two divided dosages). Many European studies use higher intakes of 900 mg daily and this has become
the accepted daily dosage in modern herbal medicine. Recent research suggests, however, that
hypericin is not the antidepressant compound in St. John’s wort, and attention is starting to shift to the
compound known as hyperforin.54 As an antidepressant, St. John’s wort should be monitored for four
to six weeks to check effectiveness. If possible, St. John’s wort should be taken near mealtime.

Ginkgo is supportive in the alleviation of depression and has been shown in one double blind study to be
helpful for depressed elderly people not responding to antidepressant drugs.55 Damiana also has a
tradition of being used to stimulate people with depression. Yohimbine (the active component of the
herb yohimbe) inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and therefore may be beneficial in depressive
disorders. However, clinical research has not been conducted for its use in treating depression.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any
side effects or interactions.



Checklist for Depression

Ranking
Nutritional Supplements
Herbs
Primary
Folic acid (for folate deficiency)

Iron (for iron deficiency)

Vitamin B6 (with oral contraceptives)

Vitamin B12 (for B12 deficiency)
St. John’s Wort
Secondary
5-HTP

Phenylalanine/DLPA

SAMe

Tyrosine

Vitamin B6 (for premenstrual syndrome)
Ginkgo biloba (for elderly
people)
Other
Fish oil (EPA/DHA)

Inositol

NADH

Phosphatidylserine
Ginkgo biloba

Damiana

Yohimbe
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[This message has been edited by GARY (edited 19 December 1999).]

Yikes. Good job.

Katiam,
I think GM's assessment is probably correct as I have just been going through a very similar thing which was likely caused by too many of the wrong remedies! Email me if you want details. In the meantime, I'd follow his advice.
johan003@tc.umn.edu