Chronic and treatment resistant depression

by SToni

I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I am currently trying the Neuroresearch amino acids regime of a Dr. Hinz, now deceased. First a D.O. was prescribing these but I am now working with an N.D. prescribing the amino acids.


Telling me to wait a month should not be a big deal but I am struggling with getting out of bed and dressed 99% of the time. Numerous efforts for many years on medications does not bring help, thus being told I have "treatment resistant" depression and anxiety.

Herbs do not help. Talk therapy does not help. I've tried acupuncture even though I'm very needle phobic so the stress of that defeats any potential benefit. I also have very low adrenal function that has yet to be helped after years of trying herbs and supplements.

I eat extremely healthy due to many food allergies and sensitivities. I do not want to end up like some of my family members taking numerous meds and still barely functioning.

I am unable to work, barely taking care of our basic needs. I am a walking dead woman.

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To say you feel like a walking dead woman is very powerful and descriptive for sure. My heart goes out to you. It sounds like you have really been working hard at finding a solution to no avail.

Treatment resistant depression can be tricky and is certainly more complicated to treat then more common forms of depression.

You state that you have tried medications. Were they prescribed by a psychiatrist by any chance? I am not
a big fan of meds and I feel so many people think it is the "magic bullet" that will make them feel joy .. not realizing that the depression itself is typically a mask to other repressed issues. As a result, the pill won't help a person deal with the issues - the root cause.

With that said, with treatment resistant depression usually requires meds carefully prescribed and under the care of a psychiatrist. I would not recommend using a primary care / family physician for treating a mental health disorder.

Also, keep in mind that anything else you take may not fair well with a medication for a depressive disorder. You mental health professional can evaluate everything you are taking, at what doses and ensure you are getting what you need.

They will do a thorough evaluation .. are you taking the right meds, the right doseage, could one med be paired with another to help boost results, do you need more time for the meds to kick in?

I know don't want to be on meds. However, getting on the right meds prescribed by a well qualified psychiatrist can make a world of difference. He/she can also provide you with a well rounded treatment plan that can accelerate your progress.

I commend you for trying so many things. You are strong and courageous and this can be treated. Don't give up hope!

Don't forget other things you can do for yourself like some exercise, a good nights sleep and be sure to stay away from alcohol and drugs.

With light and love,

Dana

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by: SToni

Oh yes, they have been prescribed by a psychiatrist, numerous times, and I literally gave them years to work. Effexor for 7 1/2 years, changing doses, "giving it time". Prozac for 3 or 4 years.

Plus I went to California to the Amen Clinic numerous times and was on various meds prescribed by them through my general physician here in Texas. I am now trying the amino acid regime of Dr. Marty Hinz via Neuroresearch.

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You have been persistant that's for sure. I am surprised none of them helped you at all. Particularly if you are taking them as prescribed.

I will be very interested to hear how the amino acid treatment works for you. How long have you been doing it?

Some other thoughts come to mind that you might want to look into. First, Cytochrome P450 Genotyping test. This is a test they can do to test how well your body can metabolize medications. It is genetic and you mentioned that a lot of your family members are on meds and still depressed. Maybe there's something to this genetically?

Other treatment options to consider (in addition to the amino acid treatment) would be things like Neurolinguistics, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), hypnosis, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), vagus nerve stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation. The last three use different techniques but are all designed to stimulate the mood centers of the brain and have been known to help with depression.

I know that you have done therapy. How "deep" have you gone. Have you dug far into your skeleton closet to uncover and process what you might be repressing?

In the near future I will be launching a new program helping people with depression. It will likely be an 8 week program (1 hour / week) walking people through a step by step process. It will be in a group setting so we can all support one another on the journey. If you're interested let me know and I'll add you to my launch list.

Do let me know how the amino acid treatment works for you.

I truly hope that you find something that will help you recover from this so you can be happy again. My heart goes out to you.

Dana

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