natural alternatives to prozac and wellbutrin

[262000]

Has anyone come across any books or literature on alternative therapies to Prozac and wellbutrin?
I have a client who wishes to discontinue her medications and would be comforted by some literature to support her transition on to natural therapy.
Thank you
Jessica  

[jodi f.]

Hi Jessica,
Are you familiar with the Designs for Health website? If not, do check it out. As a registered professional you get access to their Library, which has research materials and MP3 interviews you can listen to (Ed was interviewed). There's lots of neurotransmitter information, including the use of 5HTP to rebuild serotonin levels.  

[Teresa]

check out julia ross's work/books:  the mood cure, and the diet cure. 
if she's alcoholic, by chance, check out the woman (who is actually the base of the above formentioned work by julia ross...)  joan mathews larson, "seven weeks to sobriety" where she discusses a lot of nutritional and supplemental work on moods, etc.

good luck,
teresa

[Harrington]

I just signed up today so my asnwer is also delayed but I would also point you in the direction of Julia Ross.  I read her book and was able to self diagnose and treat myself with 5-HTP I have not been depressed since I started taking it.  I may be just lucky but it is worth checking out.  She has a clinic near San Francisco that may be worth checking out or referring your client to.  I wouldn't recommend self diagnosis and treatment to a client but I was willing to take the risk with myself because I had read a lot about it.

[samten/samuel smith]

Dear Jessica,
Ed gave an excellent public talk on July 12,2006, entitled "Lose The Blues". He gave an explanation of the brain circumstances of Depression and Bipolar Disorder, and gave some nutrition and lifestyle suggestions.
I hope the following is an accurate account of what Ed advised:
Small, high-protain meals throughout the day,
Higher proportion of proteins at breakfast and lunch, more carbohydrates later in the day,
Greens at each meal. Includes algae,
No caffein,
Booster foods (algae, sea vegetables, yeast, herbs) at least once a day,
Low-glycemic, nonalergenic whole grains,
Fruit sections including pulp.The skins of apples, onions, and potatoes.
Soft egg yolks every day,
Plentiful seeds and nuts,
Plentiful omega-3 foods,
Dark meat turkey,
Fresh fruit or vegetable snacks with nut butters
Chocolate (1 oz. per day o.k.).
His lifestyle suggestions were;
Noticing what nakes Depression better or worse,
Up at dawn, to bed at dusk,
Engendering a strong sense of self,
Giving oneself permission to slow down and be less productive as one ages.

I did my Final Project on Depression and Bipolar,devised a five-day menu, and demonstrated some of my recipes in class.
I have a background in counseling and I am considering a specialty in being a personal natural foods chef for people with Depresion and Bipolar.
I hope this information is of some help.
Sam Ten

[Harrington]

Sam,

I am thinking of eventually specializing in depression/food addictions/eating disorders.  If you would be willing to share you final project, I would love to read it.  If you are interested, here is my e-mail.  kavuzi40@yahoo.com.

Casey

[samten/samuel smith]

Dear Casey, I just sent you the first pages of my paper on Depression/ Bipolar. Let me know if you received it and if you want the remainder of the report.
SamTen

[Harrington]

Sam, 

I would love to read the rest of your paper.

Thanks
Casey

[ElizabethW]

Hi Jessica, I haven't read this book but I remember seeing it on the shelves called "Potatoes Not Prozac" If you haven't seen it before it may be of help.
Elizabeth

[BethlehemF]

Hello Jessica,
I would also recommend Julia Ross's book 'The Diet Cure'. Look especially at "Refueling Your Brain Chemistry with Amino Acids" chapter on p. 117 for supplements and the chapters in part 3 for beneficial foods (protein and EFA rich foods).  I  would also like to recommend the following two reports on how food affects our brain and mood.  You will find really good information and recommendations.  Links for reports found on website
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/page.cfm?pagecode=PRFM
Reports
1.Feeding Minds - the impact of food on mental health
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/html/content/feedingminds_exec_summary.pdf
2. Changing Diets, Changing Minds: how food affects mental well being and behavior
January 2006
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/html/content/changing_minds.pdf

I would like to caution your client, however, not to stop taking prescription medications on her own but to work with her physician while getting off meds and switching to natural supplements.  Abrupt discontinuation of psychiatric drugs can have adverse effect especially when your brain is not fully equipped to take over the job by itself yet.  (This is from my own personal experience with these drugs).  Slowly decreasing dosage overtime is recommended.  The role of stress-reducing and relaxing activities of choice and exercises in conjunction with nutrition and supplements cannot be overlooked in managing mental imbalance.

Bethlehem

[BethlehemF]

Also look at the 'what to eat section' of the mental health foundation website:
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/feedingminds/
It also offers a comprehensive nutrition table.

[JulieO]

Hi Jessica,

Another book I would recommend about treating depression naturally is called, "Natural Prozac--Learning to Release Your Body's Own Anti-Depressants" by Dr. Joel Robertson with Tom Monte.  It includes a step-by-step nutritional program for balancing neurotransmitters that cause depression.

Julie

[PaulaB]

Your collection of information and resources are amazing.  I would like to suggest the implementation of a program designed to distribute information on alternative treatments for depression and Bi-Polar Disorder to psychiatrists in the area.  Not all psychiatrists are hung up on pushing pills, though prescription drugs are their main weapon in the battle against mental and emotional illness because that is what they learn in school.  Of course, a method of treatment based on nutritional practice would mean passing some of their earnings on to other professionals, but perhaps they could develop a reciprocal arrangement with local nutritionists.  Mental disorders need to be diagnosed by a professional and then treatment can be tailored to each individual's particular situation using appropriate therapies.