The article “The Serotonin Theory of Depression: a Systematic Umbrella Review of the Evidence” published July 20, 2022, proves the notion of ‘brain chemistry’ causing mental illness most especially depression as being nothing more than a great marketing ploy. Their article reviews the research up to now and there was never been any real data to back up these claims EVER!
For many patients, the idea that it is their brain chemistry that is off, instead of dealing with the real underlying cause of most of these issues, emotional issues most often based on experiencing trauma was a relief. However, this whole notion of brain chemistry did more harm than good for the many people who truly needed to deal with the negative effects of being traumatized, feeling that they were unworthy of love, money, etc. Instead, they were led down this path of potentially relieving the symptoms that were being caused by these emotional problems with medication, instead of doing the real healing work involved in overcoming these problems.
Unfortunately, most doctors do not have the time to read the actual studies so they believe what the pharmaceutical reps tell them as they peddle their psychotropic medications to them through office visits and having other doctors speak on their behalf at hospital conferences and meetings.
The findings of the meta-research are:
“This review suggests that the huge research effort based on the serotonin hypothesis has not produced convincing evidence of a biochemical basis for depression. This is consistent with research on many other biological markers. We suggest it is time to acknowledge that the serotonin theory of depression is not empirically substantiated.”
So, what are those in the health care field who are feeling depressed to do? And, how can they better help their patients without mind-altering and with negligible positive results?
How about doing the obvious:
Getting some exercise which may take you a couple of minutes to get into, however, the serotonin starts releasing making you happy for the day. If you do your exercise outside by biking, hiking, swimming or playing a sport you enjoy, you will be able to get your Vitamin D which is important in helping one feel happy and alive.
Fish Oil was suggested by my psychiatrist back in 2000 when the lithium I was on was slowing down my kidneys after 13 years of being on it. I never tried it because I found a 5-minute technique shortly thereafter that took care of the problem forever.
I will tell you that my manic depression which was diagnosed in 1990 which is why that term was used instead of bipolar 2, was treated for 13 years with lithium, at times at such a high dose I could not do the most mundane of things because I could not think clearly, and my energy level was so low. I finally got rid of it through a process called Time Line Therapy (R) which my neuro-linguistic trainer, Tad James created in the 1980s. It is a simple process. However, when I was told this is what I needed to do, my brain was so non-functional that I could not recall how to do it even though I had been using this great technique with my clients for the past 8 months. It was a good thing that he was able to tell me the 3 negative emotions that needed to be cleared as I was taken off the lithium as a result of my kidneys beginning to slow down. That 5-minute intervention got rid of the symptoms of bipolar 2 – so hypnotism and neurolinguistic programming are my go-to modalities to heal myself of pretty much anything considered a chronic illness these days.
Dump your negative friends and relatives. No one needs to have that in one’s life.
Dump the mass media news as most of it is paid for by big pharma which is why you are not going to receive the truth regarding health care, and most of it is created to make one nervous, angry, and have feelings of loss.
Listen to uplifting music, or watch comedy on Youtube. It’s hard to feel down when you are allowing happy energy into your life.
Call a friend who cracks you up. I call my Godson whenever I am a bit frustrated or miffed about something because he has the great talent of knowing how to make me laugh without even thinking about it – he just says something and it cracks me up. It’s his greatest talent as far as I am concerned.
Some people have symptoms of depression because they are unable to metabolize the amino acids from the proteins they consume to make the neurotransmitters. If you have not experienced trauma, etc then this may very well be the real cause of your problems.
A leaky gut is another issue that gets in the way of making neurotransmitters, so if you are feeling muscular pain throughout your body because of the inflammation caused by tiny food particles going between the one-cell thick lining of your stomach into your body, this is something to get checked out by a functional or integrative doctor because they have the means to get the correct testing and the right nutrients, and pre and probiotics to help you heal your gut.
Hormonal imbalances especially around mid-life when estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone get much lower are another huge problem for folks. I had two nurses come into my practice for whom this was their problem. However, men also can feel low mood with a lack of testosterone being made in their bodies. One needs to see an endocrinologist or a compounding pharmacist that specializes in sex hormones to have this situation best resolved. A compounding pharmacist saved my life when I was going through this problem myself 20 years ago.
Prescription medications especially antidepressants have been known to cause depression and homicidal feelings in people, many younger patients are affected in this way, but not always which is why there is a ‘black box’ caution on the package of antidepressants and has been for quite a while now. And, there are other medications that can cause depressed feelings, so get that checked out with your pharmacist since they are the experts in medication and the interactions between medications.
Some herbal health products can also cause problems, especially when used while one is taking prescription medication. This was something another of my clients experienced by taking a ‘natural anti-anxiety herbal product while she was on pain medication. She fainted in her boss’s office. Her sister found the problem reading the insert on the herbal product.
So, depression, like physical pain is a symptom that something is wrong and the ’cause’ of the depression needs to be found to effectively get rid of it.
So how about using those methods that have been proven to help – that are non-invasive and will not injure a person’s brain processing? How about doing what we know helps because these interventions are based on how the body was created to work? And, how about we stop beating ourselves up for feeling the way we do and take the proactive steps we all can take most of them easily implementable if we would only take the actions to do them on a daily basis?
Resource:
Moncrieff, J., Cooper, R.E., Stockmann, T. et al. The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Mol Psychiatry (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100062364&CJEVENT=f59e0ead126e11ed8370005a0a1c0e0c#Sec13
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.