Does Your Antidepressant Help, Really?
You may have seen the recent headlines citing that there’s no evidence linking depression to a chemical imbalance. Although the initial findings came out 10 years ago, prescriptions for antidepressants have continued to rise dramatically.
You can read about the recent overview of data from studies on tens of thousands of people anywhere you have wifi, but the remaining question here is:
Why are elective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) still being prescribed to correct low serotonin levels when it’s been known FOR 10 YEARS that low serotonin isn’t the cause of depression?
Most of us will meet the criteria for anxiety or depression sometime in our lifetime, so it’s helpful to know the most effective tool for coping. According to the lead authors, treatment should prioritize therapy for managing stressful events (unresolved trauma is an indicator for depression), alongside other practices such as as exercise or mindfulness, or addressing underlying contributors such as poverty, stress and loneliness.
While the review didn’t minimize the very real challenge of depression, it also didn’t downplay the significance of daily choices towards a healthier lifestyle.
The upside to this news is that we have much more agency in our own wellbeing than we were led to believe. Lifestyle changes can make an incredible impact! And if you feel a benefit from your antidepressant, fabulous! If not, you’re not alone.
While the most common interventions for depression are medication and talk therapy, food plays a critical role in mental and emotional wellbeing (hence the emergence of nutritional psychiatry and health coaching). You can eat foods that contribute to brain and gut health or you can eat foods that impair brain and gut function.
For example, a recent study found that people who drink four or more cups or cans of soda every day are 30% more likely to be depressed than people who did not drink soda.
On the flip side, research finds that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may improve psychological well-being in as little as 2 weeks. When you swap out processed foods, for wild caught salmon, dark chocolate, walnuts, spinach, blueberries and more you’ll be building a healthier gut and happier brain with each bite. Nutrition is important, and just one piece of the puzzle.
For many people, getting back to the basics—eating healthy, exercising, and avoiding allergens—can significantly lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety. But even when our diets and exercise habits are stellar, our very thought processes can make us physically ill. Optimizing several factors (sleep, stress, mindset, movement) can make a significant impact. Not that this will cure all mental illness, but it may go a long way towards improving brain health and mitigating symptoms.
Where have you fallen into unhealthy habits that don’t support your well-being? How would it feel to start out on a new foot, rebuilding from the foundation?
Anyone considering withdrawing from antidepressants should seek the advice of a health professional, given the risk of adverse effects following withdrawal.