Posted by sapphiredragon on April 25, 2003, at 11:38:34
In reply to Re: Larry, Re: about the chemical imbalance concept » McPac, posted by Larry Hoover on April 25, 2003, at 9:56:30
Thanks to all who have posted on this thread. I would like to especially thank Larry for posting the link to Sobo's article.
There is multi-generational mental illness in my family: bipolar (with psychotic mania), suicidal depression and various forms of anxiety disorders.
Our 24 y.o. son has been seriously depressed since his late teens. He has passionately researched many possibilities for his physical and mental symptoms, and tried out a number of nutritional supplements (including the Pffeifer Center). Some of these were modestly helpful, but none were, in and of themselves, the "magic bullet" he was seeking.
Recently, his depression deepened and my husband and I had to call the police to intercept our son's suicide attempt. We got to him in time and he agreed to hospitalization. For the first time, he was willing to try antidepressant drugs, and within 2 weeks we saw a remarkable improvement. (For the record, he is on 20 mg Lexapro and 10 mg Adderall & uses Ambien as needed for sleep).
It has been almost two months since his hospitalization now, and he said that he feels like the meds give him "space" so that he feels less constricted by the kind of compulsive negative thinking that predominated in his depression. He has begun to venture out socially again, and also has begun an unpaid job internship.
But he's has been continuing to "tweak" his nutritional supplements, and interestingly, like Larry, has found fish oil, vitamin B6 and digestive enzymes to be particularly helpful.
We are fortunate to be working with a psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about the nutritional factors contributing to mental illness. He has been very supportive to our son and respectful of his independent thinking.
I have also really appreciated the PB posters who are exploring multi-faceted approaches to living with mental illness.
Please keep sharing!
poster:sapphiredragon
thread:221657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030423/msgs/222300.html