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Re: Dopamine agonists » Michael Bell

Posted by Geoffrey Ruch on April 12, 2004, at 1:39:26

In reply to Re: Dopamine agonists, posted by Michael Bell on March 4, 2003, at 23:01:38

Michael,
I have not read any of the responses to your message, but I have a few questions eating at me and I was hoping you might be able to help me understand.
First of all, I read on the internet, on a site written by a doctor specializing in Social Phobia and Avoidant Personality Disorder, that Parnate is superior to Nardil in treating these disorders. So I'm confused by your assertion that Nardil is superior. Can you tell me where you got this information from. I just started on Parnate a few weeks ago and I'm curious as to why I'm hearing conflicting information.

Next, and most puzzling to me is in regards to Norepinephrine. I am aware that it acts both as a neurotransmitter (in the brain) as well as a hormone from the adrenal cortex. Now, many hypotheses about the cause of depression relate to the belief that Norepinephrine levels are low in the brains of depressives, and thus increasing levels of this neurotransmitter could help in the treatment of depression. Obviously there are numerous drugs out, including Tricyclics, MAO inhibitors, and newer drugs like Effexor, etc. that do just that. Additionally, naturopathic doctors recommend such supplements like the amino acid precursors L-Tyrosine and Phenylalanine (in part) because they can increase Norepinephrine levels in the brain (as well as Dopamine levels). And I've even read that L-Tyrosine has anti-stress qualities (ie. helping people cope with stress). For instance, in a book called "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Tyrosine is at the top of the list of recommended supplements to deal with stress.
Now with all this said, Norepinephrine as a hormone is involved in the "fight or flight" stress response, and it seems, therefore, that it would increase stress and not HELP with dealing with it; and it would seem that this would impact negatively on depression (ie. increased stress can cause depression). So I'm incredibly confused! I mean, what's the deal? Is Norepinephrine, as a neurotransmitter, a completely different substance from the hormone? Or are some people with depression lacking in this hormone in addition to the neurotransmitter?
If you-- or anybody else-- could help me understand this (or direct me to where I could find help in understanding it) I would be GREATLY appreciative!!! I mean, if a depressed person under constant inner stress could benefit from increased levels of the NE neurotransmitter but be negatively impacted because of higher NE hormone levels, then what is one to do in such a case??? I'm sure the situation is very complex and it's not as simple as I have laid it out to be. Still, though, there has to be some kind of way to understand it. It's a shame I never asked my psychiatrist to explain it. Now I see a county doctor (in L.A.) who I see for about 20 minutes a session every month and a half, and I really haven't had the time to ask for an explanation.
Anyway, thank you all for allowing me into this discussion!!! I hope it is not too "off-topic." But I think it is relevant nevertheless.


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Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:Geoffrey Ruch thread:205134
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040407/msgs/335408.html