Is there an over the counter depression medicine?
January 8, 2010 by admin
Filed under Mental Health
jason asked:
Bonus question! Why do anti depressants sometimes cause thoughts of suicide? Seems like that’d be the last thing they’d do.
Bonus question! Why do anti depressants sometimes cause thoughts of suicide? Seems like that’d be the last thing they’d do.
I am not sure about the suicide part but St. John’s wart is great for depression and anxiety. It is one of the ingredients found in a few precription depression meds. good luck!
St John’s Wort is an herbal medicine that some say help with depression. You should discuss it with your doctor though before trying anything.
I just heard that HONEY works and its been working for me for a few days..the sweetness makes me happy.
In all seriousness.
Marijuana
no meds worked on me… til i hit that sweet sweet cheebah!
I’m not sure about the other question. I’ve wondered that myself.
I don’t believe so, because depression is such a serious medical problem these days, and it’s recomended strongly if you think of your own death alot that you talk to your doctor.
I was put on Prozac, which didn’t work well with me at ALL
then I was put on Zoloft which was amazing, but I took myself off of all medicines to handle things on my own..
Not that I know of. Anti depressant don’t cause thoughts of suicide. I believe it’s what is going on in your life that is causing thoughts of suicide.
I got the last part. Anti depressants mess with chemicals in your brain. Some people dont have a chemical imbalance and so messing with the chemicals is a bad thing. I had that happen to me. I was on birth control AND Cymbalta. I wasnt THAT depressed to begin with but I thought meds might make me happier. Boy was I wrong. Try herbal alternatives like St. Johns Wort. They definitely wont hurt you.
They increase dopamine activity in the synapses in your brain. In some people it can actually through off or lower dopamine level (chemicals that affect your state of happiness) and cause the opposite affect.
And for over the counter… the best thing is exercise increases brain activity with chemicals that will make you feel better
In answer to your first question. I have found that periodically mega-dosing on omega3 fish oils has significantly helped with my depression. Additional OTC remedies include 5htp, SamE & St. John’s Wort. I highly recommend the book The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Antidepression Diet and Brain Program.
Bonus: they’re pharmaceuticals. Nuff said.
There are a few herbal remedies but one thing that really does work with mild depression is stress vitamins - B complex and C - ask the pharmacist. For more severe depression, I would still see a doctor. Often, it is caused by a chemical imbalance that needs correcting. Also, try exercise every day. I know. That is the last thing that you feel like doing. But try. And, once you get it under control, perhaps counselling so that it ever comes back, you will be better equipped to deal with the feelings. Sometimes antidepressants can cause the chemical imbalance to get worse so close monitoring is a must especially at the beginning until you adjust to them.
Some people say the herb St. John’s Wort is an antidepressant. I have no idea. I think natural anti-depressants are sunshine and exercise. You can’t sit in a dark house or room and expect to feel well. Your body is like a clock; it needs the sun to keep it’s cycle’s normal.
St. John’s Wort is commonly used as an over the counter depression treatment. It’s not regulated by the government, and my understanding is that each capsule/tablet or whatever may not have a uniform amount of the herb in it, so you could be getting an inconsistent dose each time. I have talked to people who have used it and they said it helps; I’ve never tried it myself.
I don’t know that anti-depressants cause *thoughts* of suicide. Sometimes when a person starts taking anti-depressants, they are in such a state of depression that they have low/no physical energy - even getting out of bed is a struggle. They’re so unhappy that they have already thought of killing themselves, but haven’t had the energy to do it. Then they start taking the medication, it starts kicking in, and even though they’re not cured from being depressed, they have more energy - enough to actually carry out their plans of suicide.
Sad, eh?
Unfortunately there are no OTC antidepressants. Some people think certain vitamins help, but of course it would be different for each person. Exercise is a natural antidepressant.
Antidepressants work by causing chemical reactions in your body/brain. We’re all different, so that’s why in some people suicidal ideation is a side effect.
Also, recommended reading is a book called Feeling Good and another book called It’s All In Your Head.
Sometimes depression is caused by irrational thought processes. Books can help put things into prospective!
St. John’s Wort is a natural over the counter found in the vitamin and mineral isle that is used for depression. I don’t know your age. I do know that younger people must be careful with anything for depression. It is listed everywhere. I don’t know the reason but I do know it can cause serious problems. So please I suggest you not take anything and see your doctor first.
Hi Jason, there is no OTC antidepressant. Well none that are available in America anyway. You do need to get a prescription from an MD, PsyD, or Psychatrist. Also, when taking an antidepressant, you must remember that in essence, the pill is working different parts of the brain. It actually “gives” the brain a “key” that replicates what would normally be happening if the chemicals in the brain (that are supposed to be there) were present. Its very comlicated. But be careful when taking antidepressants because they will cause you to have suicidal thoughts. Keep a log, keep active, and think positive and be around positive people. this will help. If your medication doesn’t work, call you doc and have him switch your meds. There are many different meds so check them out and let your doctor know that you want to know what your options are. Good luck.
the only OTC med i know of of is St. Johns Wort. It’s an herbal remedy for depression, I know few people who swear by it. And for anxiety(OTC) there’s Kava Kava, passion flower, and valerian root. Good luck
Dont bother with them…i have tried them all and it has minimal affect to a serious illness.
The best thing to do is go to councelling and let them assess what meds you may need (though personally i would recommend you avoid anti-depressants at all costs).
Anti depressants change the chemistry of your brain…this affects your moods etc… It takes about 3 months before the meds have any affect, and in the mean time you have to deal with more anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Relaxation techniques, councelling and exercise will help a lot more.
The thinking on ADs increasing suicides is a little diverse. One thought is that for those in a bad depression lacking energy and motivation, the AD actually starts to work enough to give energy to act on the thought whereas the person didn’t have that energy and motivation beforehand. Another is that it plays with the neurotransmiter (serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine depending on the AD taken) and while the body is adjusting, mood goes up and down a little. That little temporary down could be enough to put someone over the edge. Another is that the person was actually bipolar, and ADs tend to be bad experiences for those with manic-depression. Last that I know is that the AD does nothing leaving the person to continue the spiral into blacker depression. Since no one knows exactly how antidepressants work, there is no definitive answer.
As for the main question, Omega 3 fatty acid Fish Oil. My psychiatrist recommended them because there is some science showing efficacy. For those of us with bipolar that can’t take antidepressants, it’s a real tool in the toolbox. The active ingredient that you want is EPA (can’t remember the word, but the initials are on the bottle). You need to take 1000mg or more, typically 2000-3000mg of EPA. There are manufacturers now that do 500mg per pill. You should know if it works for you in a week or so. Just like ADs, not everyone will respond. However, if it does work for you, it kicks the hiney of St John’s Wort. And, of course, the main non-pharma antidepressants are basics - exercise, eat healthy, get sun, socialize.