Serotonin is not what takes away depression. That would be dopamine. Depression is too large a catch phrase. The mitigating factors may be found in a persons personal body chemistry, but then again, who has not been affected by the foods and chemicals that are in almost anything processed, the highs and lows chemical boomerang of sugar, the perverted sugar called high fructose corn syrup, the subliminal messages which are broadcast without our knowledge, chemicals in all modern furniture, carpeting, clothing, the brain being constantly manipulated, even what I am doing now, as opposed to 20 years ago before I had a computer and screen. We are all corrupted by an environment that did not exist for the thousands of years that man lived on earth. Our microbiome in the gut, a fine tuned miracle of creation, destroyed in modern life, through sugar, stress, too much gluten, alcohol, antibiotics. Dopamine works to alleviate dark and low feelings, unfortunately, man being what he is, seeks the quick source of addictive substances to trigger dopamine release.From a hit of nicotine to the "drop" of prize gear in a video game, and then on to the drink at a party, the snort of cocaine, we keep upping the need for more dopamine. My doctor refuses to subscribe ssri's, she believes it does nothing but cause problems for the brain after awhile, and that it just does not work. Her suggestion is to make a "dopamine map", of what makes you feel good (not addictive stuff). It is usually simple, sunlight, a warm bath, brushing your hair, holding a puppy, going to a flower show, music that is not head banging metal, protein, sensory input that feels good. Taking time in the day for a "dopamine bath" of all things that make you feel good. Peter Kramer wrote a book called "Listneing to Prozac" in the late eighties I believe. In it he writes about the search pharm did to find an effective antidepressant. One of the things that struck me, he wrote that Morphine is the perfect antidepressant, for what it does for the brain. Unfortunately it is addictive and it feels so good, people of course take more and more, so it is not an option. Our body chemistry swings in a pattern of mania and depression, carbohydrates begin the ping pong game. I am not sure if there is anyway out of this. You cannot make people change, practice meditation, or seek the spiritual "highs" of a relationship with God. We call the New Testament the "Good News". In my opinion, if we made that the first News we read in the morning, if we started our day with light and a healthy meal, if we learned to block toxic and negative thought, if we took time to do more service toward God and his creation, (even tending houseplants, as a start) If we took some form of exercise suitable to our abilities, we have the cure in our own hands. We are not meant to be zombies, crying at a funeral is normal, grief is normal, we are not supposed to be "having fun" all day long, every single day. Shit happens, but a strong foundation will not allow the slings and arrows of everyday life to destroy our lives. Don't be ashamed if you have ever taken these meds, it is not your fault. But please, do not stop any "medicine" that you have been taking for a long time suddenly, learn how to detox and get off these mood altering substances slowly. Think of it like a sudden change in direction at an unsafe speed, like jerking the steering wheel suddenly. Don't do that to your poor hijacked brain. There is info on line about how to get off of meds.
Serotonin is not what takes away depression. That would be dopamine. Depression is too large a catch phrase. The mitigating factors may be found in a persons personal body chemistry, but then again, who has not been affected by the foods and chemicals that are in almost anything processed, the highs and lows chemical boomerang of sugar, the perverted sugar called high fructose corn syrup, the subliminal messages which are broadcast without our knowledge, chemicals in all modern furniture, carpeting, clothing, the brain being constantly manipulated, even what I am doing now, as opposed to 20 years ago before I had a computer and screen. We are all corrupted by an environment that did not exist for the thousands of years that man lived on earth. Our microbiome in the gut, a fine tuned miracle of creation, destroyed in modern life, through sugar, stress, too much gluten, alcohol, antibiotics. Dopamine works to alleviate dark and low feelings, unfortunately, man being what he is, seeks the quick source of addictive substances to trigger dopamine release.From a hit of nicotine to the "drop" of prize gear in a video game, and then on to the drink at a party, the snort of cocaine, we keep upping the need for more dopamine. My doctor refuses to subscribe ssri's, she believes it does nothing but cause problems for the brain after awhile, and that it just does not work. Her suggestion is to make a "dopamine map", of what makes you feel good (not addictive stuff). It is usually simple, sunlight, a warm bath, brushing your hair, holding a puppy, going to a flower show, music that is not head banging metal, protein, sensory input that feels good. Taking time in the day for a "dopamine bath" of all things that make you feel good. Peter Kramer wrote a book called "Listneing to Prozac" in the late eighties I believe. In it he writes about the search pharm did to find an effective antidepressant. One of the things that struck me, he wrote that Morphine is the perfect antidepressant, for what it does for the brain. Unfortunately it is addictive and it feels so good, people of course take more and more, so it is not an option. Our body chemistry swings in a pattern of mania and depression, carbohydrates begin the ping pong game. I am not sure if there is anyway out of this. You cannot make people change, practice meditation, or seek the spiritual "highs" of a relationship with God. We call the New Testament the "Good News". In my opinion, if we made that the first News we read in the morning, if we started our day with light and a healthy meal, if we learned to block toxic and negative thought, if we took time to do more service toward God and his creation, (even tending houseplants, as a start) If we took some form of exercise suitable to our abilities, we have the cure in our own hands. We are not meant to be zombies, crying at a funeral is normal, grief is normal, we are not supposed to be "having fun" all day long, every single day. Shit happens, but a strong foundation will not allow the slings and arrows of everyday life to destroy our lives. Don't be ashamed if you have ever taken these meds, it is not your fault. But please, do not stop any "medicine" that you have been taking for a long time suddenly, learn how to detox and get off these mood altering substances slowly. Think of it like a sudden change in direction at an unsafe speed, like jerking the steering wheel suddenly. Don't do that to your poor hijacked brain. There is info on line about how to get off of meds.