Treatment for depression

Question
Dear Doctor,



I have been suffering from depression for the past 27 years.  I am on amytryptalline 25 mg 1 tablet in the night.  However I am not able to sleep well and my short-term memory is very bad.  I can't concentrate on any book or jobs.  Whenever I want to go off the medicine I suffer severe withdrawal symptoms.  Please can you suggest some alternative medicine(like siddha or ayurveda)  to cure my depression and enable me to come off amytryptalline?


Answer
Hello Santanam,

Thanks for your question.  There are some alternatives out there that might be helpful, however you need to be very cautious because you have been on the medication for a long time, & have a history of side effects when trying to withdraw.  Getting off these type of psychoactive meds is possible, but does require some coordination with your doctor and other health providers, and some time.  It's probably best to improve lifestyle issues & add nutrients first, then slowly decrease the medications until you are off.  Some lifestyle changes to try are exercise (daily, for 30+ minutes) which can be just as effective as meds for depression, a diet high in fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains, and water, avoiding processed foods, additives, caffiene and sugar, and daily meditation & stress management techniques.  Nutrient deficiencies common in those with depression are essential fatty acids like omega 3s and B vitamins, especially B6.  After adding all these changes, you may find your body has less need for the medication & you can start to decrease it, consulting your doctor for the method of how do that safely.  Or, then consider herbals options for depression like St John's wort, but you might not even need that if you make the other changes.  

Good luck,

Dr Conner