Anxiety & Depression, a Pharmaceutical Dream come true can be a patient's worst nightmare...

These days, anxiety and depression are one of the most common reasons people visit doctors. Unfortunately, many times, people don’t see a mental health specialist that can diagnose and treat their condition appropriately. Instead, they see their general doc who many times doesn't  spend enough time to get a formal diagnosis of depression, but just enough time to write a presciption for antidepressants or a sedative based on a generic opinion of that pharmaceutical category- not your individual needs. Antidepressants aren't necessarily a bad thing, of course, there are highly undesirable side effects with some, but the problem is that they are so readily prescribed that they are easily misprescribed. Like all prescription drugs, there are side effects which can cause the same problems as they are meant to treat. For example side effects of paxil include depression, anxiety, loss of libido, nausea, trembling, etc..That's why your initial intake includes an in depth questionnaire to assess the state of your neurotransmitter.They can be misprescribed in that they aren't appropriate for the straining emotional circumstances you may be currently facing like loss of a loved one, a change in income or your level of energy and focus-  strong emotional reactions are appropriate to such conditions. However, many patients are put on prescription medications for anxiety and/or depression without addressing the cause. Since your body is a single unit, disruptions in your neurotransmitters, hormones- which includes your blood sugar regulation and insulin patterns, and physical habits all impact your state of mind. Many patients I have been successful with tapering off their anti-depressant medication have commented on how wonderful it is to feel present and real again, they were relieved to be off of the "emotional lay-away plan" that often surfaced as a physical condition after many years of use.

What do neurotransmitters have to do with anxiety and depression?

Prescription antidepressant medications can be a stepping stone on the way to getting your life back on track. Anti-depressant medication as a means to altering your mood is not quite the issue, actually it's the appropriate prescription and use of the drug- what exactly is it supposed to address? Most prescription antidepressant that are currently prescribed are SSRI's, which increase the amount of Serotonin, however serotonin is not always the problem. If you are experiencing a lot more lethargy, attention deficit and depression an SSRI may be less appropriate than an anti-depressant that increases your Dopamine pool.
To get the best results from any medication, be it prescription anti-depressants or a natural supplement that stimulates the production of a neurotransmitter like 5-HTP does for serotonin, it's important to first determine what is most appropriate for you as an individual; not which drug happens to be the best marketed by pharmaceutical companies. That is why all new patients are asked to submit neurotransmitter questionnaires. This can show a general picture of what biochemical state their nervous system might be in- and to understand which areas each patient may need extra support. For example, anxiety may be due to a deficiency of the refining calming neurotransmitter, GABA, or an excess of an excitatory neurotransmitter like Dopamine.
Another aspect of misprescribing is that many patients are automatically put on an antidepressant by their primary care doctor because they complain of lethargy, no motivation and weight gain. Unfortunately, many of these symptoms can look just like hypothyroid conditions or adrenal fatigue, and, unbeknownst to patients what they thought was a problem with their mood was really a problem with their hormones. That is why Good Natured Medicine can help you discover what is sapping your energy and holding you back, we listen, and look at the your overall state of health, body, spirit and mind. We offer guidance, support and effective ways that help you get in touch with the source of your condition and address the tensions holding you back from expressing yourself fully and joyfully. Most of all, we take the time to listen and to hear and see who you really are and what you want to do with your precious human life.