Blood tests for Depression and Mood Disorders

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Depression and Mood Disorders

http://www.gsdl.com/assessments/finddisease/depression/

 

Feelings of hopelessness, chronic apathy, and low energy

levels are some of the crippling symptoms of depression.

Depression can appear as a consequence of a life change

such as divorce, death of a family member, or loss of work

or it may insidiously unfold without a clear cause. For this

disorder, the well-known adage, " sound body-sound mind "

reveals a simple basic truth. That's because depression is

commonly intertwined with a vast number of diverse

conditions and illnesses--and uncovering potential imbalances

can be a powerful tool for an effective natural and holistic

approach to emotional healing.

 

Depression and Amino Acids: The building blocks of

protein, amino acids are crucial source material for the

production of important brain neurotransmitters.

Imbalances can result in several major dysfunctions of

the central nervous system linked to depression.

 

Depression and Thyroid Function: A substantial portion

of patients with depression suffer from thyroid hormone

imbalances that may make them more treatment-resistant.

 

Depression and Allergy: Depression seems to predispose

individuals to increased immune hypersensitivity to a wide

range of food and environmental allergens.

 

Depression and Melatonin: Imbalances of the pineal hormone

melatonin are linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder and

other mood and behavior problems. Disrupted secretion

patterns of melatonin can also seriously interfere with sleep,

worsening existing symptoms of depression.

 

Depression and Adrenal Hormones: Overly high levels of

the adrenal hormone cortisol often underlie the biochemical

pattern characteristic of depression, particularly when

stress and obesity are also part of the clinical picture.

 

Depression and Digestive Function: A faulty digestive

process can result in the malabsorption of key nutrients

necessary for maintaining healthy mood patterns and overall

feeling of well-being. Overgrowth of certain intestinal

yeasts such as Candida albicans can also trigger mood swings.

 

Depression and Toxins and Nutrients: Overexposure to

heavy metal toxins like lead and mercury have been clinically

shown to induce a psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and

depression. Mineral nutrient imbalances can also cause

resistance to treatment.

 

Depression and Glucose and Insulin Tolerance: Fluctuating

blood sugar levels, particularly in diabetic patients, can result

in increased depression, tension, and fatigue.

 

Depression and Vitamins: The B-vitamins play an important

role in the proper metabolism of important brain neuro-

transmitters linked to mood and behavior.

 

Depression and Fatty Acids: Fatty acid deficiencies could

significantly contribute to symptoms of depression, particularly

in those at high risk of omega-3 deficiencies, such as alcoholics

and post partum women.

 

Depression and Female Hormones: Female hormone imbalances

may help explain why women are much more prone to certain

types of depression than men.

 

 

 

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This site is intended for professional healthcare provider

use only and is part of the GSDL communication links with

our physician customers.

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