| Q. Can you please spell out what exactly do you mean by other options? A. First of all physical exercises. It may sound strange, but pumping iron - is what I recommend prior to antidepressants, and in some cases first for depressed people. It doesn’t have (yet) a scientific theoretical platform under it, but has been proved repeatedly by practice. Bodybuilding is transforming not only human body but a human mind as well. There is a very strong connection between both. Learning to deal with people that cause mental discomfort and anxiety. Learning breathing and relaxation techniques Learning positive self-talk. Attending course of psychiatrics sessions. Many of these are difficult to describe briefly, so please check out the book. Q. Have you put psychiatrist’s sessions at the last place accidentally? A. Well, I did it deliberately. Let me explain my point. Traditionally for a combination of reasons individual and group psychiatric counseling is considered like very powerful depression treatment option. In contrary I wouldn’t have rated it that high. First of all there are not that many real professionals in that area. (A graduation diploma from the most prestigious colleges doesn’t mean anything yet in this field). It is commonly that good psychiatrist has a long waiting list. Even if you are lucky and were able to get one it is still under a big question mark that real chemistry between you and him will be established. Almost in all of the cases the “Appointment Effect” is converting real genuine emotions of the patient to some surrogate replacement of it. Most of the people will never feel comfortable enough to reveal all nuances of their sensations. There is also different group, which use to exaggerate every negative emotion they have. Every depression sufferer must realize that finally only his/her intelligence and education in the subject will lead him toward recovery. So, consider psychiatrist as an initial push, the person who can prescribe you certain medication. However daily coping with your condition, navigation through it toward healing is totally your duty and your responsibility. Q. New findings suggest that the reason some people become depressed and others don't depends in part on which version of a specific gene a person carries. The gene, called 5-HTT, regulates the movement of Serotonin. What are your thoughts about it? A. I think it very well might be. I have studied some publications about it. However at this point I don’t see any practical use of it. Q. In your e-book you are not mentioning Electro-Convulsive Therapy (shock therapy) I have heard it could be effective in treating very severe depressions. A. At some point of my fight with illness I was considering this option. I have met one person whose self-assessment I could trust. Per his words it has completely turned his life. The result was astonishing. But by that point I was significantly better, so I was hesitant going for this. Again it was my subjective perception of the procedure. In fact it could be safer than antidepressants with lesser side effect. I regret that I couldn’t say much about it, but I am happy that I don’t need it now. January, 16 2004 |
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This is not about Prozac My journey back to life or What is indeed True and What is False in Depression Treatment Nowadays by Dana Kutkayte |
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| Interview |