Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!rochester!ur-tut!john
From: john@ur-tut.UUCP (John Gurian)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Depression and (oh, no!) vitamins
Message-ID: <6@ur-tut.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 2-Mar-86 15:17:07 EST
Article-I.D.: ur-tut.6
Posted: Sun Mar  2 15:17:07 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 4-Mar-86 04:09:58 EST
References: <1049@terak.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: University of Rochester School of Medicine
Lines: 39

> The second time, it only took one month of depression before I
> recognized the similarity (hey, when you're depressed you don't always
> think straight :-).  About an hour and a half after taking the first
> tablet, the cloud had lifted.  The change was so quick and so dramatic
> that I find it hard to believe it could be the vitamins.  But I don't
> have any other theory.

Sorry to be so late with a reply.  First the vitamin stuff: my guess would
be placebo, but I have no idea, really.  Pellegra, caused by niacin
deficiency, would more likely cause dementia then depression, along with
other symptoms (GI stuff/diarrhea, for instance), especially in the relatively
young.

Now, for a soap box on depression:  A psychiatrist I know is fond of saying,
"if schizophrenia doesn't get me (lifetime incidence, 1%), depression will".
That's because the lifetime incidence of a major depressive episode has
been estimated as high as 30% - that is nearly one-third of the population
will get hit at one point or another.  Depression favors women 2:1 over
men.  Often times, it may be due to loss of a spouse, etc., and the person
recovers without seeking help.  Unfortunately, many others do not, given
the fact that everyone ridicules psychiatrists (except while they're in
therapy!).  I would urge anyone who has been feeling blue for awhile, and
exhibits any of the "vegetative signs" of depression (sleeping problems,
lack of interest in hobbies/sex, weight loss, GI disturbances) to seek
a professional.  Unfortunately, many family doctors do not pick up on
a patient's hints that he is depressed, or if he does, just tries to treat
it with an antidepressant, which only helps the vegetative signs and not
the patient's mood and underlying feelings.

This is somewhat unrelated, but I should add: if you
or a family member needs to undergo ECT (electroconvulsive, electroshock
therapy), you should know that it is very safe, and the most effective means
we have for treating severe depression.  The Phil Donohue Show to the
contrary, most people who undergo it found it very helpful, and would do it
again if necessary.
-- 

-- John Gurian
-- !rochester!ur-tut!john