Depression Treatment on it's head
"What causes depression, class?"
"Chemical imbalance in the brain," we all chant.
Well, maybe not, and if you read the same article I recently found, you'll maybe see why: https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/ketamine-depression-research/
A researcher explains the new ketamine trials in patients with depression, and why they show more promise than traditional anti-depressants.
Apparently, the idea of "chemical imbalance" started with marketing campaigns for antidepressant medication in the 80s. There has been no proof, that serotonin production improves moods for those with depression. For years, we, those with mental illness, just take the drugs our doctor's give us because we don't know what else to do and we're desperate to feel different, normal. And the meds work or they don't or they seem to work and when we stop them, we don't feel all that different.
The change is so slow, taking antidepressents (up to 14 weeks), we're not sure there is any difference, but we're scared to death to stop the meds because we don't want to feel any worse.
I'm not saying don't listen to your doctor, but I am saying educate yourself about the meds you're prescribed and research alternatives, like Ketamine treatment.
Ketamine treatment is doing wonders for people with depression and PTSD. It does what no other antidepressant treatment can do, and it does it rapidly. It saves lives from suicide, according to the article.
Now researchers are thinking instead of chemical imbalance, some depression could be caused by problems with structures in brain, perhaps damaged by trauma in childhood or after by stress.
I know as a kid I was almost always worried because of constant parental bickering or tension, being yelled at by siblings and parents when I wouldn't listen, which I didn't do a lot, I was always distracted mentally. I feel bad for that kid so many decades ago who would forge his parents signature on a middle school progress report so he wouldn't have his parents yell at him and tell him how selfish he is.
Many of us have similar or much worse experiences. What did that do to our brain and our ability to function in life? My parents were worried about being able to feed all six of us and how to pay for this or that and they were stressed out, uneducated in mental illness, and, ignorant of emotional intelligence. I think my parents tried their best and did what they thought they should do. They had no idea I was in so much daily fear. So a treatment that actually helps with depression and passed trauma sounds amazing.
I wanna try ketamine treatment but it would cost me $3000 a month or more. Does insurance cover it? Nope. It's another magical treatment, like ozempic and monjouro, that only the wealthy can afford.
Is big pharma blocking it? Is it the publics closed mindedness to psychedelics? Or just a slow system (the FDA) to be approved for insurance?
I'm curious about these questions. I'm curious what else we're being told or believe that isn't actually the case. This is why I'm starting this blog. To share my writing and ideas and update you on what I've been reading and thinking.
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