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Biochemical Causes of Depression: Find the Cure by Finding the Cause

Depression is a medical illness that involves your thoughts, mood, and body. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things.   Common Symptoms of Depression: Feeling sad, blue, and incapable of feeling pleasure. Change in appetite. Eating too much or not enough. Changes in sleeping habits. Feeling hopeless, worthless, guilty, low self esteem. Loss of energy, no motivation, no interest or pleasure in activities. Persistent physical symptoms such as aches, pains, headaches, stomach aches, and pain which no physical cause can be found. Thoughts of death and suicide. Weight gain or weight loss   Biochemical Causes of Depression   Depression can be triggered by traumatic life events, poor diet, genetic conditions, blood sugar imbalances, medical illness, hormone imbalance, lack of exercise, medications, drug and alcohol use, and digestive difficulties. These triggers are known to cause or contribute to neurotransmitter imbalances.   Evidence indicates that brain biochemistry is a significant factor in depressive disorders. It is known, for example, that individuals with major depressive illness typically have dysregulation of certain brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry signals to your brain and nerves. When the messages are not delivered correctly Depression and other mental and physical problems can occur. Finding the Cause of Your Depression- Basic medical test could prove very helpful in determining biochemical causes for depression. Testing for Neurotransmitter Imbalances A single neurotransmitter imbalance can result in multiple symptoms. By identifying the chemical imbalances with neurotransmitter tests and understanding how neurotransmitters function and interact in depression, it is possible to better match treatments to the individuals own chemical imbalance. Neurotransmitter Test You can now test your Neurotransmitter levels by a blood test or simple non invasive urine test. This test can determine your levels of: ·   Serotonin ·   Dopamine ·   Norepinephrine ·   Epinephrine ·   GABA ·   Glutamate ·   PEA ·   Histamine     Amino Acid Test Amino acids are the building blocks for the neurotransmitters that regulate your mood. Amino Acid deficiencies can contribute to symptoms of Depression, ADHD, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder and other mental health disorders. Amino acid levels can be tested by a blood or urine test.   Testing for Hormone Imbalance   A non-invasive saliva test can help determine your hormone levels. Testing will determine what hormone supplements should be used to correct the imbalance that is disrupting your body's hormone regulation. Estradiol, Estrone, Progesterone, Testosterone, Cortisol, DHEA, and even thyroid levels are available by a saliva test.   Many women may develop symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood swings as estrogen levels begin to fluctuate during perimenopausal years then further decline at menopause. Too many women that suffer from menopause and depression have been put on anti-depressant medications instead of addressing the hormone levels through testing and natural bio identical hormones.   Adrenal Stress Hormone Test Of those individuals that are clinically depressed, around one-half will have an excess of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands. Located near the kidneys, the adrenal glands assist us in our reactions to stressful events.   Fatty Acid Analysis   Studies have shown that people who had much more omega-6 -- compared to omega-3 -- fatty acids, were reporting more symptoms of depression, and had much higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha, two cytokines which enhance inflammation.   Thyroid Test   Hypothyroidism symptoms can be similar to symptoms associated with depression. Decreased interest in daily activities, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbances, and reduced sexual interest.   Finding Your Depression Cause brings you closer to a cure.   With the information provided from testing you will be able to get to the root cause of your depression symptoms. Many depression sufferers are able to be medication free.   Neurotransmitter Imbalances can be corrected naturally by using targeted amino acid therapy which has the ability to raise or lower levels of the neurotransmitters. When your neurotransmitter levels come back into balance the chemical messages are now delivered correctly. Restored communication means the alleviation of depressive symptoms.   Hormone imbalances can be corrected naturally by balancing neurotransmitter levels, using herbs and bio identical hormone replacement.   Adrenal Fatigue, Thyroid dysfunction, and fatty acid imbalance can all be corrected with nutrient and herbal remedies.   Find a mental health expert that specializes in Integrative Psychiatry. Testing supplies can be sent anywhere in the world, and some will provide telephone consultations.