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| brain wave patterns, function and performance. Unlike clinical depression, the difficulty of processing information does not correspond to the degree of depression, and some people with CFS are not depressed at all. 29 Also, CFS tends to cause low cortisol and high prolactin, just the opposite of what is found in clinical depression. Antidepressants do relieve many symptoms, when taken in much lower doses than needed for clinical depression. CFS researcher J. Hicks, M.D. noted obvious differences in his patients' demeanor, "Chronic fatigue immune disorder syndrome patients in general are quite motivated to get well, whereas hopelessness, withdrawal, low self-esteem and suicide are more typical of depression."30 |
| So, why do antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft work? The answer probably lies in their ability to increase the brain chemical serotonin. As already discussed, it seems in short supply in people with CFS. For some people, antidepressants make life worth living. Their down side is that instead of solving the brain's imbalances, they change it temporarily and are addicting in the long run. In some cases, they even prolong sickness. If you are already on medication, you might consider herbal alternatives. I know many people who have successfully gone off antidepressant drugs, in some cases after taking them for years, in favor of herbs. However, do not suddenly stop your medication unless you work closely with a health practitioner. Since some herbs affect the action of drugs, be wary about taking them at the same time as you are taking drugs. |
| Herbs For Depression |
| Herbs adjust brain chemistry in a nonaddictive and more holistic way than drugs. They do not impair |
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