The natural approach to treating depression is a valid alternative to the typical prescribing of anti-depressants. The key to treating depression is not more drugs, but more information. Although readily available, patients are not offered the available tests to determine current levels of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, nor-epinephrine, epinephrine, GABA can be measured and exact treatment for deficiencies or imbalances initiated with much greater success. At our East Valley Naturopathic clinic located in Mesa we have a success rate of depression treatment of greater than 95 percent. Two reasons for this success rate is because we test neurotransmitter levels before we treat. No guess work is involved. Secondly we use natural precursor amino acids that raise neurotransmitter levels to optimal levels. In some cases, the addition of some medication may be indicated, but we are able to utilize one-fourth or less the typical dose, thus reducing any significant side effects. Prescribing anti-depressants without doing baseline neurotransmitter testing is like playing darts. We hope to hit the bulls eye, but to often we can’t even hit near the target.
Though some patients see improvement, most continue on with lagging symptoms and sleep disorders or just complete lack of empathy or emotion due to the high doses. Better results are achievable with neurotransmitter testing.
