I'm On An Antidepressant. Why Don't I Feel Better?

By Jane Jackson, MD

New Vitality Health Center

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I'm On An Antidepressant. Why Don't I Feel Better?

Did you know that this happens to more than two-thirds of depressed patients who do not adequately respond to their antidepressant treatment?
Current antidepressant therapy, which is supposed to work on the patients neurotransmitters called serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine associated with mood, does not always result in complete treatment. Therefore, the patients depression does not feel better even though they are taking their antidepressant properly. In addition, they are at a greater risk for relapse and may experience another depressive episode.
How Important Is It For You To Get A Complete Recovery?
Scientific studies report that the longer a person stays depressed that there are actual structural brain changes that occur. No longer is “just feeling better” good enough. Clinicians must strive for recovery.
There are several new options we can now consider to enhance antidepressant response such as second generation atypical medication, but although they can be helpful, they come with multiple side effects.
Today, I would like to share something new with you. There is a new nutritional medicine supplement for depression called Deplin (7.5 L-methylfolate) which helps all 3 monoamine transmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) associated with mood by providing the additional amount of folate required by the brain to foster healing.
L-methylfolate is needed by depressed patients with low folate in their red blood cells and even with individuals who have normal levels of folate. It regulates the production of the monoamines (serotonin, norepenephrine and dopamine) and is known as a “trimonoamine modulator” (TMM).
By increasing the neurotransmitters with the L-methylfolate, or Deplin, and by taking it along with your antidepressant, or in some cases when a person cannot tolerate antidepressants at all, many people experience the health benefits that they have been waiting for.
How Long Does
It Take To Work?
When taken daily with, or without, food Deplin usually takes 2-4 weeks to see positive results which may vary with the individual.
What Are The Side Effects?
Deplin does not have any of the side effects of an antidepressant such as weight gain or sexual dysfunction. Deplin also has a low potential for drug interactions because it is a naturally water soluble B vitamin found in a variety of foods.
What Type Of Response
Can I Expect From Deplin?
1. Increased motivation
2. Increased initiative
3. Improved concentration
4. Improved mood
5. Ability to be more social
6. Overall improved sense of well being
What Else Should I Know
About Deplin?
1. Some may notice a response fairly quickly while others may not notice much difference but since there are virtually no harmful side effects I feel it is worth a try. I would give Deplin a good six-week trial before I decided to discontinue using it.
2. It requires a doctors consultation and prescription to see if it is appropriate for you.
3. Cost may vary according to health plans, but typically costs about $40.00 per month. I understand that Deplin has a program that can cap the price at about $1.50 per day.
Deblins website www.deplin.com
L-methyfolate augmented patients experience significantly greater clinical and social improvement at three months and six months than using the antidepressants alone. Clinical research papers also confirm that Deplin is superior in achieving and maintaining remission compared to the antidepressant alone.