Do you have organic mood syndrome?

by Herbalist Wendy Wilson

What the heck is organic mood syndrome? How would you know if you had it? According to the DSM-III-R (Medical Dictionary and Manual of Diagnostic Mental Disorders) organic mood syndrome is another name for drug-induced depression. Although we are told by doctors and drug companies that there is no strong scientific evidence (in print) supporting the association of depressive symptoms or suppressive disorders caused by prescribed drugs; nonetheless there is suggestive evidence. Suggestive evidence is when a suspect drug is discontinued the symptoms of depression are resolved. Depression all by itself is bad enough but it has also become a drug-induced disease and statistics are saying that 15% of organic mood syndrome will end in suicide. Why are doctors down-playing or ignoring this epidemic? Acknowledging drug-induced depression undermines the effectiveness of their drug treatments.    

SYMPTOMS
Being depressed can have the following symptoms; lack of energy, listlessness, feeling rundown, decreased concentration, changes in psychomotor (cognitive abilities), acute fatigue, appetite changes, disruption in sleep patterns, diminished interest in activities and feelings of sadness or despair. Be aware that thyroid disease can be mistaken for symptoms of depression.

THE LIST
The list is quite long on the kinds of drugs that can cause you to become depressed. According to the AARP web site, there are ten major classes of drugs that are known to cause drug-induced depression (http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-02-2012/medications-that-can-cause-depression.html ). Patients also don’t realize that most physicians won’t review their drug list when they complain of depression. Instead the doctor will layer on more drugs to control the symptoms of depression. Here are the top ten classes of drugs causing depression:

• Beta-blockers – for angina and high blood pressure to slow the heart rate by blocking the hormone adrenaline and lowering BP. Also is prescribed for migraines, tremors, arrhythmia and glaucoma. Medical science says it does not know why this drug causes depression. However scientifically we know that by blocking hormones it can cause a neurotransmitter problem.
• Corticosteroids – for inflammation to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and other inflammatory conditions. These drugs lower serotonin levels causing depression or other psychiatric disorders.
• Benzodiazepine tranquilizers – used for anxiety, muscle spasms and insomnia. This drug affects the central nervous system by depressing it. These drugs can build up in the liver creating toxic levels giving patients a “hangover effect” and depression. Doctors will often do blood tests to check the liver enzymes to make sure the liver produces sufficient enzymes to neutralize the toxic effects of this drug.
• 
• Parkinson’s drugs – these drugs affect dopamine (a neurotransmitter), which affects motor function and reduces tremors. Dopamine is one of three neurotransmitters known to be associated with depression and the drug promotes high levels of dopamine causing depression.
• Hormone replacement drugs – used to treat symptoms of menopause and oral contraceptives containing artificial estrogen. Again the drug manipulates hormone levels causing all kinds of dysfunction including depression.
• Stimulants – usually prescribed to treat daytime sleepiness from hypersomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, fatigue and ADHD. These drugs increase dopamine levels and prolonged exposure can cause depression.
• Anticonvulsants – used for seizures and other conditions such as bipolar and other mood disorders. These drugs limit seizures by blocking signals affecting the neurotransmitters (your chemical messengers) and are known to cause depression.
• Proton pump inhibitors (H2 blockers) – used to block gastric acid or acid reflux disease. Medical science says it doesn’t know why these drugs cause depression but it is speculated that the pH is disrupted changing brain chemicals.
• Statin (lipid-lowering) drugs – used to lower cholesterol and often paired with other cardiovascular drugs. These drugs deplete cholesterol from the system and affects brain chemicals via the release of neurotransmitters.
• Anti-cholinergic drugs – used to treat digestive cramps and other GI disorders. These slow the digestive tract down and reduce stomach acid production by blocking a neurotransmitter acetylcholine responsible for muscle contraction. This drug directly affects the central nervous system causing depression, sedation and cognitive impairment.

For a list of drugs causing depression with their generic names see this reference http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/drugdepression.htm. By-the-way, the popular drug for the treatment of acne is called Accutane, which causes drug-induced depression and suicide. One in 16 Americans (17 million) has acne problems    (http://www.suicide.org/never-use-accutane.html). In 2000 over 600,000 people were taking Accutane and by 2012 5 million use it. Pregnant women on Accutane have a 10% chance of their baby having facial birth defects.  

WAY OF LIFE
We live in interesting times. Stress levels have elevated over the last twenty years and the last thing we need is drug-induced mood disorders. I personally would never take a prescription drug to manage my metabolism. I prefer to use diet, exercise and medicinal herbs to strengthen the body and work with it to resolve health issues. Disease management via drugs will make you a patient for life and it is not my cup of tea. Some folks think that they are in good health if only taking a few prescriptions. Our mindset on what good health is has to change. Whenever you evaluate a treatment or therapy ask if it will strengthen you. If it will, then it means you will not be dependent on it for very long.

NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYDAY PROBLEMS
When I was growing up I often heard from my family members that there is more than one way to skin a cat (no offence cat lovers). There are natural and safe herbs you can use and replace the drugs causing depression. Call Apothecary Herbs for their free product catalog at 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 or visit their web site for their Heart/Cholesterol/BP formula, Pain Anti-Inflammatory, Emotional Stress, Female formulas, Relaxation (sleep) formula, Digestion kit, Bowel Cleanse and more http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Your healthcare options just became endless.  Check out their FREE Stuff Monday – Monday orders over $50 will receive a Free Power Herbs 400-page e-book via email or a Free Salt Grinder (while supplies last).  Not to be used with other offers.

NEW HERB FORMULA
Try Dandelion Root Tincture for inflammation, blood purification, respiratory infections, digestion and cancer protection for just $14.00 at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

MORE HERB SECRETS IN THE POWER HERBS e-BOOK. By popular demand The Power Herbs e-book is available with symptom/herb reference guide, information on organ cleansing and how to make your own herbal tinctures plus a whole lot more. Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com and click on Books. You must have email to order and receive the e-book a PDF version of The Power Herb book for just $14.99. At this time, we do not offer this title in hard copy.

COMING UP ON HERB TALK LIVE
Herbalist Wendy Wilson on Herb Talk Live
Saturday morning show:
7 am EST on GCN
1/12/13 Dr. Rebecca Carley is Wendy’s guest
1/26/13 John Monroe with www.drbanker.com Vision Expert
Weekday show:
7 pm EST on AVR
1/22/13 Dr. Christine Horner - Natural Cancer Treatments
1/29/13 Pete Cerqua – author Fitness Revolution
1/31/13 Dr. Julian Ford & Jon Wortmann –authors of Hijacked by Your Brain
Shortwave show 8 pm EST WWCR 4840
Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com Herb Talk Live & Radio Archive area for network link access and past shows to download and share. For Android users you can download a FREE app for Herb Talk Live on GCN. See the download link under radio archives at top of page at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

PANDEMIC NEWS 
Do you have your Pandemic Kit yet? Here is what folks are saying about the 100% organic Pandemic Kit made by Apothecary Herbs. "I have this kit and recommend everyone have at least one on hand (or more depending on family size) for a pandemic." Rebecca Carley, MD, Hickory, NC and “I have one and glad I do; just in case. I like the long shelf life.” Melody Cedarstrom, Port Matilda, PA (more customer freedback at http://www.thepowerherbs.com) or call 866-229-3663 to order your kit today.

PURE ENERGY
Pure energy is organic and instantly absorbed – transporting nutrition to every cell in your body. It is a super food for the body to repair, build and fortify itself. Where do you get it? It’s called Body Foundation Food Mix and is at Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com. This pure energy food source is so efficient; you won’t feel hungry between meals and can safely lose weight.

TWO NEW PRODUCTS
Apothecary Herbs has released a new product called Liver Detox Tea. You can layer this tea with Milk Thistle Tincture for a gentle yet effective liver cleanse. This is a nice option if you can’t do the Liver/Gall Bladder Flush using olive oil. You will find this new product under Herbal Teas at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Also New is the Liver & Gall Bladder Tincture with dandelion root for more anticancer protection. This formula is available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz sizes. You will find this item under Organ Body Cleanses at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. You can layer this tincture with the Liver Detox Tea and be well!

BE PREPARED
Being prepared is never a waste of time. Get your own organic garden growing and stock as much healthy foodstuffs as you can. You’ll also need backup medicine but the over-the-counter and prescription medicines have a limited shelf life of two years or less. However, your organic medicines have a ten year shelf life without side effects. Call the folks at Apothecary Herbs for their Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package or make sure you get one of their many herb kits for boosting immune system and protecting you from viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Call Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 online http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless.

ALLERGY RELIEF
If you suffer from allergies (sneezing, itchy watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, sinus pressure or sinus infections) try the Echinacea Deluxe formula and Herbal Eyewash both around $20.00 from Apothecary Herbs. Call now toll free 866-229-3663 http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

APOTHECARY HERBS VITAMIN VAULT – STOCK UP AND SAVE!
You already know that you can save on the half and full case discounts in the Vitamin Vault area at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Apothecary Herbs has added a new item called the Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package. This package is designed for those preparing for their medical future and contains immune boosting, pain & inflammation, organ cleanses, vitamin, mineral, amino acid and protein products plus a Pandemic Kit and it comes with a savings of $150.00. Visit http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call toll free to order your Starter Stock-up Package 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277. Mail in your check or money order for this package and save an additional 15% ($242.00) before shipping.

MALE & FEMALE ORGAN CLEANSES KITS – Don’t give disease a foothold. You will have the power to cleanse the bowel, urinary, liver, gall bladder and blood system with this cleanse package. For added cleansing, ask about how you can upgrade your order to include the prostate cleanse for men or the Kidney/Bladder cleanse for females.  Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call their 24-hour live customer service line 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.

MALE HORMONE FORMULA (use with the Prostate Kit)
Apothecary Herbs brand new formula to help balance male hormones – Male Hormone Formula. Call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com

MORE PROTECTION from EMF, RADIATION
The folks at admitters are correct that every modern house has EMF hotspots, which are sometimes caused by appliances, electronics, bad grounding just to name a few. You will want to make sure your bed or your children’s beds are not in direct line of these hotspots. How do you find out? You purchase an affordable and accurate meter from Admitters.  Radmeters has a direct link http://www.radmeters.com/tph or you can click their link under “links” at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.  I wouldn’t recommend them if I didn’t have one of their meters myself – Herbalist Wendy Wilson.

PROSTATE KIT THAT WORKS! Go to Apothecary Herbs http://www.thepowerherbs.com and type in “Prostate” in the search box or for more information or call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.  Layer this kit with their Male Hormone formula.

ONE-YEAR SUPPLY OF HERBAL MEDICNE (shelf life 10 to 15 years)
See Apothecary Herbs One Year Supply of Herbal Medicine at http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call 866-229-3663, 704-885-0277. Call for a customized year supply or to set up installment payment for this package.

RAD METERS – Measure dirty electricity in your home or office and save 10%
The folks at radmeters are correct that every modern house has EMF hotspots, which are sometimes caused by appliances, electronics and bad grounding just to name a few. You will want to make sure your bed or your children’s beds are not in direct line of these hotspots. How do you find out? Purchase an affordable and accurate meter from Radmeters. Click on the Radmeters banner under “Links” at http://www.thepowerherbs.com and receive 10% off on your January order. I would not recommend Radmeters if I didn’t have one of their meters myself – Herbalist Wendy Wilson