Over the past decade I’ve suffered through bouts of depression. Within the past year I felt myself spiraling into a depression that I was unable to pull myself out of. I had started seeing a therapist but I was beginning to be open to the possibility of taking anti-depressants. I have never taken anti-depressants before except for a very brief (one week) trial of Lexapro. At the time I decided to stop taking Methadone, which I was taking for an injury. The doctor at the pain clinic that prescribed it to me insisted it was much better than morphine for my type of injury. It wasn’t and she’s a liar. When I came off the Methadone I had such a horrific withdrawal that I decided to stop taking the Lexapro because if I had to have a horrible withdrawal, I wanted to get it all over at once. I made this decision on my own, and in the end I was glad to be off of everything.
Several months ago when I was researching psychiatrists I came across SAM-e. I had purchased some and kept it for many weeks because I was actually scared to take it. Some of the potential side effects include anxiety and insomnia, and I am very afraid of anything that might cause me not to sleep. But since I was on the verge of taking an anti-depressant, which have much more side effects than SAM-e, I figured I better exhaust the natural route and give it a try.
I can only speak for my experience, but within a week of starting the SAM-e, I noticed the heavy sadness in my heart lifted a significant amount. I was better able to handle stressful events and my mood felt lighter in general.
“SAM-e (S-Adenosylmethionine) is an amino acid derivative that has been clinically proven to benefit brain and joint function. Found in all living cells, SAM-e is also called “activated methionine” since it is formed by reacting ATP and methionine (an essential amino acid).*” (Jarrow)
Sam-e has been used throughout Europe for over 20 years. It is sold as a prescription drug over there.
Clinical trials have shown that SAM-e may help with depression, joint pain, as well as liver function.
Here is a NY Times article from 2010 that discusses SAM-e’s beneficial use in treating patients with depression who do not respond to prescription anti-depressants.
For more information read “10 Things You Should Know About SAM-e.”
Jarrow Formulas makes the brand of SAM-e that I take. I get it at Vitacost, where it is much cheaper than other online outlets or health food stores. There has been a surge in SAM-e’s popularity because many companies are out of stock and Jarrow is trying to keep up with demand. As I said before, this has been my experience. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. I am a big proponent of exhausting natural and alternative therapies if modern medicine and prescriptions can be avoided.
Here is a video from Bastyr University’s Living Naturally Series entitled Overcoming Depression and Anxiety. It is an hour long lecture on natural ways to treat depression and anxiety.
Scent Free Girl 