What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About™ Depression

By Michael B. Schachter, MD, with Deborah Mitchell
Published by Warner Wellness
November 2006;$14.99US/$18.99CAN; 0-446-69494-0

Learn How to Fight Depression -- Safely and Effectively

If you are afflicted with depression, you know the terrible toll this illness can take on all aspects of your life. But despite the millions of prescriptions that are written each year, costly antidepressants are not always effective and can produce disabling side effects. Now Dr. Michael Schachter, a leading expert in orthomolecular psychiatry and nutritional medicine, presents a groundbreaking program that has helped thousands find relief naturally, safely, and effectively; often without the use of medication. In this authoritative, supportive guide, you'll discover:

• How to identify the causes of your depression and where to seek help


• A proven regimen of safe natural supplements and proper nutrition tailored to your personal needs


• Tools to determine which treatments work best for you


• Drug-free methods for controlling the levels of mood-affecting chemicals in your brain


• How to eliminate depression-inducing toxins from your system


• Important lifestyle modifications that can really make a difference.

Reviews
"The definitive work on integrative approaches to depression from one of the true deans of complementary medicine. I've been practicing for over twenty years, and I still look to Dr. Schachter as one of my mentors."
--Ronald Hoffman, MD, author of How to Talk to Your Physician, and host of Health Talk on the WOR Radio Network

"This book's practical and effective nutritional strategies -- from a leader in the holistic health field -- offer a lifeline to all those caught in our epidemic of depression."
--Julia Ross, MA, executive director, Recovery Systems Clinic, and author of The Mood Cure

"In this book, Schachter and Mitchell challenge us to imagine the problem of depression differently. They make a strong scientific case for their view. I hope this book will be read as widely as it truly deserves, by clinicians as well as sufferers of depression."
-Majid Ali, MD, author of The Principles and Practice of Integrative Medicine

"An excellent overview of the multiple causes of depression and the many opportunities for effective treatment."
--Richard A. Kunin, MD, president, Society for Orthomolecular Health Medicine; and diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

"Dr. Schachter astutely points out many factors that may contribute to depression and provides a comprehensive integrative approach . . . The health of those suffering from depression will almost certainly benefit from the application of the knowledge contained in this book."
--Kenneth A. Bock, MD, author of Road to Immunity, cofounder and codirector, Rhinebeck Health Center, Rhinebeck, New York

"This book fills a very important need . . . I can't imagine how any physician can practice proper diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders without knowing what is in this book. It is a must for all practitioners and healers."
--A. Hoffer, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)

"Dr. Schachter not only stresses the very significant problems with psychotropic drugs, but also provides a number of safe, highly effective alternatives for the treatment of depression."
--Julian Whitaker, MD, author of Health & Healing newsletter and founder, The Whitaker Wellness Institute

Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from the book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About™ Depression

Religious and Spiritual Connections

Some researchers have set out to scientifically document what impact a person's relationship with God, a higher power, nature, or another sacred or spiritual ideal has on depression and mood. One of the first articles to tackle that idea was published in 1998 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Among the depressed elderly individuals studied, those with a strong religious faith were better able to cope with life changes and recover from depression. Going to church and participating in religious activities, such as Bible or prayer study, however, were not factors.

In other studies, it's been shown that there's a decrease rate of depression and suicide among people who participate in spiritual activities. Research also shows that higher spirituality scores correlate with fewer symptoms of depression, as in a Yale University study in which 122 people participated. The experts found that among depressed and nondepressed individuals those in the latter category were significantly more likely to believe in a higher power, have a relationship with a higher power, and believe in prayer.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are and founder and director of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, suggests that people make an effort to be mindful of their environment; to find purpose, meaning, and beauty in every experience and through all their senses. Dr. Kabat-Zinn practices and teaches a form of meditation called mindfulness that, he says, helps people "in times of great stress or pain . . . [because] they know how to go to their breathing, to use it to calm down and broaden the field of perception, so that they can see with a larger perspective."

Making Other Connections

Connecting with something meaningful or sacred can take many forms. Any connection an individual makes is his or her own; even if two people choose journaling to express their feelings, the product of their work will be unique to each.

• Turn to the arts. Expressing yourself through art, be it painting, drawing, sculpting, music, or dance, can be very therapeutic for many people suffering with depression. Some people discover talents they never knew they possessed; others simply find joy in the creative process. Art therapy is available at various facilities. Though we do not do this at the Schachter Center, we believe it is worthwhile for some people.


• Write it down. Journaling, writing poetry or stories, or composing letters can provide a tangible way to connect with and express your feelings, resolve conflicts, and reach out to others. You don't need to share what you write, however. Daria began writing poetry during her treatment for depression, and says it is a tremendous release. But she's not ready to share her work with the world. "The poems are too personal, too bleak right now," she says. "But I really enjoy writing them and how I feel when I'm done, like I've accomplished something, like I'm okay with the world."


• Reach out to nature. Distancing yourself from the hurry-day world and allowing yourself to experience nature firsthand can be a great source of comfort. Natural settings are also conducive to meditation, journaling, and other contemplative activities.


• Join a support group. "One of the worst things about being depressed is that you feel so alone," says Lynette, a forty-year-old hairdresser and single mom who had a very difficult time coping with the death of her fourteen-year-old daughter in a car accident. "For the first six months after Tiffany died, I couldn't cope with daily life. My friends and family tried to help, but I didn't think they could really understand what I was going through. Then my best friend found a support group for parents who had lost a child, and she literally drove me to the front door of the meeting. Being with those parents was one of the saddest yet most uplifting things I've ever done. I found love, understanding, and courage, and a way out of my depression." Ask your doctor or local hospital about area support groups.
  


• Learn something new. Have you always wanted to learn Italian cooking? Photography? Tai chi? Sign language? Swimming? Learning something new is like starting a whole new chapter in your life, a chapter that will include your feeling better about yourself.


• Volunteer. Choose a cause that is meaningful to you, such as fighting breast cancer, spaying and neutering pets, literacy, or preserving forests. Contact a local nonprofit organization that supports the cause of your choice or visit your local library for a list of nonprofits or social service groups in your area.

From the book WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT DEPRESSION: The Breakthrough Integrative Approach for Effective Treatment by Michael B. Schachter, MD, with Deborah Mitchell. Copyright (c) 2006 by Michael B. Schachter, MD, and Lynn Sonberg. Reprinted by permission of Warner Books, Inc, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Author:
Michael B. Schachter, MD, is a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia College, and received his medical degree from Columbia's Physicians & Surgeons in 1965. He is board certified in psychiatry and has achieved advanced proficiency in chelation therapy from the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM). Dr. Schachter has been involved with alternative and complementary medicine since 1974. He is a recognized leader in orthomolecular psychiatry, nutritional medicine, chelation therapy for cardiovascular disease, and alternative cancer therapies. Coauthor of Food, Mind and Mood (1989, 1987) and author of The Natural Way to a Healthy Prostate (Keats, 1995), Dr. Schachter was a major contributor to Alternative Medicine's Definitive Guide to Cancer (Future Medicine, 1997). He was president of the American College for Advancement in Medicine from 1989-91 and is the past president of the Foundation for the Advancement of Innovative Medicine (FAIM). A frequent lecturer to both professionals and the public, Dr. Schachter is often a guest on radio and television, speaking about health and related topics.

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