Scientists ID the little bastard molecule that causes depression
Source: MSN
Scientists have used a particle accelerator (called the Diamond Light Source) to identify, for the first time, the specific little sh*t of a molecule responsible for causing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. The awful rat bastard of a particle turns out to be the protein receptor CRF1, which releases certain unsavory hormones when it detects stress molecules released by the hypothalamus. Scientists hope to use the information from this study to develop "small molecule drugs" that interact with the receptor's specific structure to treat these conditions more effectively. Now, which molecule makes us eat the entire jar of Nutella when we're depressed?
Read more: http://now.msn.com/protein-receptor-crf1-identified-as-depression-molecule
Myrina
(12,296 posts)LearningCurve
(488 posts)I need to learn how to make fun emoticons.
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)This discovery will hopefully solve that problem.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm
Deep13
(39,154 posts)I'll never go back to the way I used to be.
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)Enduring depression is a horrid experience. It really does literally, physically hurt as well, for a lot of us. A lot of people do not know that. I'll take the "brain zaps" when the pharmacy is late filling my prescription (because they don't seem to think it is all that important, if only they knew!), if it means relief from depression the rest of the time. Depression before finding the right antidepressant was pure misery and I never want to go back to that feeling.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)I know exactly what you mean.
Ugggh.
greiner3
(5,214 posts)And when I was a candidate for this treatment and I brought up 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's' portrayal of Electro Shock Treatment, he became very defensive and said the treatment was safe.
He said he was just beginning his job, in the late 50s, when this was coming back into vogue and chided me for not wanting the treatment.
I never got the treatment but I was suicidly depressed for most of my adult life, beginning as a 'tween' and lasting until a few years ago when my Dr. prescribed 2 anti seizure meds.
Since then I've been mostly depression free and the only times I have been since then is when my bipolar kicks in.
I'm anxiously awaiting meds resulting from this discovery.
If I turn green and grow a penis on my forehead I'll take this over getting depressed again.
gvstn
(2,805 posts)I had a terrible time several years ago and gave up on drugs after enduring particularly Paxil for about a year and several others. The only one that actually made me feel better was Klonopin, an anti-seizure, but my doctor did not prefer that for long term use. I'm only curious because I've been having a rather bad time recently and have been considering giving the drugs another go round. I just don't respond well to the usual Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft. *Not asking for medical advice but your situation sounds similar to mine.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)As for depression, Pristiq (which is an SNRI) has helped. SNRI = Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor as opposed to SSRIs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.
gvstn
(2,805 posts)I see that SNRI's still inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. I had such a bad experience with Paxil that I don't think I will ever go back on anything that works similarly but it is good to know that there are newer drugs out there.
If my current miasma doesn't break soon, I'll definitely explore the options with a doctor.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)I wasn't getting what I need from Zoloft, plus other side-effects were not wanted. I found that Pristiq, with both the Serotonin and the Norepinephrine aspect helped greatly.
Best of luck to you.
DeadLetterOffice
(1,352 posts)May I strongly suggest you go to a prescribing psychiatrist and not just to your GP?
As both a mental health professional and a consumer, I am frequently appalled by the way primary care physicians hand out psyche meds without adequate consumer education or follow-up. Yes, there are exceptions to this, and yes there are sucky psychiatrists also, but in general you're going to get more accurate information and better follow-up from someone who specializes in psyche meds.
Best of luck to you!!
gvstn
(2,805 posts)Eager to give out psych meds without much follow-up other than double the dose.
I ended up seeing a psychiatrist who was much more attentive and interested in how the drugs were effecting me. He was fine but he moved his practice. I've been ok for a few years but this last year has really enervated me. I just seem to be lacking any hope at a very fundamental level. Hasn't been this bad in many years. If it doesn't pass in the next month or so, I will get serious about it in the Fall.
Thank you for the well wishes.
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)Research benzo withdrawal
Natural alternatives are 5htp, or CBD spray if you have access to MMJ
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)I take such a low dose (1mg per day) that I hardly even notice it.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)When I go a day or two without an SSRI (or in my case, SNRI), I feel these shock type things in my head. It's unnerving more than anything else. I have never, nor do I intend to, have shock therapy.
I'm glad you were able to find something that helped with your depression.
May I ask, did you have seizures, or did the doctor just prescribe them off-inidcation?
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)I experienced them while on Venlafaxine. Very uncomfortable, especially when tapering off of that particular anti-depressant.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)... but nothing really catastrophic. They would come and go for a few days and then subside. I'm still on Pristiq, so I imagine that when I decide to quit this one, the same will occur.
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)I think Venlafaxine is the worst for that sort of thing, but I am unfamiliar with Pristiq.
The Klonopin, even at a low dose, will give you some of those effects should you decide to taper off.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)I've gone a week without it, but it's more mental now, I think (or hope).
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)I couldn't go without them either, I just wish I could find something that doesn't screw with the other functions of my life (read between the lines on that one).
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)or had it added to the regimen that you are currently on? It tends to have a more stimulating effect than any of the other anti-depressants.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)My doctor just cut my dose for that one in half. He says he doesn't like it very much.
kirby
(4,442 posts)It probably depends on the person, how they handle depression, and what their side effects are. It is such an individualized thing.
mopinko
(70,388 posts)you need to try some different drugs, maybe.
they work different for everyone. took me a long time to find one that was worth anything.
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)Some of the side effects of the drugs are horrific and make a person pause in using them if any crop up. I keep seeing the advertisements for Abilify (adjunct) , and wonder how anyone could even try it.
In 6-week clinical studies of adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the most commonly observed side effects associated with ABILIFY (aripiprazole) plus an antidepressant were an inner sense of restlessness or need to move (akathisia), restlessness, insomnia, fatigue, blurred vision, and constipation. These side effects were reported in at least 5% of patients taking ABILIFY plus an antidepressant and at least twice the rate of patients taking a placebo plus an antidepressant.
In clinical studies, 6% of patients taking ABILIFY (aripiprazole) plus an antidepressant stopped due to side effects, compared with 2% of patients taking a placebo plus an antidepressant.
http://www.addabilify.com/abilify-side-effects.aspx
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)... horrible stuff. I felt like I needed to crawl out of my skin! The feeling of restlessness was maddening, yet I was still unmotivated to do anything (which is what I was taking it for). I find that Pristiq helps by itself.
Of course, I don't want anyone to take my word for it. Abilify may work for someone else, but it didn't work for me.
mopinko
(70,388 posts)i have had a lot of luck that way- few bad effects, just few good effects.
cymbalta is the first one i have even gotten any good effects from, which makes sense because i have fibro. pain and exhaustion can bring you down pretty damn well.
and of all the diseases for people to need to be patient and hopeful.............
gotta keep trying, tho.
peace and low stress friend.
wordpix
(18,652 posts)One thing it points out is how little the drugs are tested and how short the trials are, so no one knows the efficacy or side effects by the time a drug hits the markets. Also, it's about the revolving door and clusterf**k of FDA, university researchers, psychiatrists and big pharma, and the scam that is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), all to keep the money rolling in.
In short, it's all about the billions of dollars made in the legal psychotropic drug trade by big pharma, aided and abetted by government, universities and psychiatrists.
Those who put their trust in these drugs and the psychiatrists who dispense them with little thought should see this. Be informed, at the very least.
Jamastiene
(38,187 posts)crim son
(27,465 posts)I despise having to depend on meds to want to get out of bed, eat, interact, bathe or even move, but it sure beats the alternative.
DeadLetterOffice
(1,352 posts)I am slowly learning to think of my psyche meds the same way I think of insulin for someone with diabetes. If my body isn't doing it right and needs medication to solve that problem, so be it.
liberalmike27
(2,479 posts)Some depressions are worse than others, our society is stressful, unfair, and awful to live in.
I'd submit that for those who are normally depressed, perhaps even some who are suicidally depressed, it is the body's natural reaction to living in our current state. If your body is just telling you you're screwed, or your brain for that matter, because you are, then is it really something is wrong with "you" (isn't that just what all of the current propaganda tells you, that you screwed up man, nothing wrong with the system here, look away toward yourself for your problems) or is it your brain just reacting to the "pain" society is causing you. And that pain is probably more often than not, normal.
Some folks just find it easier to bear the pain, than others. It's as simple as that.
LiberalLoner
(9,762 posts)marions ghost
(19,841 posts)I think it's actually in the "normal" range of reactions to be depressed about what we see & experience today. I disagree that it's a simple line between the copers and those who take anti-depressants. "Some find it easier to bear the pain" (until they don't). Those who bear it are still stressed which may come out in other ways.
So individuals have to decide for themselves whether they seek non-drug strategies or find help with drugs. I don't fault anyone who takes medications and feels better. But the fact of living in these stressful times should also be evaluated. "If your body is telling you you're screwed because you are..." A medication might not really help so much. Maybe useful short-term until you develop a strategy for coping with the reality of the situation.
I agree with you when you say that "our society is stressful, unfair, and awful to live in." And it is taking a toll. And some of that toll could be alleviated.
distantearlywarning
(4,475 posts)Wish we (as a society) could work harder on fixing our general social environment and less hard on manufacturing new drugs for people to take to get themselves through living in that environment.
Orsino
(37,428 posts)But as the effects of depression may include death, a statistical view is probably much more helpful than worst-case scenarios.
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)Not to be too harsh but that's the option for many. Depression is serious not just feeling sad after your GF dumped you. I've had depression and anxiety to varying degrees my whole life.
treestar
(82,383 posts)If not depressed you can handle the side effects. If depressed, you can't handle anything.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)But it sounds like a potentially helpful discovery.
B
bitchkitty
(7,349 posts)happy, sad, depressed, bored, excited...I don't need an excuse!
Thav
(946 posts)I don't buy the stuff 'cause I'd do the same. I think it's slightly more addictive than cocaine, and the only side-effects are increased situps and sadness over an empty jar.
Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)emmadoggy
(2,142 posts)full of WIN!
So funny and SO TRUE!
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)gtar100
(4,192 posts)the oppressive world we live in. We'll be happy to live in abject poverty and spending all our time feeding the machine.
Not being depressed is different than not being sad about something. Typically depression is an impediment towards action.
Sheepshank
(12,504 posts)I suppose you were trying to be funny.
In the end, you appear to misunderstand the nature of depression. FWIW, it's actually NOT about politics or the economy or the 1% or Holder or Obama, or even kittens.
If this new drug they are attempting to develop creates a false sense of euphoria, (not unike LSD) I will remember you sage words.
Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)Plenty of people think depression means Awareness Of How The Man's Keeping Us Down, Man, or that some of the more aggressive mental illnesses are intrinsically conservative in nature, etc.
If someone on DU says something really stupid about a mental health issue, at this point I just kind of assume they're being sincere about it.
NYC Liberal
(20,138 posts)Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)Depressed people don't do anything about the problems in the world. They feel overwhelmed.
The Dude
(7 posts)kentauros
(29,414 posts)Cat on my head!!
Ilsa
(61,720 posts)WCLinolVir
(951 posts)Numerous studies have been done already for possible antagonists.
yellowcanine
(35,705 posts)eridani
(51,907 posts)Neoma
(10,039 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
Hekate
(91,042 posts)It would be a gift to humanity to find the right meds.
My doc doesn't really believe I'm depressed, just like he thinks when people get older their fibro gets better.
Well, someone else diagnosed my fibro then moved away, and I had to go out of my way to find someone who didn't want new patients to prescribe something for the depression, so my doc just refills those Rx.
I'm here to tell you that you don't "outgrow" fibromyalgia and all its associated problems, you just stop telling your doc about it because you no longer believe it will get better if you do. Which, oddly enough, is one stellar symptom of depression itself. And, being depressed, you don't go out looking for another doc because this one is pretty good as long as you recognize that he has his limitations.
valerief
(53,235 posts)Shazam!
eppur_se_muova
(36,317 posts)wordpix
(18,652 posts)When she has to wait on an empty stomach, she starts yelling and carrying on. A nurse we work with discovered that Nutella on toast really quiets her down.
emmadoggy
(2,142 posts)Duer 157099
(17,742 posts)I knew it. Always was a shady bastard.
B Stieg
(2,410 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)No fault of yours of course, but main stream science reporting is too sensationalist and makes everything look like cure all. But as someone who has suffered with depression and anxiety his whole life I'm excited by the news. I'm on medication right now that I think is helping me. But let's hope they manage to use this to produce something truly effective.
LongTomH
(8,636 posts)..........//snip
..........//snip
The NHS UK News did say that this discovery could....repeat, could.......lead to 'small molecular drugs' that could target the CRF-1 receptor; but, such drugs "are unlikely to be available soon."
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)DirkGently
(12,151 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)emmadoggy
(2,142 posts)I was just thinking about how we have a container of Nutella in the pantry and I could really use a spoonful or two.....
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)undergroundpanther
(11,925 posts)that asshole molecule out of my head or wherever it is 1,000 times or more. I bet it can't feel the pain it causes.
KansDem
(28,498 posts)I wonder how much these "small molecule drugs" will cost?
wordpix
(18,652 posts)or other "outside" researchers paid by drug cos.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)Anyone who hasn't seen the movie Side-Effects really should.
ChairmanAgnostic
(28,017 posts)Jamastiene
(38,187 posts)I came by to try again. I guess I'll just it instead.
"Little Bastard" and "little sh!t" are perfect descriptors for whatever causes depression. I would love to see depression eradicated in my lifetime...in all people. To at least see treatments come about that will help the most people who suffer, and I do mean suffer, from depression would be wonderful.