-----Original Message-----
From: JHarper33(AT)aol.com <JHarper33(AT)aol.com>
To: 74541.2151(AT)compuserve.com <74541.2151(AT)compuserve.com>
Cc: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com <tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com>
Date: Wednesday, March 31, 1999 7:53 PM
Subject: [TMIC] chemical depression
>In a message dated 3/31/99 8:18:55 PM EST, 74541.2151(AT)compuserve.com
writes:
>
>> what he called a chemically
>> induced depression, whatever that means
>
>Hi Robert~
>
>Just a quick comment here -- I once heard this explained something like so:
we
>have a certain amount of "coping chemicals" in the brain that usually can
keep
>up with the ebb and flow of life. But sometimes something overwhelming or
>sustained comes up and the body just can't keep up with the production of
>these chemicals that are needed in greater amounts, or for longer times,
than
>usual. I think, in the tape I heard about this, the speaker said in the
"old
>days" when it was severe enough to be called a "nervous breakdown", about
the
>only thing the patient could do was rest until the body's chemical
production
>could catch up. These days scientists have isolated some of these chemicals
>and they are available in prescription form to help get the brain chemistry
>back where it needs to be. So, in that regard, it is no different in
principle
>than giving insulin to a diabetic whose liver can't produce enough. (I'm
>writing this from memory and haven't listened to said tape in a while, so
if
>I'm off base, someone feel free to correct me.)
>
>I understand your wife's reluctance to take those kinds of prescriptions,
>though. Some have done very well on them (and I understand in many cases it
is
>only needed temporarily), but it is scary to think about taking something
that
>will affect your brain. A very good book about someone who dealt with this
is
>A Joy I'd Never Known by Jan Dravecky, who became clinically depressed
during
>her husband's (pitcher Dave Dravecky) bout with cancer and arm amputation.
>
>Barbara H.
>