Ella felt as if she was spinning her wheels all the time. It was as if she was perpetually under water and couldn’t get her head to break through the surface. Although she managed to complete her job duties each day, she seemed to be moving in slow motion. Her work performance was slipping, and she feared she would lose her job if things didn’t change soon. She became increasingly anxious. At home, all she wanted to do was sleep. She couldn’t talk herself into doing things that used to be fun. The longer this went on, the more convinced she became that this nightmare would never end.

Seeing her doctor, Ella was prescribed an antidepressant. Unfortunately, even after a month at the highest dose, it didn’t work. In the meantime, her libido—which wasn’t great to begin with—took a nosedive, and she could no longer climax. Her doctor prescribed an antidepressant in a different class, but it didn’t work, either. Counseling gave her coping skills and helped her to think positive, but it wasn’t the answer, either: She was still depressed, and still living in a fog. Although she enjoyed her therapy, she didn’t have any trauma, abuse, or dysfunctional thought patterns to be fixed. Aside from the depression and anxiety, life for Ella was great. Although her current performance was not the best, she was good at and loved her job. She had a loving husband and children, enjoyed the support of good friends, and had no stress to speak of.

Ella’s doctor and therapist suggested she consider some heavier medications, or even ECT, otherwise known as shock therapy. Although she kept an open mind to all her options, she wasn’t quite ready to take what she considered to be drastic measures.

Undergoing a full functional medicine evaluation, Ella learned why antidepressants and counseling weren’t working: She has biochemical abnormalities that affect norepinephrine and dopamine, not serotonin. Undertaking a program that targets her specific abnormalities enabled Ella to finally get back to her normal happy self within a few short months.

Ella is not alone. Over one-fifth of people with depression will not respond to the usual antidepressants. Another one-fifth will actually get worse. Tragically, these are the ones who are at high risk of ending their own or others’ lives, not in spite of, but because of taking an SSRI (serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor). The biochemistry of these people is why the FDA had to put a “black box warning” on SSRI drugs.

Fortunately, most people with depression will respond partially or fully to SSRIs, which can be a game-changer for them. Unfortunately, even in these cases, taking antidepressants long-term comes at a cost. Antidepressants are notorious for causing sexual side effects. In some people, despair is replaced with apathy, so that they experience neither joy nor appropriate sorrow. What is less well-known is that long-term use of SSRIs increases risk of bleeding in the gut or brain. And postmenopausal women—who commonly become depressed due to sudden deficiencies of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone—experience increased bone loss and a higher rate of death from all causes just by taking SSRIs long term. All of these trade-offs and more should figure into the decision whether to begin or continue an antidepressant. Unfortunately, the usual approach is to emphasize the benefits while downplaying or even ignoring the potential risks.

Once a person is all better and the decision is made to discontinue an antidepressant, two new problems emerge. The first is a discontinuation syndrome, which affects 20% of those who stop. This can include flu-like symptoms, insomnia with vivid dreams or nightmares, nausea (sometimes vomiting), dizziness, strange sensations (burning, tingling, electric-like, shock-like), anxiety, irritability, agitation, aggression, mania, and jerkiness.

If that’s not enough, the second problem is the depletion of neurotransmitters that occurs over the period of time the antidepressant was used, leading the person to become depressed again within one to three months of stopping the drug. In both cases, the usual solution is simply to restart the drug—not exactly what the person was hoping for.

Whether or not you choose to take antidepressants, and whether or not they are working, you might want to consider undergoing an evaluation to determine whether there are any internal factors that could have caused your depression so you can get at the root of the problem rather than merely covering it up. As helpful as medicine and therapy can be, no amount of any antidepressant or counseling will fix a nutrient deficiency, hormone imbalance, toxicity, gut dysfunction, or hidden chronic infection. And whatever the cause, depression is only one of its effects on your overall health. Once you fix the cause, perhaps you will be able to lower your medication use. Perhaps you won’t need it at all. And who knows how many other symptoms will improve at the same time? In either case, who wouldn’t welcome better effectiveness and fewer side effects now, coupled with fewer risks down the road?

As you may be aware, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. There’s never been a better time to become aware that you have more options than just prescription drugs. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, behavior disorders, schizophrenia, postpartum depression, or bipolar disorder, you may be able to change the course of your condition and your life. If you are looking for a truly science-based approach to your mental and physical health, call Prestige Wellness Institute at (435) 210-0184 to schedule a consultation.

Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, is a significant concern in Utah, with rates on the rise and more fatalities compared to the national average. However, it's crucial to understand that skin cancer, including melanoma, can be prevented. With the right information and actions, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing this disease. Early detection and prevention are key in the fight against skin cancer. Here's a simplified guide to help you understand how to detect and prevent skin cancer.

Understanding Skin Cancer
Skin cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the skin. There are three main types: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Although each type has its own characteristics, they all share a common risk factor: exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds.

Detection
Regular self-checks are important for spotting skin cancer early. Use the ABCDE rule to identify suspicious moles or spots:
• Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other.
• Border: The edges of the mole are irregular, blurred, or jagged.
• Color: The mole has uneven color, with shades of tan, brown, black, red, white, or blue.
• Diameter: The mole is larger than the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 millimeters).
• Evolution: Any changes in size, shape, color, or texture of a mole should be closely monitored.
If you notice any unusual changes in your skin, see a dermatologist promptly for evaluation and possibly a biopsy.

Prevention
Preventing skin cancer starts with protecting yourself from the sun:
• Use sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin, and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing: Cover up with long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats, preferably made of dark, tightly woven fabric.
• Seek shade: Limit your time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV radiation is strongest.
• Avoid tanning beds: Artificial UV radiation from tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer. Instead, use sunless tanning products or bronzing lotions.
• Get regular screenings: Schedule skin cancer screenings with a dermatologist, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer or many moles.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, reducing the risk of sun damage.
• Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes and the skin around them. By following these prevention tips and keeping an eye on changes in your skin, you can reduce your risk of skin cancer and lead a healthier, sun-safe life. Early detection through self-checks and professional screenings is vital for catching skin cancer early when it's most treatable. Take proactive steps to protect your skin today for a cancer-free future.