5-HTP for depression?

[Lil_miz_dancer]

hi everyone! I haven't been posting in a while because..well, my depression is consuming me. Then I realized what it's doing to my academic and work life. I asked for help, once again...and finally came across 5-HTP, a natural anti-depressant. Does anyone have experience with this? My best friend says I should get my emotions sorted out before I try to lose weight. Will this cause stalls in my weight loss?
THanks!

[ttdriver]

Hi Lil Miz,

I took 5htp for awhile last winter when I was wrestling with depression. Unfortunately, I didn't take it for long .. I went to the doctor and he prescribed Effexor for me which REALLY helped .. within a few months, I was doing great! Now, I don't need the meds any longer. Effexor did not cause weight gain at all.

Betty

[slimndown]

Lil Miz, I can't really help you out on the 5-HTP stuff, but I really don't think there is a magic pill for what you're going through. You have alot on your plate with your not-so-hot homelife and the stress with school. There is not enough chocolate, prozac, munchies, fuzzy kitties, or cute boyfriends in the world that can make anyone happy with what you're going through. It's normal to feel that way to an extent - I've been there. The only thing that helps is taking control - and it's up to you to decide how you want to do it and what that means. It may mean supporting yourself, it may mean staying and getting through college and getting a good job - but it's up to you. You might want to seek professional help on this, sweetie. If you already have a professional you've consulted about this and explained all that's going on and all they have done is prescribe something - you may want a second opinion.

[Lil_miz_dancer]

Hi Lil Miz,

I took 5htp for awhile last winter when I was wrestling with depression. Unfortunately, I didn't take it for long .. I went to the doctor and he prescribed Effexor for me which REALLY helped .. within a few months, I was doing great! Now, I don't need the meds any longer. Effexor did not cause weight gain at all.

Betty

I did research on effexor. But I found some sources that said it's possible for weight gain or anorexia? I took Paxil before with some not-so-good results and now I'm scared of prescription stuff. Did you find your appetite decreased with it? Thanks, Betty!

Lil Miz, I can't really help you out on the 5-HTP stuff, but I really don't think there is a magic pill for what you're going through. You have alot on your plate with your not-so-hot homelife and the stress with school. There is not enough chocolate, prozac, munchies, fuzzy kitties, or cute boyfriends in the world that can make anyone happy with what you're going through. It's normal to feel that way to an extent - I've been there. The only thing that helps is taking control - and it's up to you to decide how you want to do it and what that means. It may mean supporting yourself, it may mean staying and getting through college and getting a good job - but it's up to you. You might want to seek professional help on this, sweetie. If you already have a professional you've consulted about this and explained all that's going on and all they have done is prescribe something - you may want a second opinion.

Well, as for boyfriends, I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to pursue love for a while. Believe it or not, it's helping me get through knowing that I'm just not meant to be in romantic relationships.
I feel all I've been doing is getting help. The options scare me. Aside from medication, some suggestions I've recieved from academic advisors are: getting a "standing deferral" from school, dropping my work study program, quitting my part time job, or finding yet ANOTHER counselor. I don't want my life to be put on hold because of this. And to think such a great deal of this has to do with my inability to control what goes into my stupid mouth. I'm just at the point where I'm so very very tired with my life.
Are you better now, though? How did you deal with this, slimndown?

[slimndown]

I'm actually alot better. I found a woman to rent a room from and had less interference from my parents that way. It made things alot better. I still had stress from working lots to support myself and going to school full time and there were many nights that I cried myself to sleep. It's hard when you want a parent to love you as they should and the other loves you lots but not enough to protect you. It's a wound that doesn't heal but gets easier to live with in time. I took comfort in friends, knowing that it wasn't all in my head - that these feelings are NORMAL. You can't medicate normal or you get problems. And, yes, I had and still have some feelings of worthlessness. But I KNOW that I'm not, throw myself an hour long pity party if I wish - then move on.

Good for you on the boyfriends, wait to find someone who understands your emotional needs and is willing to be there the long haul.

If you decide to move out, like I did, wait a bit, then get some help if you think you need it.

Your depression isn't what is going into your mouth, that's how you deal with it. I have dealt with feelings that way myself, often when I've felt my life was out of control. My future was in school and work, and my home life was distracting me from the important stuff because of the misery, so I chose to remove myself from the situation. I still have a relationship with my parents, but it's at arm's length and that's their doing. Feel free to ask me anything - here or in private.

[char3578]

I used 5-htp for awhile. Didn't see to much results. I now use Kava Kava (herbal as well) and that works wonders for me. Also another thing that makes me feel alot better is to exercise(take a walk, ride bike, etc) it gets those endorphins racing. There is no better anti depressant out there.

Don't be poopy
Cheer up

[ladyinred]

I took this for a while a few years ago, as an appetite suppressant. It's heck to come off of though. I'd stay away from it and see the dr. instead.

[Miss Phode]

I took this for a while a few years ago, as an appetite suppressant. It's heck to come off of though. I'd stay away from it and see the dr. instead.

Lady, what happened when you tried to quit the 5-HTP? I have a bottle, and was thinking about taking it, because I'm unusually stressed and anxious lately. I thought maybe it would at least help me to sleep.

[ladyinred]

Aphex, if you feel sad and depressed before you start, then times it by 10 when you stop taking them. I tried cutting back the dosage to see if just easing off them would help, but it was still bad. Not suicidal or anything, but major mood swings, irrational anger, a lot of highs and lows that wear you out emotionally. I felt less in control than before I took them. St. John's Wort doesn't have these side effects and helps with stress and anxiety. I would try that instead.

[Miss Phode]

Thanks for the info Lady. I've tried St. Johns Wort in the past, but it makes me ill. I have started 5-htp, and so far, no complaints. I'll be careful about going off of it. I've been anxious and stressed, and it really seems to be helping.