| 1 - "Some thoughts regarding treatment for depression" (by Sandy Goodwick) One condition shared by several people with Moebius (including myself) is depression. Depression has been called "the common cold" of mental illness because so many people are affected with it during their lifetimes. Unlike the 'common cold', however, depression has multiple causes and can be devastating to those affected by it. Shawn Centers, D.O. F.A.C.O.P is both a physician and an adult with Moebius syndrome. Shawn was a presenter at the 1996 Moebius syndrome conference, in Tarrytown, NY. Dr. Centers is on staff at The Osteopathic Center for Children, in San Diego, California. The following is a letter that Shawn wrote me regarding treatment he considered to be important in helping individuals with depression. In believing his insight (both as physician and adult with Moebius) is valuable information for others, I am sharing it here with you. |
| "Dear Sandy: Depression is a complex condition with many causes and variations. However, here are some simple things that could be helpful. Depression is not one condition and must be treated on multiple levels. For some people one particular dimension may play a larger role than others. The major dimensions that I work with as a traditional osteopath are mind, matter, and motion. (This is from a quote by A.T. Still, MD the founder of osteopath "health manifests in mind matter and motion.") Addressing the mind is very important. The mind entails many things including attitudes, beliefs, and emotions. In Moebius I believe many times depression can be triggered from past negative experiences which may trigger the depressive bouts. These triggers are old memories or negative experiences which may have never been adequately dealt with. We sometimes recommend a special type of psychotherapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This therapy should only be done by an appropriately trained clinical psychologist or LCSW or family counselor. At our Center in San Diego we also use a special type of EEG biofeedback that is interfaced with a copmputer (called "neurofeedback") which is also helpful in changing either overproduction or under production of certain brainwave frequencies that are common in depression. Exposing oneself to full spectrum lighting and colored light for some people can also be helpful. Second we would address the matter. By this I mean we would look at what is physically being put into the body and if there are any allergies or sensitivities to foods or toxic exposures. There is mounting clinical and scientific evidence that depressive tendencies may actually be a part of a wider disrder called Autism Spectrum Disorder which would include anxiety disorder, OCD, Aspergers, PDD, Autism, ADHD, and certain types of epilepsy in children. Nutrient deficiencies , toxicity, and sensitivities can be involved. Simple things that can be done are to decrease the amount of meat and dairy in the diet as this causes large protein loads and has been associated with depression. Increase fresh fruit and vegetables. Notice if there are dietary things that influence the way you feel. Eliminated as much refined or processed food as possible especially alcohol, coffee, tea, & colas. Add nutritional (inactivated) yeast to increase B6 levels. The DAN protocol used with autism recommends B6 dosages as high as 400 mg a day. We have found additions to the diet with supportive herbs to be very helpful. There are many studies showing the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in mild and moderate depression. I highly recommend an herbal formula created by Dr. John Christopher called MIND-TRAC. We have used this with many patients and have had very good results. It is most effective if the person is not taking other medicines for depression. This particular herbal combination is of high quality using organically grown herbs from Springville, Utah.You can get it from them at Phone: 1-888-235-3265. Last, we would address the motion of the body. Motion --- circulation --- blood flow --cell to cell exchange is the fundamental quality of life. Where motion is absence than the bosy begins to be in dis-ease. So we through an ostoeopathic exam would look for areas of restricted range of motion and correct this. Often times even in adults we find compression of the connective tissue around the area where blood exits the skull. The tension on the venous structures which exit the head cause less blood to be able to leave the head and neck area and ,therefore less blood that can leave the brain itself. The arteries which send blood to the brain are not influenced by compressive forces because they have a pumping force coming from the heart. However, there is a reflex that causes the arteries to constrict and send less blood if the veinsare compressed. This is because you cannot have more blood pumped to the brain than is able to leave the brain else you would have congestion and brain swelling. When tension is taken off venous structures and the diameter of the veins in the head and neck increases more blood oxygen and nutrients can be received in the brain. Further, changes can occur at specific areas within the brain when the soft delicate skull has been molded, and compressed from the trauma of birth. These subtle changes can influence the connective tissue within the the cranium called dura and also effect blood and cerebrospinal fluid. This is especially true and most easily treated in children. In my case, and in other Moebius children we have treated we have The effects of this early birth trauma can last a lifetime and depression is one way these subtle effects. So we would recommend osteopathic treatment. We might also recommend weekly massage by a massage therapist which can benefit depression. Hope this Helps. Shawn Shawn K. Centers D.O., F.A.C.O.P., M.H. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine The Osteopathic Center For Children of Western University" (http://www.osteopathiccenter.org/centersbio.html) |