Depression remedies

I think it’s an invented “disorder” to sell more Prozac (called Sarafem)
It’s basically due to a hormone imbalance. You need to balance your hormones, not take drugs.

Treatment

The goals of treatment in patients with PMDD are (1) symptom reduction and (2) improvement in social and occupational functioning, leading to an enhanced quality of life. Available treatment options are summarized in Tables 2 through 6.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Lifestyle changes may be valuable in patients with mildly severe symptoms and benefit their overall health. Aerobic exercise and dietary changes often reduce premenstrual symptoms.19,20 Decreasing caffeine intake can abate anxiety and irritability, and reducing sodium decreases edema and bloating. Many patients prefer to try lifestyle changes and/or nutritional supplements as a first step in the treatment of PMDD.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Many of the nutritional supplements described in Table 24,15,16,19-22 have proven efficacy. A meta-analysis16 of nine randomized, placebo-controlled trials was conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of vitamin B6 in PMS management. The researchers concluded that vitamin B6, in dosages of up to 100 mg per day, is likely to benefit patients with premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual depression. In another study,21 research literature (from January 1967 to September 1999) was reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of calcium carbonate in patients with PMS. The reviewers concluded that calcium supplementation in a dosage of 1,200 to 1,600 mg per day is a treatment option in women with PMS. Calcium supplementation (using Tums E-X) was found to reduce core premenstrual symptoms by 48 percent in 466 patients.22 Vitamin E, an antioxidant, seems to reduce the affective and physical symptoms of PMS.20 Tryptophan,15 a substrate for serotonin, may also benefit some patients

NONPHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENTS

Almost invariably, psychosocial stressors should be addressed, either as a cause or a result of PMDD. Psychosocial stressors are known to alter brain neurochemistry and stress-related hormonal activity. Stress reduction, assertiveness training, and anger management can reduce symptoms and interpersonal conflicts. Women with negative views of themselves and the future caused or exacerbated by PMDD may benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy.23 This kind of therapy can enhance self-esteem and interpersonal effectiveness, as well as reduce other symptoms.23 Educating patients and their families about the disorder can promote understanding of it and reduce conflict, stress, and symptoms.20

HERBAL THERAPIES

A recent study24 reviewed efficacy and safety data on herbal supplements marketed for women. The author concluded that two herbal products, evening primrose oil and chaste tree berry, have been effective in treating PMS (Table 3).24-26 Other researchers25 have arrived at variable conclusions about the efficacy of evening primrose oil. It is thought to provide the gamma-linolenic acid required for synthesis of prostaglandin E1,24 one of the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Chaste tree berry may reduce prolactin levels,24,25 thereby reducing symptoms of breast engorgement. These herbal therapies have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in PMDD, and their safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Moreover, manufacturing standards for herbal products are not uniform.