Whenever we talk about diseases of the mind, there's always an unwelcome slant of philosophy to it. A fracture or a tumour is readily addressed by physicians and patients alike because it has a physical presence in space and time. Even pain is a measurable, physiological response. But when it comes to ailments like clinical depression, who are we to deny the solipsists' claim that it's all in our head? The symptoms match to a tee, family histories leave nothing to doubt, and life has ground to a halt. But many depressives digress, especially if they have grown up trying to rein it in.
One understandable cause of their denial - for want of a better word - is the distressing nature of their options. While behavioural therapy might help, it comes with no guarantee. Anti-depressants almost always produce some effects, albeit of questionable value. This painful dilemma is an inevitable consequence of modern medicine, which remains very much a hit-and-miss affair despite our scientists' valiant efforts.
Biology
Happily, the fog of war is gradually clearing away. We have now at our disposal at least a rudimentary understand of the chemistry tucked underneath our skull. Many modern anti-depressants are now designed to act upon specific receptors which mediate the electrochemical signals between our neural synapses, in an attempt to restore the delicate balance that was once negotiated by biological means. This truce, however, remains as fragile as the military variety, and so potentially catastrophic side-effects are only to be expected. There is scanty evidence for the oft-cited "suicide ideation", however, so in the severest episodes anti-depressants and anti-psychotics are still the only recourse.
However, recent studies have uncovered a new attack surface for mild to moderate depression symptoms. Phospholipids form a large portion of our nervous tissues, and while their chemical properties are well-studied, their interactions with other biological components are still a matter of further research. All we know is that their balance serves as a proxy trigger for depressive episodes: abnormal variations are indicative of an upset biological balance.
Undaunted, researchers followed up a lead on anecdotal reports that a chemical relative of phospholipids seem to provide some relief from depression. This compound. commonly known as DHA, is however an inconspicuous food supplement, better known for its cardiovascular benefits. To put it crudely, it's like trying to solve a crossword puzzle, only to find the clue in sudoku.
Never mind the serendipity. Multiple double-blind studies have all indicated promising results in terms of both self-reported and observed levels of depression. Significantly, it works even for the most severest of cases, when applied in conjunction with standard treatments: patients prescribed with a daily supplement of omega-3 cocktails, including both DHA and its complement acid EPA, experienced fewer suicidal tendencies over extended periods of time.
Of course, as the name attests, the dietary approach to depression remains primarily a supplemental and preventative one. If you experience has been debilitating to your daily routine or otherwise endanger yourself or others, psychiatric treatment is still the first port of call.
The Valley of the Shadows: How to Make It Out Without Artificial Aids
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