Is This A Placebo Effect?

[4Maddie44]

Anything is worth trying.  If something makes you feel less depressed, even if it is a placebo effect, then I am all for it.

I read about the benefits of taking a vitamin B complex pill for depression.  So along with my multi-vitamin pill, which the opthalmologist told me to take for my eye problem, and Omega 3, I started taking Vitamin B complex.  B1 for mood, B2 for brain energy, B3 for mental health, B5 for stress, B6 for emotional stability and inositol for calming.  Now I know the manufacturers will say anything is good for us, if they can sell their pills.  There is a huge market in dietary supplements.  I am as gullible as the next guy, and if I read something might help me, I try it.  

So here I am a couple of weeks after starting B complex pill.  Just one tiny pill a day.  
Could well be placebo effect - and I don't care if it is - but I am feeling a lot better.  They weren't expensive, and I will try anything to help relieve the severity of depression.  

Just thought I would share this with you, and get your reaction.  Obviously I will never stop taking my anti depressants.  In the past, I have taken St John's Wort and 5HT when  not on anti-depressants, but they made no difference, and I went back on anti depressants.  

Just sharing.  

[nursegirl6572]

Ah, the age old "placebo effect".

You know me, maddie...I'm a big supporter of the importance of getting professional help for our depression, HOWEVER, I can also understand and respect the fact that you've been there, done that, probably a LOT more than any of us have (yes, I'm calling you old, lol).

I say, if you're getting positive effects from the regimen you're using, more power to you!  If it works, it works...I don't think it's super important to analyze it, or try to figure out if it's working because it has some kind of effect on your system, or because you WANT it work.  

A LOT of people swear by the use of supplements as an adjunct treatment for things like depression and anxiety.  I also agree, who cares if it IS a placebo effect?  The MOST important thing is, that you're addressing your depression in some way...with your antidepressants, and the B-complex vitamin.

I'll always recommend that people seek out therapy for depression, but again, I can appreciate that you've done all of that, and at this point in your life, really don't get much out of it like you may have in the past.

Your approach may be slightly less traditional, but it's an approach all the same.

Thanks for sharing this with us..I just may try this myself!  I've been a little more depressed in the past month or so.  Nothing earth shattering, but I've definitely noticed a decline in my moods and motivation.  Depression is, after all, all about our ups and downs.  It's one heck of a roller coaster ride.

XOXO

[4Maddie44]

I don't have a psychiatrist.  Not had one for years.  Just see my doctor once a year for a review.,  Managing OK by myself.  The B vitamin  complex I have got includes inositol.

I don't care about guidelines, I just care about feeling less depressed.  Like I said, I will try anything.  I don't want to discuss with a professional.  Just thought I would share it with people here.  I feel fine, no side effects, so I will go on taking them even if it is only the placebo effect.  

Don't put a dampner on it, I feel fine.  I do not need all that talking, done it all in the past.  Seen all the professionals - now just me and my pills, and doctor if I need him.

Thanks for all the technical jargon.  Obviously I have read it all up on the internet myself.

[witheredrose]

Maybe ill try that! Where do I find them?, So glad your feeling better!!!! Your not gullable, you just want to rid yourself of this aawful depression like anyone else! And probably most people in this world try something if it says it works! If your gullable then me too! ;)
Thanks for sharing!

[ILADVOCATE]

  Its worth discussing the reason why you might be feeling better with your psychiatrist regardless of cause. There are also W.H.O. guidelines for the limit as regards vitamins a person can take. The field of orthomolecular psychiatry (the use of vitamins for potential psychiatric benefit) wasn't able to find any conclusive results but there is still some continuing research. There is some information on research that you could find by doing a google search on "Pubmed" that you could discuss with your psychiatrist. Inositol is somewhat different from b vitamins and in some tentative studies has shown some helpful effects but also has side effects of its own. Any extent studies would be online that your psychiatrist could read as well.
   The placebo effect if thats what is happening at any time is caused by the mind and likely the same results could be acheieved by cogntive behavioral therapy and talk therapy. You could discuss all this with your psychiatrist. When any supplement is working by its effect they need to monitor its use like any medication.