Does Cohens help with Depression or Mood Swings?

[Nat]

Hi Everyone,

A friend of mine is thinking of doing the program and we were talking about it on Saturday.

What we were wondering is this - since depression (or even just mood swings) are, in my very limited understanding, caused by either too little or too much seretonin, and since Cohens stimulates seretonin, does it help with depression, depression like symptons (like with PMS) or just plain old mood swings (whether they are hormonal or not)? I know that some PCOS sufferers can also get depression like symptoms.

I would be interested in hearing of other people's thoughts and experiences of what they have found while on the program - especially those who may have been diagnosed with depression or with PCOS.

Thanks everyone!

Nat

[Evave]

Hi Nat

YES!! Cohen does help with depression, it helps stimulate serotonin production and also helps stablise the other hormones as well.. Overweight people have excess estrogen running through their bodies, which is not good, and cohen helps bring this estrogen down to normal levels.. I was diagnosed with mild depression, but have stopped taking antidepressants, about a week into the program. My problem is that because of my irregular hormones, my serotonin receptors do not function too well (and therefore dont have enough serotonin). Is ur friends problem similar?? cause if it is then, i strongly (personally) believe that Cohens is the eay to go.
(oh but, i do however take a 5htp herbal supplement to help overall mood)
Hope this helps
Evave

[anna]

Hi Nat

Maybe contacting a clinic close to you they would be able to answer all your questions.

Is there anything on the Cohen's Lifestyle website?

Sorry couldn't be of more help.

Kind Regards
Anna

[Ecogirl]

Hi Evave
What herbal supplement do you take to help with your overall mood?
I am curious since the one I was on before is not allowed on the program.
Thanks
Amanda

[Evave]

Ecogirl.. it's called "5htp"
u can google it to read all the benefits
it also shouldnt be that hard to get a hold of, i buy mine from the normal pharmacy..
There's also "St john worts" thats also a natural antidrepressant, but u might have to check if it's allowed on the program.
hope this helps

Evave

[Pudge]

Egogirl
I take Estraven a over the counter suppliment to help with the hormonal thing since the doc's won't give me hormones for the menopause thing. I told Cohen's about it when they asked about med's that I take. So it must be ok to take on the program.
It helps but sometimes I still get crabby.
Pudge

[heavenlylamb]

ABSOLUTELY!!
Apart from the increase in seratonin, the stabilising of insulin helps to stop sugar highs and lows, which I have found has also counteracted the depression I have experienced over the years. as well as the sense that you are achieving something.

I also take St Johns Wort, which is allowed on the program, and has had medical studies to prove its effectiveness in dealing with depression BUT you CANNOT take it if you are currently on anti depressant tablets. So, your friend will need to discuss it with her doctor first. Also, it is said to be slower acting than antidepressants, although I've always noticed a difference fairly quickly. and you need to take the full dose for it to be effective.

But I would also recommend some counselling, particularly in cognitive behaviour therapy, to learn how to fight depression so that you can stop it in its tracks. If you learn the signs of depression and the thoughts that trigger the depressive episodes, then you can prevent it from reoccuring in the future. After experiencing depression fairly regularly as a child, I got control of it in my 20's, and had 10 years free from it. After having kids and many sleepless nights, and a business failure, I let it creep up on my again, and didn't spot it as quickly as I had before. So, I let it get out of control. So, it took a lot longer to bring it back to a manageable stage. But it is possible to beat it, and controlling carb intake is a good part of the strategy - but it should be part of a strategy, not the complete picture!

Pen

[Shanara]

*bump*

[Alibaba]

I am on antidepressants during the Cohen's programme. Can honestly not say if it is the pills or the Cohens food that makes me feel better as I felt good after starting the antidepressants about 2 months prior to Cohens. Depression is such an ugly thing and people who never experienced it before has no idea. That dark feeling, not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, not able to deal with simple daily tasks, etc. In any case I had a major depression episode about 10 years ago, and it never returned, not even after having a baby. We immigrated to Australia last year and I think the depression also slowly creeped up on me since life changed so much and there were so much stress and many things to deal with. But, I want to have another baby next year, so will stop the antidepressants. I am willing to take the chance. I know of some people being on them while pregnant, but it is my choice not to be. The depression was also part of the reason why I gained weight, so things are looking much better now.

[Hopingtobeslim]

I thought I would respond to Nat's original post...

I am soooo glad to hear the Cohen's helps to lower estrogen levels.

I did a hormone saliva test before I started and my estrogen was off the charts, which explained a lot of the symptoms I was getting - one is my hair falling out.

It also makes sense about the serotonin and depression...one of the reasons why there is no alcohol on the program - as this screws everything up...I have never met an alcoholic who wasn't depressed (I am a trained crisis counsellor).

Thanks for the post Nat.

[Kohinoor]

Well, I was looking for a thread to post the AWESOME news from Claireybell - and this looks like it fits the bill.

Does Cohens help with Depression? From Claireybell's words, the answer seems to be a vehement "Yes" - (maybe even a "Hell, YES!" )

CB's story is well worth the click on the link - trust me....

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=381870#post381870

Chalk up another MAJOR win for the good Doc !!

Koh

[claireybell]

What an honour, thanks Koh and yes, you heard it... HELL YES!!!!!!

I hope our forum friend Hayley reads this xoxox