Frustrated Mess

About 10 years ago I told a therapist I was depressed. He wanted to know why.

"It's genetic," I said. "There doesn't have to be a why."

"Well, we don't know that depression is genetic," he said, "We know it runs in families."

That was a useful distinction to keep me from thinking like a victim.

But lo, scientists in modern-day Canadia deliver up new news: Depression has a genetic component after all.

"The actual gene, known as P2RX7, is found in humans and animals and is responsible for depression. It has taken many years to find," said Barden.

The mood disorder has often been associated with the serotonin system in the brain, because serotonin-boosting drugs are effective anti-depressants. "What is particularly exciting is that P2RX7 has nothing to do with serotonin," said Barden.

P2RX7 plays an important role in the brain's response to inflammation, which is known to be part of many neuropsychiatric disorders. The activity of the gene is also affected by stress hormones, suggesting a relationship between depression and severe stress.

You don't need professional scientists to tell you that stress and depression have each other on speed dial. I just got off a six month bender of it that started with two strong shots of stress.

However, I don't take anti-depressants. I'm not opposed to the idea; it's just that current methods of anti-depressant prescription appear to involve a roulette wheel and squinting. Then once you've been prescribed a particular medicine, it takes several weeks to kick in, brings an entourage of side effects, and oh, by the way, might not work. Ha ha! You rock, big pharm!

I don't need an all-new way to be a victim, and since nobody knows what they're doing anyway, I can be miserable, blind, and hopeful on my own, thanks.

But if these Canadanians have their science on straight, the current dartboard methodology of anti-depressant prescriptions might be explained because... they're aiming at the wrong thing. The article goes on to say that animal testing also demonstrates immediate, effective anti-depressant action.

Anti-depressants that work... too bad Jimi didn't live to see it.