Ground on Down

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." Albert Einstein

It is so marvellous to work with natural therapies for the treatment and support of mental illness. Not simply because of the wonderful effects, but also because sometimes the simplicity of nature's methods in healing the body bring such awe it is breathtaking.

The latest findings that make me smile from ear to ear are those related to grounding or earthing. Earthing in its simplest form is making contact with the bare earth (soil, grass, etc) with your bare feet for extended periods of time (a minimum of half an hour a day). In the bad old days of running for our lives from lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), we used to sleep for eight solid hours in contact with the ground. We also didn't have shoes. This constant contact with the earth appears to have had a physiological purpose.

While it may sound like a very hippie trippie sort of healing, ongoing research has shown a vast array of responses that are particularly relevant for mental health. In one study, grounding throughout the night with a sleep set up was shown to have a potentially positive effect on glucose metabolism, immune response, thyroid function, kidney function and skeletal calcium-phosphate storage. Another study showed that grounding may affect stress systems in a healthful manner - modulating the hormone cortisol and improving sleep. As diverse as these factors sound, each and every one may be implicated in the psychopathology of mental illness. Research is still in the early stages. For me though, the simplicity of the idea that as humans we were in contact with the earth for a reason is enticing. Was nature smarter than us?

In a discussion of grounding and its potential role in chronic disease, James Oschman elegantly summised my beliefs about modern science and why this simple idea is one we should possible pay attention to.

"How can the average person or the physician or even the experienced researcher evaluate this continual barrage of ‘‘science’’ that is supposed to improve our health? We should not drink coffee—we should drink coffee; we should not eat chocolate—we should eat chocolate; vitamin E will save your life, but do not take too much of it! These back and forth recommendations can make us cuckoo, nervous, worried, and depressed, conditions that can, of course, be treated with antidepressant drugs, whose benefits are also validated by some studies but not by others.
Are life and health really this complicated?"
(Oschman,J, "Chronic Disease: Are we missing something?" J Altern Complement Med, 2011; 17(4): 283-285)

I really don't think health is that complicated - I think modern life is that complicated for reasons that aren't necesarily all beneficial. Man made complication equals modern illness.

So what if you want to get in on this fabulous new technology? There are grounding products available for your bed while you sleep. If, however, you want to take a low tech approach - take your shoes off for at least 30 minutes a day and get some good earth under your toes. The longer the period, the better the effect it appears. So why not give it a go?

The ultimate tune for your low tech lay on the ground, you can't go past Ben Harper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f-D7Xx89r4


For high tech products available in Oz, you can go here:
http://www.earthingoz.com.au/

Anti-depressants and Teenagers

Watching a child develop depression must be one of the most challenging times for a parent, particularly if they have never experienced it themselves. While all logic may say that there is no reason for the feelings that their teenager is experiencing, the depths and intensity of their emotions would suggest otherwise. Understanding that this is a biological condition, just like a broken leg or a cancer cell, may help but it doesn't necessarily make you feel better.

In the end, every parent wants to do the best for their child and may turn to anti-depressants as a method for treating this. But what is the evidence for their effectiveness in this age group?

The Cochrane Reviews are considered to be among the highest quality reviews of scientific data. In a tiered system of evidence, Cochrane Reviews are part of Tier 1. Two Cochrane reviews are of interest - one is on tricyclic antidepressants in children and adolescents and the other is on SSRI antidepressants in children and adolescents. (If you'd like to look at these, they are freely available to the public.) Tricyclic antidepressants are older and used somewhat less frequently than SSRI's.

When looking at tricyclic antidepressants, the Cochrane Review summised that they were no more effective than placebo for the treatment of depression in pre-pubertal children and only a moderate effect over placebo was found. Safety and efficacy were both unclear when considering children and adolescents.

http://http//onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD002317/frame.html

When looking at SSRI's, the results were more complex. The use of SSRI's did appear to have a greater effect than placebo in children and adolescents for the reduction of symptoms. However, this was "to a predetermined level deemed a “response”" and it was unclear as to whether "a meaningful outcome for children and adolescents with depressive disorders" was obtained. Further complicating matters is the risks for those children and adolescents with comorbid conditions or suicidal ideation, as they were "largely excluded from the trials". It was also suggested that there was an increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts related to SSRI's.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD004851/frame.html

So what does this mean for parents and teenagers who may find themselves either on these medications or looking at taking them?

1. If you are on them, keep taking them. Never stop an antidepressant (or any other prescribed drug for that matter) without professional medical support and advice
2. If you haven't started, educate yourself and consider all your options. Psychological therapy, nutritional interventions and other natural therapies may be as effective or more effective for this age group
3. If you do decide to take medications, be well informed of the possible side effects. Keep a diary and have a buddy - someone you can trust - to help you monitor your mood management.
4. If you are on these medications, nutritional support may be able to help manage side effects
5. If these medications are being prescribed for a condition other than depression (such as an eating disorder or bipolar) then the evidence is different, so go back to the research and check what is relevant
6. Medications or nutritional therapy are simply addressing the biological aspects - psychological support from a trained and competent professional is also vital
7. If you do experience adverse side effects from any treatment, contact your practitioner IMMEDIATELY for appropriate advice

When it comes to mental illness, we have progressed a long way in the management of the severe expression of these conditions. However, an integrative approach will always be more effective than a single tactic. It's a simple case of two heads are better than one.

It seems blatantly unfair to ask a parent or teen with no biochemical training to determine whether or not a medication is the best path for them. Unfortunately, life is unfair despite what greeting cards may lead you to believe. So the best way to mitigate this is to make sure you have someone you trust listening to you and working WITH you for the best outcome.