To Anonymous, I spent 10-12 years with severe depression. I tried 8 different antidepressants/antianxiety drugs and nothing was working. I knew there was something more wrong, I just couldn’t figure out what. I went to 4 different medical doctors, a psychiatrist, psychologist, a couple of counselors, and even a hypnotherapist. All the pills did was put me in a “care-about-nothing” state. I finally read a book that said that I most likely had a hormone deficiency that caused a wheat allergy and a yeast allergy. So after the last doctor wouldn’t even look at my book and discuss it with me ( and she was a female, not far out of med school,) I decided to “fix” it myself. I stopped eating wheat and yeast and that very night I had to re-lace all of my shoes because they were suddenly too big. By the 4th day, I felt like a skinny teenager that was so full of energy, I felt like doing cartwheels! If you would like more details, let me know, I would consider it a privelege to be able to help someone else in a similar situation. I couldn’t find help even in my own family.

I understand that St. John’s Wort is more commonly used in Europe, and it does show some effectiveness for many. Glad it’s working for you!

(But yeah, for one thing, I know diabetics need to check with their doctor before using SJW. It can cause problems with insulin, I believe.)

I’ve had what I’d call intermittent but moderate depression for years. A few years back I started taking St John’s Wort, and it has literally been a game-changer. If it wasn’t for that I would probably be on prescription antidepressants (and there is NOTHING wrong with those either). SJW isn’t 100% innocuous, there are things you shouldn’t mix it with and definitely talk to your health care professional, but for me it has been wonderful.

Good for you! Have a marvelous 2014, Jim. Many blessings!

Without trying to explain, 2013 has been a really difficult year for me. I’m going to make an effort to choose the other way for 2014!!

Ok, going to make my Lovely wife breakfast now!

Thanks for the article!!

30 years! Congrats. Your comment goes to show that great marriages require continual evaluation to see where we can individually improve. (I think that’s one of God’s points with marriage — to challenge us toward deeper, stronger love.) Many blessings in 2014, Shelly!

I agree that regular exercise is so important for those struggling with depression. The research on the positive effects of exercise on depression is quite strong. Your reader who mentioned depression might be interested in the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report (http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/Report/pdf/CommitteeReport.pdf) and other summaries of the research on this topic (e.g., http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3516810/). As you said, it is important for anyone who is struggling with depression to seek medical help and to talk with her doctor about medication and other possible treatments.