Posted by Twinleaf on January 7, 2015, at 16:20:14
My seriou depression developed about 20 years ago after a rapid series of deaths in my family. As I was trying to get more educated about what had happened to me, I kept reading about over-activity of the HPA axis, with resulting elevated levels of cortisol and damaging effects on the hippocampus ( abnormalities in CA3 cells and an absence of daily growth of new neurons)
I had my cortisol tested, and it was elevated and did not decrease during the day as it was supposed to. Since then, I have focused my efforts on treatments which lower cortisol - TMS, tianeptine, interpersonal psychotherapy, doing my best to replace lost relationships, meditation and exercise. I should say that I tried all the usual medications -about 12 different ones - without help. These cortisol-reducing efforts really seem to have helped a lot! My depression is mild to often non-existent, having been severe originally. I have followed my cortisol levels, and they have been gradually trending back to normal; the totals are normal, but the levels don't decrease quite as much during the day as they optimally should. But much better than 20 years ago.
I thought I would mention this, as it really seems to have helped me a lot, and I don't think I have seen many other posters focussing on the role of HPA over-activity and elevated cortisol in trauma-related anxiety and depression.
I would love to know what others think of this. I realize there are genetic influences in many depressions where this might be less important.
poster:Twinleaf
thread:1074919
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20150102/msgs/1074919.html