ST JOHNS WORT- ANY EXPERIENCES?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2004
ST JOHNS WORT- ANY EXPERIENCES?
Mon, 01-17-2005 - 2:13pm

Hi everyone - this is my first time on this board - i am very glad to find it. I am 27 y.o. and married - no kids yet. I am in nursing school - will finish in may.

I just recently began to realize that i had a problem with depression (long story) and i need to do something about it. I need to go to the doctor for an annual physical anyway and was thinking of trying to get a prescription antidepressant but I have heard they have side effects and don't always help. Another obstacle to getting help is I am a student and have only a high deductible insurance plan - no prescription drug coverage and not really for therapy either.

I had briefly heard of st johns wort - which works like an ssri - and bought some at the store, kindve on a whim and not really thinking it would help. I have been taking 1200mg a day for about 3 weeks now and it has really helped me. I feel so much better for the first time since i can remember. I know it is a theory that a person can have depression for so long that they dont really know they have it and that there is something wrong. I dont think I had (or have) severe depression - I just never really felt really happy or really sad and had an overall negative view of pretty much everything and everyone. I also slept way to much - 10-12 hours a night and still never felt rested. I also had problems with concentration and anxiety. Also, I talked to a social worker at a community health clinic who said i probably had depression. The problem there is I make to much to qualify to get help from their therapists or for help with prescription drugs.

Anyway, not to ramble on but I am beginning to realize that living that way for so long gives me lots to work on - mostly emotionally. I am just trying to figure out what is best to do next.

I probably will talk to my doctor about it but I was just wondering if anyone has any experiences taking st john's wort as opposed to a prescription antidepressant? Also, as far as therapy goes, I may be able to talk to one at my college - I just don't really know what they will be able to tell me. I saw some therapy sessions while doing my clinical rotations and it seems what they were telling people was kindve common sense. I guess I am afraid of being disappointed by the therapist and that would cause me to rebound.

If anyone can share their experiences with antidepressants, good or bad, i would appreciate it. with therapy as well. I just know there are different opinions on how to get help.

Also, my heart goes out to everyone here who is also struggling with depression.

Thanks!

Tracy