Fish oil CAUSES depression?

Michah · Oct 25, 2009, 07:40 PM

Hi there,

A little while ago, I posted about PMDD(premenstrual dysphoric disorder). PMDD is not clinical depression. It is listed as a "Depressive disorder not otherwise specified" in the DSM IV. It can mimic Major Depressive Disorder and is treated the same way. But the difference is the triggers. PMDD is triggered by hormone cycles as opposed to life-events, grief or trauma. All these triggers can effect neurotransmitters(dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine and so on).

About 2 months ago I started taking fish oil to help with my joint pain. 3 weeks ago, Depression hit. I did not make the association at the time because I had always heard that fish oil helps dperession in a number of ways. Now, when in the throes of PMDD, I compare the sadness to crushing melancholia which is not depression. I have suffered clinical depression and know the difference. But this cycle was DEBILITATING. I knew it for depression this time for it was unrelenting and constantly potent.

So I did some reading on fish oil and found other testimonials of people suffering depression who took it and found their depression got worse......then found an enzyme in fish oil called acetylcholinesterase, which effects the central nervous system. Most people it helps, but apparently if you are sensitive to this enzyme it can wreak havoc with neurotransmitters.

So, if you are taking it and it works......that is awesome! Nothing like a bit of relief where you can get it. But if you take it and it makes you worse or ill, you are not alone. I stopped taking it last week and the depression has lifted. I still have the intense but fleeting periods of crushing melancholia, rage, agitation, insomnia and so on and I would not trade one for the other.......but at least I know what I am dealing with.

I wonder if maybe it has something to do with processing. I was taking a farmed fish oil(for I am a passionate conservationist) and did not want to take a fish oil made from fish from the wild as fish levels are so low in most parts of the world. So I wonder if it has something to do with the fish food or farming techniques that can increase certain levels of enzymes in the fish oil. Don't fully undertsand the science just yet, but am coming to some conclusions. I think it may also have something to do with fluctuating hormones(I am also in perimenopause).......

So, back to the joint pain (*sigh*)......gosh this is annoying

Take care everyone.......and thanks to the people that supported me through the last 3 weeks......friends, you are priceless.....

Big hugs to all,

Michah

Naturefreak · Oct 25, 2009, 07:49 PM

(((Michah)))

Haven't been around either for a while . I drop in here and there just to stay in contact , as little as that may be. I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time right now and wish you only the best my friend. Thanks for dropping by my page the other day I appreciate your kindness very much. Drop the fish oil and stick with the fish.
Take care Michah

Michah · Oct 25, 2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babysteps

(((Michah)))

Haven't been around either for a while . I drop in here and there just to stay in contact , as little as that may be. I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time right now and wish you only the best my friend. Thanks for dropping by my page the other day I appreciate your kindness very much. Drop the fish oil and stick with the fish.
Take care Michah

Thank you dear friend......GREAT to see you

Will do......but I struggle with eating fish sometimes......if it "smells" fishy I can't STAND it......puts me off eating it. I am a finnicky eater sometimes....

I will give it a go......if I could eat more, I would get all my nutrient from the food I eat......and thats what worries me sometimes because I do not eat enough and get sick in the guts often from all this health crap......just do what I can do, hey? Try and get out of this with my health intact.....

Thanks for dropping in sweet pea.......with you in this wild terrain......always.

Big Hugs,

Michah

billieJ · Oct 25, 2009, 08:51 PM

Thanks Micah ~ I've been trying to get started on fish oil [not good at taking vitamins], but I guess I will start it with your experience in mind. That way, I can stop the hand cart before it quite reaches Hades - maybe!

crystalrose · Oct 25, 2009, 08:53 PM

fish oil never affected me that way thank god. But thanks for the info my fish oil tabs didn't have that long name in it. I don't think. Also have you triede celery seed tablets i'v heard that they have worked well in some people.

Naturefreak · Oct 25, 2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michah

....if it "smells" fishy I can't STAND it....

Fish are supposed to smell fishy , they're FISH.

I was brought up on fish , live in a small fishing town.
Cod , mackeral , haddock , halibut , trout , salmon , smelt , caplin , herring , tuna , sardines , lobster , mussels , clams , walleye , turbot , eels , scallops , you name it . I tried them all and always did love fish . Ever smell fried liver . Love that too. lol

Hoping for better tomorrows for you Michah.

ZilchHour · Oct 26, 2009, 08:25 AM

Looks like you have to make a choice betwene lesser of the two evils: depression or joints' pain.

Regards
ZILCH HOUR

Oct 26, 2009, 08:39 AM

((Michah))))) dear friend sorry that happened to you. Im wondering if maybe you are allergic to it. As if sometimes fish bothers you...imo it sounds like there is a connection.
With homeopathic treating as i know you know its like anything else there are certain things you can be allergic too. I bet there is something out there that would work.
Like you I myself prefer to go that way. If i can.
Not making it about me . Using this as a example. I was stung by a bee this fall. I am allegeric. Did all the things im suppose to do that normally work. The pen thing , benadral. Nothing worked it slowed it down which is a great thing

This bee was the bee Im allergic too ... Never knew it could be just one kind. Anyhow the a pharmist who like homopathic stuff told me nest time do all the things im suppose too. But simple vinger to try as stops it. Im still to use the pen of course thou.
Anyways keep looking out there as there are so many things and i will ask my friend.
much love to you ...hope you are feeling better

VickiesPath · Oct 26, 2009, 08:47 AM

Should give you my recipe for fish pie. YUM!!!! No fishy smell there! Got it from a wonderful little inn in Leeds.

ZilchHour · Oct 27, 2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickie in Phoenix

Should give you my recipe for fish pie. YUM!!!! No fishy smell there! Got it from a wonderful little inn in Leeds.

Do share it, I am planning to cook fish for my family on the coming weekend!

Regards
ZILCH HOUR

Fuzzybear · Oct 27, 2009, 07:15 AM

(((((((((((((((((( Michah ))))))))))))))))))

VickiesPath · Oct 27, 2009, 08:24 AM

Happy to oblige.

FISH PIE

Take 1-2 shallow baking dish(es) and 2 large sauce pans.

You may use whatever whitefish is available, cod, haddock or whiting. Or all three if you wish.

Here's the rest of the ingredients.

1 1/2 lb white fish
1 pint milk
4 oz butter
2 oz plain flour
4 oz peeled prawns
2 hard-boiled eggs, roughly chopped
3 lblsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tblsp lemon juice
salt and pepper

Topping:

2 lb freshly boiled potatoes
2 oz butter
approx 4 tblsp butter
1-2 oz strong Cheddar cheeze, grated

Preheat oven to 400F

Place fish in baking dish and season well with salt and pepper, pour 1/2 of milk over it, dot with flakes of butter, bake in overn 15-20 minutes. Poor off and reserve liquid. Remove skin from fish and flake into fairly large pieces.

Make the sauce. Is a basic white sauce. Melt remaining butter in saucepan and stir in flour and gradually add the fish cooking liquid - stirring well after each addition. Finish off by adding the remaining milk and seasoning with s & p to taste. It should thicken.

Next mix fish into sauce, along with prawns, hard-boiled eggs, parsley and lemon juice. Pour entire mixture into well-buttered 2 1/2 pint baking dish.

Next, cream the cooked potatoes with the butter and milk, add some salt, pepper and spread the mixture evenly all over the fish. Smooth the surface of the potato, then (using the rounded blade of a knife) patturn it my making 1/2 inch impressions in deep rows. Finally sprinkle the cheese all over and bake on a high shelf (same temperature) for about 30-40 minutes, or until heated through and browned.

Doubt you will need catsup for this one!