Physicians present most comprehensive clinical review of St. John's wort for treating ...( be a promising antidepressant says D...)

be a promising antidepressant," says Doraiswamy. "But it has not yet been proven to be as effective as newer prescription antidepressants. Therefore, if people are suffering symptoms of depression, they should not self-medicate. Instead, they should consult a health care provider."

Symptoms to watch for are low mood or loss of interest in activities normally found enjoyable, and at least four of the following symptoms persisting two weeks or more: an increase or decrease in sleep; tearfulness; an increase or decrease in appetite; decreased energy; inability to concentrate; increasing feelings of guilt; and generally feeling unable to function. In an earlier study of 8,000 visits to an emergency department during the holiday season, Doraiswamy and his colleagues found that depression-related visits increase after the holidays, especially in the first few weeks of January. Persistence of "holiday blues" beyond a reasonable period usually two weeks may herald a clinical depression. St. John's wort has been less well studied than other forms of treatment for seasonal depression.

"Depression, if left untreated, creates a vicious cycle of repeat episodes of the illness," Doraiswamy says. "That is why it is very important not only to treat it early, but to use a drug that is effective in preventing the depression from coming back. St. John's wort has not yet been tested as an effective medication for preventing the recurrence of depression." Researchers credit the promotional activities of herbal supplement manufacturers and positive research reports throughout the 1990s with fueling the popularity of St. John's wort. In 1998, sales of the popular supplement in the United States were estimated to be $210 million, with that number expected to rise as more people turn to alternative types of medicine to treat disorders like depression.

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Contact: Tracey Koepke
koepk002@mc.duke.edu
919-684-4148
Duke University Medical Center
8-Jan-2001

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