Re: Anyone try any of these natural alternatives? Yes but L-Tryptophan is not included in any of them.

You are very welcome and I wish you and the family the best. I think it would be great if your daughter could get a copy of that book "the way up from down" as it changed my life when I read it in a similar situation of high stress.

I am wondering if she is eating well and regularly exercising? I can relate to how difficult it can be to get motivated to do anything physical when you are depressed, but I have to say that 15 minutes (is that much to ask?) a day on the treadmill has been the single most profound element within my own recovery. I stretch for a bit, then just start walking, then jog as much as I can. If she is not already doing this it will help her!

There is a drug called 'modafinil' marketed under the brandname 'provigil' that I sometimes take for short periods when experiencing bouts of depression, ADD and anxiety which are of a larger magnitude than normal. It was originally an anti-narcolepsy drug but they have recently started prescribing it for ADD, daytime tiredness, and even mild depression. But it is far different than the normal ADD stimulants. this is a good site for info on it: http://www.modafinil.com/

I mention this drug because it has helped me in similar bouts and it is obvious you view antidepressants as a last resort. I agree with this especially regarding all of the recent research linking these drugs to suicide. It is simply VERY difficult to determine the exact levels of ones neurochemicals..mostly just subjective guesswork through a docs question and answer session alone, so if someone is misdiagnosed to have to low of a level of something when they actually already have way to high a level of something.. I am sure you know that bad things can result after medication.

I wish you the best and please let me know if there are any other questions I might be able to help out with.

again, exercise exercise exercise, LOTS of water, B vitamins and a good diet!!

oh, another thing which has helped me a great deal is monitoring my pH and trying to stay as alkaline as possible. I take Barefoot's "coral calcium Supreme" in addition to not partaking in acidic drinks and foods like coffee, soda, excessive sugar, etc. My pH seems to have a direct relationship to mood and energy.

Wishing you well,

Brian Tweet