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There are many other strategies which have been found of value and some that have not. Stimulants have been very unimpressive and are definitely overused in view of the very little research that has been done. By contrast, thyroid and lithium are excellent add-on medications and lithium is an excellent anti-depressant by itself. Lithium is better at decreasing suicides compared to other mood stabilizers. Anti-depressants have not been very good at decreasing suicide. Some psychiatrists have wondered whether lithium should be tried more often for unipolar depression where suicidal risk is involved. 5-HTP has a number of good studies, especially as an add-on medication. Hormones have not been impressive in most studies, but might help some men low in testosterone and women with post-partum depression. Beta-Blockers are a family of blood pressure medications which has been repeated studied as add-on medications, but the results don't look very impressive. Under Many More are statins, seizure medications, inositol, buspirone, acetyl-l-carnitine, mifepristone, modafanil (Provigil), sildenafil (Viagra), and pramipexole (Mirapex). Don't forget fish or fish oil, vitamins like folic acid and vitamin D, and possibly minerals. These are covered on other pages under the Depression button. |