serotonin levels

I have been on what seems like a lot of different antidepressants over the course of five years but I am just fed up with my life and nothing or any medication seems to change it. I have told this to my psychiatrist and have even changed psychiatrist and therapists and nothing is working and i'm starting to wonder if its my serotonin levels. I have heard that you can naturally have low serotonin levels but i'm not so sure! Has anyone ever had their serotonin levels checked? Do you think this is a good idea? Even for my piece of mind, I think I might do it.

Do any of you have any stories or anything to share about the serotonin in the brain?

Hey Owls,

You're right that Serotonin (5-HT) does play a role in depression. We know this because of decades of controlled research on that neurotransmitter system (http://scholar.google.ca/scholar?start= ... as_sdt=0,5). However, even if there was some abnormality with the neuronal and biochemical pathways in your brain that use serotonin that wouldn't mean that you are going to be depressed forever and that there's nothing you can do about your depression because all the treatments for depression induce changes to the nervous tissue of your brain including cognitive behavioural, interpersonal and just behaviour psychotherapies.

With that said, hopefully you continue with treatment. Take care.

Hey Owl,
Many people do not come out of depression with just medication. I am getting better with lots of social support and courage. It is very important to have lots of support and courage is needed to come over any hurdles.
I have been doing research on serotonin (mood) and there are a few drugs that have a direct effect on serotonin levels. Surprisingly Adderal increases dopamine and serotonin levels. Check out this cool blog I cam across, it has many quality articles. It is called SPAM LINK REMOVED. Good Luck the Owl that never sleeps.

Hey, given that you've tried many anti-depressants that increase serotonin levels I doubt serotonin is the problem/solution.
I've been on 14 different medications for depression with none working well so anaylized those medications and their effects(Ex ssri's etc) and am now finding pills that have different modes of action.
I suggest you talk to your doctir about trying different meds.
Heres my list of unconventional treatments
St johns wort(acts on gaba, l-glutes and serotonin, dopamine and nor-epinephrine)
Kava (acts on gaba and is an maoi-a)
amitriptyline (andren, mach, o1, k's,na, bdnf, weak nmda)
Imipramine (-ACh, o1, bdnf, 2nd: u,)
Clomipramine (D's, a-andrenegic, maCh)
Phenelzine (maoi a&b, gaba)

good luck