Can Therapy Exorcise Shingles Caused Depression?
So shingles is linked to major depression. Who knew?
According to WebMD, there is actually a laundry list of reasons for major depression including:
• Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life.
• Certain medications. Some drugs, such as Accutane (used to treat acne), the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and corticosteroids, can increase your risk of depression.
• Conflict. Depression in someone who has the biological vulnerability to develop depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
• Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, may increase the risk of depression.
• Genetics. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It’s thought that depression is a complex trait that may be inherited across generations, although the genetics of psychiatric disorders are not as simple or straightforward as in purely genetic diseases such as Huntington’s chorea or cystic fibrosis.
• Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring.
• Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can lead to depression.
• Serious illnesses. Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or is a reaction to the illness.
• Substance abuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression.
Now science has added the virus that causes shingles to the list.
“Those with herpes zoster (HZ) had a higher incidence of developing major depression,” according to a study published on May 7, 2014 in Psychosomatic Medicine (2).”
“Previous studies have shown that herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia were associated with anxiety, depression, and insomnia (2).” This study followed patients from the year 2000 through 2010.
The same study found that “those with herpes zoster had a higher incidence of developing major depression… (and the virus was) … an independent risk factor for major depression (2).”
Another study reported that “in the United States, the incidence of HZ exceeds 1% per year in persons ≥60 years of age; more than a million new cases occur each year; and one-third of the population is expected to suffer HZ during their lifetime – numbers destined to increase with the increasing age of the population.” (3).
WebMD notes that the pain associated with Shingles can also lead to depression. “Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of shingles. It lasts for at least 30 days and may continue for months or years. This pain may make it difficult for the person to eat, sleep, and do daily activities. It may also lead to depression.” (4).
“After you get chickenpox the virus remains inactive…in certain nerves in the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes active again in these nerves after many years. The reason the virus suddenly becomes active again is not clear. Often only one attack occurs. Shingles can develop in any age group. You are more likely to develop the condition if: you are older than 60, you had chickenpox before age 1, and your immune system is weakened by medications or disease.” (5).
“We recommend that anyone concerned about developing shingles, or depression due to the presence of the VZV, talk to their doctor about antiviral treatments against the varicella zoster virus.” – TargetShingles Team
Novirin shares the same formula as Gene-Eden-VIR. The difference between the two is that Novirin has higher quality, more expensive ingredients.
The Novirin/Gene-Eden-VIR formula was tested in two post-marketing clinical studies published in September 2013 and March 2014, respectively, in the peer reviewed medical journal Pharmacy & Pharmacology. (6)