ketogenic diets and depression

The only thing i have read in regards to a ketogenic diet and neurologic conditions is that it is effective for people with intractible epilepsy but is only recommended if nothing else (medications, lifestlye changes i.e. sleep patterns, alcohol use etc.) has worked.

I wouldn't recommend it -- but if you can find peer-reviewed literature that states otherwise, it is worth a shot. There is also some interesting articles out there about fish oil consumption and depression -- but everything I've read in terms of carbohydrate/sugar is not significant.

Here is my n=1 peer reviewed study, conducted and studied by ME and ME alone.

I find that the High Fat / Low Carb ketogenic approach tremendously helps me with depression symptoms. I have lots of energy and actually feel like working out at the gym. I sleep better and I eat well.

Lots of fat, moderated protein and fill in the rest with vegetables.

The best thing to do is to try it for yourself. Become your own n=1 experiment and study yourself. Try it for 4-6 weeks and see if you have any improvements.

I do know that adequate fat intake is crucial for proper brain and other hormone functions.

I don't have research, only personal experience. I have PTSD and have had depression as well (not currently, thank God!!) and I can tell you from personal experience that any kind of very low carb or intermittent fasting type eating plan, or otherwise not getting enough healthy carbs and/or calories has a really bad effect on my mental health. I'm not totally sure of the reason why. I keep my macros balanced, i.e 40% carb 30% protein 30% fat, (or 35/35/30 sometimes) and I'm fine on that. Note that I don't eat as much carbohydrate as the typical western diet, I avoid excessive amounts of any carbohydrate but there is a minimal level of carbohydrate intake that I just can't go below. And also eating too much unhealthy carb is probably just as bad as that leads to unstable blood sugar levels, i.e. too much carbs then a blood sugar crash. Personally, I wouldn't do anything ketogenic, that would be too low carb for me. However that does not mean I'll go to the other extreme and eat tons of carbs either.

Also pay attention to vitamin D and healthy fat in general, that has a big impact on mental health. the whole reason why I stick to balanced macros is to ensure I get a moderate amount of everything that my body needs (I pay a lot of attention to micronutrients too, i.e. trying to eat as wide a variety of natural/clean food as I can). Anything that involves cutting out an entire food group I'd think would probably be bad for me. I definitely wouldn't cut out fat either, or go low fat. I simply ensure that the fats and carbs I eat are good quality healthy ones.

Since following a balanced nutrition plan and working out regularly with heavy weights (i.e. 5-12 reps to failure kind of heavy) and ensuring that I get enough sunlight/daylight, that's improved my mental health a lot. I still have PTSD (seems to refuse to ever go away) but I feel a lot better generally and it's a lot more under control, and I don't currently feel depressed.

i have read a lot of similar articles. the reason i guess i am wondering is because i had tried a Daniel fast in November which is opposite of ketogenic, no animal products and no refined sugar. I felt absolutley terrible, i lasted about two weeks and i had a mjor mood meltdown. I know it was related to the diet, so I thought I should do the opposite. So that is where i am at.

Depends how you define opposite in this context. As a healthcare professional I'd argue the opposite of an highly restrictive, nutrient deficient diet (like a Daniel fast) is a nutrient dense diet containing a balance of all the food groups, NOT another highly restrictive, nutrient deficient diet (like *some* ketogenics). I'm not surprised you felt awful and had a major meltdown when starving your body.