Avatar Posted by jennifer 72 days ago (Question)
I am now 38 and have been battling depression for 24 yrs. It seems like anymore everyday has become an uphill struggle. My depression is now starting to really effect my relationship with my husband, to the point to where I consistently believe he is leaving me. My whole adult life and teenage life has been spent on antidepressants that seem to work for a while then they diminish. So does this cycle ever end?


Answers

Written by bellacutie 72 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I'm sorry you've had such a difficult time with depression. Are you also in therapy as well? Have they told you what kind of depression it is? I wonder if you've tried self help methods in addition to the meds. Eating healthy and particularly regular physical exercise does wonders for eleviating those depressive feelings. I would also recommend taking a Fatty Acid supplement - which is a fish oil that improves brain function. The medical association also recently started recommending people to take Vitamin D - unless you're in the sun alot. Vitamin D helps with depression, body aches and they now know it plays a vital role in prevention of cancer. You could go to your doctor to test your vitamin D and thyroid levels.

I highly recommend therapy and taking a look at your overall attitude. It you make an effort to think positively and act accordingly it can change patterns in your brain. Really try to make an effort to implement those self help methods and see if they help. Good luck.

Written by Thumbelina 72 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Hi jennifer,

I would like to suggest that you keep a mood journal. Just write down your moods on a daily basis for a month or two. The reason I'm suggesting this is because I was treated for 20 years for depression and guess what? I was actually bipolar. Sometimes bipolar depression is hard to diagnose. If a person is actually bipolar and is treated with an antidepressant alone, eventually they stop working and you have to try another one. Most people don't realize that the manic phase of bipolar can be mild, so mild that you can mistake it for simply feeling good for a period of time. If you are not getting lasting results from your medicaton, I really feel that it might not be the correct diagnosis. Also, what Bellacutie said about having your thyroid checked is very important. They need to do a complete panel, including a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)level. If the TSH level in your blood is higher than normal, it could mean your thyroid is underproducing thyroxin.

One more thing. If your primary care doctor is prescribing your antidepressants, I feel very strongly that you should have a psychiatrist prescribing for you. In my experience, it really takes a psychiatrist to know how to prescribe antidepressants properly. If you are already doing this, then great. I also agree that you need to consider therapy along with your medication, especially if your depression is starting to effect your marriage.

I wish you the best of luck.

Written by Clyde 50 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Also, please let your doc know that your meds dont last long. Do you let them know that?

If you change doctors, let them know your medications as well.

Doctors can not read your mind, and I think sometimes people think because they have the degree and the "pills" that they know what they are always doing.

Sometimes you can get used to a certain med, and its effects change. Sometimes, it could just not be the right med.

Please check with your doctor.

Best,

Clyde


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