followmedown

Close Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I have been severely depressed most of my life, in and out of psych.hospitals for 1-2 mos. at a time for quite a few yrs.I've been on virtually every antidepressant and combination there is.I'm on tons of meds now still and for the rest of my life and I am still at least somewhat depressed most of the time.I have many intolerable side effects from the meds and all this has had a devastating effect on my entire life. I've lost friends, jobs,etc.. I know I will never have a "normal" life.

Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Somewhat Helpful

I had 2 solid months of it in a psych.hosp.but was too severely depressed to be able to make it work. But I have used it a lot since I have improved somewhat but I just do it in my head.

Cymbalta Not Working

Didn't help.

Desipramine Working / Worked

Worked pretty well but then gave out on me. Was on it several times.

Effexor Working / Worked

I'm on a very high dose which causes me to sweat profusely and I have more than doubled my weight which has added to my problems.Also severe dry mouth and eyes.

Electroconvulsive therapy Somewhat Helpful

Terrifying at first but I was desperate. Didn't help much.

Lexapro Not Working

Made me overeat and did't help much.

Paxil Somewhat Helpful

Didn't help enough.

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

Helps a lot if you can do it, but sometimes it is impossible, especially if you are around negative people.

Prozac Not Working

Didn't affect me until I was up to an extremely high dosage- then I got real hyper-had to come off.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

Helps a lot if you can find someone you have good rapport with.But I just lost my therapist of 22 yrs. Devastating.

Seroquel Not Working

Made me extremely drowsy.

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

It helps if you have any.But most people don't understand the intensity and crushing weight of it all. And they think that the meds should cure you. There is no cure for me. Chemical imbalance in my brain as well as a horrible childhood.

Trazodone Somewhat Helpful

Worked somewhat but didn't last. Tried it several times.

Trilafon Working / Worked

Take at night for anxiety and agitation 4 mg. Somewhat drowsy but still cant sleep well or enough.3-5 hrs.at a time.Plus there are some very bad long term side effects which are permanent.

Valium Somewhat Helpful

Worked better at one time at a higher dosage 3040 mg. to help me sleep. Now am on 10 mg. You build up a tolerance very quickly and then it doesnt work very well anymore. Also can cause memory problems if taken for long periods of time.

Wellbutrin Somewhat Helpful

Tried it twice in combination with other meds. Didn't help much.

Writing Working / Worked

Keeping a journal has helped a lot especially when I have no one to talk to which is quite often. I seem to write more when I am really anxious or depressed and lately have been keeping an online journal which is quicker than hand writing.

Zoloft Somewhat Helpful

Don't remember. Long time ago.