What anti-depressants work for chronic depression?  Does exercise work just as well?  How do you stay motivated when your "support system" of family and friends perpetuate the stigma of depression and mental illness by denying that there's a problem and by refusing to offer emotional and financial support and referrals for counseling and other helpful resources to get out of the rut of despair and hopelessness.
217124
Well ! I know homeopathic can help you 100% without any doubt whatsoever !\nSend me your details how you feel and what do you think are the causes of these feelings and I assure you I will have you feeling like a million dollars within days of it !
207343
you're always going to be at risk of recurring depression, it's similar to being a recovering alcoholic in that you can never really say you are cured, but that doesn't mean you can't feel better, with the right treatments, or that you can't live a full and exciting life.\nYou need to be aware of what triggered the depression, and have a plan in place whenever you feel those depressed thoughts coming back.\n  Exercise and sport are excellent methods of keeping depression at bay, as well as keeping fit :)
249454
SSRIs such as Prozac balance out the serontin level in your brain. For a person with (genetic) depression, the chemicals in the brain are inbalanced so as to cause feelings of depression. Antidepressents regulate these chemicals to as to levels that allow a person to cope and function without depression. \n Some people may only have to go on antidepressents for a short time; however, others stay on antidepressents for their whole life so as to regulate the chemicals in their brain to prevent the depression from coming back.\n So, the depression might come back or it might not. Either way, see a therapist during this time. If it comes back, you'll need to get back on meds right away; if it doesn't, you might still need to see a psychotherapist for a little while.
559316
Depression is more than just the normal, temporary feelings of sadness and hopelessness associated with difficult life events. The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. It can be hard to recognize that symptoms may be connected and that you might have depression. Common symptoms include:\n\nDepressed mood. \nInability to enjoy activities. \nProblems concentrating. \nChanges in eating habits or appetite. \nWeight gain or weight loss. \nChanges in sleeping habits. \nDifficulty going to work or taking care of your daily responsibilities because of a lack of energy. \nFeelings of guilt and hopelessness; wondering if life is worth living (common). \nSlowed thoughts and speech. \nPreoccupation with thoughts of death or suicide. \nComplaints that have no physical cause (somatic complaints) such as headache and stomachache. \nAll of these symptoms can interfere with your quality of life. Even if you don't have major depression, if you have experienced a few of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks you may have a less severe form of depression that still requires treatment.\n\nHow is it treated?\n\nDepression is usually treated successfully with professional counseling, antidepressant medication, or a combination of the two. Often a combination of the two is most effective. People with depression usually can be treated as outpatients, but in severe cases a period of hospitalization may be necessary.\n\nIf you have mild or moderate depression, you may be diagnosed and treated by your family health professional and a therapist or psychologist. If you have severe depression or other psychological disorders or do not respond to treatment, a psychiatrist, a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems, may be helpful.\n\nLet your health professional know if you suspect that you have depression, because it is often overlooked. If you are diagnosed with depression, you and your health professional can decide on the best treatment. The earlier you are treated, the more quickly you will recover. 1
109482
Tricky question. In order to have a cure, the depressed person has to develop good emotional and cognitive regulation, which requires good insight and a willingness to always work on their emotional status. This requires developing a good understanding of when depression is clinical versus just feeling sad. Sadness is an adaptive feeling when it's short term or related to negative events. If you have any hope of a cure, you need to find a psychologist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It is the only treatment that has demonstrated long-term remission or cure from depression. Most psychologist and psychiatrist will not be comfortable using the term cure because depression can be a chronic problem for some people who either (a) have other intra-personal problems or (b) have very difficult environmental circumstances. You can't stop life from happening. The best you can do is learn the skill necessary to make yourself emotionally self-efficient and develop the social network that you can rely on when life goes bad. To find a good psychologist make sure they graduated from an APA accredited University. Also, try and see one with a doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.).
203911
There is nothing wrong with getting help when you feel overwhelmed or depressed. People think when they reach out to a doctor or to therapy that they are weak. It's quite the opposite. Even the strongest of persons need to take a breather from time to time to decompress and get emotionally healthy. \nThere isn't any evidence that suggests just because you may battle depression now that you will later in life. However, I would deal with this issue now, and not wait any longer or you may have problems with depression later in life.  It can greatly depend on where you are in life, what's going on, has there been a death, are you doing poorly in school. All sorts of things can contribute to depression. \nNow to the other question as to whether or not anti-depressants are addictive or not. Physical addiction to prescription antidepressant medications is not possible.  For one thing, today's SSRI anti-depressants are non-addictive in the sense that users do not experience physical cravings for them, nor can you overdose on them (well not very easily anyway). Thus they cannot be considered addictive in that sense, although they might be considered addictive in more subtle ways. By that I mean, you don't want to come off of them because you are afraid you will sink back into depression. HOWEVER, that being said anti-depressants may precipitate hypomanic or manic states. In these states, patients can have mood lability, irritability, and frank psychotic symptoms. In order to better understand all of this mumbo jumbo, go to your doctor and talk with him about what is safe for you to take, and the risks, pros and cons. He is better qualified to prescribe you something that won't hurt nor harm you. You will be glad you did! Good Luck to you!
588365
Depression is a sad and hopeless feeling. Even if you win the lottery you would still be sad.  Well maybe happy for a while. Paxil helped me. Been on it for 10 yrs now. But its still a daily struggle,  I pray a lot and thats helps me thru the day.  GOD BLESS YOU
515599
theres many things you can do. when im depressed or feeling low, i call or talk to one of my friends or family members. i also like listening to music. another thing you can do is eat your favorite food.
595173
Gosh I feel bad for you...sounds like a hardcore case of depression.  It's so easy for other people to just tell you to seek therapy, isn't it?  I have lifelong bipolar disorder, so I know how it feels to have been down in the depths of depression...thankfully for me, I eventually snap out of it and go into "happy" mode.  In my experience, talking to a therapist has not helped.  They ask me a million questions, write them all down and make me feel like a science project, give me a prescription, and send me on my way -- all for $175 for a 30 minute appointment.  I have found that when there is a constant vague feeling of depression for seemingly no reason, it is because I have suppressed that reason.  Identify the sources of your unhappiness.  For me, I finally realized that it was about three different instances in my past that had changed my mindset or my innocence in some way -- made me jaded to the world.  I'm still working on it, but I'm hoping to confront and forgive or be forgiven by the people involved.  And yeah, I've had my heart broken and I still have feelings years later, so it's perfectly normal.  If you have self-esteem issues, work on something that you enjoy and that you are good at -- don't worry if you fail at first, practice makes perfect.  Help others or be a friend.  It's almost impossible to feel low about yourself if you know you are good at something or worth something to someone.  If your self-esteem is in the dumps because you are worried about what people think of you, then don't be.  Look at people who are stupid and unattractive and have confidence -- if they have it, then why shouldn't you?  Basically, you need to recognize meaning in your life.  It's already there, you just need to find it.  All right, enough Dr. Phil crap from me.  Good luck and bless you.
10157
All you can do is be there and be supportive to him. I've dealt with this with my husband, and until he admits there is a problem, he won't seek help from a professional. It's a long, hard road to walk, but if you love him as much as I do my husband, you'll be there and listen. Make a suggestion to him that it isn't at all degrading to get help, be on meds to help him feel better. In todays society, a very large percentage of people are being treated for depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. It's normal due to the high stress we encounter every day! I'm not ashamed to admit that I take antidepressants on a daily basis. I feel better today than I have in years! Good luck in whatever you do! Here are a couple of good sites to look at.
553135
I'm the one with depression in our marriage, and I can tell you it is a tough situation from both sides. But we have been married for 26 years and the last 5 years have been our happiest, so don't give up.\n\nYou say that medication used to help your husband. It sounds like he needs to change his medication if what he is taking no longer works. That happened with me - after a couple of years on one medication or a combination of medications, they didn't seem to work any more. Then my doctor and I would have to try a different medication or combination of meds. Sometimes it would take two or three tries to find the right one.\n\nIt is not an easy process, but don't give up on your husband, and tell him not to give up on himself. I know *exactly* how he feels, believe me.  But in order to feel better, you have to *do* something. And that's the hardest thing in the world when you're depressed. But for the sake of your loved ones, and most of all for your own sake (this is speaking to your husband), you have to do it - go see your doctor, go to your therapist, whatever might work.\n\nGood luck to both of you. Feel free to email me if you like.\n\nP.S.  Here is a support site that has message boards both for people with depression and for families and friends of people with depression:\n\nhttp://wingofmadness.com/
1673
I was a person who refused for a long time to see the symptoms of my own depression, because I thought it meant that there was something "wrong" with me.  Eventually, I read a magazine article that listed common symptoms, and realized I had most of them.  That was a big wake-up call.  Talking to other people who had been through the same thing helped me a lot.  If you can get your relative in touch with anyone you know who has been through it, it will be more effective than nagging.  (Not suggesting you are a nag.)\nDefinitely educate yourself about symptoms, treatment, etc.  Just the fact that you are asking is great, because it shows concern.  Make sure that your relative is aware that you love him/her and just want to help.  Support is the greatest med.
572750
Every person reacts differently to antidepressants. My friend is happy as ever on Zoloft, but it made me suicidally depressed. The only thing to do is keep trying until you find a medication that works for you.
129244
I think that even a happy person has many periods of depression, we just don't know about because they stay or keep it hidden.\nAs to YA having many depressed people?  It seems to be a lot easier talking about your deepest secrets, problems, when no one really knows who you are.  Yes, many are depressed and you can read that flat out or between the lines.  But at least we are all here to support one another and give advice that might help each out of the depression.  WE make great friends over this YA thing and thank goodness for that.  I don't think they remain depresseed once we all join in and help out with a solution, do you?  We are worth our weight in gold.........
553994
My doctor has me on Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Lamictal and Adderall. A lot of drugs, I know. I even have Xanax in case I really lose it. I don't think that medicine is the only answer. Consider speaking with a psychologist, who can help you get down to the root of your anxiety. I know that exercise and a better diet would improve my attitude, if I were ever to get motivated.  Also getting in touch with your spiritual side, such as going to a worship service or meditating, can help alleviate the stress that causes anxiety. I hope to someday chose the path outside of medicine. I wish you luck with dealing with this struggle, and also Happy Holidays!
157613
Yes. Absolutely.\nAll "anti depressants" suppress negative emotions.\nThey do not get rid of them or help in anyway to discharge them.\nThis is why it is so difficult to come off them. When you "stop " taking them the "suppress" comes off , and all the negative emotions turn right back on again as tho' the painful experiences had just happened.\nThey also suppress positive emotion in the same way, hence the general apathy.\nThese drugs are not a solution to upset or depression, however once on them, you must not "suddenly" stop taking them, for the withdrawal period can be disasterous.\n\nSuggest if the person wants to come off this medication, they find a suitable medical Dr who is willing to very gradually withdraw the person by gradiently reducing the dose, and monitoring the individual.\n\nAlso recommend nutritional supplements to assist in this withdrawal.
584248
MAJOR DEPRESSION IS A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE OF THE BRAIN. YOU NEED MEDICATION TO CORRECT THE DISORDER, MOST LIKELY YOU YOU NEED TO CONTINUE TAKING THE MEDS TO REMAIN STABLE, AS MAJOR DEPRESSION IS ONGOING. THERE IS NO SHAME IN THAT, YOU NEED TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO BE AND STAY WELL. PLEASE NOTE THAT DEPRESSION THAT GOES UNTREATED WILL MOST LIKELY LEAD TO AT SOME POINT SELF- MEDICATION (DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDITION) A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN, A LIFE OF MISERY, AND/OR SUICIDE. YOU NEED TO SEEK TREATMENT THAT INCLUDES INTENSE THERAPY, ALONG WITH TAKING AND STAYING  ON YOUR MEDS.\nTRUST IN GOD,  HE MADE YOU THE WAY YOU ARE FOR A REASON. HE ALSO MADE DOCTORS FOR A REASON. PLEASE TAKE THIS ADVISE FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN WHERE YOU ARE. I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM REOCCURRING MAJOR DEPRESSION SINCE 1993. MY UN-MEDICATED LIFE WAS NOT PRETTY, BUT WITH GOD'S HELP, AND WITH THE AIDE OF MY MEDS AND YEARS OF INTENSE THERAPY. I NOW HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE, FULL LIFE, EVEN THOUGH I AM LEGALLY DISABLED BE CAUSE OF MY  DEPRESSION. GOD WANTS ALL OF US TO BE WELL AND HE GIVES WHAT  US WE NEED TO GET AND STAY THAT WAY.PLEASE TAKE YOUR MEDS !