What is the MOST effective treatment for depression?

Question

I'm currently taking 350 mg of Wellbutrin. But after a couple of years of taking it --- with great results --- I'm starting to slide back down into an extremely depressed state. It's not all situational. Sometimes I break down for no apparent reason. I'm in no way suicidal, but life looks hopeless for me at this point. Please help???

Answer 1

We are not talking about a day or two of feeling "low" or "blue" here. Please understand that severe clinical depression is a serious illness.

Medication loses it's effectiveness over time as the body gets used to it. Usually the course of drugs will be for around 6 months or a year. Has your doctor seen you during your two years or does he just give you a repeat prescription? You need to see him and explain that the tablets are not as effective as they were and ask for a different drug.

It is easy to suggest "going for a walk", "snapping out of it" etc etc but if a person has severe depression just getting out of bed in the morning is a major achievement. Life is no longer worth lliving and there is no joy in the world. You are too depressed even to contemplate suicide - which is why suicide is more common in people recovering from depression - they then have the energy to take action but remember the utter dispair they have experienced.

Sometimes the reason for depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Post natal depression is a well known example of this. Depression is an illness just as a tumour or a broken leg is an illness.

However a broken leg can be seen and so sympathy is forthcoming. Depression is hidden and unless you have suffered (either as a depresive of as a family member or friend of a depressive) you are unlikely to understand what is going on. Tumours are also hidden and I was once told to ignore my tumour and it would just go away! You wouldn't suggest that someone with a broken leg should go for a run so why suggest that someone with SEVERE depression just needs life style changes? The life style changes often do work for mild depression but for severe clinical depression extra help is needed. The drugs help to re-balance the chemicals in the brain just as tamoxifen helps balance the chemical makeup of the body following some malignant tumours.

Depression is a life long illness. You learn coping techniques but it is always there ready to jump out at you either in times of stress (and who doesn't have stress in their life?) or even when there seems to be no reason for it.

I wish you all the best in your recovery. Recovery is possible as is a full and rewarding life.

Remember only clever people get depression.......

Answer 2

I have had lifelong depression, ranging from mild dysthymic disorders (things are just blah) to the more serious acute attacks (I have wanted to jump off of bridges). I have been on everything from Prozac to Celexa to a mix of Citalopram and Bupropion with a healthy dose of Trazodone at night.

By far, the best thing that has worked for me is to take up running obsessively. Yes, I realize the obsession is another illness, but for Gawd's sake, it beats feeling like crap all the time! At first it sucks, working up to a real run, but the payoff after months of trying - it's worth it just to have the runners high kick in at mile 3 or 4.

Take up some kind of exercise. The research supports it as a viable means for enhancing other treatments for depression, and I can certainly say it helps.

Answer 3

THE PRIMARY COURSE OF TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION SHOULD ALWAYS BE THERAPY !! IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SEEING A THERAPIST DO DEFINITELY SHOULD BE. FINDING AND JOINING A SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR AREA WILL ALSO HELP. YOU ALSO SHOULD TAKE YOUR MEDS A THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU REPORT ANY DRASTIC CHANGES IN MOOD TO YOUR DOCTOR. IMMEDIATELY HAVE RE-OCCURRING MAJOR DEPRESSION, BUT WITH MEDS AND YEARS OF THERAPY I HAVE BEEN STABLE SINCE 1997 AND NOW HAVE A HAPPY AND FULFILLED LIFE.

Answer 4

Here's your answer: Read my "Antidepressant That Works" webpage, buy the book I recommend, and do what Dr. Burns says to do in the book. It's far and away more effective than any of the drugs I took including Wellbutrin.

http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html

Answer 5

Do you know what make you upset? Change the way you think. Talking to the person that makes you upset helps(understanding)
Go on a holiday that you wanted to go before you became sick.
I was sick for 3 years. Medication helped, but self helps that helped most. I don't need medication any more.

Answer 6

I have been diagnosed with bi-polar....I've also had brighter days than others.that's life. The way get by is savoring everything from clean drinking water to medicine thanx to our veterans but no thanx to unecessary actions by the Gov. Being to different countries, the quality of life isn't the same !

Answer 7

You might need to try a different antidepressant. Sometimes one stops working after a while. Go to a psychiatrist and inquire. You will probably be back on your feet in no time. Please do not worry this happens to other people. You are not the only one.

Answer 8

The drugs don't work. Take a bath, eat an icecream, hug someone. Get a girlfriend.

Answer 9

maybe you should go out and join some organization that will grab your attention and make you happy, example.....
Goin any varcityn team in your school, or join any oragnization in your university, as singer, dancer, drama actor/actrees.
or maybe you have taht problem you are trying to escaped????
well i will tell you that it would not help, better to face it and try to solved it or accept it...
then move on to your life,,,, life is great and always fair... i told you... promis...

Answer 10

I'd see my doctor if I were you. Have you had any therapy? I take Fluoxetine and it's fine appart from the indigestion. Take care.