is it just me or is there no real help out there for depression?

Question

Of course I can help myself..but why would I need to go a doctor for that. Well helping myself hasen't been working either because I'm depressed again. I have been on and off for 15 years. I always hear depression is the most treatable disease...Is it? All the people I met that I still talk to from my first hospital visit 5 years ago still are profoundly depressed. Some came out of it briefly but will have bad episodes. I've taken all the meds over the years..I'm currently on Lithium and Wellbutrin. I'm really struggling right now. I've never done ECT. I refuse to. Anyway I've seen a lot of doctors and therapists and they seem to say the same cliches. The last one explained to me this DBT. She said she wanted me to go about all day with a forced fake smile. I tried this. It didn't make me feel better....who can think about smiling all day anyway? I don't know I'm just really feling hopeless about my condition

Answer 1

There are many causes to depression Stress and the perplexing nature of life in general is a major factor. The dysfunction of our society, the culture, problems with our environment and the general state of our lives overwhelm many of us daily. It is enough of a reason to make us depressed. Doctors don't know because they've never been there. I've been there.

Our thinking affects our brain chemistry and years of stress and toil can take its toll on us and show up in depression. Depression can also be the result of toxic overload resulting from overexposure to environmental and man-made chemicals, processed food additives, prescription and non-prescription drugs. Depression can express itself through many different symptoms - depressed mood and feelings of worthlessness or guilt, social withdrawal and agitation, anger, difficulty with concentration or making decisions, insomnia or hypersomnia.

If your depression is due to toxic overload, anti-depressants may actually aggravate the symptoms of depression. Not only do they have side effects such as anger, agitation, insomnia, anxiety and nausea, they are causing the body to be overloaded with chemicals that the body has to process.

There are natural cures for depression that do not involve consuming pharmacological agents. They involve reversing the toxic overload that is causing you to feel depressed and listless, and making lifestyle changes that will give you the mental and emotional tools to deal with life in general.

Pills do not cure. Generally it takes longer than two weeks for most meds to kick in if ever. You may have a combination of causes. In any case. You need to learn lifestyle changes that will help you. A little change here and a little change there can make all the difference. Baby steps. I have a list of things that may help. Hang in there! Tomorrow's another day.

Answer 2

I have a rather extensive history of depression also. I've had at least 5 hospital stays. I've also been on every med in the book. Right now on Prozac, Lithium, and Welbutrin. I've had probably around 30-35 ECT's in the past 6 years. I've also done DBT. I want to tell you not to give up. I know how ironic I sound but, Depression is a disease. It's not curable. It is treatable, and successfully so if you follow the rules, listen to your body, try as hard as you can and give yourself some breathing room. I'll tell you my experience;
ECT's... I would reccomend it if the situation was dire. It's not a scary procedure they put you to sleep, but it has it's side effects just like medication. The most common one is headaches, which can get bad but, they give you medicine for that. What ECT's have done to me and people I've met--they bring you out of a slump quickly, they give you energy, basically just enough jolt to give you hope so that you keep going and don't kill yourself. They also have this annoying short/some long-term memory loss, which will come back to you in time. In my experience, the side effects of an ECT or group of ECT's are managable for what they do to your depression.
Since you also have been on a ton of meds, you can use that to your advantage. You know what works for you and what doesn't. Find a psychiatrist who will trust your opinion and you will have a say in your treatment. Maybe you need a different combination. Over the years I've noticed that my system adapts a little to whatever combo of drugs I'm on between 6 months and a years' time. Usually around then I have to make a slight change.
Lastly, DBT. I've been through lots of therapists and shrinks but, this therapy was the most helpful for me, and the people in my 'class'. Part of it is learning about a disorder you (and half of the US) never knew you had. It sounds scarier than it is, and once you learn more about it. I have this great book that I can't find and forgot the name of, sorry. I wish I could give it to you. The disorder is Borderline Personality Disorder. Very recently a doctor had a readable book published. Tells you all about it, I'm sure a shrink would know. In this therapy it is essential that you do whatever they tell you to no matter how stupid or pointless it sounds. Practice and homework are key.
I'm a 25 year old female and I'm trying college yet again (I think it's going to work this time!) I have a really screwed up relationship with someone who I love (I'm pretty sure he still loves me too)that I'm trying to fix. And I am answering your question with respect and honesty. Diseases are inevitable, you just have to adjust so you can learn to live with them. Good Luck.

Answer 3

depression is soo hard to get over and through, i know, i have suffered from it since i was 10 years old, and i am currently 25 now. I get on medication and see a therapist, and everything seems to be peachy, and then one day i realize i am back in the same boat...my therapist dismissed me with a clean bill of health because at the time there was nothing left to talk about, and the doctors said, OK, you don't need the medication anymore. I'm really mad about it, this has been going on for many years and i still am having problems with it. I think that with some people they just never get over it. One day you may SEEM fine, only to end up depressed months later. And some people are fine, seem cured, and then something terrible happens in their life and they just end up back into depression. it sucks.

Answer 4

Please don't feel hopeless about your condition. I am Bipolar and have been hospitalized also. I have had the same Psychiatrist for the last 15 years. It has taken alot of trial and tribulation for me before they found the right combination of meds. I went on and off constantly up and down and then finally he got the combination of meds right and I am doing much better but am depressed today because I had to attend my best friends funeral. It takes a long time sometimes to get the combination right apparentely they just haven't gotten yours right yet. Hang in there and tell them that they are not working and tell him you want to try something different. I have had great success with Lexapro and Seroquel. I refuse to take Lithium because of the side effects and it is such an old drug. Ask for a change if its not working. Thats what you are paying the doctor for.

Answer 5

It's sometimes difficult to know what is clinical depression or an attitude problem. Negative self talk is bad for sure. Some people have a much harder time with low moods then others and when you're down in the dumper it's hard to say to yourself, "Everything is fine or will be."

But something everyone should do is find other people to help who they feel are worse off than themselves. It can help you to see the positive about your life instead of the negative, why and how you are lucky to be you. The truth is we are just lucky to be alive and breathing and around to know the people who love us and to be a part of this world. We really are. So many people won't see the next day or see their children grow up. If there are things to feel lucky about, re-scan your life and keep things in perspective. Even if it's just one person you decide to help, a neighbor or to volunteer for old people or even to take care of animals. Look outside yourself. Put the focus on the world and stop looking within. Sometimes we can get caught up in the story of our lives and are no longer able to see what we are really capable of doing in this world. Make a difference and you will feel better, at least to some degree.

Answer 6

I believe I am suffering from depression at the moment. Not to sure though. I have recently gained loads of weight, and I am not happy with my life. I get all of the pains that the commercials say, and I don't really have a family that is "together" I often feel left out, and my doctor has given me some anti-depression meds. So yes I believe (not sure because I am only 15) I am suffering from depression.

Answer 7

To me, depression is like diabetes. You can have a fairly normal life if you work at it, but you can't ignore it and hope to feel fine.

Depression can be chemical, or historical--or both. But there's evidence that once the blues take a hold of you at a young age, it's easier for you to fall back into those feelings than for someone who never was depressed before.

I've found that the number one thing I need to do when I'm depressed is to forgive myself for not being perfect. Sometimes, I can't handle being with people--too blue to hold up a conversation. If I can't muster up enough social interest to go out when I've been invited somewhere--so be it. BUT...I won't let myself sit around and do nothing or get into negative behavior. Better to watch a funny movie, read a great book, or write letters/e-mail to catch up with people. What you do is your choice. Even clean your house.

Medication is a mixed bag. I've had luck with St. John's Wort...it doesn't cure me, but it lifts my spirits without side effects and at a lower cost than any drug. There's a lot of danger in prescription antidepressents, not to mention the trial and error involved with finding the right one. I had no patience for having my moods tinkered with, waiting for some result. And herbs have no stigma.

I spent years talking with a therapist, but she couldn't change the past and present conditions that made me feel bad. Those are real. What I do is to take on the things I can do, push myself to do the things that seem a little bit difficult--and don't do what's beyond my ability to cope on any particular day. It all evens out in the long run if you have to postpone something. If you were physically ill with the flu, you'd cut yourself slack. Do the same when depression hits.

When I have good days, I take care of business. When I have a bad day, I treat myself with kindness and do less.

I wish you luck with whatever you come up with. Reward your small victories, acknowledge your demons when they hang around--but don't encourage them.

One day at a time, my friend. You'll make it.

Answer 8

I've been on every anti depression pill I can think of, and none of them worked. Some made my hair fall out, some made me a hermit, some made me clean everything 20 times a day, but nothing cured my depression. I'm not sure if they make something to cure it, just treat it.
For me, it was the change in environment that helped. Not everyone can pack their bags up and leave, I understand that, but maybe you could change little things. Like your route to work, try meeting new people. Take baby steps. Sometimes the mind gets bored, spice it up a little. Hope you feel better soon.

Answer 9

Well, you're not alone..I have been depressed for most of the past 20 years or so..I just deal with it..I've tried several anti-depressants over the years and nothing works for me. It's a struggle to get up in the morning...but you have to do it..Maybe one day they'll come out with a pill that really works..I've never been to a pysciatrist because I can't imagine how they can help if it's a chemical imbalance.

Answer 10

That's kind athe definition of depression.. a feeling of hopelessness... Depresssion is a disease.. It is a medical condition and is treatable... Heres the problem.. What works for me probably will not work for you... Therefore finding the right treatment is trial and error... If this one odesn't work try the next one... Eventually there is something out there that will help you... But I would not characterize it as cureable.... Treatable yes.... Don't give up hope... Keep trying... The one thing that will work for you is out there.... Find it...