I need help from a doctor or somebody that knows about mental disorder...?

Question

My mother in law last night cried and told me it s 10 years she takes psyco medications like prozac....does it mean is a serious problem?or just a simple depression?can a depression last for 10 years and make you take 10 years of that kind of medications?

Answer 1

There are many opinions regarding the cause and treatment of clinical depression. I find it interesting that those that claim that it is strictly a chemical imbalance often dispute the need for permanent medicinal needs. If in fact, if depression is truly a physiological/biological disorder, then like blood pressure or diabetes, it should require lifelong medicinal treatment. My father has been taking ADs for over 12 years as a believer of this position. I would caution that the mind is linked very closely with the body and therefore the most effective treatment for depression is a combination of therapy and meds, which most would agree to. I have suffered with panic attacks and anxiety for over 5 years and have taken a litany of ADs myself and can attest to the benefits of counseling and CBT. It is entirely possible that your mother in-law can still be severely depressed for that long. ADs help, but will not 'cure' her of her illness. If it is strictly 'clinical depression' and not other underlying conditions, she needs to attack this through life modifications and therapy also. It is a difficult journey for most, but not impossible. She must not give up. Best of luck, Rob

Answer 2

I have no way of knowing if it's a serious problem or not. Prozac is an anti-depressant but depression isn't always "simple"; it can be very serious at times and can make a person's life miserable. People can be on anti-depressants and other psych meds for years, sometimes for their entire lives. As long as it's improving their quality of life and depending on the type of medication they're on there's nothing wrong with this.

However, I'm wondering why your mother in law was crying when she told you this. Was she ashamed or afraid of your reaction? If so, it's very important that she know that you're not upset about what she told you and that you react to her in a supportive and compassionate way. On the other hand, if she's feeling depressed or out of control in any way she may need to switch to a different medication and she needs to let her therapist about these feelings. Sometimes medications lose their effect and a person needs to change to another.

Depression can be a chronic and sometimes life-long disorder, as can other psychiatric disorders, and medications are not a cure-all although they can be very helpful in relieving some symptoms. The important thing is that your mother in law is treated in a non-judgemental way by you and her family and that she receive good care from a therapist and physician. If this is the case, then there's really nothing to worry about. :)

Answer 3

Prozac does not make depression worse, silly. :-P

Yes, depression can last for ten years, and if it does, then it is not just a simple depression. Prozac is one of many medications that can potentially help with depression and other mental disorders. The thing is that different drugs work differently for different people with different problems. Also, depression and mental illness is caused by chemical imbalances that can change over periods of time. That is why sometimes one medication will suddenly stop working, or someone who never needed medication will suddenly need some!

It does not have to be a serious problem, though it can be. The important thing is for your mother to see her doctor. It also helps to keep a journal of how you feel, keeping careful tracks of mood swings, changes in feelings, or depressive attacks. Keeping track of the problem helps the doctor evaluate changes, helping to prescribe the best medications. The best kind of doctor for this sort of thing is a psychiatrist, which your family doctor can refer you to. Therapists and psychologists are a big help as well, though they cannot prescibe medication.

This is not very unusual. Treat this like you would any other disease! Eat healthy. Get exericise. And work with the doctor! The fact is that millions of people suffer from depression, but it does not have to ruin their lives. Medications like Prozac do not always work, but there are many different forms of medication and non-medication methods of fighting depression, and many of them have great track records. The important thing is to seek professional help! Good luck! Your mother-in-law is very lucky to have someone who cares enough about her to try to get more information to help.

Answer 4

Yes, it can.

Depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Prozac, and other similar drugs belong to class of medicines (called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRI's) that readjust the brain chemistry so that it is normal (or close to normal). They don't work perfectly, but they do a very good job for most people. They also don't permanently "fix" the problem -- they need to be taken every day to keep the brain's chemistry in balance.

They can be taken over a very long period of time -- all of an individual's life if needed. It is not uncommon for a physician to switch between similar drugs for a patient from time to time to see which medications have the best desired effect with the fewest side-effects.

Answer 5

I was on Prozac for 10 years to control my anxiety. Sometimes meds are needed for a long period of time or a lifetime if the anxiety and/or depression is severe enough and if it interferes with the ability to function on a daily basis. Many people have chronic anxiety and depression or have had so many episodes that it is safer just to stay on a med long term to prevent the mental condition from interfering with life or holding down a job.

Answer 6

She probably suffers from clinical depression, and it probably took a lot for her to confide in you...this is a chemical imbalance, and the drugs she takes, helps balance her...yes it can last longer than that even...The best thing you can do, is to let her talk, and be sincere about it...sometimes the best help is being a good listener...God Bless, and take care, darling...and just be there for her...

Answer 7

From what I read, taking prozac for depresssion can make it worse. She should see a psychiatrist or someone. If she has and they haven't changed her meds or helped her, maybe she should switch. Depression is terrible! It's not simple, it can cause suicide.

Answer 8

she has depression and 10 year is along time to take this medication but if that's what the Dr has ordered and it has been working well then that's fine.At least she is controlling her problems and facing them head on.you and her must have a good relationship for her to open up to you.Hope all is well with her and you.

Answer 9

she should switch doctors.yes some people have to stay on meds but it sounds like your mother in law is still depressed.