What is best option for someone with treatment-resistant depression/anxiety?

Question

Let me tell you which generic answers I am NOT looking for: online support groups, special restrictive diets, traditional antidepressants/therapy, exercise, "miracle cure" drugs and herbs. ALL of these I've tried with limited or no benefits at all.

I'm only looking for input about SEVERE depression that hasn't responded to any traditional methods of treatment. Is there any relief possible? I am 21 years old and I've lived with these problems all my life and I don't wish to continue to do so.

I thought I was clear about what I had asked for, but after reading some answers I think it's necessary to add some details, because many of these answers have no relevance to what I have asked.

I did not ask about your feelings towards religion or God. Furthermore, the quote "If you know God you will never be depressed" is downright offensive. That same person also seems to think I'm "allowing" myself to drown in gloom and that I'm not trying to help myself ?? Preach to someone else.

Another individual was arrogant enough to suggest that I am "choosing" to cling to my depression for drugs or some other reason. Depression is a medical condition, not a conscious decision. I certainly didn't wake up one day and CHOOSE this lifestyle!


I'm a male, and I have already seen several psychiatrists and taken many rx drugs, after all, I did ask about treatment RESISTANT depression. I don't have bipolar.

Thanks for ALL input, but PLEASE, SERIOUS/RELEVANT ANSWERS ONLY

Answer 1

Try Nor-Adrenaline treatment.

I think it`s not cleared with the FDA yet, but in Europe they are using EDRONAX.

Combined with an SSRI you get surprising results, but they go well on their own too.
Works for me beautifully (thank god, I`m not a US citizen).

However, remember friend, that the drugs are good for the symptoms. They don`t cure the disease.

And - and I`m totally f*** serious - 2 month on a beach in Thailand - but not the ones with the fancy resorts, but one of the remote ones (seek Haad-Yuan, in the island of Ko-Pa-Ngan). I`m dead serious, did much more to me than 5 years of medications.

But, most important friend: accept the fact you are sick, don`t expect it to go away (cause it won`t), don`t be ashamed with it, and tell all of the `smile to life and they will smile back..` and the `what have you got to be depressed about..` advisers to shove their smile so deep into their asses cause they don`t know the first thing on what you`re going through.

Answer 2

Try a mood stabilizer drug. At 21, you may have just been depressed. You may be bipolar which manifests inself more as you get a bit older. Thats maybe why the antidepressants are not working for you and are actually making you sicker. You need a pschiactrist. Worst case senio is electric shock treatment. It has a 70% sucess rate and people lives are changes dramatically. The ancorman on 60 minutes had electric shock therapy. Its not like the old days. Good luck and see a good doctor and don't give up.

Answer 3

I have actually been researching this. ECT is known to work with severe, unresponsive depression. For some it is a wonder cure and it is not the scary thing of the past. It often done out-patient, you are given something to relax you, given a short acting anesthesia, given the treatment, go home, feel better. What I have read is the best is to go slow, don't let them treat to aggressively. There is some memory lose, but usually returns in a few days. There is a bunch of stuff about it all over the internet.

Answer 4

A lot of depression/anxiety is untreatable with drugs/therapy. The only thing that I've seen or heard of was on the radio, but I can't remember the program or any details. I'm presuming that you have pretty much run the gauntlet with the anti-depressants, but if you haven't, ask your physician, or your pa, or whatever to change your medications or dosages. Physical or mental exercises can do a lot to take your mind off of your problems; get a hobby, start exercising, read more, listen to music, anything.

But all of that aside, I noticed from your tone that you seem to have an anger management issue as well. The people that responded probably meant well. Attacking them won't make either you or them feel any better.

Answer 5

No one can tell you what the "best" option is, that's something you'll have to discover for yourself. If you've been to a psychiatrist and exhausted the medication route, then my advice is to look into electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock therapy. Essentially, a doctor or a team of doctors deliver a controlled shock to the brain, which induces a slight seizure. It sounds scary, and it is a little scary, but it's not as scary as living in the depths of severe depression for the rest of your life. Do some research on it and talk to your doctor and see what he/she says about it. It's not your "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" shock treatment. It's a very precise and controlled process. Those that have had it call it a lifesaver.

Answer 6

Well your depression sound worse than what I had but what helped a LOT was to get a journal and write down everything I felt. When I was done it felt good and even though I wasn't telling anyone I loved getting it out of my system. Then once I started I got a better social life. It might take some time though because I'm still writting in and even though my social life is good sometimes I get really sad when I'm alone. Best of wishes!!

Answer 7

I hear what you are looking for and I understand the problem you have had because I have the same problem. Depression is a chemical imbalance and most medicines I tried made me worse. Try a counselor and talk out some of the things that make you sad. Do not drink Alcohol it is a depressant do volunteer work with someone or group that need help. I volunteer at the prison
and you meet people who are in need, I also do teen mentoring It makes me feel worthwhile

Answer 8

I'm 20 and suffer from depression to, aswell as many of my family members. It was inherited like many chemical imbalances, but medication make you numb to emotion and theripist didn't work for me either. I still often feel depressed, but the thing that helped me the most is forcing my-self to get up in the morning and doing something with people. I smile and it becomes natural and I begin to feel happier. I make sure to laugh, even if its forced at first, it isn't after a while. Pretending to be happy has made me happy. I know it doesn't make sense, but for some reason it works. Oh... and when you start to mentally put your self down, stop. Think of your positive aspects. You have them. It is very hard and I know I'm making it seem easy, but it takes tons of work and years of practice but it worked for me and my mom. Just don't give up on happiness, I haven't.

Answer 9

You say that you have seen a number of psychiatrists, could it be that you haven't found the right one? You probably are well educated about the various types of therapy offered, as well as the personality differences of each professional.
Maybe you can bring joy to other people that you yourself can't find. What about devoting yourself to helping others...and I don't mean this from a religious standpoint. If you can volunteer at an organization like helping children with cancer, or working with developmentally disabled, it might help to bring happiness to others and perhaps help you in return.

Answer 10

I've been on antidepressants, benzos, and buspirone. First off, buspirone is ****. It is the worst medication I've ever taken. Antidepressants helped, but benzos have been the best influence, although they make you "retarded," when you're on them. Maybe you should give lithium a try. Its supposed to be pretty strong, but who knows how you will react. Talk to you doctor. If things get bad, you can always go off it. Sometimes marijuana can help chronically depressed people, sometimes it can make it worse, But thats always been the problem with depression medication: It helps some people, and hurts others.