What is the best treatment for Depression?

Question

I suffer badly from clinical depression, I am totally numb to everything,no concentration,cannot watch tv, read papers, hold conversation, no retention,hard to understand anything, no emotions for my wife, children or 2 grandchildren. I just feel apathy towards everything and do not think i can survive this torment much longer

Answer 1

Depression
Depression is very common and everyone feels fed up, sad, unhappy, miserable at times. Sometimes we know that there is a cause for our depression - maybe we have just broken up from a relationship, maybe someone we were close to has died, we may have failed exams, we may be ill - but other times there doesn't seem to be one cause - it may be a build up of problems, feeling unable to cope with life and we are not really sure why.

When depression is very severe some people can feel that life isn't worth living, they want to die. When depression doesn't go away it is important to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help but a sign of strength to recognise that you have these feelings and are unable to cope. Many people find at some stage in their life that it is hard to cope as well as they used to. You don't have to be strong all the time - recognise when you are finding it difficult to cope and need support.

People can get a variety of symptoms when they feel very depressed.

General feelings of unhappiness which don't go away.

Having no interest in life.

Finding it difficult to concentrate and make even easy decisions.

Having no feeling of enjoyment in life.

Not wanting to go out or mix with people but spending a lot of time on your own.

Feeling very tired and having no energy.

Finding it difficult to sleep and waking up frequently during the night.

Having no appetite and eating very little

Losing self confidence and feeling worthless.

Being very irritable, anxious, impatient.

Feeling very negative about life.

Having suicidal thoughts.

If you are depressed don't bottle it up - it is important you talk to someone - family, friend, teacher, youth leader, GP, organisation, helpline etc. - anyone you feel you can trust If you don't share how you are feeling you may find yourself using unhealthy coping strategies which will in the long run only add to your problems and make you feel worse - some people may start drinking alcohol more, may take drugs, may start self harming and cutting themselves, may stop eating or binge eating and making themselves sick.

You may find that counselling will help you as this will give you a safe space to talk to someone who is especially trained. This will help you to say how you really feel inside and the counsellor will work with you to help you find solutions and healthy coping strategies and to look at the reasons behind your depression. This will give you a better understanding of your feelings and some support in working through anything which is troubling you. If you find that counselling doesn't work for you then it would be an idea to see your GP and discuss with him other ways of helping you with your depression.

Talking to others and counselling and therapy can help but to pull yourself out of a depression you need to do a lot of work yourself. When you are depressed you may feel you have no control over your life but you do still have choices. You can choose to stay depressed and not eat properly, not exercise, stay in bed all day, etc. or you can choose to try and help yourself to get out of the depression . If you take care of yourself physically it will help you to feel stronger emotionally and to cope more easily with life. Just as a car needs petrol to work properly so does your body need nutrients from food so although you may not feel like eating please try and eat healthily and drink plenty of water.

Sometimes when we are depressed life can seem very negative and black - it can be easy to forget that there are beautiful things in the world surrounding us. Try and get out each day into an open space, park, forest, lake etc. and just take in the beauty of your surroundings, and try and be at one with nature. This can help keep things in perspective and lift your mood.

Set yourself small goals - maybe each day try and write down something you want to do the following day and try and follow this through. The more active you are the less time you will have to focus on your depression. Try and interact with other people when you can as if you totally isolate yourself and cut yourself off from the outside world you could find your depression gets more severe.

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What Can I do To Help Myself
Don't bottle things up - find someone to talk to about how you are feeling.
Make sure you get plenty of exercise and plenty of fresh air. You will find that even if you do a quick walk every day and a short period of other exercise each day you will start to feel physically and emotionally stronger and more able to cope.
Make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet - eat little and often and don't skip meals. If you are not eating properly you will feel more depressed and listless.
Try and keep busy - to keep your mind occupied.
Do things you enjoy to relax, treat yourself and take care of yourself.
Try and get to bed at a regular time. If you find it difficult to sleep listen to the radio/TV/read and you may find you drop off to sleep more easily.
Don't resort to unhealthy ways of dealing with your problems like drinking, taking drugs, cutting, eating disorders.
Ask for help when you need it.
Try to stop thinking in a negative way - when you think a negative thought try and replace it with a positive one.
If you need a hug ask someone you trust - this can make you feel that someone really does care how you are feeling.
Remember depression is very common - you will not always feel like this - you will come out of it and be able to enjoy life.

If your depression is severe and you are having thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life it is important you talk to someone immediately about how you are feeling. If you are a child or young person speak to your parents about how you are feeling. They would want to know how you feel and to support you and look at ways of helping. Talk to your GP and make him aware of what is going on for you. It is very difficult to deal with severe depression on your own - you need help and support and in some cases your GP may advise medication.

ENDING YOUR LIFE AND HARMING YOURSELF IS NEVER THE ANSWER. YOU HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU AND WILL NOT ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THIS.

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Agencies which offer support and information
SupportLine Telephone Helpline: 020 8554 9004 (Helpline), email [e-mail] - Confidential emotional support to Children Young People and Adults. Also keeps details of agencies, support groups and counsellors throughout UK.

Association for Post Natal Illness: 020 7386 0868, www.apni.org, [e-mail] - To advise and support women suffering from post natal illness. Running a network of volunteers to support sufferers throughout the UK.

Aware Defeat Depression: 08451 202961, email [e-mail] - Support, information or a listening ear for all those affected by depressive illnesses.

Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (Area served SCOTLAND), www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk - Helpline for young men 12-40 years who are experiencing difficulties and unhappiness in their lives and for their friends and family.

CALL Community Advice and Listening Line (Wales): 0800 132737, www.callhelpline.org.uk - Mental health helpline for Wales providing confidential listening support service.

Childline: 0800 1111, www.childline.org.uk.

Crossline Central: 0845 658 0045 (Area served SCOTLAND) - Christian based helpline and counselling service for the general public and people in crisis.

DABS Mail-Order Book Catalogue: 01709 860023 - Wide range of books including those on depression, self esteem assertiveness, self harm, child abuse.

Depression Alliance: 0845 123 2320, email [e-mail], www.depressionalliance.org - Confidential listening and support service. Also offer a range of information on depression and treatment options. National network of self help groups for people experiencing depression. National pen friend scheme offering support and fellowship to people with depression and their carers. Quarterly newsletter, booklets and leaflets on depression.

Depression Alliance Scotland: 0845 123 2320 (Area served SCOTLAND), www.depressionalliance.org - Telephone information and other support for people affected by depression. Information about symptoms and treatment, listening support and signposting to other agencies.

Depression Support Group Association ( London based): 020 7328 8391, www.depressionalternatives.co.uk - Helping people whose lives have been distorted by insecurity, loneliness, shyness, unsatisfactory relationships to find alternatives to depression. Groups in London convened by professional counsellors/psychotherapists. Meet in a friendly, sociable environment and offer members route to a more fulfilling life, develop self esteem and confidence and learn how their emotional needs can be met more fully. Fee £15 per week, concessions students/unemployed. Also run Shyness & Social Anxiety Programme and Personal Relationships programme, Men's Group to strengthen men's sense of themselves. Also individual therapy.

Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous (FDA): 01702 433838, PO Box FDA, Self Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham Street, Nottingham NG1 2EG UK wide self help organisation made up of individual members and groups which meet locally on a regular basis for mutual support. £10 yearly membership (reductions for those who cannot afford that amount).

Get Connected: 0808 800 4994, email [e-mail], www.getconnected.org.uk - Free telephone and email helpline finding young people the best help whatever the problem. Can connect a child or young person to any UK helpline where appropriate.

Hope in Crisis Telephone Line: 028 9446 9990 (Area served NORTHERN IRELAND) - Christian based organisation offering listening support and ministry for anyone in crisis.

The London Shyness Clinic: 020 7289 4317, www.shyness.co.uk - Therapy and counselling to overcome shyness and gain confidence.

Manic Depression Fellowship: 0845 634 0540, email [e-mail], www.mdf.org.uk - Advice and information for people with manic depression and their families, carers and mental health professionals. Supply a range of information leaflets, books and tapes. Network of self help groups for people with manic depression, relatives and friends. Self management training programme.

The Maytree: 020 7263 7070 - Sanctuary for the suicidal offering befriending and support (based in N.London).

The Mental Health Foundation: 020 7803 1100, email [e-mail], www.mhf.org.uk - Publish a booklet 'Understanding Depression'.

Meet A Mum Association: (MAMA) 0845 120 6162, www.mama.org.uk, email [e-mail] - To support mothers and mothers to be by putting them in touch with other mothers living nearby. Also provide one to one support and social activities.

Mind (National Association for Mental Health): 0845 766 0163, email [e-mail], www.mind.org.uk - Publish booklets relating to Depression.

Muslim Youth Helpline: 0808 808 2008, email [e-mail], www.myh.org.uk (Area served London). Helpline providing culturally sensitive support to Muslim youth under the age of 25. Outreach services including family mediation, face to face counselling and befriending.

National Youth Advocacy Service: 0800 616101, email [e-mail], www.nyas.net - Provides information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to young people up to the age of 25 through a network of advocates throughout England and Wales.

Premier Lifeline: 0845 345 0707, email [e-mail], www.premier.org.uk/lifeline - Christian run helpline offering information and a listening ear to the general public on a range of emotional and spiritual issues.

SAD Association: 01903 814 942, www.sada.org.uk - To inform the public about seasonal affective disorder. To support and advise sufferers of the illness. Limited light box hire scheme. Supply contacts list for members.

Samaritans:0845 790 90 90, email [e-mail], www.samaritans.org.

Self Help Services: (Manchester area) 0161 226 5412, email [e-mail], www.selfhelpservices.org.uk - Run over thirty support groups for people with mental health problems or are in need of emotional support, including groups relating to depression.

Stress Anxiety Depression - Confidential Helpline: 01622 717656 - Advice, information on self help strategies, relaxation, exercise, nutrition, cognitive therapy etc.

Voice for the Child In Care: 0808 800 5792, email [e-mail], www.vcc-uk.org - Telephone advice, information and advocacy services for children in care. Helpline for care leavers - 0808 100 3224. Visiting advocacy service for children in secure units and other residential homes.

Who Cares? Linkline: 0500 564 570, email [e-mail], www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk - Helpline offering information and support for young people who are or have been in care.

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Useful websites
www.channel4.com/health - information on depression, anxiety, mental health etc

www.depressioninteenagers.co.uk – An interactive site with resources for young people with depression, using self help ideas and relaxation techniques

www.foodandmood.org - a site which explores the relationship of what you eat and how you feel

www.healthyplace.com - information and support for those suffering from depression (American site)

www.netdoctor.co.uk - lots of useful information

www.patient.co.uk - self help guides under mental health leaflets on depression

www.pendulum.org (American site) - online support group for people with manic depression (bipolar disorder)

www.pni.org.uk - website set up by women who are suffering or have suffered with post natal illness, information, email support partner, chatroom

www.surgerydoor.co.uk - click on 'medical conditions', click on 'mental health', then 'depression' for information

www.theblackdog.net - supportive site for men who suffer from depression and/or suicidal thoughts

www.There4me.com - website for 12-16 year olds, confidential online advice

www.www.touchingminds.org - peer support for those who suffer from mood disorders, depression, anxiety

www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk - website for young people

Answer 2

I feel you completely. I've been suffering my whole life with clinical depression. What you're describing is called anhedonia, and it can either be eased by medication or worsened by it. If you aren't on medication, I would recommend it, at least temporarily until you can get the depression under control. Make sure that your family understands what is going on as well, so that they know that it is an illness that makes you apathetic, not that you don't care about them. Other treatments for depression include biofeedback (very expensive), psychotherapy (expensive and slow to work), nutrient therapy (not proven), and mediation (hard to make yourself do if you're already very far gone). There isn't one best method of treatment. Everybody's brain chemistry is different. I find that the most effective method for me is a combo of medication and positive-thought training. It is very hard work, but getting in the habit of thinking positively makes a huge difference, especially with the anhedonia. Seeing a psychiatrist or at least a psychologist is pretty much necessary at this point. You will need guidance to help manage your illness.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I took 4 st johns wort tablets about 3 hours ago and feel like a million bucks. Most of the tests done on it show that there is no proof it breaks up depression but then again the scientists and companies that do the tests are funded or linked to the big pharmaceutical companies. Its been around for 2000 years and has a reputation that long. Its only about ten bucks for 60 tabs - while prozac would cost 5 times that for the same amount.

Answer 5

Okay, I too have clinical depression, but it doesn't sound anywhere near as bad as yours... the best advice I can give is to just let loose. I mean cry, it helps. I thought that it wouldn't relieve any pain, they're just tears, but it's true. Cry dude, let it out. Everything that makes you sad, release it and just wail your heart out. Do you take medication? If not, get to a psychologist and get some prescribed. It sounds very serious and if you tell a doctor the symptoms you've described above, you should be able to get fast help. I worry for you, and try to talk to someone you love about it. If crying doesn't work, try to not think about everything that's making you sad. Focus on other things, that might help a bit. If none of that works, e_mail me back at [e-mail] and describe any changes that may have occured. I know the address I just gave you sounds misleading, but please don't let it fool you, I could be able to help. But remember, see a psychiatrist. Let me know how everything works for you, I'm worried about you. Don't do anything foolish, there's a resolution to every problem, all of which less permanent than suicide. Oh, one more thing: have you tried praying? Again, sounds foolish, but try it, you never know, it just might work. Please contact me back with results, I'll be praying for you until then.

Answer 6

You need to talk to someone and I think you made the right choice posting this question. If you are not already under a doctors care than I would suggest you do so. It sound s as if you are slightly suicidal considering the words "do not think i can survive this torment much longer" in your last sentence and I strongly advise you to go to the nearest emergency room. It is not normal to feel the way you feel and I want to make sure I give you the right advice to help you. I too am a depression sufferer and with the right help- I got through it and so can you! Perhaps you need some antidepressants to get you out of this rut and continued therapy talking to a psychologist to keep you out of the rut. And if you are already on antidepressants- perhaps they need to be changed. THis is your time to lean on your wife and your family and truly reach out for help. You are not in this alone and since you posted this- now you have me standing behind you as well- rooting for you! You can get through this- just do as I said and if you feel in your heart that the treatment isnt working or your doctor isnt listening to you- than change it. You deserve the right treatments to help you feel better.

So, right now, this is what you do- talk to your family and tell them it is "urgent" and go to the nearest emergency room. You do not deserve to feel this way and there are people out there who genuinely want to help you. REach out to them. I am here for you and so is all the others who read your post. WE are rooting for you and you CAN get through this.

Answer 7

All studies indicate that the best treatment is a combination of medication and psychotherapy-neither tends to be nearly as effective alone. In terms of psychotherapy, best practice protocols clearly indicate CBT (cognitive behavioral treatment) is the most effective. Also, in treatment resistant depressions that fail to respond to pharmacologic and/or psychotherapy, ECT is still used and can be very effective and is now done on an out-patient basis. There are many options available and you need to seek out a treatment provider beyond your primary care physician for chronic or treatment resistant depression.

Answer 8

Try anti depression tablets they take about 14 days to work. Or if you are really bad with depression. A good blast of E.C.T. would help Doctors don't know how it works
but it does. I have a friend who goes into hospital every so often to get it she has five children and comes out of hospital a different woman. Lawyers , Doctors anyone can be ill with depression. Some people with stressful jobs
burn out and get it, who cares how one gets it just do your best to get better and you will.GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

You need to see your DR. like now. Tell him what's going on. I also have depression, but I finally got straighten out with an anti-depressant, there are many different ones. I also see a counsler, she isn't a psychiatrist (I Hate them) You can survive this. You need to get well for you your wife, kids, and grand kids. It won't be an over night fix. But you will get well with some help. I really hope you will call your Dr today.

Answer 10

I totally agree with both the other answers. I found that if I just did one thing very well (in my case, I worked constantly), sometimes I just felt a glimmer of hope because I found a little confidence in myself. Gradually the glimmer of hope became bigger and I gradually felt better. I found also doing little things to please those around me helped me. They have a tough time too. So make a cup of tea for your wife once in a while if you can. Play a small game with the grandchildren. Only for small amounts of time at first. My heart goes out to you. I hope you see a little light very soon.

Answer 11

stay off the meds for basically a splash longer hun. long term drug use motives each and all the hormones to bypass haywire, you will choose atleast 6 months of sobriety to come back on a while-honored self. as quickly as you attain that factor nevertheless in case you nevertheless experience depressed perhaps bypass talk on your GP approximately scientific care, for sure existence wasnt that happy to start with in case you controlled to get a drug habit that youthful. Btw, congrats on kicking the habit, you may desire to be rather pleased with your self,maximum ppl two times your age dont have that style of will skill, good luckand appropriate wishesfor an stunning destiny which you presently have waiting for you xxx