Atypical depression and medication?

Question

I've been diagnosed with 'atypical' depression, because my symptoms have included sleeping far too much, eating a lot, severe lethargy and fatigue - as well as many other more 'classic' signs of depression.

Thus far, no medication has helped much - I've tried Citalopram(Celexa) Prozac, and Effexor.

Anyone have any specific knowledge about what might work well for atypical depression?

Cheers for your advice.

IN RESPONSE TO TOMMO: your answer is, frankly, insensitive; you have no knowledge of the things I've been through that triggered the depression, and as for your suggesting that I'm a 'wimp' - not only insulting, but if you knew what I'd had to cope with in recent years you'd feel thoroughly ashamed for saying that!

LISA J - thank you so much for that response, that is extremely helpful; much appreciated.

Answer 1

Welcome to the wonderful world of depression and meds.

I tried many different medications before I hit on one that worked for me over the long term.

I tried 21 meds, yes I counted them, over 2 years about. Now that's unusual. I just didn't respond to meds, or I got the really bad side effects.

So I had to take Nardil which is an Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor. (MAOI). These work for depression always, as far as what several psychiatrists told me. I felt even happy and smiling, after I'd been on it one day. The problem is the diet restrictions. Though I have not found them to be an actual problem as far as not eating certain things, like aged cheese.
I got used to that very quickly. I have been on Nardil over 10 years and as yet have had not one instance of the hypertensive episode you can get if you eat certain foods. Those are foods that are aged or fermented mostly. If you can manage that, then consider taking an MAOI. There are newer MAOIs now, that work slightly differently and are safer, as far as less likely to cause a hypertensive episode. That's high blood pressure, which you can go to ER for and get a shot, when it happens. You have to tell all other healthcare people you are on it; plus cannot take some medicines like decongestants.
I'm letting you know about this type of medicine, because if you are going through lots of different meds, and changing meds, then ask about it. Many times it isn't considered until it's a 'last resort' and I wish they'd not put me through 2 years of torture trying their treatments.

Going through so many meds, and changes is so stressful mentally and physically.

Prozac gave me a terrible constant headache, and I was so tired even on the lowest dose, I'd be crawling on the floor literally. I'm surprised they used that. Usually, if lethargy and fatigue, sleeping too much are symptoms, they use meds that will 'wake' you up more. I know someone who Effexor worked for who had very much the same symptoms as yourself, yet she had to wait a long time for Effexor to work, and it was quite a slow process. She had a therapist pushing her a lot to do things as well.
I would think an anti-depressant in the same category as Effexor could work for you.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It is believed that if left untreated atypical depression can cause more future problems than any other form of depression. Since all you want to do is sleep and eat its hard to gain any self respect or have any relationships professionally or personally. You tend to avoid people at all cost for fear of being rejected or humiliated. Atypical depression affects women more than men. Seventy percent of the people that have been diagnosed with this condition are women. If left untreated it can lead to other medical conditions that include panic attacks, avoidant personality disorders and social phobias. Without medication, this can make it worse. I dont believe in relying on medication, but there are few proven home remedies or natural ways to treat it. Exercise is proven to help temporarily. Some people say herbal remedies on the other hand, offer a wonderful alternative that have few if any side effects. Two herbs that have shown great promise are Licorice and St John’s Wort. Having its origins in Europe, St. John’s Wort contains the vitally active ingredient called hyperforin. Experts recommend a dosage of 900 – 1800 mg a day with a concentration of 3 per cent. This dosage can be altered in accordance with the severity of the condition and will be adjusted by your naturopath. Ironically, St John’s Wort is classified as a toxic weed because it adversely affects the central nervous system of some animals. Although demonstrating this negative affect in animals, it does not affect humans this way in the slightest, and the herb has been effective in the treatment of depression.

Answer 4

I have to answer to the reply above. Depression is real and some people are not just 'fed up' i think to say you are a paramedic the view you give is totally innaccurate. I am one of the strongest people you could ever meet and have been through so much, yet i still have to take prozac no matter how strong i am as some ilnesses are too progressed to fight. It is not all in the mind as people like you presume it is very real as the point in this question shows. I get severe daytime sleepiness, panic attacks and general malaise, trust me it is not all in the head. I am assuming that yourself of someone close have never suffered from depression as your comments suggest so.

Answer 5

I had such severe depression that i had a breakdown. One thing people don't always realise about depression is that it is as much physical as it is mental. My doctor explained that my body had taken 25 years of stress and strain and abuse- your body gets worn out. Therefore it needs to rest and mend.
Anti-depressants are great for slowing you down and making you rest, but they also supress and mask the real issues. I had a couple of years on Seroxat (which i would never recommend)- then i weaned myself off. I tackled my problems one by one and faced the 'ghosts' from the past- i am now well on the road to recovery but still have bad days.

It is also worth mentioning that sometimes doctors mis-diagnose illnesses like M.E. because for one thing they don't all believe in it and secondly because the symptons mimic depression very well. Don't be afraid to see a different doctor. And don't be afraid to get support from places like 'MIND' .

Answer 6

I found St.Johns Wort (herbal) Worked well for me especially the strong dose. I have the same things as you have listed but I was diagnosed with M.E which brings on depression. Try taking some vitamin B12 for your fatigue. It has helped me a lot

Answer 7

all i can say is citalopram can have side effects that are as bad if not worse than your depression, if you can stay off normal medication for a few weeks you will be able to try out a herbal medication called st johns wort, pleas be careful as it would need all your will power to get away from straight medication.

Answer 8

it is not uncommon to have to try several antidepressants before you find one that works for you, I've been on at least twelve of them. I hope you are seeing a psychiatrist and not relying on your family doc to prescribe....psychiatrists know a whole lot more about such medications.

Answer 9

Cure Social Anxiety Shyness : http://SocialAnxiety.uzaev.com/?UpRM

Answer 10

I have used green clay, a natural remedy and it is great...you need to be a non-alcoholic person, though...it is a powder that you put into water, stir using a wooden spoon and drink...check these sites:
http://biorganic.ifrance.com/biorganic/clay.htm
http://vitaminhouses.com/Guia/ingles/nutraceutics/clay.htm