depression? bipolar? i dont even know...?

Question

i dont know what to do! ive been depressed for as long as i can remember. im 16 now and just started seeing a doctor for the first time in 5 or 6 years. my first appointment was just like all the others- she asked my how i felt, how long i'd been feeling that way, all the standard questions. thats when she perscribed the trileptal. she told me it was a "mood stabilizer" and told me to look it up online and that was it. the next week, she perscribed the wellbutrin and once again told me to look it up online. ive been waiting for her to tell me the official diagnosis, but its been over a month and she still hasnt told me... i guess im feeling a little better, but it just bothers me that she hasnt told me what she thinks is wrong with me. i always assumed i was just depressed but i read online that trileptal and wellbutrin are used to treat bipolar disorder. so i really dont know what to do... also, are trilptal and wellbutrin used to treat anything else?

vienna- thats exactly what i was thinking. ive never had a doctor put me on meds and not tell me the side effects and warnings, much less the reason im taking them.

Answer 1

You make an excellent point.
As a patient, you have a right to know your diagnosis,
and you have a right to have the Dr. explain how the drug works and why she would choose that one for you. Unfortunately, depression can't be determined as easily as an infection , by a blood test.

So, here's what you do.
Write down a number of your questions,
When you walk in tell her you brought questions for her.
Don't be afraid to ask each one, even if it goes overtime.
She needs to be explaining what she's doing and why, and what positive outcome might be expected.
If she doesn't or won't - ask for another Dr.

Wellbutrin is a drug to help a person's mood stay even, without being too low. It works for a specific number of hours after you have taken it. Once the time runs out, it is no longer working in your system and the positive effects will leave. This is why you want to remember to take each pill at the same time each day. Wellbutrin can be used to address more than one diagnosis. (I'm not familiar with Trileptal)

Other forms of Antidepressants (called SSRI's) address depression from a different angle. They work on a delayed
reaction, weeks after they are taken, kick-starting your body to begin making the chemicals your body has been missing. The presence of the chemical seritonin helps your brain to function in a normal / non depressed way.

Diagnosis of which depression you have -- and which drug may work best for your body -- can be somewhat of a trial and error, educated guesswork. Your Dr. should listen to what you believe is wrong with you, ask you questions, and also observe you. Some Dr.s will also give you a written test.

While medication can be very benefitial in treating depression, you can increase the benefit and work toward
healing with the help of a professional counselor. Then you will be able to address the issues you are dealing with in your life and help you to consider possible solutions to what is bothering you....putting the need for depression behind you.

Answer 2

Could be a possibility that you have some form of bipolar. But it def. sounds like depression. I get like this too. Sometimes a good cry does the trick! So let it out and after you do, make sure to pick yourself up and start over. I try to think about all the unfortunate people out there when I think my life sucks, and I snap out of it! We are so lucky to have what we have. Everyday we need to be thankful for getting up and having our health that day, because honestly, you never know what tomorrow brings, and then you'll wish that you lived that day to the fullest. Sometimes helping others that are unfortunate will help with your depression. You will feel that you are helping and contributing to others happiness, and maybe that's what you need.

Answer 3

They're sometimes prescribed to simply treat depression, just depends on the dosage. Stick with your prescription and stay in touch with your doctor so your dosage can be adjusted as necessary. You are gonna be okay!

Answer 4

See depression and bipolar disorder at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 2, and 5: read those pages; take the tests, and see www.drugs.com

Answer 5

Excuse me? Look it up ***online***?

Any doctor who doesn't tell you fully and completely what she has diagnosed, what she is prescribing and what the effects/side effects are, should find another profession.

Get another doctor. Now.

Answer 6

hullo
from your account, it seems that you are suffering from depression, no clear clue of mania, so bipolar disorder is out of mind, because bipolar needs cycles of depression followed by mania, which is not your case.
moreover your therapy are drugs used in depression only , not mania, but can be used in bipolar disorder to treat depressive attacks.

dr solo

Answer 7

you are probably just a homosexual