i am on 2 antidepressants I've been on them for a while but i am still depressed. what is going on?

Question

i see a psychiatrist, also i've been on several others before but my depression never seems to fully go away.

i have days where i am fine but then i have some days where i just break down.

Answer 1

I have chronic depression and I've been dealing with it for over 40 years. I have tried several different medications before I found one that was right for me and I had to combine it with others to get a really good effect, I had to also find the right therapist one who's personality fit mine and who's idea of therapy I agreed with. A doctor that I really felt that I could work with and most important one that I could really talk to even when we don't agree. People change general practioners all the time but they find it reluctant to change therapist who they share their most private parts with.

Answer 2

Antidepressants just aren't effective, for many people, and benefit only about 1/3rd of users, long term. See depression treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 2: I'd taper off, with medical advice as to how many weeks to take, employing the multidimensional approach to treating depression, taking the Omega 3 fish oil supplements, and using the treatments now, and possibly the herbal remedies, some weeks later. View the 1-800-therapist website, and use the locators to find a psychologist (psychiatrists often prescribe unnecessarily, as explained) who employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and I'd set an initial limit of, say, 6 months, so they know they have to do what they can, in that time, not just keep you hanging on indefinitely.

Answer 3

I am on my third psychiatrist and second antidepressant. I am happy with my current doctor and medication and I am not thinking on changing neither.

I have OCD. Depression is the result of having to live with the symptoms of my illness. I always knew I was different from everybody I knew. Not once, from kindergarten to sixth grade did I ever invite any of my classmates to my house. As a result I was never invited to any of their houses or games. At the end of highschool I started to open up and made friends inside of school and had my first girlfriend. I had friends before but none in my school. When I hit 18 I began to have more OCD symptoms. I was a mess, I became seriously depressed. I would hide from my friends and not call them. They would not call me and I eventually lost my friends. I entered university but had trouble making friends. I had to drop out due to my illness.

Life is hard, but you know what?, I am doing ok. I take the antidepressant Anafranil. It took away the intensity of my OCD symptoms but still have mild depression. My psychologist is showing me how to build a social life. I could not have gotten better without getting the right help.

In my experience, antidepressants won't take all of your depression away. You have to have a good psychiatrist to provide you with the right medication and a good psychologist who will help you turn your life around. I have been screwed over by so called mental health professionals. The only thing that has saved me from a life of depression and helplessness is that I didn't give up and I demanded to see professionals. The people that saw me before I can't called them professionals. Most of them were taking advantadge of my desesperation.

Don't give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Answer 4

My depression lingers, too.

Hon, there are alternatives to the drugs you are taking -- so let your doctor know anytime medications are not helping you.

Perhaps you could do a yahoo search for DEPRESSION SELF HELP?

In the meantime, i just want you to know you're not alone walking around on this earth feeling depressed much of the time. For me, i try to FORCE MYSELF to do things -- i've taken up art and i paint quite a lot... and i also make "to do" lists for myself... i cross off what i've manged to get done. That way i can see that i've accomplished a little bit.

Another thing which is great for a person with depression is exercise.. brisk walking is great -- a half-hour or so, 4-5 times a week... helps to clear your head, gets you "out". Exercise also cause the brain to release endorphins, which are hormones that give us a mental lift. Maybe you could consider trying brisk walking or an exercise program (join a gym?).

Take care and i wish you all the best.

Answer 5

Well antidepressants work, but they´re not magical cures. You need to do some insight job to see what´s really bothering you, unless the doctor said you had a chemical imbalance. But 4 most people who suffer depression (me included), there´s always something that bothers you in your life.
Have you tried exercise? It really works, clears your mind and you can start working from that point.
Look, some psychiatrists (I´m not saying yours is like that) tend to limit themselves and only prescribe medications, you need to work at the same time with a counselor (Psychologist) who would give you a therapy.
Hope it helps and good luck :o)

Answer 6

Depression does not go away. You can merely treat it as best as possible. Since you are not satisfied with how you feel on your current meds then ask your doc to either increase the dose or change meds to try to find a combination or med that works better for you.

Answer 7

Hi,
I am on Lexapro...I have also been on Wellbutrin and other meds..You have to find the right combination and sometimes you need to tell your doctor that this is not working..Give it time to work..Depression does stay with you,but to live with it and control it is what the meds are for..Stay strong..Do things that make you feel good about yourself..Something for you..I hope that I have helped...If you need anyone to talk to or ask more questions just e-mail me at Bonnie [e-mail]..God bless you!
Bonnie Stark > Tennessee

Answer 8

I can't really tell you that something is gonna work
maybe you could start learning how to live with it, without trying to cure it.
I also have it and I know how bad it is.
one thing that has helped me in the past is making art.
maybe you could contact an Art-therapist and work something out, or do it on your own.
you don't need to be an artist.

PS: I've never taken medications, that's just the way I live

Answer 9

good question WHATS GOING ON???
NO ONE HAS THE ANSWER BUT YOU
maybe the antidepressants are not working for you
something happened to you in the past?
take a test of yourself whats the really problem that you have there is something that we have n no pill will help us
good luck be happy u have only one live to live dont wasted

Answer 10

Ask yourself this; what is it that keeps making U depress,if U can identify that cause,see what U can do to eliminate the stresses going on in your life.Anti-Depressants can help,but it's still best to eliminate those stresses going on in your life.