How do you know if anti depressants will help?
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It's difficult to know whether anti-depressant medication wil work for any given individual, let alone which particular one will be best with minimal side effects. The biggest indicators that warrant a trial on meds are the following:
1) Family History of mood disorders and alcoholism
2) Endogenous History: episodes that do not appear connected with life events/stressors
3) Vegetative Symptoms: disrupted sleep (particularly early morning awakening), poor appetite or changes in appetite with associated weight gain or loss, poor concentration or difficulty focusing on tasks, subjective feelings of tiredness or restlessness, actual psychomotor retardation (slowed body movements and difficulty initiating physical activity without prompting) or psychomotor agitation (pacing, hand-wringing, inability to settle down).
4) Presence of Psychotic Symptoms (ALWAYS indicates a need for medication and usually an anti-psychotic in addition to an anti-depressant)-and yes, Major Depression may have psychotic features which are solely attributable to the depression itself and not a co-morbid disorder.
These factors are most responsive to medication and suggest a strong biochemical component in depression.
Beyond those factors, it's usually a clinical judgement regarding the severity of the impairment on a person's functioning whether to try psychotherapy alone or combined with medication.
don't worry!
You're just hormonal
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Please don't fall into the trap of medications.
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before assuming you are depressed, consider the fact that you might be bi-polar. taking anti-depressants when you are bi-polar can cause more harm than before you started by actually making you suicidal (it's called seretonin syndrome) and then trying to withdrawal can be an even harsher process. go to www.bipolaroptions.com and check out the symptoms because you sound a lot like myself how you explain being severely depressed but only during "bouts" of your life. however, for either disorder, there are medications that can help. there's no reason you should have to live your life feeling that way. just make sure you are diagnosed correctly and you do research of your own on any medications you might start taking. especially beware of those that have withdrawal symptoms because you don't want to have to go through a withdrawal process if something ends up not being right for you.
Do you have less energy than you used to? Do you wake up many times in the middle of the night? If so, you probably have depression. Talk to your doctor and see if maybe he/she can get you some antidepressants. I'm 14, and I've been taking them for about a month and a half now. They have really worked!
It's not good to rely solely on meds, though. Try to see the good things in your life. Notice every tiny detail that has a positive aspect. Even if it's something silly, it really does help!!
Also, if you are Christian, pray to God for help in realizing that you are important to so many people! You are of infinite worth!! Whenever you find yourself in doubt of this fact, just know that whatever you're doing, God loves you!! And many more people love you to peices!
It's basically trial and error
If you are emotionally balance, for example; are you serious at appropiate the appropiate time, such as every work day with a pleasant attitude? Are you happy, when the time is appropiate, such as, do you express your happieness by acting it out on purpose, or are you generally a rounded happy individual? Are you depressed because of a loss, such as job, loved one ext. If the anti-depressants, are alternating you away from this type of rounded equilbrium, than you will know to seek some other method, to balance your depression.
Here are some preventive ways of balancing your depression back to an overall well rounded you!!
1) Set a daily routine: For Instance
a) Before you go to bed each night make a plan for the early portion of the evening, to set a fun thing to do, or a goal set plan to get somthing accomplished. (It has to be enjoyable, and you must look foward to that early portion of the evening, othewise it will be a waste of your time. (Remember it has to be enjoyable, and you must find yourself looking foward to the early evening to do the fun thing, or the fun goal set.
B) Each Saturday, plan out your daily day routine, for the upcoming week. An organized life, keeps an organized well rounded mind.
c)Set within your schedule an excercise plan, irregardless what exercise plan you schedule in you weekly organizer, it could be as simple as going out for a late night walk to enjoy the quiet and peace to heavy duty aeorobics. You simply know what type of exercise you can handle. (don't make it a chore)
d)Energy Drinks, even if the energy drink consist of a Milk Shake, added with protien energy supplemental powder, it will increase awarness, provide more energy throughout your day, and keep you in great fit.
c)Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12, are notable for stablizing the nervous system, and can provide balance in the depressed mind.
d)Plan a weekend vacation each month, and invite a friend.
I could ask you has there been any problems recently, such as husband issues, employee work issues, health issues! This is the dilema that you don't want to fall into example (great now that me and my husband are getting along just great afterspeaking with the marraige counsler, I am all better! hip horay! Wrong, because next week your employer is to upset with you over an event that may have occured at work, you learn that your husband hasn't changed, and the arguments have started again. There will always be something emotionally upsetting in your life, and even though counseling advice is advisable, it is important to stay balance physically and emotionally to. Must be prepared for the next fall in life, because there will always be a problem or another.
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YOU WILL NEVER KNOW INTELL YOU TRY. IT'S JUST LIKE TRYING ANYTHING YOU MUST DO IT FIRST TO SEE ANYTHING IN LIFE IT MAY BE WHAT YOU NEED OR IT COULD BE THAT YOU JUST NEED A BRACK . BUT YOU NEED TO GO TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE LIKE AT MENTAL ILLNESS PLACE
Hi, I’m so sorry to hear you are feeling so bad (and that you have an unsympathetic doctor). You may need anti-depressants, however, please try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT takes a bit of work, but is proven to be extremely effective for depression. Don’t worry it’s very cheap. Just pick one of the following options:
1. You can take a course for FREE online at: www.livinglifetothefull.com. It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far.
2.You can purchase a ‘prettier’ CBT programme at www.thewellnessshop.co.uk (“Depression Relief” costs about $80). This shop also has an “Insomnia Relief” Programme which has very good customer feedback.
3.You can learn CBT from a book - try Dr Robert Burns, The Feeling Good Handbook. It is probably in your local library and basically teaches CBT. It used by many psychologists.
4.Follow this “Back from the Bluez” modular course: http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resource...
If I were you I would do number 1 and also buy the Insomnia Relief Programme.
Also please try progressive muscular relaxation. They really make a difference if you practise often enough (i.e. twice a day). They will also help you sleep better at bedtime. You can get free downloads online e.g: http://www.studentservices.utas.edu.au/c...
With CBT and relaxation exercises, practise makes perfect. (i.e. you need to practise every day, not just when you are feeling bad). It takes a bit of work (think of it like learning a new language), but it is so worth it, so please stick at it! Please give it a go and feel better real soon. The very best of luck!
Please go to a doctor. even at a clinic or university near you if your own doc won't help you. Medications is VERY helpful, when you get on the right on and stay on it. You're most likely are NOT "just being hormonal" as crying everyday is not normal. You should also contact NAMI.org for the nearest location of a NAMI office to go to for support for your concerns. Remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Please just don't pay attention to those who minimze your feelings and experiences. And please don't wait anymore to get help. You deserve to be happy and there are many people out there (professionals) waiting to help. I'm thinking about you. Take care.
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