Can Propranolol Cause Depression?

Posted on Wed, 8 Jun 2016

Question: Hi im 23 years old, i got a very bad depression, i also had a history of it since i was 12 but these days it got worse, don't have interest in foods, or doing any works, feel so alone in life, i travelled to many cities to maybe get better but even with that i felt so more alone, also loosing hairs , always having too much stress in life, everywhere i go even university i have stress and this stress does not leave me alone, please help me i feel like im useless and getting old

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please stop propranolol and see a psychiatrist

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all I request you to stop propranolol all together if there are no compelling reasons to continue it. It is well known fact that propranolol leads to depression in significant proportion of patients who use it for long time.

Secondly I feel it will be appropriate to see a professional in regard to depression as you have clinical depression which needs definite treatment. The need for treatment becomes more acute considering the past history of depression. Other symptoms you mentioned in the query are definitely indicative of depression but earlier age of onset (12 years) points that we should look for possibility of bipolar depression which has quite different treatment approaches in compare to classical depression.

I must assure you that on this day multiple methods of treatment are available meeting the needs of almost all. With treatment you will be alright within few weeks and will lead a productive life.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (29 minutes later)

Thank you very much doctor, yes since i was 12 i had stress in life, in class i was going in one side not talking to anyone, being so much dependet to mother and family, when i was a child father always beated me for any reason even whip me, and parent always fight togheder and talked about divorce, but with all these when i became 12 i felt like other students in class make fun of me and laugh at me for anything, and now in university i never could talk with any girls i never having a self confidence and always students see me like a depressed man, i saw many girls came to me and liked me but because of not having self confidence i could not even talk to them and very very shy , thinking of negatives things that might happend if i talk with them or they will see how depress i am so they may leave me. doctor there is alot in my head to say but life became hell for me

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for taking this step

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

First of all like to congratulate you about your step to seek help rather than suffering in silence. This is the most important step which going to help you in long run.

The symptoms mentioned in current narration are predictive of depression and can be treated. As I said in the past with right treatment you will be able to do many thinks which you never imagined doing in last 13 years.

I will request you to book an appointment with psychiatrist as sson as possible in your city as delay aggregates the problem.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar