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Suggest Treatment For Depression
Question: I am seeking information on treatment for depression. I am 23 years old and have become very withdrawn for almost a year and I'm developing anxiety doing simple task like shopping at stores, being around lots of people etc.. I feel as though my mental health is at risk.. I sleep a lot and even take over the counter sleeping pills to sleep during the day...I dont like to be awake. My physical health, diet is also has declined...I dont want to be on any anti depressants because I dont want to rely on a pill for my problems.... I feel very stuck...my addiction to sleeping pills and drastic spells of depression have my mom concerned......I am not suicidal however I have thoughts of finding "fillers" to suppress my daily problems...this all started after my older brother was incarcerated and dropping out of college is when I began to feel like I have no purpose.
Brief Answer:
Anti-depressants will help
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I went through your query in detail and from what you have described, you definitely seem to be manifesting symptoms of depression. I can understand what you must be going through at this stage.
I would suggest that you seek a consultation with a psychiatrist and initiate treatment without any further delay. Depression is condition which is highly amenable to treatment.
There is a variety of anti-depressant medications available, one of which can be started. Usually, one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like escitalopram, sertraline, etc would a ideal first line agent. They are safe as well as effective.
In addition you can also opt for psycho-therapeutic treatment like cognitive behavior therapy which will include multiple sessions aiming to relieve your depression.
I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Please feel free to ask any further query that you may have.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Anti-depressants will help
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I went through your query in detail and from what you have described, you definitely seem to be manifesting symptoms of depression. I can understand what you must be going through at this stage.
I would suggest that you seek a consultation with a psychiatrist and initiate treatment without any further delay. Depression is condition which is highly amenable to treatment.
There is a variety of anti-depressant medications available, one of which can be started. Usually, one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like escitalopram, sertraline, etc would a ideal first line agent. They are safe as well as effective.
In addition you can also opt for psycho-therapeutic treatment like cognitive behavior therapy which will include multiple sessions aiming to relieve your depression.
I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Please feel free to ask any further query that you may have.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would a psychologist be able to help also? I think im am reluctant to meds is because Im not sure what they are doing to my body. Are these drugs tricking me to "feel' happy? I feel guilty because I am a care giver. I work as a CNA in geriatrics in a home for Alzheimers elders. I am able to function at work and give great care but its almost like as soon as I live I cant function in my normal life. I go straight home and dont come out. I am not an expert but I think I may have social anxiety. Outside of work I feel my heart rate increase and panic dredding anyone talking to me or looking at me. a combination of things. If you could elaborate on what these meds do to the brain and would I have to take these for a period of time or as needed? also you mentioned cognitive behavioral therapy, is this a form of talk therapy?
Brief Answer:
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for following up.
Your not feeling happy and guilty are manifest symptoms of depression. Anxiety is also one of the symptoms of depression. Whether you have social anxiety or not will need more evaluation and it would be better if you discuss regarding the same with a psychiatrist in person.
A psychologist will be able to help withe the cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that I mentioned about. He/ she won't be able to prescribe you medications. CBT is form of talk therapy which will focus on your learning relaxation and changing the negative thinking pattern which occurs in depression.
I can understand when you say you are reluctant to start medications. Most of the patients are. But once they start it, they really can see the effect for themselves. These medications are treating your depression by effecting changes in the neurotransmitters in the brain. They are not tricking you as you say but actually initiate changes in the brain to reverse the mechanisms leading to depression. Depression is usually related to changes in neurotransmitter functioning of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. Most of the anti-depressants act at these chemicals.
These medications are slow to act and need 3-4 weeks to initiate response. Once your depressive symptoms go off, they need to be continued for another 6-9 months so as to be able to prevent any further relapse.
I do hope that answers your query. Please let me know if you have nay further questions. I would be glad to help. In case you don't have any further doubts, please do close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for following up.
Your not feeling happy and guilty are manifest symptoms of depression. Anxiety is also one of the symptoms of depression. Whether you have social anxiety or not will need more evaluation and it would be better if you discuss regarding the same with a psychiatrist in person.
A psychologist will be able to help withe the cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that I mentioned about. He/ she won't be able to prescribe you medications. CBT is form of talk therapy which will focus on your learning relaxation and changing the negative thinking pattern which occurs in depression.
I can understand when you say you are reluctant to start medications. Most of the patients are. But once they start it, they really can see the effect for themselves. These medications are treating your depression by effecting changes in the neurotransmitters in the brain. They are not tricking you as you say but actually initiate changes in the brain to reverse the mechanisms leading to depression. Depression is usually related to changes in neurotransmitter functioning of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. Most of the anti-depressants act at these chemicals.
These medications are slow to act and need 3-4 weeks to initiate response. Once your depressive symptoms go off, they need to be continued for another 6-9 months so as to be able to prevent any further relapse.
I do hope that answers your query. Please let me know if you have nay further questions. I would be glad to help. In case you don't have any further doubts, please do close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank You for all the information and advice.
Be Well,
XXXX
Be Well,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thank you. If you have any questions ahead, I will be glad to offer help. You can contact me at:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sunil-gupta/67657
Please don't forget to rate the answer and close the discussion.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thank you. If you have any questions ahead, I will be glad to offer help. You can contact me at:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sunil-gupta/67657
Please don't forget to rate the answer and close the discussion.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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