Suggest Treatment For Depression

Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2015

Question: I'm sad or don't care about things most of the time. I don't like leaving the house and try to run errands when there is the least amount of people around. All I ever want to do is cuddle with my dog, who means more to me than anything in my world. I use to be personable, play sports, eat healthy, stay in shape, date women, and go to concerts/socialize all the time. I an barely leave my house, even to spend time with friends. What the hell is wrong with me? I came back from 4 years overseas(Iraq/Afghanistan) and my father passed away 8 months later. I can't figure out if I was fucked before I came back, or when I found out my dad was really sick. I can't seem to get my "stuff together". My friends ridicule me for being a recluse, I get nervous leaving the house...I don't know what to do. I don't contemplate hurting myself or others, I just want to be left alone. I want to be a normal person like I use to be before I went OCONUS. I don't fit in with the military guys, because I wasn't in the armed forces, I don't fit in with those that haven't been overseas in the same places I've been. I feel super alone, but the feelings don't bother me as much as the inability to be comfortable interacting with others.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You need some change in medications and psychotherapy

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us. I read your question twice and understood your concern.

Your problem clearly suggests that you are in depression. Celexa is an antidepressant drug.

Not able to go out and feeling and liking loneliness are suggestive of depression with anxiety features.

You want to become as before and I think you can. You cannot make out that 4 years away from home of losing father is the reason. However detail personal history, family history and mental status examination can give more clues about your problem.

If I were your treating doctor I would like to add low dose klonopin with celexa. And if you are taking celexa since more than 4 weeks and there is no significant improvement I would like to give zoloft(sertraline) instead for your problem.

I also want to mention that psychotherapy particularly CBT - Cognitive Behavior Therapy will be also useful to get back to normal.It will help to make you comfortable to interact with others.

Feel free to discuss further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar