Question: A year and a half ago I had a major depressive episode. I was on 50mg of Zoloft and it took me a year to get off of it. In the past few months my stepdad of 26 years was battling cancer and finally succumbed to it 3 weeks ago. The enormous pressure and stress of those first few days scrambling to make funeral plans really screwed with my sleep. Afterwards I started having what seemed like massive anxiety attacks at work where I was completely scared, revved up and fearful with massive intrusive racing thoughts of doom and gloom. After a few hours they would subside and I would feel wiped out but myself again. I have been suffering from Pure-O for almost two years now hence the year of Zoloft. My doctor put me back on 25mg of Zoloft a week and a half ago. I am still majorly depressed when I am at home or off but have almost normal days when I'm at work. Yesterday I was fine now today depressed and panicked. So my question is am I on the right medication and what disorder do you think I might have because my doctor really doesn't know. I am also on testosterone replacement therapy 125ml per day. I've always had a little anxiety and the OCD thing but these panic attacks and massive depressive episodes never really occurred before even though I have had major devastations to accompany them but when I was younger I could cope much better. Could the two be linked if not what is going on with me? P.S. I've lost about 8 pounds in three weeks no matter what I eat and on my bad days have no desire to do anything but lie in bed until I force myself to get up and function.

Thank you. Since you are a psychiatrist maybe you can tell me what to do or discuss with my doctor. One day I feel like my normal self with a little mild anxiety but then when I'm off of work I have anxiety all day long, don't know what to do with myself anymore so I lie in bed and try to relax. Some days all I want to do is lie in bed and when I get energy its in little spurts then I feel drained again. My thoughts tend to be in the past and future and all negative. I try to stay in the present but it doesn't always work. Since I suffer from OCD I get an intrusive thought and if I can't brush it off the anxiety starts. I'm trying my hardest to beat depression but I'm exhausted and loosing weight because I have no appetite. Should I discuss raising my dosage or alternative medication with the primary? This bout of depression is not as bad as the previous one I had but it is still pretty debilitating. Any suggestions either natural, physical, mental or otherwise I should be trying to help alleviate the symptoms? I have started listening to meditation audios to relax but I need to get my strength back some how. Thank you.