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What Causes Depression?
Posted on
Wed, 7 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 7 Jan 2015
Answered on
Thu, 5 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I have a question. I saw my primary care doctor a few months ago because I was feeling extremely down and exhausted all the time. I was put on zoloft and had a bad reaction I guess and ended up in the emergency room. I felt great at first but after two weeks or so, it took a weird turn and I didn't get any sleep for about a week. Since then, my doctor has referred me to do a psychiatrist because she "can't do anything for me" I'm just wondering if there is a good enough reason to see a psychiatrist?
Brief Answer:
Reason of referral is most probably to rule out depression or anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
You are a 23 years old female and had symptoms like feeling extremely down, exhausted all the time. Such symptoms could occur due to anxiety or mild form of depression. This was the probably the reason your PCP prescribed Zoloft to you. Zoloft is sertraline and is an antidepressant drug. The drug is known to increase anxiety and restlessness during first week of its therapy and this resulted in ending up in ER.
She might have referred you to Psychiatrist because feeling down and exhausted all the time are common symptoms of depression. To rule out depression as cause of your symptoms she has referred you to a psychiatrist.
Before going to Psychiatrist two medical conditions should be ruled out. One is nutrient deficiencies mainly Vitamin B12 and iron deficiency. In both conditions individuals start feeling low and have feelings of tiredness. I would advise you to get your Haemoglobin and B12 levels checked to rule out these conditions.
Second reason that should be ruled out is hypothyroidism. In low thyroid functions individuals have complaints of feeling low, tiredness etc. Getting a TFT or thyroid function test to rule out this condition is a good option.
If these medical conditions can be ruled out then consultation of a psychiatrist is advisable.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Don't hesitate to ask again for more uncleared doubts or questions in follow up.
Reason of referral is most probably to rule out depression or anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
You are a 23 years old female and had symptoms like feeling extremely down, exhausted all the time. Such symptoms could occur due to anxiety or mild form of depression. This was the probably the reason your PCP prescribed Zoloft to you. Zoloft is sertraline and is an antidepressant drug. The drug is known to increase anxiety and restlessness during first week of its therapy and this resulted in ending up in ER.
She might have referred you to Psychiatrist because feeling down and exhausted all the time are common symptoms of depression. To rule out depression as cause of your symptoms she has referred you to a psychiatrist.
Before going to Psychiatrist two medical conditions should be ruled out. One is nutrient deficiencies mainly Vitamin B12 and iron deficiency. In both conditions individuals start feeling low and have feelings of tiredness. I would advise you to get your Haemoglobin and B12 levels checked to rule out these conditions.
Second reason that should be ruled out is hypothyroidism. In low thyroid functions individuals have complaints of feeling low, tiredness etc. Getting a TFT or thyroid function test to rule out this condition is a good option.
If these medical conditions can be ruled out then consultation of a psychiatrist is advisable.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Don't hesitate to ask again for more uncleared doubts or questions in follow up.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
had a full blood work up and they were able to rule out any of those things. My thyroid was one of the very first things they checked and all that was normal. I took zoloft for a few weeks before I ended up in the ER and I was told it was something called "mania" ( which I don't understand what mania is) and that there was a chance I had a mood disorder. Well, I don't necessarily understand what a mood disorder is and what it all means. I'm just confused as to why it has to be a psychiatrist I should see Intead of a counsler or therapist? Or my primary care doctor? Why can't my primary care doctor treat my symptoms??
Brief Answer:
They have referred you to make diagnosis of depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up
Mood disorders are type of disorder of mood and emotion which includes depressive disorders, mania (acute excitement of mood which elevated mood and energy), or both mania and depression.
Probably the symptoms which you have mentioned like feeling down and exhausted feeling are occurring due to depression. The acute reaction due to Zoloft was probably severe anxiety or may be manic switch. This is the probable reason they have referred you. To differentiate between depression and mania they have referred you.
Mood disorders are dealt by a Psychiatrist only (and not by PCP) and there is no harm in going to them. Visiting a psychiatrist doesn't mean that he/she will prescribed you medicine. Just for confirmation of your diagnosis you should visit. After confirmation of diagnosis you can take help from a therapist. If diagnosis comes to be depression then in such cases Cognitive Therapy have excellent roles in resulting in improvement. Visit a therapist after confirmation of diagnosis.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
They have referred you to make diagnosis of depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up
Mood disorders are type of disorder of mood and emotion which includes depressive disorders, mania (acute excitement of mood which elevated mood and energy), or both mania and depression.
Probably the symptoms which you have mentioned like feeling down and exhausted feeling are occurring due to depression. The acute reaction due to Zoloft was probably severe anxiety or may be manic switch. This is the probable reason they have referred you. To differentiate between depression and mania they have referred you.
Mood disorders are dealt by a Psychiatrist only (and not by PCP) and there is no harm in going to them. Visiting a psychiatrist doesn't mean that he/she will prescribed you medicine. Just for confirmation of your diagnosis you should visit. After confirmation of diagnosis you can take help from a therapist. If diagnosis comes to be depression then in such cases Cognitive Therapy have excellent roles in resulting in improvement. Visit a therapist after confirmation of diagnosis.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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