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Suffering From Depression. What Are The Treatments Available?
Question: Hi, I would like to know more about depression. I have had it for years and had it pretty bad last year, and now I'm going through it right now. I find no pleasure in anything anymore, don't wanna work, wanting to sleep all the time, closing myself of from the world, even pushing my close friends away. Just don't want to do anything or see anyone and I really feel like I need to check myself in cause I really believe I can't go on in the outside world. Please help and please let me know if checking myself in for a few weeks will help me?
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Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
Depression, especially chronic or recurrent depression can be difficult to live with, and I can understand your distress. Depression is a psychiatric disorder which is caused due to a neuro-chemical imbalance in the brain. In addition, excessive stress, poor coping skills, lack of social support, etc. can also be contibuting factors for the causation of depression. Depression is often a recurring illness and a good proportion of people can have recurrent episodes. Some people can even have a chronic low-grade depression (with periodic exacerbations) and this type of depression is called Dysthymia.
The symptoms which you have described, such as lack of interest, inability to find pleasure, poor motivation and reduced energy / drive are all typical symptoms of depression. It's a good thing that you have been able to identify these symptoms and have sought help.
Now, though a majority of people with depression respond well to anti-depressants and other therapies, there will be a proportion of people where the usual treatment methods may not be sufficient to control the depression - leading to relapses. In such cases, a detailed evaluation and more intense treatments may be required.
Since, you say that you are feeling very down and out, and seem to be having significant personal and social dysfunction (and don't seem to have a strong family support due to the disabilities in the family), it would indeed be a good idea to have in-patient treatment for a short period, till the severity of the illness comes down and you are able to take care of yourself. So, please don't hesitate to speak to your doctor, explain your situation and plan the further course of action.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Depression, especially chronic or recurrent depression can be difficult to live with, and I can understand your distress. Depression is a psychiatric disorder which is caused due to a neuro-chemical imbalance in the brain. In addition, excessive stress, poor coping skills, lack of social support, etc. can also be contibuting factors for the causation of depression. Depression is often a recurring illness and a good proportion of people can have recurrent episodes. Some people can even have a chronic low-grade depression (with periodic exacerbations) and this type of depression is called Dysthymia.
The symptoms which you have described, such as lack of interest, inability to find pleasure, poor motivation and reduced energy / drive are all typical symptoms of depression. It's a good thing that you have been able to identify these symptoms and have sought help.
Now, though a majority of people with depression respond well to anti-depressants and other therapies, there will be a proportion of people where the usual treatment methods may not be sufficient to control the depression - leading to relapses. In such cases, a detailed evaluation and more intense treatments may be required.
Since, you say that you are feeling very down and out, and seem to be having significant personal and social dysfunction (and don't seem to have a strong family support due to the disabilities in the family), it would indeed be a good idea to have in-patient treatment for a short period, till the severity of the illness comes down and you are able to take care of yourself. So, please don't hesitate to speak to your doctor, explain your situation and plan the further course of action.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for replying back so quickly. Are u able to identify what type of depression I have? And will I ever feel normal again and lead a normal semi happy life without me feeling like this all the time and feeling like there's always something wrong with me? I feel like I'm in a world of my own and all I want to do is scream so people can hear just how much pain I'm in, but I just can't. I always have these occurring dreams where I'm trying to scream but nothing comes out, so I know what my dreams are trying to say but I really think I need help. I was seeing a psychologist and have been taking 150mg of anti- depressants and they were working really well but it's only been the last 2 weeks that its gotten pretty bad again. I JUST WANT TO BE A NORMAL AND HAPPY WOMAN AGAIN and need this depression to go away ASAP.
Hello again,
Since you say that you were doing well previously and seem to be having a relapse of your depression, you are probably suffering from a recurrent depressive disorder. Like I had mentioned before, some people can have a relapse of depression even when on medication. In such cases, further strategies need to be considered - like a change in the class of the anti-depressant, addition of another anti-depressant, augmentation with a mood stabilizer, etc. Combining intensive psychological therapies (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - CBT) with medication often gives good results.
So, don't get dejected or give up hope at all. There are many options available to tackle your depression. Just manage to stay afloat till your doctor is able to find you a suitable form of treatment that gives positive results. I'm sure that you will be able to overcome your depression and get back to normalcy soon.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Since you say that you were doing well previously and seem to be having a relapse of your depression, you are probably suffering from a recurrent depressive disorder. Like I had mentioned before, some people can have a relapse of depression even when on medication. In such cases, further strategies need to be considered - like a change in the class of the anti-depressant, addition of another anti-depressant, augmentation with a mood stabilizer, etc. Combining intensive psychological therapies (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - CBT) with medication often gives good results.
So, don't get dejected or give up hope at all. There are many options available to tackle your depression. Just manage to stay afloat till your doctor is able to find you a suitable form of treatment that gives positive results. I'm sure that you will be able to overcome your depression and get back to normalcy soon.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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