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Suggest Treatment For Feeling Irritation And Sadness Despite Having Anti Depressants
Question: I have been on the anti depressant aropax for the past eight years and stopped taking it about eight months ago. I have tried a number of other antidepressants since then but have had bad reactions with them all. Headaches being the most common and bad mood swings and severe depression and suicidal thoughts continuously. Bupropion was great for about three weeks I felt wonderful but then started having terrible headaches. I am currently using amitriptyline and are having extreme irritability, irrational thoughts and behaviour, extreme sadness and continuous feelings of rage. I am on other medications such as triazolam, lorazepam, and omaprezole (losec) . I just don't know what to do anymore. Please help. I think I have bi-polar that was masked by the aropax for so long but no having all the signs of bi-polar. I am currently taking lorazepam, triazolam , and omeprazole. I have had depression since the age of 14. The depression has worsenened since the birth of my daughter six years ago.
Brief Answer:
A mood stabilizers needs to be added.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
You currently feel extremely sad and irritable. You have irrational thoughts and behavior and continuous feeling of rage.
I have some suggestions for you:
1. I would like you to describe more about your irrational thoughts and behavior. What kind of thoughts and behavior you have?
2. Your description suggest two possibilities at present. These are agitated depression and bipolar disorder. For both the disorders, a mood stabilizer is needed. Divalproex is a better choice over lithium in such cases. Along with that, an antidepressant would also be required. My choice would be sertraline in such cases. The dose can be titrated depending on the response.
3. You must also consider taking cognitive behavior therapy from a trained psychologist. Drugs when combined with CBT show excellent results.
4. The next option would be Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This is safe treatment provided it is executed correctly.
5. I would also advise you to get your thyroid levels checked, if not done already.
6. Quit smoking, alcohol if you do take.
7. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
Visit your psychiatrist to discuss further on these issues. Any dose changes and drug initiation are to be done under your doctor's supervision.
Hope this helps you.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
A mood stabilizers needs to be added.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
You currently feel extremely sad and irritable. You have irrational thoughts and behavior and continuous feeling of rage.
I have some suggestions for you:
1. I would like you to describe more about your irrational thoughts and behavior. What kind of thoughts and behavior you have?
2. Your description suggest two possibilities at present. These are agitated depression and bipolar disorder. For both the disorders, a mood stabilizer is needed. Divalproex is a better choice over lithium in such cases. Along with that, an antidepressant would also be required. My choice would be sertraline in such cases. The dose can be titrated depending on the response.
3. You must also consider taking cognitive behavior therapy from a trained psychologist. Drugs when combined with CBT show excellent results.
4. The next option would be Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This is safe treatment provided it is executed correctly.
5. I would also advise you to get your thyroid levels checked, if not done already.
6. Quit smoking, alcohol if you do take.
7. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
Visit your psychiatrist to discuss further on these issues. Any dose changes and drug initiation are to be done under your doctor's supervision.
Hope this helps you.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
I don't know whether you got my last message or not but I wrote one saying I'm sorry for wasting your time. Since I was 14 I have been on many different medications for my depression and the one you suggested I have already tried. I suppose I got in touch with you out of pure desperation to get some help but without all my history you wouldn't have been able to help. I can't remember all the medications I have been on as there have been so many. I feel silly now wasting my money to only be told what I already know and expect you to have answers when you don't have all of the information. I am just so tired and down that I was looking for anything... Something that may help. I don't have much money and I don't understand why I got in touch with you really. So if I could get a refund I would greatly appreciate it. If not, thank you for your time anyway. Kind regards. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
ECT is an option.
Detailed Answer:
I an sorry that my advise wasnt of any help to you.
But still i would suggest you to discuss about ECT and rTMS as a treatment option for you with your psychiatrist.
I wish i could help.
Take care.
ECT is an option.
Detailed Answer:
I an sorry that my advise wasnt of any help to you.
But still i would suggest you to discuss about ECT and rTMS as a treatment option for you with your psychiatrist.
I wish i could help.
Take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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