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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Depression?

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Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014
Question: Hi, I consulted a doctor who said I exhibit signs of clinical depression. I exhibit most of the common signs of depression - lack of interest in day to day activities, fatigue, prolonged unhappiness,etc. Been like this for a few months now. I have skipped work consistently over the last 5 months. Every week, I skip work for ~ 2 out of 5 days. The doctor I consulted prescribed anti depressants medicines (Prodep). However I am not keen on taking anti depressants as I have heard several negative things about it. Is there an alternative to anti depressants? I really want to get better soon. Please help.
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Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: Anti-depressants are not that bad Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. From what you have stated, you and your psychiatrist are right that you are having a depressive episode. Depression can occur with regular stress and it can also occur biologically without any stress as well. You need proper treatment for the same. There are various effective therapies for depression like fluoxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, mirtazapine or escitalopram and they are all very effective and mostly safe. You may also require some benzodiazepines like clonazepam or lorazepam for a short period like 2-3 weeks to reduce the anxiety and help with your sleep. These medications are all very safe. Earlier antidepressants used to cause plenty of side-effects but the new ones are very safe and you should not be afraid of them. Still if you are averse to the drug therapies then there is also an option of cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Srikanth Reddy

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Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Depression?

Brief Answer: Anti-depressants are not that bad Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. From what you have stated, you and your psychiatrist are right that you are having a depressive episode. Depression can occur with regular stress and it can also occur biologically without any stress as well. You need proper treatment for the same. There are various effective therapies for depression like fluoxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, mirtazapine or escitalopram and they are all very effective and mostly safe. You may also require some benzodiazepines like clonazepam or lorazepam for a short period like 2-3 weeks to reduce the anxiety and help with your sleep. These medications are all very safe. Earlier antidepressants used to cause plenty of side-effects but the new ones are very safe and you should not be afraid of them. Still if you are averse to the drug therapies then there is also an option of cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.