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Suggest Treatment For Depression And Lack Of Interest In Anything

Posted on Wed, 18 Jan 2017

Question: Hello Dr. Im always stressed and depressed these days. Stuffs I loved doing aint enjoyable anymore. So thought of consulting a psychiatrist

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide me more details

Detailed Answer:
Hi thanks for the query from HCM

Please elaborate your symptoms in detail so that I can help you. Mention your symptoms, duration, progression, any aggravating or relieving factor in detail.

If there is any ongoing stress please mention.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 hours later)

Hai Thank you

Its been few months, I am the inly chikd of my parents and currently preparing for UPSC. My dad recently was diagnosed with CA Colon and he recently had Angioplasty too, Mum has stage 4 CA been 5 yrs now.

The pressure and the stress is freaking me out I feel useless, helpless, always low and hardly fall asleep. The relatives constant nagging to give up studies take up job, stay at home and well the why cant you marry part isnt tolerable anymore. I try to study but I cant, If i sit at home I feel guilty that I am not studying or I am not taking good care of papa kills me. Been losing weight dont know why, the things I used to love like cooking and travelling aint intresting anymore. Just want sit in my room.l do lack the energy That i had and can hardly concentrate on one thing. And I dont know what should I priortize study or papas health . I wanna stay with him but if cant study it makes me moody. If i move away from home ans stay at my flat I feel im ignoring mum And dad

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't get distracted by what relatives are saying.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for providing details

I can understand your concern. The deteriorating health of your parents is main aggravating factor for your symptoms. Your dad has just recently diagnosed with carcinoma and mother is too in stage 4. Both these things are resulting in significant stress. Unwanted pressure from relatives is further increasing the symptoms. The pressure to give up studies and taking care of parents is resulting in ambivalent thoughts in mind. This is resulting in guilt thus resulting in depression.

Loss of weight, lack of interest, poor concentration, ambivalent thoughts, indecisiveness, remaining stressed etc are occurring due to adjustment disorder with depressive symptoms.

Only you can decide how to come out of this depression and how to deal with such huge ongoing stress. First of all no need to feel guilty of anything. Just ask from your mind that if you are doing right or wrong. If you study hard and get selected then both of your parents will be more than happy. This will fulfil their dream. Keep this thing in mind. Avoid thinking what relatives are saying or telling you. Relatives are made just to oppose anyone. You should focus on your targets. If you think that you will crack the exams or you will get a good job then continue to focus on your studies. You can take care of your parents by calling them daily and visiting them often while studying too.

Staying with parents then becoming moody or angry will deteriorate the relation only. Just decide what is good for you, once you take the decision then stick with that decision assertively.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 minutes later)

I can hardly study. Moved out of house to my flat but cannot concentrate or focus. All I want is to run away. Cannot do anything. Crying and feeling low that is all what is happening now.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bad time will pass.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Please try to remain relaxed. Due to sudden severe stresses these things are happening. The bad phase of life will pass. Just keep in the mind that you will see light at then end of dark tunnel. Don't loose hope and self confidence. Believe in yourself. If you have time then you can visit your parents for a couple of days. They will definitely increase your confidence.

Wait for some days, you have moved out of house and right now due to stress, guilt, depression you are having these symptoms. In some days these symptoms will decrease. If you have any good friend to confide then talk with her/him. This will also lighten your mind. The bad phase will definitely pass.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (15 minutes later)

I have been feeling like this for past 6 months and there aint no improvement, It is getting worse day by day. Visiting parents isnt doing any good infact it freaks me out. I hardly talk to my friends,dont feel like.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Medicines can be started.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

In such case I'd advise you to start taking proper medicines. Medicines like SSRIs especially Sertraline or Escitalopram or Fluoxetine can be started. I usually advise my patients to start Escitalopram. The drug is safe to use and doesn't cause any side effects and also doesn't cause any dependence. Patients are advised to start with 5 mg for first 10 days and the doses can be increased to 10 mg after 10 days. The drug should be taken in morning hours preferably. The drug will help in reducing your depressive symptoms and will improve focus with in 2-4 weeks of starting the treatment. Please talk to a psychiatrist for detailed prescription of the drug.

No need to worry from drugs because the medicines will definitely help in coming out of depressive symptoms. This will reduce your day to day suffering.

Thanks. Take care

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar