Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Depression
Question: Good morning, I am having some struggles lately with depression. I lost my dad 6 years ago, due to an accident. I immediately went into shock and got through somehow. We then moved from our community to a new state...I had no work for over 2 years. I volunteered at my church during that time and then taught music for 2 years, and it was a very rewarding job. We moved again. In the midst of this, we had another loss in our family. (my mother in law died of cancer) We just recently moved to another small rural town to serve a church here and I am finding this very difficult to get out of my home, join the community. I am eating more, sleeping less, more sensitive to my husbands words, wanting to just hibernate. I find it very difficult to do my normal activities that I used to love to do. I think depression has set in, and I can't seem to get this weight off. I don't want to take anything that will make me gain more weight. What can I do?
Brief Answer:
please start antidepressant like sertraline
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question and can see that you have been through a lot of steess..and everytime someone very near is lost..but still you try to move one.
At present you are unable to come out of sadness, anhedonia is almost set in, there is lethargy, increased sensitivity, inacitivity and binging leading to weight gain. You cetainly need help with medicine if you want to get out of this downfall.
Drugs will not make you fat, rather it is inactivity and binging which is making you now. With antidepressant your mood will improve, confidence will increase and you will become active like before. Automatically there will be weight loss as you will not seek solace only in eating.
So, please dont fear about weight gain..this will not happen unless you want so!
Drugs like sertaline and escitalopram will be good for you as they are cardio safe and mild. You should also meet a psychiatrist and if possible you may go for therapy sessions - they will help in bringing an early response.
Please feel free to ask more questions if there are any doubts.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
please start antidepressant like sertraline
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question and can see that you have been through a lot of steess..and everytime someone very near is lost..but still you try to move one.
At present you are unable to come out of sadness, anhedonia is almost set in, there is lethargy, increased sensitivity, inacitivity and binging leading to weight gain. You cetainly need help with medicine if you want to get out of this downfall.
Drugs will not make you fat, rather it is inactivity and binging which is making you now. With antidepressant your mood will improve, confidence will increase and you will become active like before. Automatically there will be weight loss as you will not seek solace only in eating.
So, please dont fear about weight gain..this will not happen unless you want so!
Drugs like sertaline and escitalopram will be good for you as they are cardio safe and mild. You should also meet a psychiatrist and if possible you may go for therapy sessions - they will help in bringing an early response.
Please feel free to ask more questions if there are any doubts.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your quick response. I forgot to mention that I am in menopause. I have had a hysterectomy in 2004 and have had blood tests recently that have shown me to be in full menopause. I am taking hormones currently, and also, my thyroid is not working properly. (it's low)
I am taking a natural supplement for this as well. I am also taking vitamins and minerals to help with energy, but still feel like I have no energy.
I am 5'6" and weigh 203, which I understand is undesirable. My normal weight for years was 165. I drink plenty of water, eat 3 XXXXXXX meals a day, but when the evening comes I tend to eat popcorn. I am being honest here; I think if I had more energy, I could my body moving. I was recently diagnosed with Oseoarthritis in my neck and back and hip. It is very painful for me to walk very far. So, I take aleve, stretch my mussles
I am taking a natural supplement for this as well. I am also taking vitamins and minerals to help with energy, but still feel like I have no energy.
I am 5'6" and weigh 203, which I understand is undesirable. My normal weight for years was 165. I drink plenty of water, eat 3 XXXXXXX meals a day, but when the evening comes I tend to eat popcorn. I am being honest here; I think if I had more energy, I could my body moving. I was recently diagnosed with Oseoarthritis in my neck and back and hip. It is very painful for me to walk very far. So, I take aleve, stretch my mussles
Brief Answer:
thyroid replacement is needed & get vit D test
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should not feel guilt of what you have been eating till now as what is done is done and cant be corrected- so, move ahead in life...try to improve and dont punish yourself so hard.
Hypothyroidism: is another important factor which can increase depression. Thyroid replacement with thyronorm 25-50 microgram in morning daily will be extremely helpful if your present treatment is not doing any good. You can repeat your test after two to three months and see the progress by monitoring TSH levels.
Another important part is menopause. Hormonal treatment is done with steroids - which can lead to depression (steroid induced depression). So, please talk to your gynac if anything else can be tried or atleast the dosage of meds can be reduced. If not, then you might need more dosage of antidepressant than you would have otherwise needed.
Dont worry, this can be handled. So, talk to gynac first and tell her this thing. Let her decide.
As I said earlier, binging desire will reduce by itself once the antidepressant start response. And your wieght will improve.
Regarding osteoarthritis- get sr. Vit D levels and Calcium levels. If vit D is low take the supplement. This will help your body aches and pains and also take care of certain amount of lethargy as well.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
thyroid replacement is needed & get vit D test
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should not feel guilt of what you have been eating till now as what is done is done and cant be corrected- so, move ahead in life...try to improve and dont punish yourself so hard.
Hypothyroidism: is another important factor which can increase depression. Thyroid replacement with thyronorm 25-50 microgram in morning daily will be extremely helpful if your present treatment is not doing any good. You can repeat your test after two to three months and see the progress by monitoring TSH levels.
Another important part is menopause. Hormonal treatment is done with steroids - which can lead to depression (steroid induced depression). So, please talk to your gynac if anything else can be tried or atleast the dosage of meds can be reduced. If not, then you might need more dosage of antidepressant than you would have otherwise needed.
Dont worry, this can be handled. So, talk to gynac first and tell her this thing. Let her decide.
As I said earlier, binging desire will reduce by itself once the antidepressant start response. And your wieght will improve.
Regarding osteoarthritis- get sr. Vit D levels and Calcium levels. If vit D is low take the supplement. This will help your body aches and pains and also take care of certain amount of lethargy as well.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you very much, this has been very helpful.
Blessings to you,
XXXXXXX
Blessings to you,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
thank you too & good luck!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Wish you a speedy recovery!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
thank you too & good luck!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Wish you a speedy recovery!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
