HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Severe Depression

default
Posted on Thu, 29 Jan 2015
Question: I am XXXX 39 years male I have suffering from severe depression for last three years and have been talking medicine I was not informed about side effect of medicine and without too much of requirement I dint have much of sleep problem . The doctor gave me still knock and zolfresh 10mg for long time I have changed the doctor for last three months.The new doctor diagonsed with ocd and social phobia which were my major concerns and he started giving me sentralime 150 mg per day and X-r 500 extended release every night I feel completely cured after this but I can't sleep without zolfresh but I reduced the dose to 5 mg What I can I do get rid of zolfresh How can I clean my body of the Physcarity medicine which I talking so long What should I do that I don't get addicted to sentralime and X-r 500 Sent from my iPhone=
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Gradually reduce the dose depending on therapeutic response.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome to HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

Zolfresh can cause dependence.
There are two ways to get rid of this habit of zolfresh:
1. Reduce the dose of the drug by 20-30% every week.
or
2. Switch to valium (a long acting benzidoazepine) 10mg and then gradually reduce the dose to valium 20-30 % every week.

Abrupt stopping of drug can lead to anxiety, irritability, insomnia and seizures in some cases.

Also, you can practice sleep hygiene habits:
1. Avoid napping during the day. It can disturb the normal pattern of sleep and wakefulness.
2. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol too close to bedtime.
3. Exercise can promote good sleep. A relaxing exercise, like deep breathing and meditation, can be done before bed to help initiate a restful night's sleep.
4. Stay away from large meals close to bedtime.
5. Ensure adequate exposure to natural light. Light exposure helps maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
6. Establish a regular relaxing bedtime routine. Try to avoid emotionally upsetting conversations and activities before trying to go to sleep.
7. Associate your bed with sleep. It's not a good idea to use your bed to watch TV, listen to the radio, or read.
8. Make sure that the sleep environment is pleasant and relaxing. The bed should be comfortable, the room should not be too hot or cold, or too bright.
9. Take warm water bath before going to sleep and have a glass of warm milk.

The drugs get metabolized in body and are eliminated gradually on their own.

Now regarding setraline and other medications, these medications are not habit-forming. However, the dose can be gradually reduced depending on the therapeutic response. Abrupt stoppage of drugs can cause relapse of illness.

Psychological treatments like behaviour therapies can be considered in treatment. If your illness responds to these therapies, drugs can be completely weaned off.

Discuss these issues with your treating psychiatrist. Any of the dose changes are made strictly under your doctor's supervision.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further queries.

Kindly close the discussion if you are satisfied with the responses and give your valuable feed back.

Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, M.D.(Psychiatry)
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Severe Depression

Brief Answer: Gradually reduce the dose depending on therapeutic response. Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXXXX Welcome to HCM. I have read your query and understand your concerns. Zolfresh can cause dependence. There are two ways to get rid of this habit of zolfresh: 1. Reduce the dose of the drug by 20-30% every week. or 2. Switch to valium (a long acting benzidoazepine) 10mg and then gradually reduce the dose to valium 20-30 % every week. Abrupt stopping of drug can lead to anxiety, irritability, insomnia and seizures in some cases. Also, you can practice sleep hygiene habits: 1. Avoid napping during the day. It can disturb the normal pattern of sleep and wakefulness. 2. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol too close to bedtime. 3. Exercise can promote good sleep. A relaxing exercise, like deep breathing and meditation, can be done before bed to help initiate a restful night's sleep. 4. Stay away from large meals close to bedtime. 5. Ensure adequate exposure to natural light. Light exposure helps maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle. 6. Establish a regular relaxing bedtime routine. Try to avoid emotionally upsetting conversations and activities before trying to go to sleep. 7. Associate your bed with sleep. It's not a good idea to use your bed to watch TV, listen to the radio, or read. 8. Make sure that the sleep environment is pleasant and relaxing. The bed should be comfortable, the room should not be too hot or cold, or too bright. 9. Take warm water bath before going to sleep and have a glass of warm milk. The drugs get metabolized in body and are eliminated gradually on their own. Now regarding setraline and other medications, these medications are not habit-forming. However, the dose can be gradually reduced depending on the therapeutic response. Abrupt stoppage of drugs can cause relapse of illness. Psychological treatments like behaviour therapies can be considered in treatment. If your illness responds to these therapies, drugs can be completely weaned off. Discuss these issues with your treating psychiatrist. Any of the dose changes are made strictly under your doctor's supervision. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further queries. Kindly close the discussion if you are satisfied with the responses and give your valuable feed back. Thanks. Dr. Shubham Mehta, M.D.(Psychiatry)