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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Chronic Depression Be Treated?

I have been involved in AA for 21 years and continued to relapse. It was not until I took anti depressant medications that I began to see my alcoholism, due to the fact of the depression lifting. I am getting major hate in AA when I share my experience strength and hope that includes outside issues so the question is are most people suffering from depression because of their drinking or is chronic depression an illness in and of itself
Mon, 23 Jul 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Depression and alcohol is like a vicious cycle. You need to make a strong determination to come out of alcohol. Develop some other hobbies which will keep you busy and stay out of alcohol. Other than that you need to follow some measures.

1. Connect with others: Loneliness and isolation set the stage for anxiety. Decrease your vulnerability by reaching out to others. Make it a point to see friends, join a self-help or support group, or share your worries and concerns with a trusted loved one.

2. Practice relaxation techniques: When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.

3. Exercise regularly: Exercise is a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days.

4. Get enough sleep: A lack of sleep can exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings, so try to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night. If you struggle with sleep, adopting smart sleep habits can make a big difference.

5. Be smart about caffeine and alcohol: If you struggle with anxiety, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake or cutting it out completely. Same with alcohol, which can make anxiety worse.

6. Train your brain to stay calm: Worrying is a mental habit you can learn how to break. Strategies such as creating a worry period, challenging anxious thoughts, and learning to accept uncertainty can significantly reduce anxiety and fear.

7. If you have anxiety that’s severe enough to interfere with your ability to function, medication may help relieve your symptoms. You need to visit a psychiatrist who will help you with medications.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
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How Can Chronic Depression Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Depression and alcohol is like a vicious cycle. You need to make a strong determination to come out of alcohol. Develop some other hobbies which will keep you busy and stay out of alcohol. Other than that you need to follow some measures. 1. Connect with others: Loneliness and isolation set the stage for anxiety. Decrease your vulnerability by reaching out to others. Make it a point to see friends, join a self-help or support group, or share your worries and concerns with a trusted loved one. 2. Practice relaxation techniques: When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being. 3. Exercise regularly: Exercise is a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days. 4. Get enough sleep: A lack of sleep can exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings, so try to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night. If you struggle with sleep, adopting smart sleep habits can make a big difference. 5. Be smart about caffeine and alcohol: If you struggle with anxiety, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake or cutting it out completely. Same with alcohol, which can make anxiety worse. 6. Train your brain to stay calm: Worrying is a mental habit you can learn how to break. Strategies such as creating a worry period, challenging anxious thoughts, and learning to accept uncertainty can significantly reduce anxiety and fear. 7. If you have anxiety that’s severe enough to interfere with your ability to function, medication may help relieve your symptoms. You need to visit a psychiatrist who will help you with medications. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.