You have posed the problem well but, It may be better if you could specify your query. As for efficacy of O-3 Fatty acids (EPA + DHA), they have been found to be effective as adjuvants to primary treatment of depression in a dose of upto 1gm/day. One can get it naturally through fish and other marine products. It may be advisable to consider it after consulting your psychiatrist/physician. Regarding his primary illness as yo have quoted, appears to be multiple issues including substance abuse, mood fluctuations and ? other problems. A more detail account is required to comment upon any management of it.

Hi,

From the history provided, your son has symptoms of low mood and is actively suicidal (?other symptoms) and is on treatment with antidepressants and antipsychotics (?details) with past history of methadone use (?pattern of intake).

Your chief concern is that he is showing no response on the drugs. I will shed some light on the common causes of this problem.
1.These drugs take time to show improvement in patients (atleast 2 weeks after a particular dose has been increased).
2. If the doses are not optimal. Your psychiatrist will help you with it. I hope you are on regular follow ups with the doctor.
3. It is not necessary that every antidepressant be effective in every patient. There are many available antidepressants and hence many options available. The drug can be switched if necessary. Consult your psychiatrist regarding this.

Omega 3 fatty acids have known to be useful in depressive disorders but not as a monotherapy (i.e not given alone). They can be supplemented along with the current treatment regimen.

Since he has suicidal thoughts i urge you to visit his psychiatrist to seek help at the earliest.

Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao

Hi,
Thanks for using healthcare magic.

I have gone through your history.

There are many articles mentioning that Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil is good anti depressant agents. But this molecules are not approved drug for monotherapy for any illness.
So it is advisable not to replace anti depressant drugs with fish oil or omaga 3 without consulting treating psychiatrist.

The reason for non-efficacy of antidepressant drugs might be due to
- Inadequate dose
- Poor compliance form patient part
- Additional diagnosis like substance use
- Treatment resistant depression.
Doctor may look for the reason for poor efficacy and may increase the dose or may replace with another anti depressant drug.

Thanks.