clinical depression
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clinical depression treatment

Read and learn more about clinical depression treatment. For more, visit the Depression website DepressionLearning.com

Q: Any ideas for treatment resistant clinical depression?
I have been suffering with severe clinical depression for about 6 years. I have been on several types of anti-depressants and nothing really seems to work. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how are you overcoming it? Has anyone else with treatment resistant depression had success with another type of treatment – or a new type of medicine? I’m anxious for any new suggestions. Thank you.

A: Therapy would be the next step if you haven’t done so already in addition to meds. However, assuming that you have been doing both and are not finding yourself able to use the therapy without further symptom relief, I would be certain to explore all the classes of meds with your psychiatrist first-SSRI’s, tricyclics and MAOI’s and certainly consult a psychiatrist if you have been trying meds only through your medical doctor as they often tend to prescribe meds in doses too low to achieve therapeutic efficacy.
If your symptoms are severe and still unresponsive to medication and therapy, I would suggest that you discuss ECT with your psychiatrist. It isn’t a first line treatment, but is used in cases of intractable depression as well as other types of symptom constellations. Sometimes one course is all a person needs and I have seen some pretty remarkable results with ECT when nothing else has helped. Read about it through Wikipedia-it is very safe, the current is low and it is administered with muscle relaxants in order to diminish any discomfort. It’s also available now on an out-patient basis. Don’t be frightened by some people with agendas here who post erroneous and ridiculous information about ECT-it may be something you want to consider.

Q: What has been your most successful treatment for clinical depression?
What kind of medications or therapies or whatever has worked for you?

A: After my twins were born i become depressed and was then diagnosed with clinical depression, i had a doctor visit me at home because i was unable to get out the house, i was placed on Dothiepin (dosulepin) and still take them 10 years later, i still have tough days i think this is why i am still on them

Q: Is there anyone on Medicaid who has been able to obtain ECT as treatment for recurrent clinical depression?
Medication has not worked well for me and I want to know what my options are.

A: Yes. In the Payne Whitney hospital in White Plains NY. I had a sister there and she was on medicaid, her medication was not working and they decided to give her ECT. Medicaid paid for it since she was in such bad shape. She is now doing so much better. I hope you can find a hospital in your state. Good luck to you.

Q: Is there anyone out there who has clinical depression and who has found a treatment?
that actually works….made them happy. I have suffered from clinical depression, it’s getting worse as I’m getting older…..just wondering if i will ever feel happy, I dont even know what happiness is really…..thanks

A: I have had clinical depression for many years.

It took me a long time to find the right doctor to help me, but he has saved my life. You will benefit from the right professional help, but it may take time and money to find the right people and treatment for you.

Some things that help me:

-daily exercise
-balanced diet – I also take folic acid, hypericum, fish oil and a few other supplements, under the advice of my doctor. Supplement quality varies, I use pharmaceutical grade which are tested for quality and purity.
-regular schedule – Go to bed at the same time every night, get up at the same time every day.
-faith and prayer – Ask God to help you find the help you need and also to help you.
-each day write down something positive that happened or even just positive thoughts.
-forgive others for hurting you. This doesn’t mean that you should let them continue to hurt you, just forgive them for past hurts and wrongs.
-forgive yourself – We all have faults and make stupid choices. Forgive yourself and others, move on. If you have bad habits, work at making better ones.
-avoid (unnecessary) drugs and alcohol, including sugar.

There are numerous books on depression. Try reading a few and incorporating their suggestions into your life.

Q: Alternative Treatments to Clinical Depression?
Besides going to the doctor and getting prescription medication, is there a way to treat depression? Are there any herbs or activities (besides exercising to release endorphins) that can help restore balance to the brain?
I’m talking about real, clinical, sever depression not “oh I feel sad today”.

A: Absolutely.
I’d recommend a naturopathic doctor if money’s not an option. I know where I live, insurance doesn’t cover them, so visits here are over 500.
They basically do this body scan (the dr. told me it’s like a virus scan for a cpu) that can read anything you’re deficient in and detect what you need regarding other info it picks up.
So, I decided to just not get that done at this time, but did get a little advice. She said most ppl are low in dopamine, which is released when you exercise, like you said in your question.
She recommended B-complex vitamins daily. I use naturemade brand, and it’s found anywhere really.
Also omega-3’s in fish oil are a good regimen as well as MAGNESIUM– the magnesium really improves brain functioning & just really helps balancing out your nervous system.
Then a daily multi vitamin, of course, in combination with the others.
This is what my mom is prescribed (Magnes. and the Lovaza fish oil) to take for 3 months enabling her to quit her Paxil after 12 years. (She was diagnosed with manic depression.)
So hopefully that’s some insight and an example of how much these supplements can improve overall mental health.
I’m starting the same treatment this month to get off lexapro.
Good luck.

Q: What is the best treatment for Depression?
I suffer badly from clinical depression, I am totally numb to everything,no concentration,cannot watch tv, read papers, hold conversation, no retention,hard to understand anything, no emotions for my wife, children or 2 grandchildren. I just feel apathy towards everything and do not think i can survive this torment much longer

A: Depression
Depression is very common and everyone feels fed up, sad, unhappy, miserable at times. Sometimes we know that there is a cause for our depression – maybe we have just broken up from a relationship, maybe someone we were close to has died, we may have failed exams, we may be ill – but other times there doesn’t seem to be one cause – it may be a build up of problems, feeling unable to cope with life and we are not really sure why.

When depression is very severe some people can feel that life isn’t worth living, they want to die. When depression doesn’t go away it is important to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help but a sign of strength to recognise that you have these feelings and are unable to cope. Many people find at some stage in their life that it is hard to cope as well as they used to. You don’t have to be strong all the time – recognise when you are finding it difficult to cope and need support.

People can get a variety of symptoms when they feel very depressed.

General feelings of unhappiness which don’t go away.

Having no interest in life.

Finding it difficult to concentrate and make even easy decisions.

Having no feeling of enjoyment in life.

Not wanting to go out or mix with people but spending a lot of time on your own.

Feeling very tired and having no energy.

Finding it difficult to sleep and waking up frequently during the night.

Having no appetite and eating very little

Losing self confidence and feeling worthless.

Being very irritable, anxious, impatient.

Feeling very negative about life.

Having suicidal thoughts.

If you are depressed don’t bottle it up – it is important you talk to someone – family, friend, teacher, youth leader, GP, organisation, helpline etc. – anyone you feel you can trust If you don’t share how you are feeling you may find yourself using unhealthy coping strategies which will in the long run only add to your problems and make you feel worse – some people may start drinking alcohol more, may take drugs, may start self harming and cutting themselves, may stop eating or binge eating and making themselves sick.

You may find that counselling will help you as this will give you a safe space to talk to someone who is especially trained. This will help you to say how you really feel inside and the counsellor will work with you to help you find solutions and healthy coping strategies and to look at the reasons behind your depression. This will give you a better understanding of your feelings and some support in working through anything which is troubling you. If you find that counselling doesn’t work for you then it would be an idea to see your GP and discuss with him other ways of helping you with your depression.

Talking to others and counselling and therapy can help but to pull yourself out of a depression you need to do a lot of work yourself. When you are depressed you may feel you have no control over your life but you do still have choices. You can choose to stay depressed and not eat properly, not exercise, stay in bed all day, etc. or you can choose to try and help yourself to get out of the depression . If you take care of yourself physically it will help you to feel stronger emotionally and to cope more easily with life. Just as a car needs petrol to work properly so does your body need nutrients from food so although you may not feel like eating please try and eat healthily and drink plenty of water.

Sometimes when we are depressed life can seem very negative and black – it can be easy to forget that there are beautiful things in the world surrounding us. Try and get out each day into an open space, park, forest, lake etc. and just take in the beauty of your surroundings, and try and be at one with nature. This can help keep things in perspective and lift your mood.

Set yourself small goals – maybe each day try and write down something you want to do the following day and try and follow this through. The more active you are the less time you will have to focus on your depression. Try and interact with other people when you can as if you totally isolate yourself and cut yourself off from the outside world you could find your depression gets more severe.

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What Can I do To Help Myself
Don’t bottle things up – find someone to talk to about how you are feeling.
Make sure you get plenty of exercise and plenty of fresh air. You will find that even if you do a quick walk every day and a short period of other exercise each day you will start to feel physically and emotionally stronger and more able to cope.
Make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet – eat little and often and don’t skip meals. If you are not eating properly you will feel more depressed and listless.
Try and keep busy – to keep your mind occupied.
Do things you enjoy to relax, treat yourself and take care of yourself.
Try and get to bed at a regular time. If you find it difficult to sleep listen to the radio/TV/read and you may find you drop off to sleep more easily.
Don’t resort to unhealthy ways of dealing with your problems like drinking, taking drugs, cutting, eating disorders.
Ask for help when you need it.
Try to stop thinking in a negative way – when you think a negative thought try and replace it with a positive one.
If you need a hug ask someone you trust – this can make you feel that someone really does care how you are feeling.
Remember depression is very common – you will not always feel like this – you will come out of it and be able to enjoy life.

If your depression is severe and you are having thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life it is important you talk to someone immediately about how you are feeling. If you are a child or young person speak to your parents about how you are feeling. They would want to know how you feel and to support you and look at ways of helping. Talk to your GP and make him aware of what is going on for you. It is very difficult to deal with severe depression on your own – you need help and support and in some cases your GP may advise medication.

ENDING YOUR LIFE AND HARMING YOURSELF IS NEVER THE ANSWER. YOU HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU AND WILL NOT ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THIS.

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Agencies which offer support and information
SupportLine Telephone Helpline: 020 8554 9004 (Helpline), email info@supportline.org.uk – Confidential emotional support to Children Young People and Adults. Also keeps details of agencies, support groups and counsellors throughout UK.

Association for Post Natal Illness: 020 7386 0868, www.apni.org, emailinfo@apni.org – To advise and support women suffering from post natal illness. Running a network of volunteers to support sufferers throughout the UK.

Aware Defeat Depression: 08451 202961, email help@aware-ni.org – Support, information or a listening ear for all those affected by depressive illnesses.

Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (Area served SCOTLAND), www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk – Helpline for young men 12-40 years who are experiencing difficulties and unhappiness in their lives and for their friends and family.

CALL Community Advice and Listening Line (Wales): 0800 132737, www.callhelpline.org.uk – Mental health helpline for Wales providing confidential listening support service.

Childline: 0800 1111, www.childline.org.uk.

Crossline Central: 0845 658 0045 (Area served SCOTLAND) – Christian based helpline and counselling service for the general public and people in crisis.

DABS Mail-Order Book Catalogue: 01709 860023 – Wide range of books including those on depression, self esteem assertiveness, self harm, child abuse.

Depression Alliance: 0845 123 2320, email information@depressionalliance.org, www.depressionalliance.org – Confidential listening and support service. Also offer a range of information on depression and treatment options. National network of self help groups for people experiencing depression. National pen friend scheme offering support and fellowship to people with depression and their carers. Quarterly newsletter, booklets and leaflets on depression.

Depression Alliance Scotland: 0845 123 2320 (Area served SCOTLAND), www.depressionalliance.org – Telephone information and other support for people affected by depression. Information about symptoms and treatment, listening support and signposting to other agencies.

Depression Support Group Association ( London based): 020 7328 8391, www.depressionalternatives.co.uk – Helping people whose lives have been distorted by insecurity, loneliness, shyness, unsatisfactory relationships to find alternatives to depression. Groups in London convened by professional counsellors/psychotherapists. Meet in a friendly, sociable environment and offer members route to a more fulfilling life, develop self esteem and confidence and learn how their emotional needs can be met more fully. Fee £15 per week, concessions students/unemployed. Also run Shyness & Social Anxiety Programme and Personal Relationships programme, Men’s Group to strengthen men’s sense of themselves. Also individual therapy.

Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous (FDA): 01702 433838, PO Box FDA, Self Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham Street, Nottingham NG1 2EG UK wide self help organisation made up of individual members and groups which meet locally on a regular basis for mutual support. £10 yearly membership (reductions for those who cannot afford that amount).

Get Connected: 0808 800 4994, email help@getconnected.org.uk, www.getconnected.org.uk – Free telephone and email helpline finding young people the best help whatever the problem. Can connect a child or young person to any UK helpline where appropriate.

Hope in Crisis Telephone Line: 028 9446 9990 (Area served NORTHERN IRELAND) – Christian based organisation offering listening support and ministry for anyone in crisis.

The London Shyness Clinic: 020 7289 4317, www.shyness.co.uk – Therapy and counselling to overcome shyness and gain confidence.

Manic Depression Fellowship: 0845 634 0540, email mdf@mdf.org.uk, www.mdf.org.uk – Advice and information for people with manic depression and their families, carers and mental health professionals. Supply a range of information leaflets, books and tapes. Network of self help groups for people with manic depression, relatives and friends. Self management training programme.

The Maytree: 020 7263 7070 – Sanctuary for the suicidal offering befriending and support (based in N.London).

The Mental Health Foundation: 020 7803 1100, email mhf@mhf.orgl.uk, www.mhf.org.uk – Publish a booklet ‘Understanding Depression’.

Meet A Mum Association: (MAMA) 0845 120 6162, www.mama.org.uk, email Meet-A-Mum.assoc@blueyonder.co.uk – To support mothers and mothers to be by putting them in touch with other mothers living nearby. Also provide one to one support and social activities.

Mind (National Association for Mental Health): 0845 766 0163, email contact@mind.org.uk, www.mind.org.uk – Publish booklets relating to Depression.

Muslim Youth Helpline: 0808 808 2008, email help@myh.org.uk, www.myh.org.uk (Area served London). Helpline providing culturally sensitive support to Muslim youth under the age of 25. Outreach services including family mediation, face to face counselling and befriending.

National Youth Advocacy Service: 0800 616101, email help@nyas.net, www.nyas.net – Provides information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to young people up to the age of 25 through a network of advocates throughout England and Wales.

Premier Lifeline: 0845 345 0707, email lifeline@premier.org.uk, www.premier.org.uk/lifeline – Christian run helpline offering information and a listening ear to the general public on a range of emotional and spiritual issues.

SAD Association: 01903 814 942, www.sada.org.uk – To inform the public about seasonal affective disorder. To support and advise sufferers of the illness. Limited light box hire scheme. Supply contacts list for members.

Samaritans:0845 790 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org, www.samaritans.org.

Self Help Services: (Manchester area) 0161 226 5412, email info@selfhelpservices.org.uk, www.selfhelpservices.org.uk – Run over thirty support groups for people with mental health problems or are in need of emotional support, including groups relating to depression.

Stress Anxiety Depression – Confidential Helpline: 01622 717656 – Advice, information on self help strategies, relaxation, exercise, nutrition, cognitive therapy etc.

Voice for the Child In Care: 0808 800 5792, email help@vcc-uk.org, www.vcc-uk.org – Telephone advice, information and advocacy services for children in care. Helpline for care leavers – 0808 100 3224. Visiting advocacy service for children in secure units and other residential homes.

Who Cares? Linkline: 0500 564 570, email mailbox@thewhocarestrust.org.uk, www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk – Helpline offering information and support for young people who are or have been in care.

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Useful websites
www.channel4.com/health – information on depression, anxiety, mental health etc

www.depressioninteenagers.co.uk – An interactive site with resources for young people with depression, using self help ideas and relaxation techniques

www.foodandmood.org – a site which explores the relationship of what you eat and how you feel

www.healthyplace.com – information and support for those suffering from depression (American site)

www.netdoctor.co.uk – lots of useful information

www.patient.co.uk – self help guides under mental health leaflets on depression

www.pendulum.org (American site) – online support group for people with manic depression (bipolar disorder)

www.pni.org.uk – website set up by women who are suffering or have suffered with post natal illness, information, email support partner, chatroom

www.surgerydoor.co.uk – click on ‘medical conditions’, click on ‘mental health’, then ‘depression’ for information

www.theblackdog.net – supportive site for men who suffer from depression and/or suicidal thoughts

www.There4me.com – website for 12-16 year olds, confidential online advice

www.www.touchingminds.org – peer support for those who suffer from mood disorders, depression, anxiety

www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk – website for young people

Q: What sort of treatment is available for, and at what point should I seek it, depression so strong I have tics?
I am diagnosed with major clinical depression, suffer symptoms of adult ADD and Aspergers, and am being treated with medications for the clinical depression (wellbutrin xl 300mg). For the past 24 hours or so, my condition has been deteriorating to the point where I am constantly near the state of tears and every few minutes the stress builds up so high that I suffer muscle spasms and twitching that lasts up to five seconds, generally involving my arms or head. I’m not feeling suicidal, but there is a distinct and crushing weight of being in the wrong life (and the right one, unfortunately, is 100% unattainable in modern society). It’s not so much “I want to die” as “I wish I wasn’t alive” (an important distinction, it’s kept me alive throughout a lifetime of depression).

So I suppose I’m asking, and I know the legalese about “not meant for diagnosis or treatment, etc…”.

What additional treatment/therapy may be available,

and,

is what I’ve described a crisis situation?
in re: to some uncertainties by my first two answers:

Meds:
wellbutrin for 2 years, 1 year on Paxil CR before that.

Spasms/Twitches/Tics
I’ve had the muscle twitch/spasm symptom on both meds and pre-medication. Internally it feels like a storm of stress building up in the back of my brain and then releasing suddenly down the back of my neck and down my arms, causing shaking, twitching, and clenching of the jaw and fists. Frankly… it physically hurts when this happens.

A: My sugestion is to call your Dr. When you say you are having ticks, that is not exactly a good thing to be having.
#1 thing to do is try to stay calm. I know.. easy thing for me to say, but it will really help you.
#2 I was on that medication to help me quit smoking and I thought it was going to give me a heart attack! Talk to your Dr. maybe it is time to switch medications.
#3 if the symptoms don’t go away and you can’t get a hold of your normal Dr. I sugest you to your local hospital and get checked out. Better safe than sorry.

Hope I have helped a bit.

Q: Is StressPac a good treatment for depression?
My GP recommended StressPac to help deal with my clinical depression- has anybody had any experience with it, and would you recommend it?

A: Talk to a psychiatrist, not a GP. You wouldn’t take a diabetic to an oncologist, would you?

– edit –

Revisiting this… StressPac is for anxiety disorders, not clinical depression.

Q: clinical depression?
i looked @ a site and the symptoms and i have almost all of the symptoms, i am not close with my parents, and i don’t have many friends that i could talk to, many experiences in my life have started this stage, but i’ve gotten over it w/o any medical treatment, or counselling, i’m tired and i just don’t know what to do anymore

A: I also had all the symptoms of major depression at age 18, and was even suicidal. I think that by having a major religious experience that totally changed my outlook in life I basically changed what experts call my cognition.

Many experts believe that what causes people to get depressed is poor cognition, it’s your thinking. You need a revolution in how you interpret life events.

People with the Teflon exterior like they said Pres. Reagan had bounce back from life’s tough events. People with poor cognition succumb to life’s events and end up under them instead of overcoming them.

Q: Anyone know of a good FREE or very affordable depression treatment center in the US?
My poor Mother is suffering from a severe case of clinical depression. She needs in-patient treatment at a depression treatment facility ASAP, but we can’t afford it. Not being able to afford it, also seems to pile on more tears and only helps to foster her low self worth and low self esteem, making everyday seem worse than the day before. I am beginning to worry more about her daily as her condition seems to grow increasingly worse, PLEASE HELP ME TO HELP MY MOM, TY.

A: Where are you? In lansing Michigan we have a community mental health that people can go there and get treatment even if they don’t have insurance. I work there, go on the web, on google and check out whats available near you.
There are also mental health hotlines that can be contacted. Again if you look them up on google you can get some 1-800 numbers.

Best of luck to you and your family.

Q: Has anyone here been rejected from treatment for Hep C because of depression?
I have Hep C and have been told by a doctor at my health dept. that nobody will treat me because I have a depression history. I was diagnosed with Chronic Clinical Depression many years ago and have had a past including attempted suicide….All of that has been several years ago and I’m beyond the the suicide part but do still suffer the depression. I do want to live and when the time I do want treatment.

A: People with a history of depression can be treated, but you have to have the depression stabilized prior to starting treatment, be compliant with taking the medication regularly, and be monitored closely throughout the course of treatment. I would suggest you seek the opinion of a specialist, because you will need to be monitored by a specialist anyway. I have found that primary care doctors often have a limited knowledge of hepatitis C, and know even less about the treatment process. I would also suggest that you seek a good, local, in-person support group with knowledgable facilitators in which you can educate yourself about the disease, the treatment, and side effects & how to manage those side effects. I have seen over the years that people who are educated about this, who have taken time to physically & mentally prepare themselves tend to adhere to the treatment protocol better, and thus have better results than those who don’t. Best wishes.

Q: What is a good book to read to understand the dynamics/treatment of depression?
I have suffered with mild depression most of my life. My family has a history of addiction and depression, so I believe mine is probably clinical as well as behavioral. I’ve been taking Prozac for almost 10 years. My husband and I want to learn as much as we can about this so we can minimize its negative effects.
If you are a person who is licensed in this field, can you recommend a few good books on this topic? Is Prozac the best treatment? How does low cholesterol and low seratonin interact with this? Yes, I’m already in therapy.

A: ‘Feeling Good’ by Dr David Burns.

Make sure you get the revised/updated version; it says it on the front cover. At the back is a section on all the different medications.

I’m not licensed in this field, as you ask for in your question, but I would recommend this book as it’s written by an expert in the treatment of depression.

Q: Is it possible to suffer from both clinical depression and SAD?
From what I understand Seasonal Affective Disorder while similar to depression has forms of treatment, such as light boxes, that are not effective forms of treatment for clinical depression. I also recall being told that not all treatments for clinical depression are effective for SAD sufferers.

I suffer from sever clinical depression and have had it under control for some time now. This fall has been a particularly dark (cloudy) one where I live and despite having my depression under control there are some days that I experience symptoms that I don’t normally have, such as moodiness and a want to stay in bed all day.

Is it possible that on top of my depression I am suffering from SAD?

A: Yes,and the lack of light makes it worse. A change in a dose of your medication may work wonders for you. Call your doc.

Q: Is clinical depression something that you have your whole life?
I mean is it something a person will always struggle with? And, does it kinda come and go without warnings especially if your aren’t on a treatment for it? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

A: For a lot of people it is something that they will have to deal with for a life time I know. I was first diagnosed with depression when I was only nine years old and I’ll be 54 in Aug. So yes for the most part I’ve been dealing with it all of my life. My type of depression is called dysthimia and that’s the clinical name for Chronic depression. For some of us it’s a matter of finding the correct meditation or medications which help stabilize us and if we’re really lucky can put us into remission for different periods of time. I’ve been in remission as long as five years but for the most part my remissions don’t last that long.

Q: Regarding the treatment of depression?
For those of you who have had clinical depression, how did you deal with it?
Therapy, medication, handling it on your own…

What treatment do you think is best?

Also, if you have tried dealing with depression both on and off medication, which way was more effective?

A: I was diagnosed at 14 with depression and social anxiety (I’m 30 now). I did the whole, “I don’t need medicine to help me function” thing. Ummm, bad choice. Medication and therapy go hand in hand and doing one without the other does not work very well, at least in my experience. I tried not taking my meds for almost two years and I was a miserable, unhappy person. I am now taking Zoloft and going to therapy and reconnecting with God and feel so much better about myself. I want people that have mental issues to know that they are not defective or broken in any way. It’s just a hand that we’ve been dealt BUT we can overcome. Life is worth living to the fullest.

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