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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Is ritalin safe for depression
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Is ritalin safe for depression
by akmacdo, Oct 30, 2009 04:34PM
I have suffered from depression since I was about 14, I am now 61. I have been treated with a large variety of antidepressants and combinations of antidepressants. I have been hospitalized at least 8 times at at least 6 different facilities. Last year I had a course of 6 ECT treatments, My doc said I was better, and I guess I was in a limited way for awhile. Earlier this year things got bad again and I had another course of 6 ECT treatments. Again the doc said I was better (I am very good at showing a cheerful, intelligent, friendly face when I am hospitalized, so to them I probably looked better.) I don't believe this treatment helped this time at all, and the process was very unpleasant, from burns on my forehead, to poor veins for IV's, lots of bruises and I also believe I have a certain amount of memory loss.
At last, my current question, I was hospitalized again a couple of weeks ago for depression. I had been on Cymbalta and Wellbutrin, with clonazapam for anxiety and sleep, and my depression to me seemed th worst it has ever been.
The new doc at the new hospital, with my regular psychiatrist's approval decreased my wellbutrin, and added ritalin at first a tiny dose and then a little more.
I don't believe I have ever felt better in my life. I have energy, interest in life and in hobbies I have not persued for years. I can reach out in friendliness to people instead of cowering in my house. It seems like magic. Am I just speeding on the drug? It doesn't feel like that, I just feel normal, but happy, able to converse normally, accomplish what I set out to do and begin new ventures.
What? Is this safe and really helping me or am I on my way to being a drug addict? It seems almost sinful for me to feel this good
Anita
At last, my current question, I was hospitalized again a couple of weeks ago for depression. I had been on Cymbalta and Wellbutrin, with clonazapam for anxiety and sleep, and my depression to me seemed th worst it has ever been.
The new doc at the new hospital, with my regular psychiatrist's approval decreased my wellbutrin, and added ritalin at first a tiny dose and then a little more.
I don't believe I have ever felt better in my life. I have energy, interest in life and in hobbies I have not persued for years. I can reach out in friendliness to people instead of cowering in my house. It seems like magic. Am I just speeding on the drug? It doesn't feel like that, I just feel normal, but happy, able to converse normally, accomplish what I set out to do and begin new ventures.
What? Is this safe and really helping me or am I on my way to being a drug addict? It seems almost sinful for me to feel this good
Anita
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 30, 2009 09:00PM
, Oct 30, 2009 09:00PMTo: akmacdo
You are lucky to have found the right set of chemicals for your brain...no reason to question it and no reason to be afraid of your new meds...stay close to this new doctor....
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akmacdo