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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
difficulty finding a med that works for me
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.
difficulty finding a med that works for me
by nrzt, Oct 07, 2002 12:00AM
I have had problems with mild depression all my life. I'm 32 and in the last year decided to see if I could find a med that would help. I initially started on zoloft 50mg. I was very happy with it--the problem was, I foolishly decided to stop it and go on prozac. Zoloft, for me was $50/mo. and prozac was $5/mo. Prozac made me feel worse. I switched back to zoloft--and it too made me feel worse. I increased the dose to 100mg and it didn't help. I'm now trying wellbutrin sr. I have the "blah" kind of depression, without anxiety. I started out on 150 mg. now on 300mg. I don't feel any better yet.
My question is--why did zoloft not work the second time around, and what med do you suggest might work for me. I'm also becoming withdrawn from people and work. Thank you--please help.
I have tried all of these meds for at least 6 weeks.
My question is--why did zoloft not work the second time around, and what med do you suggest might work for me. I'm also becoming withdrawn from people and work. Thank you--please help.
I have tried all of these meds for at least 6 weeks.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 07, 2002 12:00AM
, Oct 07, 2002 12:00AM
There are two answers to your question. First these antidepressants work differently for different people so many have to try several before finding the righ one. Celexa or Effexor might be the next ones to ask your doctor about.
The second answer is that the underlying depression is not a constant; there is cycling between none and a lot. If you take medication when you are already at that part of the cycle where you are feeling better, it works like a miracle. If it is getting worse, the medication doesn't seem to work, and the doctor keeps increasing the dose or changing the type.
You have to work on the underlying issues...you can't just say you are a depressive. Seek counseling or do some exploratory work at the www. masteringstress.com site.
The second answer is that the underlying depression is not a constant; there is cycling between none and a lot. If you take medication when you are already at that part of the cycle where you are feeling better, it works like a miracle. If it is getting worse, the medication doesn't seem to work, and the doctor keeps increasing the dose or changing the type.
You have to work on the underlying issues...you can't just say you are a depressive. Seek counseling or do some exploratory work at the www. masteringstress.com site.
Member Comments (2)
by frizel20, Oct 07, 2002 12:00AM
I use to suffer from depression for a year, i know that i really dont know what its like b/c i am not in your shoes, but my advice to you is face the problem youre depressed with. Honestly think about it what do you have to lose. now with the feeling "blah" to me it seems like you feel youre stuck in a routine that you cannot get out of, and each day youre crawling deeper into this hole of depression caused by your routine. my suggestion figure out really what that "blah" feeling is about and face it, and vary up your routine. trust me i had that feeling to, and i got out of it by changing some things. I really dont believe in medicines only true exposure to the problem can help, if youre still confused about what that blah is, explain your situation more and Ill help more.
