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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
depressed needs relief
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.
depressed needs relief
by soyoptimista, Jul 21, 2008 05:11PM
I have struggled with major depression for 4 years off and on. I have had symptoms of depression since I was a teen, but it is only in the last 4 years that I have received treatment. I also have endometriosis that puts me in bed or in the bathroom for 3 to 7 days every month. I have had one laparoscopy to prove endometriosis and regular paps. In May 2007, I started taking Levora birth control pills on a continuous basis to avoid normal menstrual cycles. I stopped taking them in March 2008 to see if they had helped stop the endometriosis for good. It didn't work, so my Gyn re-prescribed Levora 3 weeks ago. Within a few days of taking Levora again I noticed that I was much more mentally vulnerable and by the third week on Levora I was completely destroyed emotionally and mentally. This last weekend I had very strong desires to kill myself by stabbing myself repeatedly. I have a great husband who has helped me stay safe and talked me through the difficult times. I am not ready for a hysterectomy/ooverectomy yet. Is there a birth control pill out there with fewer side effects for depression. I take Effexor XR 225mg daily. I will start a Intensive Out-patient Program this week for depression.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jul 22, 2008 01:40PM
, Jul 22, 2008 01:40PM
To: soyoptimista
I don't have any first hand experience with birth control pills. You should ask this same question in another forum. Getting treatment for your depression is absolutely the right thing to do.
Member Comments (2)
by amberelise, Jul 22, 2008 10:43PM
To: soyoptimista
I have had major depression on and off all of my life. I am taking prozac off and on for it and it helps sometimes (i'm pretty sure i am bipolar) And will be seeing a doctor as soon as i can about it. But I started taking LO/Ovral birth control at the same time I started taking my prozac and my mood greatly improved. Since I have run out of my birth control my mind isn't as stable. I'm not sure if the LO/OVRAL had any thing to do with it but it might help.
