Been depressed for a couple of years.

Hi everyone,

My depression started somewhere around 2009/2010 and has slowly gotten worse. I haven't been given a diagnosis yet. At this point, I've pretty much lost everything except for family support, which I am thankful for. Because of my inability to keep a steady job I am currently going to the state mental health for some help...otherwise, I wouldn't be getting any. I've been going for the last year or so. Before then, I was paying out of pocket to see a psychiatrist. So roughly, it's been about a year and 8 months trying different meds. I've been hospitalized once, back in June. Currently I am receiving therapy along with taking meds for my depression but nothing is working. My main symptoms have been, no interest in anything at all, no motivation, and very strong dissociation/depersonalization. I don't have any suicide attempts nor am I suicidal at this point.

I have been through several different meds so far with no results. Has this been an issue with a lot of you as well? I've tried 2 different SSRI's (Paxil and Celexa), Wellbutrin, Effexor, Cymbalta and about 2 or 3 other types of meds (Lamictal/Abilify). At this point, I've grown impatient and feeling somewhat hopeless that my mental issues aren't going to be solved.

I do understand that everybody is different and what works for one person may not for another but I'm concerned that this might be some type of treatment-resistant depression and I'm doomed to feel this way from now on...

Thanks,
echo

A lot of what you say, I can say about myself. I've tried every med you mention except Cymbalta. Like you, I go to a state facility. I spent a lot out of pocket in the past.

If you have a history of going years with not feeling depressed, then I think that heightens the chances of you feeling better again.

I'm sorry you've been struggling for 3 years. That's long enough to get discouraged. I don't think you are doomed. I do think you probably have more serious struggling to do.

You are obviously intelligent and educated. If you are still young, you will probably feel best, if you can get back into the workforce. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst times in history to be trying to do that. Economies all over the world are depressed. Plus, background checking has become so rigorous. If you are in the U.S., then I would advise you to hook up with your state's Department of Vocational Rehab.

I am struggling myself, right now. I sure don't have all the answers. I am depressed since being out of work, myself. I know I need to find something productive to get involved with, or I don't think I will get my own depression under control. I've been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. The med that has helped me the most is amitriptyline, which doctors tend to stay away from. I get it because it has proven to be the only antidepressant that helps me. It is particularly good for people who have a hard time going to sleep, and it relieves anxiety, and does other good things.

Keep posting. I hope you find your way to feeling better.

Thanks for the tip for amitriptyline. I will mention this during my next appointment.

Bless your heart. I too thought I was "unfixable" for a very long time, until we got into some really "dark, scary" parts of the past in therapy. That stuff HAD to be gone thru and 'aired" == and dealt with. If I hadn't dealt with it, it would have laid there and festered for the rest of my life. Alot of it had to do with abuse (emotional/mental) that I hadn't told anyone about and it was very painful. Since it went back as far as I could remember (like about when I was 3-4 yrs old) we had alot of work to do. lol

Thank God for therapy, or otherwise I think i'd be dead right now. I also spent 2 weeks in a mental hospital, which was the best thing I could have done for myself (I signed myself in). I wanted to stay longer, but they said I was ready to go home.

As far as medications, mine weren't working well UNTIL my doc added Abilify ON TOP of the Cymbalta. Abilify can be added to most of the antidepressants -- and it makes a WORLD of difference. It enhances the antidepressant, and helps it work better. And boy it sure does! It doesn't make you high or anything -- it just makes you feel "normal" whatever that is. lol Please ask your doctor about it -- I don't see why he would rrefuse to put you on that with your A/D. It sure can't hurt.

I wish you the very best - and I pray your therapy goes well too. Take care and God bless. Hugs, Lee

I'm sorry you're going through this, and don't want to offend you, but did you know that one of the side-effects of SSRIs is DEPRESSION? I know that sounds outrageous, but I was reading a Cymbalta ad the other day at the vet's, and it mentioned how it can 'worsen depression' among other things. I'm sure the SSRIs do the same thing.

I was on meds for over 13 years, and instead of feeling better, I was so depressed a good part of the time that I couldn't function. I went off them after experiencing some nasty side-effects, and was absolutely amazed at how much less depressed I was. I later went back on klonopin for a sleep disorder, and within a few days was sobbing my eyes out ready to kill myself. Fortunately I had the sense to realize what was going on, googled it and sure enough, depression and suicide ideation were listed as side-effects.

You might google your meds and patient ratings and see if others have had the same experience.

Sorry if this offends anyone--just sharing my experience, not telling anyone what to do........

@Leed, the Abilify did help some when I took it alone, it just made me wake up at 2am every morning and I couldn't get back to sleep. After a month of that, I had to come off it. Still, adding it to an antidepressant might be a better route, I've never tried that and will mention it to the psych when I go back next month. Thanks.

I'm currently on 450mg of Wellbutrin (I worked my way up by trying it at the 150/300mg levels first)...but it did nothing at all...no side effects but absolutely no benefit either. I'm currently coming off of it now.

No offense taken @LucyG...

Thanks again for the replies.