How do you live with treatment resistant depression? Lately, it seems I'm just getting worse even though I'm seeing a T. I've seen a lot of different T's and tried a lot of different therapies. I'm more depressed than ever and sinking fast. I don't enjoy anything.

[Little Lulu]

Treatment resistant depression is a concept I have trouble subscribing to. How can it be that some people get better while others cannot?? There has to be hope for everyone, including you.

I am sending prayers your way that you will find what you need to be the person you wish to be. I firmly believe that is possible for everyone, everywhere.

[waterknob1234]

Hi unguy. I can no longer see a therapist due to financial constraints. I have been on four different anti-depressants and I can't see where they help very much. However, we have to keep trying different things. Something somewhere has to help. Did you see Skeezyk's post about the link to the you tube video about the information on silencing your "inner critic." That was interesting. I don't know if that will help but it is certainly worth a try. I will also send prayers and hugs your way. I hate for any of us to suffer like this.

[Hellion]

Thus far it seems mine fits that category...how am I living with it? well doing my best to get through the darkest times, trying to figure out different things that can at least help alleviate the symptoms, working on some things to try and feel a little better about myself, trying to make the best of life in spite of it(though obviously that can be much harder said than done, and I fail at that much of the time). And of course when I feel suicidal getting some more immediate help if its more than a fleeting thought.

Don't know if any of that is all that helpful, and perhaps you're already doing all that.

[Silent Void]

Ten minutes at a time.

Originally Posted by unguy

How do you live with treatment resistant depression? Lately, it seems I'm just getting worse even though I'm seeing a T. I've seen a lot of different T's and tried a lot of different therapies. I'm more depressed than ever and sinking fast. I don't enjoy anything.

Well, I've never been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression. In fact I've never received a formal diagnosis of any kind. My pdoc just opens up the medicine cabinet, so to speak, & says: "what pill do you want?" However, if anyone did take the time to come up with a formal diagnosis, I think treatment resistant depression could well apply. I've tried therapy. It hasn't been worth the bother. I'm on one SNRI, that's all. It's not great, but it does seem to keep a floor under me, so that I seem to be only able to sink so far before it boots my sorry behind back up a couple of rungs.

I do think age has something to do with it. My impression, from what I've read & heard is, antidepressants & therapy work best for short-term depression & major depression that is caught early. In my case, I struggled with major depression for decades before I got any kind of treatment. (My own fault.) So, I think, under those circumstances, for me to expect medications & / or therapy to accomplish much is probably just not realistic. The good part of this is that, as time has gone on, I have finally come to realize I have to be responsible for my own treatment. I've had an on-again / off-again spiritual practice (meditation & yoga) for many years. Recently I began to throw this into high gear in an attempt to make inroads into my depression & anxiety. So far, so good.

The other aspect to this, from my perspective, is I've had to simply accept (& I do) there are some things I simply can't do. I can't tolerate crowds for example. So I don't go to shopping malls unless it's at a time when I know almost no one will be there. I don't go to theaters or concerts or anything like that, etc. I also don't go to parties. On the other hand, I do enjoy being out. We have dog. He & I take long walks twice a day. We frequently encounter other individuals who are walking their dogs, so we'll stop & make small-talk. This I can tolerate &, over time, I've become rather good at it. So it's all just in knowing what my limits are & what I can & can't handle.

Best wishes...

[Fuzzybear]

( one minute at a time ...)

[archipelago]

I've had severe depression for a long time. Recently it became close to unbearable. I increased contact with my therapist and that helped. I switched medications and that has helped. With a boost in energy, I started to exercise and that helped. With a little more ability to focus, I tried to apply myself to various small projects and that helps. I also journaled more and that helps. I still am having trouble feeling pleasure about things, but I think it will come with time. For now, I do feel some sense of feeling good when I take care of myself or get something done and that's better than it was.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by unguy

How do you live with treatment resistant depression? Lately, it seems I'm just getting worse even though I'm seeing a T. I've seen a lot of different T's and tried a lot of different therapies. I'm more depressed than ever and sinking fast. I don't enjoy anything.

I have treatment resistant bipolar depression, so I can relate and say I'm so sorry it's hell, for me most days I'm depressed, and I'm literally tried almost every med and med cocktail and not much works... but there are a few suggestions that have helped me. Get regular labs drawn for thyroid, vitamin d, and b, testosterone, because if those are low, they can cause depression. Also, GeneSight Psychotropic test, helps determine which meds they can use for you. Typically, ECT is 98% effective, and there's VNS and TMS which I don't know much about. But for me ECT, didn't help, so I suffer quite a bit and just keep switching the meds around. For me since I'm bipolar, Lithium has helped somewhat, and Cymbalta and Nefazodone seem to not poop out on me for awhile, and sunlight and mood lights help a bit. For me since it's all a chemical condition, all types of counseling have been useless. When I'm real down, only a med change helps. And when I'm okay, I still don't find therapy helpful. Best of luck, and remember, they're always coming up with new stuff!