[16PennyNail]

I have been diagnosed with and suffer from severe depressive disorder and I really hate it. I get hit with a bout of that stuff and lasts sometimes for 2-3 weeks before it abates and gives me a break. My psychiatrist throws Trintellix and Bupropion, with the former being new for me. I was put on Lexapro the first day it was available to be prescribed and was on that for years. I have less of the episodes of depression as I think for me the Trintellix is a better drug, but it still gets me at times.

MY psychiatrist does something else that is odd to me, she has me taking 12mg of Xanax a day. This is a benzodiazepine and can be a depressant itself, I am an M.D. so yeah I know. I feel one is coming on, and I really hate it. What little energy I have it just zaps away. If I try to talk to my psychiatrist about the really high dosage of Xanax I always get the same response, as if she is stuck in a time-loop or something."How can I help you if you will not let me Dr. 16PennyNail." It makes me feel like saying back to her, "I know you are but what am I?" I might just do that someday to see what reaction I get. I feel so bad now days, and I just wanted to gripe about the approaching depression. It's like a gigantic iceberg that I am about to crash into.

[TheGal]

Sorry you feel another bout of depression coming on.

I have severe major depression with psychotic features. I have MDD that worsened, you see, and I became psychotic as well... mind you, my pdoc had retired and I had tapered myself off the Prozac as I didn't have a gp either.

Now I take 3 antidepressants (Prozac, Wellbutrin, Remeron), an antipsychotic (Abilify), and a benzo (Ativan). I find the Remeron/mirtazepine to be really helpful for my anxiety and SI.

Here is an assessment scale that I posted, in case you're ever feeling yourself worsening:

Psychotic Depression / Depression with psychotic features ASSESSMENT SCALE

Hope things get better for you...!!

[shaggy dog]

Hello Dr PennyNail. My initial diagnosis, way back in 1985 was major depression. I think your iceberg metaphor is very apt and I like your sense of humor.

It seems that as a doctor you make a good patient in that you listen to a specialist and adhere to prescribed treatment. At the same time, as a patient you make a good doctor in that you lean on your own knowledge and advocate for yourself.

I hope you are feeling better and the cruise ship misses the glacier. My thoughts and my best to your mental health. shaggy