[feary]

What do psychiatrists do when a patient does not do well with ANY drug at all

ssri, snri, benzos, mood stabilizers, beta blockers?

I have tried SO MANY and they all make me even more anxious and depressed and a whole mess of side effects.

What is the other option that the docs turn to?

years ago when nothing worked for me my pdoc put me on an mao inhibitor. they are the old school ADs and they have dietary restrictions but sometimes they work when nothing else has. i didn't think it worked for me although my doc thought it helped as i got a job shortly after going on it. you might also want to get your thyroid checked if you haven't already done that. it helps to go to someone who really understands thyroid disorders though. there are many tests and a lot of people go undiagnosed. i just started taking vitamin D and am seeing good results with that. i always knew i had that seasonal affective disorder but i didn't know vitamin D could make such a difference. it's best to get that checked by a doc though as taking too much can be dangerous.

[ECHOES]

I know this sounds odd, but you might try a period of time with no meds and see how it goes with therapy alone.

I was on many different meds and combinations, for many years, then decided I wanted to know what I was like..just me, without meds.

So, I don't take anything on a daily basis, although I do have Xanax to take PRN, but I use a quarter or less of the .5mg tablet, and very rarely. A few times a year.

Challenging my perceptions, or having them challenged, has been the most helpful to me.

[feary]

I was off of everything except ativan for a long time and now she put me on more because I was not doing well but I feel much much worse now

i can't eat, i am panicked all the time, I can't sleep, I have no interest or motivation, no energy, I avoid things, much more depressed and anxious, nauseous, feel sick, feel on edge, dizzy, tired all the time, hopeless, etc

My pdoc went through just about every med and med combo trying to find the right one for me. All you listed and more. It's frustrating, but hang in there. It is likely that something will be found eventually.

[netsavy006]

I don't know if it's an immediate option but ECT is an option that doctors can turn to. Also, some antipsychotics are being approved for depression (Abilify and Seroquel XR). Also are you in any type of therapy? CBT is the best type of therapy that I've heard yields the best results. There's also support groups that may be available in your area that you can utilize. There you can meet people who may have gone through what you are going through and be able to give you advice on how to help deal with it.

I hope I've been of help. Best of luck to you and I hope you find the most optimal treatment for you.

Andy...

Let me comment on ECT. I have had two rounds of ECT and it worked very well for me. However, some people to have serious long-term issues with memory and cognitive problems as a result of ECT. It really is a bit of a crap shoot. No one can predict how any person will respond to ECT. Would I do it again? Yes. Because for me it has shown to be helpful for me. I just think you really have to do your research on it before you consider ECT as an option.

I had my ECT because I was hospitalized with severe suicidal depression that was not responding to medication quickly enough. Long-term hospitalization was being considered, and that just wasn't an option for me or my family. The ECT improved my mood and made it safe for me to return home in a matter of days instead of being in a hospital for possibly months. Personally, that is the only circumstance under which I would consider ECT.