[NeptunePluto357]

I have had depression/anxiety since I was 9/10 years old. A few months before I turned 18 I finally got diagnosed and started my battle with depression meds. Since then I have tried (generics):
Lexapro (at least 3 different dosages)
Abilify (added to Lexapro)
Trintellix (2-3 different dosages; this one I took name brand)
Wellbutrin XL (100mg; currently taking)
I am now 20 years old and still cannot find anything that works for me. I believe I probably have treatment-resistant depression because none of these meds have worked on me at all. I tried them all for at least 6-8 weeks, some for months, yet have found no relief. Does anybody have experience with meds that work for very severe depression?

[qwerty68]

Unfortunately, meds work differently for everyone so what works for one might not work for another, or worse give severe side-effects. Still, I have tried at least 20 across most psych med classes with zero effect but meds that failed me have helped lots of people here. It is depressing in itself, but psychiatry is a randomly throw crap on the wall and see what sticks type of thing.

You haven't tried many meds so there is lots to try. Trintellix and Wellburtrin are atypical antidepressants, Abilfy is an anti-psychotic and Lexapro a SSRI. There are others that work a little different in those classes and there are SNRI's, tetracyclics, NaSSa's and another common classes and others that aren't used as much such as MAOI's and Tricyclics.

I can't take MAOI's because I have several contraindicated issues but my last pdoc was convinced it would work well for me because "it hits every receptor". It has lots of restrictions regarding diet and what other meds(of any type) that you can take though.

[*Laurie*]

Hi, I had been on many, many anti-d's over the years. All of them had stopped working for me. I was desperate. Then I went on Latuda, and that works quite well for me. But, like qwerty says, everyone is different. I hope you find a med that helps you.

[kkrrhh]

MAOIs could be worth a try. You'll have to consider whether you're to that point or not, because the risks are overblown but still most people try more meds than you've listed before they get to MAOIs, but they're known for working for treatment resistant depression and Nardil was one of the few meds that've helped me. Parnate is the one known for being the "strongest" antidepressant, though for me it worsened anxiety.

[TicTacGo]

Antipsychotics (like Abilify) may work with the aid of another drug, usually an antidepressant.

Another thing that is a possibility is lithium. It is primarily used for bipolar disorder, but you may need something that is also used in, like you said, possibly treatment resistant depression.

There are different types of antidepressants (as someone as already said) and it is often picking the right one that makes a difference.

I'd talk to to my doctor, and speak about maybe different types of antidepressants, or an alternative for the depression.

Hope you feel better soon.