Having a caring group of people to support you is perhaps one of the most important things you can do to help your depression.
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
If a friend says they feel like they want to die, it can be quite frightening. What can you do to help?
Do you think you may be depressed? Although a screening test cannot be used to diagnosed you with clinical depression, it can help you learn whether you have depression symptoms and should seek further evaluation from a doctor. Our screening tests are free, simple to use and can be taken right now in the privacy of your own home.
Depression Tests:
Your Healthcare Toolbox:
While we usually think of SAD as occurring during the winter months, this forum member has a different perspective:
Does anyone here have spring/summer SAD? I was dx'd with this about 3-4 years ago and it really sucks. I know it's kinda rare and people usually have it in the winter, but I get it in the summer. It's not fair that most people get to go out and enjoy the sunshine and nice weather and do all kinds of outdoor activities, while I feel more depressed on nice sunny days. What's worse is that we don't have a very long season here in WI of nice, warm days that are enjoyable. I do go out with people on nice days and do things if they ask, but it's mostly fake acting happy and having fun. I do try to force myself to go out and walk for exercise instead of sitting home and getting more and more depressed. The anti-depressants I'm on don't help and my psych knows I have this disorder, so he doesn't really try to help. There's not much more he can do. I tend to like the rainy days, where I can just sit and watch the rain, or stormy days where I just listen to the thunder and watch for lightning. Those are the days I feel better and will sometimes even go out for walks in the rain. Life just isn't fair. --Janey38
Can you relate to Janey38's dilemma? Share your experiences in the comments.
Jessica1307 posted the following question to our forum:
I have been on Zoloft 50 mg for 3 years and it has been a miracle drug -really cut down on obsessive thoughts and chronic unhappiness.
My major side effect is frequent, severe night sweats. I get them several nights a week. I know this is a common side effect for some people. I'm wondering if anyone has a good solution besides going off the Zoloft.
BTW, I am healthy, not overweight, don't drink caffeine, don't drink alcohol before bed and my bedding is not excessive.
Thank you for any help - even commiseration - you offer.
Do you have an advice to give Jessica1307? Share your experiences below.
Related Article:
Tortoiseshell on our forum asked the following question:
I feel it is time for me to change meds or add something to the current meds.
I am currently on Pristiq 100mg/day and Lamictal 200 mg/day. Increasing the dose didn't help, but worsened the side effects. These meds worked relatively well for me for 3 years until last September I had very emotionally difficult situation and got into destructive relationship. It threw me back again. Since then I haven't been able to enjoy myself and life despite of going to counseling weekly. Just not getting better.
I am seeing my psychiatrist next week. She is very flexible about med options. She pretty much lets me decide if I want to try something or stay the same.
In 12 years I tried a lot, so don't really know what other options are. Here is what I tried:
SSRI/SNRI/other: Pristiq (worked the best so far), Zoloft (no effect), Prozac (no effect but side effects), Effexor, Paxil, Wellbutrin (hated it)
Mood stabilizer: Lamictal (seems to be working so far)
Antianxiety: Buspar (no help with anxiety, but was making me more depressed)
Antipsychotic: Abillify (tried for 1 day, I thought I would jump out of my own skin)
I am not sure what else to try. Maybe keep Pristiq and Lamictal and add something. I am not getting restful sleep, maybe try Trazodone. Not sure. Any ideas?
Do you have any advice for Tortoiseshell? Share your comments below.
Related Article:
Depression Tests:
Your Healthcare Toolbox:
©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.
