Wellness

[winamac1]

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@hckynut wrote:

@bargainsgirl

As one that has spent 7+ days in our hospitals Mental Ward, and diagnosed with Clinical Depression and Anxiety/Panic Disorder. When I need a Specialized Treatment, I see a Specialist in that particular field of Medicine, be it physical or a mental problem.

I do not expect my PCP to be able to accurately diagnosis the many things I have suffered in my rather long life. You did not say what type of doctor prescribed the Zoloft, and in my opinion, it should be an expert in the field, preferably a Psychiatrist, that makes dosage and medication decisions.

I am on small dosages of Wellbutrin(the generic)/Clorazepate(Tranxene)Citalopram(Celexa), and have been for several years now. I went through Zoloft and Paxil prior to my Psychiatrist feeling, and she was right, that my present Meds, along with regular visits, are working well for me.

I don't believe in terms like "minor depression/slightly broken etc". One is either depressed or they are just going through mentally trying times.

You asked, and those are my learned through experience suggestions. Wish the best for your son as real depression is a very dark place.

hckynut(john)

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i agree.  FP/GP's generally don't know how to tweak the dosages as well as a psychiatrist.  They are treating so many other disorders that they are certainly not experts in the field of mental health disorders.  I called on fp's and gp's before calling on psychiatrists, and I even continued to have some fp's in my database.  Those that were still being called on by psych reps treated more depression and enjoyed treating mental health disorders.  Those were few.  

I'd recommend O/P get several opinons on a good psychiatrist to go to.  Zoloft is a tough drug to get right anyway.  It has to be started low and often times titrated to 150 mg. or occasionally more to see benefits.  It does, of course, vary from patient to patient.

[VaBelle35]

One other thing I would suggest (and this goes hand in hand with getting a phychiatrist referral) is to have a complete workup done on your son to make sure that this is really a mental health issue and not a symptom of some other illness like Lyme Disease or Thyroid or Adrenal Fatigue, food allergy or whatever.

[ruthbe]

As someone who has been suffering with Bipolar disorder for over a decade, also have your son have a complete blood/lab work up.  He may also have vitamin deficiencies, anemia, etc. that may also be contributing to his depression.  But I also agree with others...please have him see a psychiatrist.  They have been the ones trained in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.

[I am still oxox]

At 28 he should make his own decision about therapy I understand your are a concerned parent, unless he is mentally challenged you can not force him to see a therapist

[kjae]

Respectfully, a GP is not equipped to treat and prescribe medication for depression.  A psychiatrist is. It is a specialty.  Hope you can find a psychiatrist.

[jaxs mom]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

At 28 he should make his own decision about therapy I understand your are a concerned parent, unless he is mentally challenged you can not force him to see a therapist

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Even as an adult, children that have suffered with depression for a long time do still depend on their parents for advice. 

[hckynut]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

At 28 he should make his own decision about therapy I understand your are a concerned parent, unless he is mentally challenged you can not force him to see a therapist

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@I am still oxox

I seldom am not on the same page with you, but?  To me, age is a non factor be her son 18 or 30. Some, if h is suffering from Clinical Depression, might not be able to make a rational decision.

Fortunately I was able to do so and had myself admitted. When in the throws of Clinical Depression, nothing in life seems important to you. I was pretty much Completely Empty Inside. No feelings for anything in life. Much like my heart and my soul were gone. Terrible feeling.

Times like this just might call for a loved one to offer help regardless if asked or not. I would never let my wife go through this without doing something to help her. If that meant having her COMMITTED, that is exactly what I would do. And she is a long way North, or is it South, of 28 years old.

Hey my friend, 2 people agree on everything. I am just saying what I have done, and would do should this ever arise with my wife.

Best to you,

hckynut(john)

[on the bay]

I agree that when someone is depressed, age doesn't matter. that is when you need people who love you more than ever!

I also agree that even though it is difficult and takes courage to continually try to find the right medication and psychiatrist/therapist, that there is something that will work for each person and not to give up. And sometimes something that someone has taken for a long time stops working so something different may work.

It must feel at times like "nothing will work" or not wanting to try something new again, but imagine the feeling of feeling better! That is the goal.

Sometimes a combination will help, but I don't like when for each symptom a pyschiatrist keeps loading more and more medications. I have had friends and family that have taken or are taking 11 at a time. They can have their own negative effects.

Thank you for talking about this. The more we do just like we do with physical problems, the more others will reach out.

[panda1234]

@jaxs mom

You are soooo right. This is not for a primary care doctor, they are not up on the newest treatments out there. 

[panda1234]

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@Katcat1 wrote:

@bargainsgirl,     A psychiatrist knows more about depression medicines than any doctor out there.  Zoloft is an old antidepressant.  There are newer ones out that work much better. Depending on your insurance you may need to see your dr. and get a referral. 

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@Katcat1

Well said and so true.