finding a doctor to treat depression - Page 3

panda1234 · ‎04-27-2015

My daughter suffers from depression among other things. Meds do not always work for her. This week she is starting a treatment called, TMS. It is magnetic stimulation to areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. A family doctor would have no idea what this is, that is why you need a specialist.

wonderfulworld · ‎12-05-2012

@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)

John, this has nothing to do with the OP post but I wanted to comment that you have had far, far more than your share of health issues and I admire your attitude and ability to move forward with an up beat attitude and offer good solid advice to those in need! I feel fortunate to have you on these boards.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@wonderfulworld

Thank you for your very kind post. If one lives long enough we all go through some really rough times during our life. I've found that it is best for me to forget, as much as possible the issue, and concern myself more with what is the best way to work through them. I've said it here numerous times: My best friend during trying times is Optimism". Realizing I have had more good things/times in my life than bad.

Not all problems can be solved or completely eliminated, but my belief is that they all can be made better, even if just a tiny bit.

My best to you,

hckynut(john)

hckynut(john)

Leeny · ‎06-24-2011

@hckynut and @Annabellethecat66

Since I have had posts from both of you and I seen this thread, I wanted to share this with you two.

Little did I know how close this was going to hit home with me yesterday.Our eldest son called us and told us he had admitted himself into the hospital for his depression.

I knew he was being treated for depression, but I had no idea how severe it was. He has major depression and on Sunday he said his head felt like it was going to blow.

I am so thankful that he had good sense to get over to ER. I believe his medications need to be reviewed as he is on 4 different kinds. I don't know the names. He has a team of psychiatrists and his medical team ( he has diabetes also) which I know can play into this too. They feel he will be in the hospital at least a week.

I know he's in the best place to get help.

I would appreciate your prayers and any encouragement. He also stated to me and his dad that the doctors have told him this is genetic,he's been on meds. for 7 years. I had no idea just how severe this was for him. He is one that doesn't share everything with us. So I felt by him calling yesterday that this was a step in the right direction along with getting admitted into one of the best hospitals in the country. Thanks for being here for me to reach out to.

Leeny

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@Leeny

Reading this really made me happy, not because your son has this illness, but because he realized that he needed help. Admitting yourself to a Mental Institution or Ward, is not an easy thing to do. You should be very proud of your son for making that very difficult decision.

I have feared few things during my adult life, but the night I watched my wife leave the the hospital with me in it's Mental Ward, was the last thing I ever remember fearing, before that night, right up to today.

My wishes for nothing but the best for your son in his recovery and stability. It is a life long ongoing process for many, myself included, that at times is very difficult for the recoveree, and those closest to them.

Give my best wishes along with my optimism to your son. Nobody deserves this type of mental, what I view, as torture.

Be well,

hckynut(john)

hckynut(john)

Leeny · ‎06-24-2011

Thank you @hckynut ( john)

You don't know what this meant to me for you say these things. It's hard as a mother and dad to see your kids suffer in anyway, but depression is something else.

I guess because, we can't fix it. As a mom we always think we can fix our children's problems, but this is one I can't.

He sent us a short email this morning that he is doing ok, so far and that they have taken one of his meds away from him.

His Dad and I are so grateful in so many ways that he took the courage to get himself this help he needs.

Being he is our first born and to see him hurting like this is so hard, but we know he has a strong faith and family that will support him in all we can do.

Thanks Again @hckynut

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

@Leeny You, your family and most especially, your son are all wise people.

So many people either think they are the only person to feel this way and/or embarrassed to ask for help. You must be so relieved that he did ask for help and most of all realized he needed it in the first place.

There are some things (changes in society) that I must admit I'm not happy about but the way more people are being supported by family, Drs, etc to get help for depression is one of the best changes I've seen.

I was raised by my functioning alcoholic Father, my elderly Grandma and her daughter (who'd never been married, dated, nothing and was in her 50's that I remember).

I never knew from one day to the next if she'd wake up in the morning and start in walking around the house twisting her hands saying, "Oh! Me!" over and over again. Then mysteriously (to me, a young child) people would show up (I remember white coats) and take her somewhere for weeks at a time. When I got older and went to live with my sister (who was divorced with 4 young children) that I found out she'd go to a mental hospital and get shock therapy treatments. It was my normal life to me.

I've had sisters, Uncles, Aunts, etc who've suffered terribly with depression. I've had family members who've committed suicide.

I know first hand how devastating depression can be to every single person in a family. No one in the family gets away without being touched by it. It is devastating to everyone.

But things are changing. Medicine is getting better and the secrecy is being unveiled...Companies are no long able to fire someone because he or she suffers with depression.

Hopefully, with each day life will get better for those suffering with depression and the family members of those suffering. It is devastating because we love these people and feel so helpless to be able to help them. I know I use the word 'devastating' a lot but that's the way I feel.

I think more needs to be done to help the caregivers to help them understand things can and often do get better for everyone.

While those suffering with the depression often get the help needed, those who are the caregivers often are left to try to deal with the guilt of 'why didn't I see it', 'what can I do' and so on.

More needs to be done, but we are getting there, I just wish it was sooner rather than later. Annabelle

ps. Please come on and let us know how you, your family and your son are doing. Just by posting, you have probably helped some people. You and your family are very courageous....

Leeny · ‎06-24-2011

@Annabellethecat66 Thank You so very much for posting and all the encouraging words. It's been a hard day and I've tried to keep my mind busy on here or elsewhere.

I am thankful that our son admitted himself on his own freewill. He is such an intelligent man and very successful and it's so hard to see him hurting like this. His younger brother and sister are having a time dealing with this, but his dad I believe is having the hardest of times. I know myself I feel like I've failed somewhere, but on the other hand I know it's an illness like any other disease that needs to be treated.

I come from a family where my mother is narcissistic and my Dad basically raised me, thank God. This in it self is hard to admit about my own mother. I found out just in the past year how she manipulated my son from the time he was a little boy. This is something, when I heard this I could have lost it. She is now in a nursing home with dementia and I can't even confront her or tell her what is happening to my son now.

I also had an aunt that fought depression back in the day and had to receive shock treatments. I was little, but I remember the talk and the shhhh. don't say anything about it.

Yes, we have come a long way. It use to be something you shoved under the rug and didn't talk about it, because it was such a stigma thing and families didn't want others to think they all had mental problems.

My son has a very good job and they are aware of his illness. I know, years ago they could fire you, but not today. Thank God for that. It seems a lot of people are dealing with this illness due to anxiety, stress and lack of good sleep. Plus having a chemical imbalance it's no wonder people contemplate suicide. I asked him about that and he said, yes mom I have thought about it. I told him don't you dare. You call me,dad or your siblings or get yourself to the ER anytime night or day. He said, that's what I did mom.

Thank You again @Annabellethecat66 for taking the time to post on here and giving me hope and strength. You are a such a sweet and compassionate woman and I am glad to call you my friend.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I think we see here there are many wonderful, kind people on this forum.

It isn't always easy to share part of yourself with others. However, there are often people who come on here and do just that.

The more we share even a tiny bit of ourselves, the more we realize we are all more alike than we realize. Perhaps someone reading this will have the courage to talk to a family member, friend or Dr about their depression (or maybe just that they've been feeling anxious). Sometimes, like some have said, medicine doesn't always help (it hasn't helped my little sister). She's helped more by her Drs and those around her.

I cannot begin to tell everyone how lucky I feel to have found all of you. It's just a comfortable safe place to come to meet up with friends and maybe even learn a few things along the way. Thanks to all of you.