Posted by JohnL on October 3, 2000, at 4:45:36
In reply to 1st time taking an anti-depressant, posted by cmm on October 3, 2000, at 0:12:08
cmm,
I think all your feelings and conflicts are true with most of us. But keep in mind, most psychiatric illnesses such as depression or dysthymia (low grade constant depressed state) are results of brain chemical imbalances. They can be easily corrected with medication and your life can be vastly improved. I do know some people who have had success with counseling therapy. Learning how to think and deal with emotions can actually modify the brain chemistry. More often than not though, there are many people who do not benefit from therapy very much until after a medication has had a chance to work. So if therapy has been frustrating, that's not uncommon.Are you depressed? The doctor seemed to think so. But here's something you could do...click on 'Links' at the top of the main page. Then when it gives you a menu, choose 'Internet Mental Health'. Then click on 'Diagnosis'. From there you can follow the instructions. What you will find is an online depression test. You simply answer the multiple choice questions, and then it will give you a final score and diagnosis. It will give you a better picture of where you stand. By itself it isn't a complete diagnosis, but it will indeed provide you a much better idea of whether you are normal, somewhat depressed, severely depressed, or whatever.
In the meantime, give Celexa a chance to work. If after 6 to 8 weeks it has not helped you, then perhaps either you weren't depressed to begin with, or perhaps if you were then you need to try a different medication instead, like Prozac, Zoloft, or Effexor. My local doc has had the most success with Prozac, Effexor 2nd, and then Zoloft or Celexa 3rd. But that's just in one doc's office. It varies dramatically.
Check out the online tests and see how it goes. Take it from there. Hang in there.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:45725
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45734.html