Posted by SLS on January 5, 2001, at 6:59:02
In reply to Re: Cam...what say you., posted by stjames on January 5, 2001, at 1:50:06
Dear James,
I agree.
(I put a lot of time and effort into composing this post).
- Scott
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> Over 16 years I have found some times you need less or more. Sometimes you need something different. There is no way to know how much is enough, therefor how normal you can feel, so I keep upping the dose till I discover the correct amount. Several times I thought I was doing excellent only to find an improvement at a higher dose. There is no way to know the full possible effect and side effects unless you have been there. There is also danger in being less than well. I have been through several breakthru depressions in the last 10 years that are significant as I do not leave the house. Looking at my chart my doc saw a pattern of 300 mgs Effexor after a depression, then over years the dose moved to 150 mgs with a depression a year or so after. Perhaps we ( I say we because I was mostly the one who lowered the dose; but my doc supports this) were helping cause these depressions. may only concern about Effexor is that it is a powerful SSRI, esp. at 300 mgs, which does me no good. My mood responds to meds than effect the noradergeneric system. I am waiting for the next SNRI to be on the market.
> Also, during that year psychotherapy (which I also think is essential in "curing" a depression) can actually work because one is able to understand what the therapy is trying to do. Depression affects attention and cognition. In most cases, antidepressants are need to "put the floor under one's feet" (as was so aptly said by someone on this board) so that the depressed person is able to work with the therapist on what caused the depression in the first place.> With me I did psychotherapy first and then meds. I wish I would have done them together.
> With me there is no doubt there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated for my mood, attention and cognition to function correctly. Also I have no doubt that the psychotherapy made a big difference. I now have better tools to works with now that I am not depressed. I fully believe that in some people psychotherapy alone may be enough. We also know short term use of meds and therapy is more effective than either alone for those that don't have chronic issues. I think everyone should do 3-6 months of therapy. Therapists have a global view of behavior than no one can hope to have.
poster:SLS
thread:50902
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50946.html