Posted by Racer on June 11, 2005, at 15:15:45
In reply to Are there any meds for a neurotic depression?, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on June 11, 2005, at 14:32:18
As far as I've read, the term "neurotic" is out of favor these days in the psychiatric field. It used to be a sort of dichotomy between "psychotic" -- which was a more active, aggressive sort of picture -- and "neurotic" -- the more passive, fearful reaction to psychotic behavior. "Neurotic" really means something like nervous -- Neuro == nerves, right?
My guess is that what is being described by this book is a depression that has a great deal of anxiety involved. If that's the case, then yes -- there are drugs that help reduce the anxiety as well as the depression, so that someone can make the behavioral and situation changes necessary to improve their lives.
But, as we all know, there is no drug in the world that can make the changes for us. Therapy can help a great deal in working out both how to improve our situations, and what it is that has held us back from making those improvements ourselves.
Short answer: Therapy is the closest you'll get to a drug that fixes broken lives rather than Major Depressive Disorder.
Longer answer: Many drugs prescribed for depression can also reduce or control the related anxiety, as well, but to address the situational factors involved in an exogenous depression such as you're describing, therapy is required, with or without medications.
poster:Racer
thread:511067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050611/msgs/511084.html