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Are Sadness And Excessive Alcohol Consumption Suggestive Of Depression?

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Posted on Fri, 16 Oct 2015
Question: I very rarely feel truly happy. I notice I am almost always happy when drinking. Does this classify as depression? Would medication help increase the amount of time I'm happy and enjoying life?
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Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
depression is diagnosed on basis of diagnostic criteria.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

To diagnose clinical depression, there are particular set of criteria which must be fulfilled.
These include features like sad mood, lack of interest, decreased energy levels, hopelessness, helplessness, wothlessness, decreased sleep and appetite.
A clinical interview by a mental health professional will be needed for detailed assessment.
The need of medication will depend on severity of depression. There are antidepressant drugs which help to lift the mood.

You feel happy while you are drinking. Alcohol may cause initial euphoria but its a nervous system depressant on long term.
Its better to avoid excessive drinking.

Kindly consult a mental health professional for assessment.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.

Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

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Are Sadness And Excessive Alcohol Consumption Suggestive Of Depression?

Brief Answer: depression is diagnosed on basis of diagnostic criteria. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. To diagnose clinical depression, there are particular set of criteria which must be fulfilled. These include features like sad mood, lack of interest, decreased energy levels, hopelessness, helplessness, wothlessness, decreased sleep and appetite. A clinical interview by a mental health professional will be needed for detailed assessment. The need of medication will depend on severity of depression. There are antidepressant drugs which help to lift the mood. You feel happy while you are drinking. Alcohol may cause initial euphoria but its a nervous system depressant on long term. Its better to avoid excessive drinking. Kindly consult a mental health professional for assessment. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Regards.