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What Do Depression And Self Harm Thoughts While On Venlafaxine Indicate?
Question: Hi my son is extremely depressed he is on velafaxine for the last few months but the doctor has increased the dossage to take 2 instead of one , could doing these trigered the reaction he is having for the past 7 days he was depressed before Xmas but in the last7 dayshe wants to harm himself, could that be the double dossage of velafaxine? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks very much for your question.
I'm sorry your son is experiencing depression. He has been on venlafaxine (Effexor) 37.5mg for the past the past few months, and has been noncompliant with olanzapine (Zyprexa), and his doctor increased to Effexor to 75mg daily. You are wondering if this could lead to an increase in suicidality.
There does happen to be a warning from the FDA that antidepressants can lead to an increase in suicidal thinking in people younger than 24 years of age. However, this was based on faulty research and psychiatrists do not believe this is truly the case. You son falls outside this age range anyway.
Instead, this is likely a worsening of depression, with suicidality as a component of that, and the treatment for this is an increase in the antidepressant dose. He was on a very small dose (37.5mg) which to me is actually considered subtherapeutic. He should continue taking the higher dose, and he needs to take the Zyprexa regularly as well, as noncompliance may be leading to worsening depressive symptoms.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below, because we receive nearly double the payment from this website for direct questions, and after asking a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks very much for your question.
I'm sorry your son is experiencing depression. He has been on venlafaxine (Effexor) 37.5mg for the past the past few months, and has been noncompliant with olanzapine (Zyprexa), and his doctor increased to Effexor to 75mg daily. You are wondering if this could lead to an increase in suicidality.
There does happen to be a warning from the FDA that antidepressants can lead to an increase in suicidal thinking in people younger than 24 years of age. However, this was based on faulty research and psychiatrists do not believe this is truly the case. You son falls outside this age range anyway.
Instead, this is likely a worsening of depression, with suicidality as a component of that, and the treatment for this is an increase in the antidepressant dose. He was on a very small dose (37.5mg) which to me is actually considered subtherapeutic. He should continue taking the higher dose, and he needs to take the Zyprexa regularly as well, as noncompliance may be leading to worsening depressive symptoms.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below, because we receive nearly double the payment from this website for direct questions, and after asking a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi Dr Sheppe
Thank you very much for your answer to my question about my son.
I also would like to know why im feeling so tired all the time and also quite down, I know Im dealing with my son's depresion, but I felt like that long before that.
Ive been always very active and never sick, could I have under active thyrod? I know to find out I need to get blood tests done, but I thought maybe you think it could be something else!
Im a 63 year old female.
thank you
XXXX
Thank you very much for your answer to my question about my son.
I also would like to know why im feeling so tired all the time and also quite down, I know Im dealing with my son's depresion, but I felt like that long before that.
Ive been always very active and never sick, could I have under active thyrod? I know to find out I need to get blood tests done, but I thought maybe you think it could be something else!
Im a 63 year old female.
thank you
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and you're very welcome!
I'm sorry you are feeling tired. That must be difficult for you. It is certainly possible you could underactive thyroid. It could also be anemia, or possibly even depression yourself. I would get the following blood work done:
CBC
CMP
TSH
Free T4
ESR
CRP
After you get the bloodwork, get back to me via your my private link and we can discuss diagnostic and treatment possibilities for you.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and you're very welcome!
I'm sorry you are feeling tired. That must be difficult for you. It is certainly possible you could underactive thyroid. It could also be anemia, or possibly even depression yourself. I would get the following blood work done:
CBC
CMP
TSH
Free T4
ESR
CRP
After you get the bloodwork, get back to me via your my private link and we can discuss diagnostic and treatment possibilities for you.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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