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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Major Depressive Disorder?

I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder for a few years now. I know I was depressed way longer than that though. I have been going to my local Mental Counseliing Ctr. for about a year and a half now. I've been in a physchiatric hospitol on an involuntary basis for about two weeks before. I think my doctors have tried me on every medication for my problems that my insurance will pay for i am currently on 80 mg of Prozac daily. Its not helping. I go a few days sometimes without thinking negative thoughts but thats only every once in a while. I am so scared. I often think about "not being here" and how that would solve all my problems and the problems of those i love and care about. I am totally isolating and I feel like I have nothing to look forward to in my life. I just sit at home and drink when Im not at work. What can i do? Who can help me? I think of the past and tend to dwell there and I think about my current situations. I feel like Ive let the whole world down.
Fri, 5 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. You have major depressive disorder and have taken treatment for years without much benefit. Currently you are on Prozac or Fluoxetine which is a SSRI drug. The drug is a good antidepressant drug but even with the high doses of this drug your symptoms are persisting. The symptoms like feeling isolates, hopelessness (nothing to look forward in life), remaining at home alone, helplessness in solving your problems are persisting symptoms of depression.

In such situation I'd recommend you to visit your psychiatrist again and discuss about the proper treatment of resident depression. In resistant depression medicines like Lithium, Lamotrigine, Bupropion etc are used along with SSRIs or SNRIs. These medicines augment the actions of the antidepressants and help in quick recovery. Apart from this associated cognitive therapy can also help. Cognitive therapy along with medicines provides best results in depression. Visit your doctor for help.

Thanks, I hope this helps you.
Take care
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What Causes Major Depressive Disorder?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. You have major depressive disorder and have taken treatment for years without much benefit. Currently you are on Prozac or Fluoxetine which is a SSRI drug. The drug is a good antidepressant drug but even with the high doses of this drug your symptoms are persisting. The symptoms like feeling isolates, hopelessness (nothing to look forward in life), remaining at home alone, helplessness in solving your problems are persisting symptoms of depression. In such situation I d recommend you to visit your psychiatrist again and discuss about the proper treatment of resident depression. In resistant depression medicines like Lithium, Lamotrigine, Bupropion etc are used along with SSRIs or SNRIs. These medicines augment the actions of the antidepressants and help in quick recovery. Apart from this associated cognitive therapy can also help. Cognitive therapy along with medicines provides best results in depression. Visit your doctor for help. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care