Depression Treatment Prozac Resource

About Depression Treatment Prozac

About Depression Treatment Prozac in Answers

Has anyone had success with combing Prozac with Wellbutrin for treatment of depression? I'm wondering if combining the two would help with the fatique and lethargy that accompanies major depression. The Prozac (fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), while Wellbutrin (bupropion) acts on dopamine and norepinephrine. I was hoping for some feedback from anyone who has taken this combination, as I intend to discuss this option wit my MD. What do you all think? Any comments, experiences, and opinions would be very much appreciated.

ghost replied: "They are not meant to be combined. And all anti-depressants are unhealthy."

man or woman? replied: "No, Prozac made me got crazy, a state that included my depression, but was worse than depression because I had energy, so much that I was accused of taking amphetamines."

hazeleyedbeauty1967 replied: "Are you trying to kill yourself? I hope not. DO NOT MIX ANY ANTIDEPRESSANTS. Talk to your doctor. Prozac is pretty powerful on its own. Wellbutrin is mild but does the job by itself as well. Do not have a doctor put you on Paxil, it will give you suicidal tendencies."

JB81 replied: "Anti-depressants are not meant to be combined. One thing that might help is combining an anti-depressant with an anti-anxiety medication, depending on your symptoms. Sometimes these medications can have side effects (like fatigue) but should go away after a few weeks of taking the normal dose. Also, if you have or have ever had an eating disorder do not take Wellbutrin. It can cause seizures. On a side note, do not listen to people who say that anti-depressants are bad for you or don't work. They help many people. I have also heard people say negative things about Prozac. Prozac affects everyone differently. Where it might make one person "crazy" it can really help another person."

What is a good book to read to understand the dynamics/treatment of depression? I have suffered with mild depression most of my life. My family has a history of addiction and depression, so I believe mine is probably clinical as well as behavioral. I've been taking Prozac for almost 10 years. My husband and I want to learn as much as we can about this so we can minimize its negative effects. If you are a person who is licensed in this field, can you recommend a few good books on this topic? Is Prozac the best treatment? How does low cholesterol and low seratonin interact with this? Yes, I'm already in therapy.

WiseOne replied: "I highly reccomend the profound book on Healing by Henry Wright. Through reading this book, I became healed of this disorder, and now I try to reccomend this book to all who have been diagnosed with this disorder."

Natalya replied: "'Feeling Good' by Dr David Burns. Make sure you get the revised/updated version; it says it on the front cover. At the back is a section on all the different medications. I'm not licensed in this field, as you ask for in your question, but I would recommend this book as it's written by an expert in the treatment of depression."

scary fairy replied: "I have suffered from depression since a young teen. To understand my illness i read the book, Malignant Sadness -sorry cant remember the author! It really help me understand the reasons for depression, all the treatments and side effects. It gives you trade names of medication as well as the medical names. I was prescribed Prozac at 15 yrs old! and absolutely hated it. I refuse to take it now, the side effects are awful and i became addicted to it. I prefer natural remedies now inc. St Johns Wort (seek medical advice before using this remedy)"

How long did it take for you to find the right treatment for your depression? I've tried cognitive behavioral therapy, but being an introspective person who read college psychology text books as a child, it was a bit too obvious to be effective and other therapies don't appeal to me for various reasons. I do attempt a healthy diet, regular excercise, a proper sleep habit and engaging in activities in which I have enjoyed including the arts. I don't believe in herbal remedies for real problems therefore they won't work for me. I left meds as a last resort and had a bad reaction to the first antidepressant I tried (Prozac). Basically, depression + excessive energy = a maddening hell. I quit after 6 months and stop seeing my psychiatrist and have been surviving for the last three years, but my depression is rearing it's ugly head again and my partner has suggested I try again with the meds... How long did it take you? Did you have a mad reaction to one drug and find another helped?

Kat replied: "there are some really good meds now days.. sometimes it take a few times to get the right pills for you. as for me i got lucky and first one did the job. i have panic attacks... but talk to your dr and try working with them to find the right balance for you.. good luck"

applebeer replied: "My brother has the same type of thing I do, so I just started the same meds he did and they work, though not the same dosage"

Arcane feline replied: "All medications do is cover up the problem it does not take it away. If you want to take medications the rest of your life, go for it. I myself have suffered from depression for ten years and counting. I tried everything, therapy, medications, even better ways of thinking (yeah quit that one real quick when they wanted me to change pretty much who I was.) I am currently off of any medications and have been now for three years. I have my bouts of depression come and go but I find to talk it out with support groups, people who have what you have and know what you're going through because they've gone through it at one point or another can be very helpful. They become your friends and I've come to view my old support group as my family. I myself from finding so much help in a support group have started one on yahoo hear for people to meet and just let out their frustrations. Left you the link in the sources section. I hope this helps you. Good luck."

Pico replied: "From the time I first sought help for my depression/anxiety, it took me about 5 years to find something that worked for me. I first took Zoloft which did nothing for me and turned me off of meds. I went without any medication or treatment for a few years until things got so bad I had no choice but to see a psychiatrist again. I tried Lexapro which worked fairly well. Now I take Effexor, Klonopin and Abilify which is a good combination for me. I was finally diagnosed 'properly' and found that I didn't 'just' have depression. I have schizoaffective disorder which explains a lot of my symptoms that weren't being addressed before. Don't give up. My advice is to try again, possibly with a different psychiatrist, and see how it goes. I don't know anyone who found a solution the first time around."

Vic K replied: "prozac works for me. my doctor tried switching me to paxil as a possible remedy for stress headaches. The results were awful. Prozac has worked for me for many years now. I urge you to get back to your doctor. You wouldn't try to treat a kidney disease by posting questions here. Don't do the same with depression."

starwberry replied: "Many people have trouble with Prozac. There is nothing wrong with taking medication. It actually is much easier to cope if you DO take medication. There are so many medications out there that you can try these days, I am sure you can find one to work for you. The reason for depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Why wouldn’t it make sense to use chemicals that stabilize those chemicals? Antidepressants make your brain chemicals flow properly. Eating, sleeping, and living right are also great for depression. Talk therapy is good too, but you have to find someone you are comfortable with. You also have to find a style of therapy you are comfortable with. I see a therapist who handles my medication and a counselor who handles my talk therapy. They communicate with each other to make sure that I am doing okay. My therapist always talks to me before making any medication changes. He makes sure that I am not having any serious side effects or ones that are too annoying. My counselor always asks me what I want to talk about each session. There are a few sessions, in which we discuss what he wants to, but that is only when there is business that needs taken care of or something out of the ordinary has happened. This has happened a few times after I have had a manic episode. One other thing you should consider is that if antidepressants make you feel mad or hyperactive; then you might be bipolar. If you are bipolar and you take an antidepressant, it can cause a manic episode. You need mood stabilizers then."

Kathryn R replied: "One thing I don't understand is why you quit you medications with out consulting your doctor?? That did not make things any easier for you. I have dealt with depression for over forty years because I was dignosed with chronic depression when I was 9 most of the times I can keep it mostly under control but every few years I have to go back into therapy and deal with medications. The current doctors that I have now are great and the medications that I'm on are doing pretty well But I have accepted that if I'm to remain stable and in charge rather than having the depression in charge I will have to stay on medications for rest of my life similar to my medications for my arthrists and other chronic illnesses. You should go back into therapy and see if your depression is chronic or if you didn't really deal with the issues that you should have and since you come off of you medications with out consulting your doctors you didn't really get all of the benifits from either the therapy and the medications."

Is this an occasional treatment for depression? I've read online about treating depression (haha go figure) before and remember some instances of reading that a doctor might prescribe prozac + adderall to treat depression which I suppose prozac is to treat the depression and adderall to help boost the patients motivation/ability to get things done which they didn't have enough from the depression.

ॐ Plea for Peace! replied: "yeah they just love handing out pills. isn't it awful? i mean some people actually need them, don't get me wrong. but honestly, depression, anxiety and the like should never be treated with drugs unless absolutely necessary. and no one tell me that it usually IS, because it isn't. people just aren't willing to do the work themselves. psychotic disorders, that's different."

Anna G replied: "It's not unreasonable, exactly for the reasons you just noted - the prozac will take at least a month to kick into effect, and in the meantime, fast acting adderall can improve energy/motivation and get patients started on treatment (like going to therapy)."

verm money replied: "if you dont have ADD, then adderall is a perfect mood enhancer/motivational drug... it makes you feel great, which is why its so dangerous. if you do get adderall, use in moderation. or else you'll become like some people i know, taking 400-500 mg a day at least and not sleeping for days. that is when you turn into a zombie. but adderall taken in moderation is a life changing drug and just because a prescription drug can be abused, doesn't mean that it can't help you and that you shouldn't give it a chance if the dr. prescribes it."

Jerome A replied: "Although serious or even prolonged depression really needs to be diagnosed by a trained and licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, there are a few home treatments for minor depression. My favorite is St. John's Wort, an herb that can be found in any supplement aisle. It can be taken as a pill or made into tea, and it is supposed to help your mood. I can't speak for most people, but I know I can feel the effects when I take it. Plus it's natural, which beats drugs any day."

What is the best treatment for depression? Prozac / Wellbutrin type pharmaceuticals loose their effectiveess. Prescription amphetamines such as Adderall, used for treating ADD, help more. Has there been anything medically documented on treating depression in this manner?

ivillage4women replied: "According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than 80 percent of people with major depression can be treated successfully with psychotherapy, medical therapy or a combination of both. However, up to 50 percent may not respond to initial treatment. The treatment options available for major depression are quite varied and individualized. Mild forms of the disorder may respond well to psychotherapy alone, whereas moderate to severe forms typically require medication treatment (e.g., antidepressants). The outcome of treatment is generally best with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. During treatment, the patient’s mood will improve gradually, with the patient feeling a little better each day. There's lots more information on depression treatments below: "

2Beagles replied: "Talk to your doctor about this. It's possible you need to see a psychologist to help you deal with problems. A medical doctor can only prescribe medicine, so you may need to see both. Everyone is different. My son started off on anxiety meds and worked his way up to anti-psychotic. Scary stuff. Write down a list of what you've already taken, what works and what doesn't, and take it to your doctor. It could be as simple as switching meds. Good luck."

threeicys replied: "Your using depression in a general term. Their are several types of depression. People who have Manic Depressive episodes benefit from prescriptions like Lamactile or other preventative meds for seizures. Often combined with an anti-depressant. Others may have mild depression and regular exercise can raise the serotonin to resolve the problem. Depression in someone with PTSD is treated always with psychiatric counceling first, then meds are concidered and monitored.Each case handled differently depending on the person. Usually people with ADD often have depression as well and are treated for both with combined meds. Adderall can cause some be "locked in the mood they woke up with for the whole day"since they often awake with depressive thoughts a mood stablizer is often necessary. Each person with depression is not like the next. Treatment is very individual. I don't have an exact answer, but I do know this, there needs to be a lot more study before we have affective and affordable mental health as a nation."

thefreevariable replied: "Antidepressants can lose their effectiveness, but not always. The most troublesome aspect of antidepressants is that they take so long to work and each one has a very different effectiveness on different people. As for amphetamines, I know a case where a patient with both depression and ADHD was given a new stimulant for the ADHD and it improved his depression. Unfortunately, while the medication's effect on ADHD persisted, the depression returned in full force within two weeks. So I'm not convinced that stimulants are the answer. Interestingly, that patient improved greatly on a dopamine agonist indicated for Parkinson's. The point is that there is not currently a "best" treatment; it's just whatever works best for the individual. And of course any pharmacological treatment can (and should, according to studies) be augmented by some form of therapy. This increases the effectiveness of the treatment overall."

Are prozac and other treatments for depression working completely? I've been on 20mg of prozac daily for a little over two months. I've also been seeing a therapist weekly during this time. While I do feel better (not crying regularly through the night) since being on the medicine, I still feel generally depressed. I don't have any urge to do outside activities, I lie in bed a considerable amount, and I'm often emotional when I do go out with friends. Should I talk to my psychiatrist about upping my dosage or is this a normal progression? Should I be expecting things to get better? Any real answers would be appreciated. I know misery loves company but, unfortunately, company doesn't love misery.

Tect0nic replied: "talk to your doctor about this. maybe prozac isn't the right treatment option for you."

nickipettis replied: "yes, talk to your doc. my memory is that prozac takes up to 3 months to be fully effective -but not crying all night is a good start. I don't know if they will want to wait the full 3 months or not, but it is always good to describe your symptoms, your hopes, and that you would like to be up to participating in life more."

wiseman/guru replied: "No. Depression is like Alcoholism, once addicted it stays with you the rest of your life. Only mental growth helps, and then you fall back into a bout of depro. again. Like yesterday afternoon, within seconds. I have it under control 99% of the time, but........ Start reading things about you.... "Men are from Mars, Woman from Venus". "Your Erroneous zones" "The Secret". "What the bleep do we know" et al. Peace."

Sylvia F replied: "All antidepressants take a while to help your symptoms. Usually around 4 wks or so. Whilst within that period we often feel much worse. This is how this type of drug works. As you have been taking Prozac for over 2 months now, I would question if this is the correct, most appropriate medication for your symptoms... As you give no indication of your sex or age I would strongly suggest you see your doctor and ask for another prescription... There have been many "problems" associated with Prozac and young people, especially young men whilst already suffering from depression. It has been a well known fact within the medical profession that Prozac can either create or exacerbate suicidal thoughts.. I strongly suggest you see your doctor and change your medication.."

Dani&Morgan replied: "Sometimes it takes a while to find the right drug that will work for you. It sounds like you need to try something else. I have been taking Celexa for the last couple of years and it works well for me. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about changing medications until you find one that works for you. You know how you are feeling so be assertive with it. I hope you feel better soon."

Julesy71 replied: "Hi, definately talk to your psychiatrist as they might up the dose or try something different. Prozac didnt work for me unfortunately and I was disappointed as someone I knew was on them and she said they worked wonders!! Its good you feel slightly better but it sounds like you still need a little help....good luck x"

dzerjb replied: "Prozac & other similar antidepressants may not be good for all causes of depression. Effectively they work for depression rather like paracetomol works for a headache. They contain the symptoms until you've dealt with the cause. By all means mention this to your psychiatrist, but don't expect any drugs to give you great or instant results. At best they can help, but not resolve the problem. Personally I found diet & lifestyle changes helped more than drugs."

Susas replied: "Maybe you should ask him about adding Abilify. Doctors often add Abilify if an antidepressant doesn't completely work."

Running out of options for depression treatment.? I feel like I'm running out of options for treating my depression and I have no clue what to do. I've been depressed since I was 12, finally got help when I was 16. I visit a psychologist weekly for an hour. Since I started seeing somebody about my depression, I've tried so many medications... I've been on: Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Prozac, Strattera, Cymbalta, Buspar, Zoloft, Trazadone, Remeron, Trileptal I probably forgot one or two. Since I began treatment, I've gotten a lot worse. I have no motivation, I've lost interest in all of my hobbies, I've lost the ability to cry, I have problems dealing with feelings of loneliness, I feel the need to stay up late, and I'm just a wreck in general. My motivation problems have gotten so severe that I can't do more than one sheet of schoolwork a day, and I quit drawing after 15 minutes or so. (I used to be an avid doodler) I've been to a mental hospital before, the day I got out I got depressed again. I really don't know what to do. I'm running out of medication options, and time. I'm going to be graduating next January, and I have no idea what I'm going to do this summer. I'm so scared I'm going to get worse. Just as a side note, I do have suicidal thoughts, I don't have friends outside of my school (and they never do anything outside of school) and I find everything boring.

wizardpeps replied: "oh dont think youre a wreck if you think youre a wreck, then i think youre a wreck im going to quote you "i think, therefore i am" i was depressed when i was 9 and a part of me still is but i dont mind i never had a therapy i just thought what do jolly people do? they laugh and so i laughed i did my best to be jolly (watching comedy and natgeo worked!) i hang out with friends, i read books just to take it off of my mind you can't take away depression whole its like step by step to me until i got it off i even used that quote on my studies like what do smart people do? they study their lessons and so i did its not being somebody else its still you its just you try to be a better you"

derek_297 replied: "The best way too do it is find out why you are depressed and conquer it dont just try too let it go away some how force your self and say i need help and im am going to doo it dammit. You probly have low self esteem soo remember no one is better then you are you are equal too everyone out there. Potential treatments for anxiety and depression Anxiety and depression are both mental conditions that can affect one's ability to function in society. For people with anxiety or depression, normal daily routines are anything but normal: such people may need medications, constant counseling, and even the right set of friends in order to function properly. Both anxiety and disorder, however, can be treated through a variety of methods. 1. Behavioral therapy is a general term for several techniques that involve changing one's behavior and reinforcing the correct behavior in order to get rid of an existing condition. In the case of anxiety, this can include exposing oneself gradually to the source of anxiety, and adding on words of encouragement. In the case of depression, this can include engaging in hobbies or activities that can ease one's mood. Behavioral therapy is best recommended by a licensed psychiatrist, so if you believe that you have an anxiety or depression disorder, then consult with a psychiatrist first. 2. Changes in lifestyle are also needed to as part of the anxiety and depression treatments. For instance, staying away from stimulants that can increase nervousness may be a step toward recovery. This can mean reducing intake of caffeine, staying away from tobacco or quitting smoking, and engaging in constant exercise to facilitate the release of endorphins into the body. For a more complete list of lifestyle changes that psychiatrists recommend, consult with a licensed counselor or psychiatrist on what you can do should you have anxiety or depression disorders. 3. Taking anti-depressant medication is also another way to treat depression disorders and, to some extent, anxiety disorders. Controversy surrounds the use of medication to treat such disorders, however, as some sufferers can grow increasingly dependent on them for relief. According to studies, medication is a great factor in completely treating depression and anxiety, and, if taken in conjunction with behavior therapy and lifestyle changes, can actually alleviate the symptoms associated with these disorders. Nevertheless, it is very important to be aware of the harmful side-effects of the anti-depresants. Read testimonials from people who have cured their panic attacks successfully! Further possible treatments for anxiety 4. Counseling has always been recommended, and the motto, "It's best to talk it out," is common to people suffering from anxiety and depression disorders. Psychiatrists are often employed to deal with people who suffer from such disorders, as anxiety and depression can be more deep rooted than simple fear or sadness: in fact, studies have shown that anxiety and depression can be traced to genetics, and may need a combo of medication and counseling sessions to be completely treated. 5. Talking one-on-one with a psychiatrist is not enough, and counseling, or talking it out, best extends toward group sessions. Group discussions of people with the same disorder have been found to be effective in treating anxiety and depression disorders. This can be ascribed to the constant human need to feel connected and to experience a sense of brotherhood (or sisterhood), whether in one's happiness or misfortune. Some people may also be recommended certain online groups and forums in which discussions can encourage fellow sufferers to do better in their lives. Take caution, however: not all online groups and forums are either reputable or recommended. If you are diagnosed with anxiety or depression disorders, then you may need to consult with your psychiatrist on which groups or forums you can join. 6. As adjunct to these treatments, some psychiatrists may welcome the idea of acupuncture or self-hypnosis treatments to combat anxiety or depression disorders. Such techniques, however, have not been proven effective by long term studies, so if you are diagnosed with anxiety or depression disorders, you have to consult with your psychiatrist first about alternative techniques to cure your disorder. There are still other anxiety depression treatment methods being developed to deal with these mental disorders. Understanding the underlying causes of anxiety and depression will not only help you deal with them better, but help you understand yourself better should you be diagnosed with such disorders. Learn more about the powerful and proven techniques of the Panic Away program! Best techniques to treat anxiety and depression Conquer Depression, Stress and Anxiety Discover how to get natural anxiety, depression and stress relief with a revolutionary program that can kick stress, depression and anxiety out of your life forever. Panic Away Program Acute anxiety and panic attacks can be cured in easy-to-follow steps without any medication using a revolutionary new technique by renowned anxiety expert Joe Barry. also check out this site for confidence see if you got any syptoms"

Daisy ♥ ??? replied: "I think it's time you saw a different doctor for his or her reaction to what you've written here. Perhaps your psychologist can recommend a good psychiatrist. If you are seeing doctors through an HMO or some sort of health plan, they have many doctors to choose from. I'm quite surprised to see that you have never taken Amitriptyline (Elavil), an older tricylic antidepressant...it is taken at night, usually, and helps very much with sleep...ask about it...particularly since the others aren't working. If you are still 16, or even in your early 20s, sometimes antidepressants can work in reverse...make you worse. Many doctors will not prescribe antidepressants to young people for that reason. In any case, you should keep in constant contact with your doctor or psychologist and let them know what is going on with these medications. Depression is serious when not controlled, so don't hesitate to call anyone or to go to the ER any time you don't feel right. If there is little to no money/insurance, phone your ER and ask for the phone number of the nearest outpatient free/sliding-scale clinic...they are everywhere, but not always easy to find without calling to ask for a phone number. Be well."

words_that_live replied: "After four years you still believe that the best way is the medical treatments. It is not working and now you have to use the old ways. Ask your grandparents how they can avoid depression. It is all in avoiding bad expectations for life. It is caused by the mind and will be cured by the mind."

radiowwww replied: "You have one oproblem, which is scaring the hell outta you. You have no sense of direction! You are not anti social, you are not, uneducated, you are not in a gang life, you are not untalented. You simply have no "DIRECTION". I love helping depression victims! As a doodler, you kmust have noticed many image you thought cool, as na image. the idea, of wow a really good shot? This is the photographic eye. Please get hold of a camera, and begin to study and work as a hobby. This will give you m back your artist's eye! Photography will also give you as ense of belonging in your environment. as well as a detached view of the causes of your depression. You will instead of being a case you will become your own doctor. I Am an aold man, and i know ways to integrate nature into life,successfully. Open a flickr account on yahoo. and begin to create a photo album. please add a caption for each photo. The source of your images matter not. It is your eye which interests me. I want to see your mind's eye, your images of depression, and anyother emotion will bne most welcome as a vision for mee to study you. My flickr account is "chicogringosegundo" I am not very depressed, i am just a person whom finds joy and beauty in the mundane. Things like a restaurant sign,, on an old landmark. or an image of myy favorite mexican restaurant, or the store where i get my tires changed/fixed. I am doing a picture encyclopedia of my area. a fairly large place with more than a half million people."

curiousN replied: "Why do I get the idea that you like being dependent on something or someone. Have you no will to become independent in some aspect of your life? A psychologist, meds, loneliness, inability to cry, mental hospital . . . all this sounds to me as if you like people telling you what to do so you just sit and wait for them to tell you the next set of bad news. Become proactive with yourself. You have to want to give up all your dependency and take charge of everything about you. Anyone who is able to put together details to describe their situation also has the capability to want something more for himself/herself. Begin right now to tell yourself "Nuff already", I want a life, I want to be independent to do all the things that I can."

Biccy replied: "When the drugs don't work you have to use your powerful mind to overcome it like words said. Many creative people suffer with this I go into my garden when I am stressed and it automatically lifts. Can I suggest walks and getting out in the open with nature as a combination of fitness and nature is a great cure for the head. Then get into a project that interests you, explore it and read about it. Whatever you do keep positive as hard as that may sound but you mustn't be too hard on yourself, just take time out to relax and feel good about yourself. Karate is good for getting confidence back because you must get your strength up to be strong."

Till Lindemann replied: "Sounds like you are suffering from heavy depression and anxiety. IMO, no ssri from the doctor is going to help you. And counsellors and therapists dont tell you thins but they will never fix your problems, they will only give you the tools to help yourself and will never directly tell you what to do. A patient has to come up with there own breakthroughs.. you have to see the path to fixing yoruself on yoru own. Sounds like you have no real direction in life, and you are worried (anxiety) of whats coming ahead. You need to take control and figure out what you want to do with life and how you want to be happy. As long as being happy is still a desire in life then you are not too far gone. Do not rely on medications, its up to you to get yourself out of the mess."

I am looking for a natural treatment for OCD, Anxiety, and Depression? I have tried prozac, but I do not like the side effects not to mention that I had a very bad allergic reaction. I am looking to try the natural approach first, but cannot afford to see a homeopathic doctor. Does anyone have any suggestions where I could find information or who I should ask about this. My therapist suggested a pharmacist but the pharmacist told me that the only solution is medication. Thanks in advance

Zambiti replied: "Search Yahoo Groups for a group relating to Chelation or Mercury poisoning. We completely got rid of OCD issues with chelation and treatment for mercury poisoning via a group dedicated to autism and mercury. We also got rid of other autistic symptoms. The anxiety and depression could be helped by SAMe. But, they have many potential causes, including estrogen dominance which needs to be treated differently also. Some things to look into: adrenal fatigue (use adrenal cortex extract -) estrogen dominance - find a natural progesterone like Progestelle mercury poisoning or heavy metal toxicity - chelation with ALA or dmsa vitamin D deficiency - supplement Vit D and get some sun! ;-) All of these have been known to cause those symptoms, but have varying other symptoms that go with them. If you read about them, you should be able to figure out which most likely is your cause. Then, treatment is usually quite simple, natural and cheap."

pinky replied: "For anxiety and depression, there is a very simple solution which will help you to calm down. Lie in shava asana and do rhythmic breathing for 30 minutes daily. Take simple nutritious diet. "

Chris replied: "Sounds like your serotonin levels are low. This is what I use. I suggest you google it, or better yet go to the website respondant #1 gave you (iHerb.com) to read customer reviews on all these supplements. Then decide if it's for you. (If you choose to shop that discounted website you may use discount coupon code HAW031 for an extra $5 off at checkout) OCD: 5-HTP Usually 100mg a day but varies some try 50mg some go up to 300mg. I wouldn't go over that. Depression: St. John's Wort. I no longer use that. I now find relief from Omega 3's aka fish oils. Do not take if you're on blood thinning meds in fact wait to finish meds and clear them out of your system b4 trying any of this stuff. Anxiety: the only thing that works for me to prevent anxiety and panic attacks is Phosphatidyl Choline (sometimes spelled in one word) Hope this helps and good luck to you."

awolfewoman replied: "While natural treatments are not a replacement for medication, you may find that 30 minutes to 1 hour every day of aerobic exercise [walking fast, jogging] will be beneficial. Be careful with claims about Sam-e - doctor I know is an osteopathic physician [D.O.] and tells us that Sam-e needs to be taken in MUCH higher doses than it is available. If I were you, I would find an osteopathic physician, and see what s/he prescribes and diagnoses."

trenardy replied: "Your only solution is NOT medication. Of course a pharmacist would tell you that, so they can sell more medication to you. I am 38 years old and from the time I was 10 years old until 2 years ago when I changed my diet, I also suffered with OCD, depression and anxiety. The OCD was fairly mild, things like checking the iron was off 15 times before I left the house. I managed to get this under control by touching the iron once and saying loudly “I am checking the iron now and it is definitely off” and then when I had another urge to check it, I would just repeat my earlier wording in my head and be 100% sure that I had definitely turned it off. It is a long slog but after a while you can re-pattern your thoughts. Hypnosis would probably help with OCD too. My depression and anxiety were quite severe and at one stage 15 years ago, I went through an intense suicidal period. My doctor kept trying to get me onto different medications but I resisted as I wanted to find a more natural way. I have seen many people trying to come off anti-depressants and it is not a pretty sight believe me. So in the last 5 years I did the following: I found things like reducing or completely abstaining from alcohol to be very useful, since alcohol is a depressant. I found daily chakra meditation to be very helpful. I found daily relaxation meditation to be very helpful. I found bach flower remedies to be very helpful - the rescue remedy was very good for my anxiety I found gentle exercise (yoga, swimming) to be very helpful. I found reiki treatments to be very helpful. All of the above did not cure me, but they certainly helped me to live a normal life and avoid medications. However, the main saving grace for me was 2 years ago when I changed my diet. I went from a SAD (standard american diet) to a Raw Vegan diet and my depression and anxiety completely disappeared. It is quite amazing really. Sometimes I lose the plot and start eating cooked foods (i.e. - over the holiday season) and my depression and anxiety both return. And when I eat Raw Vegan foods again, my depression and anxiety disappear. Apparently this is quite common and many people have found their life-long depression vanishes once they change to a Raw Vegan diet, especially if you also consume certified organic produce. There are lots of books, DVDs and websites dedicated to the Raw Vegan lifestyle, so maybe you should read up on it and seriously consider making the change. Good Luck ."

rickyoutfield replied: "First thing to try for depression is Omega 3 fish oil. A lot of time there is a need for the essential fatty acids. If you were on a anti-depressant, you probably need more as these drugs tend to deplete the body of essential fatty acids. Start low and increase until you get a positive change and stay at that amount. For anxiety, find some tart cherry - either capsules or liquid. But it must be "flash pasteurized" to help. You can sometimes find it at a health food store, but for sure you can find it on line. It needs to be flash pasteurized or all the ingredients will be cooked out of the cherry."

depression treatment advice please? i have been feeling very depressed for a long long time. It is getting worse and i am starting to really withdraw from people at work and dont want to talk just be left alone. I have tried the following to try to cure it but nothing has helped: fish oils (still take them), 5HTP, st johns wort, self help books, online mood gym, agnus castus (still take them), evening primrose oil, attend the gym three times a week (still do this). I hate my job and also am having relationship probs but feel unable to make decisions about these until i improve my mood. I have been thinking about going to see Gp but have no faith in taking anti depressants as once tried prozac and i hated the side effects and i still felt depressed. has any one tried anti depressants and found them helpful. I feel so low that most days want to hang myself. I have a really responsible job and i have to be on the ball but at times i feel i cant cope with it all.

Faith J replied: "it could be your diet, eating lots of fruit and vetgetables lifts your mood"

chips replied: "the best thing for depression is fresh air ... being out in the countryside especially - it gets you away from work and any general stresses"

Guillem T replied: "To avoid worstening you must immediately go into therapy with a psychologist. Please, do it; it will help you."

shekillsangels replied: "Good for you for trying so many natural solutions to depression. Sorry they don't seem to work for you. At this point I would recommend medication - but tell your doctor that you've tried prozac and it didn't work so he can suggest something that may fit you better. I've been on anti-depressants for a couple months now and the difference it's made is phenomenal! :) So heopfully they can work for you too."

Linda's Brain replied: "Like you, I hate anti-depressants, but I have no choice but to take them, because I've been suicidal. It's important not to listen to anyone regarding which are best, as it varies from person to person and it also varies within the same person. Ones that worked for me before don't work now or have side effects that I didn't have previously. No idea why. But they make a very big difference when they work. I don't like taking them because I am not myself and they block a lot of my emotions, but I have to weigh that against the likelihood of being dead. I think you've done all the right things to try and get better - I can only say that healthy eating makes a big difference. Other than that, I think you should see your GP as it sounds like it's gone on for a while now and you need an expert opinion."

bluetem replied: "try walks next to water and trees etc etc....i walk down the canal and it really does clear my head and cheers me up,also take time to think about all the people who have messed up eg, every night on the news someone is getting 20yrs jail, at least you aint. eat fruit it works wonders"

House replied: "I see you haven't been to your own GP this time. Some medical conditions can cause depression i.e. under-active thyroid gland and others. You need to tell GP regarding Prozac as they can prescribe something else if you are taking reactions to it. Do not give up condition can be managed and treated but you need a good GP to listen. All the best, former-depressive."

Humpty replied: "Please try your GP again, there are many kinds of Anti-depressants. My OH has tried several, and Prozac works for him,......but Citalopram works for my sister...and vice versa. Remeber it can often take at least 6 weeks before you notice a benefit, although I noticed the difference after 2 with my OH. Your GP can also refer you to what is called talking therapy. A friendly non- judging counsellor who will listen and offer support. I like to bath in Aromatherapy oils, and you can buy blends for depression, but I think these are best used along side other treatments. Mr Humpty has been on A_D for several years, and make his life bearable. (and mine :) ) Please try to get soem help.....life is worth living....writing this to you has made me forget my crappy day at work, so you've done me a favour. Please look after yourself, and remeber if all else seems lost there is always someone there to listen Good luck lovey Mrs Humpty XXX"

Jupiter Ceasar Leprechaun II replied: "proxac helped me so have its cousins zoloft,lexapro,effexor, and other things like seraquil. My brother loves zoloft. Ambien allows me to sleep thru nite a blessin"

KW2 replied: "you need to go to your GP! talk to them there there to help, they see people like us god knows how many times a day! Its nothing to be ashamed of! There are more antidepressants than prozac, Your doctor will find the best tablets for you, really its just trial and error till you find the one that works. they will help!!! good look! xxx."

Vixi replied: "Sorry to hear you are feeling so down. You said that you "hated your job and also are having relationship problems .." I think the answer is there. I think you should talk things over with family and friends and get things off your chest, listen to there advice and also write all what is going on in your head down on paper. Sometimes when we have alot going on and alot of problems its easy to feel burdened and bogged down with them. Write a list of the things you would like to change in your life and how you could go about doing this. These are positive steps towards making your life and yourself happier. All the other things you are doing to beat this depression are completely the right things to do but i think the underlying problem is you are unhappy with the two main areas of your life - your job and your relationship. Good luck in the future, i wish you all the best :-))"

J G replied: "Yes exercise and eating well and eating well and some supliments can help some. But some depression is like type I diabetes......you didnt do anything to cause it, and though you can do things to help, you really do need medication to keep it undercontrol. Its the same kind of thing going on in the brain.....someting not functioning correctly and needs to be corrected. First, there are many classes of anti depressants and many different anti depressants within each class. Maybe try going to a psychiatrist instead of a GP.....they would have a better chance of helping you to get on the right one for you. Too oft GPs will just give a Rx for and AD real quick and they dont really weigh the differences and what might work better for you where a psychiatrists specializes in mental health and would have more of a chance of helping you better. Let hem know everything you have tried. Tell them you were on prozac, tell how it worked....did it work a little but not enough or did it not work at all.....tell them the side effects you had on it. They will either try a different med in the same class or more likely a med in a different class if it didnt help at all. Different classes of anti depressants work on different neurotransmiters. If your seritonin is fine and everything else is out of wack, takeing an AD that works on seritonin is not going to help you too much. So different meds work better for different people. Also side effects will very for people too. If the side effects are too much, but it is working well, then switching to another within that class of meds may reduse side effects. The reason we take medication for anything is because the benifits outweigh the side effects. Also give your body a while to adjust to a med too. Side effects are usually worst first few weeks and then sometimes will completely go away or at least lessen."

a Rolling Stone gathers no moss replied: "the happyness is the brave to live, so quit your job. Depression is a good thing because your body want to tell you that you are doing something wrong, and your vitalty is oppressed"