MY DEPRESSION

DEPRESSION

ROBIN WILLIAMS BRINGS TO LIGHT AN ISSUE THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO MANY

FAMILIES. THE FOLLOWING IS FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND WEDMD.COM THE BOLDED ITEMS ARE WHERE MY EXPERIENCES ARE LOCATED.

Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Anybody who expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions should be taken very, very seriously. Do not hesitate to call your local suicide hotline immediately. Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) — or the deaf hotline at 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889).

Warning signs of suicide with depression include:

• A sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
• Always talking or thinking about death
• Clinical depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating) that gets worse
• Having a “death wish,” tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving through red lights
• Losing interest in things one used to care about
• Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will
• Saying things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out”
• Talking about suicide (killing one’s self)
• Visiting or calling people one cares about

Remember, if you or someone you know is demonstrating any of the above warning signs of suicide with depression, either call your local suicide hot line, contact a mental health professional right away, or go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.

When teens are depressed, sometimes it’s misinterpreted as normal teenage moodiness. But most serious mental illness starts in the teen years. Teen depression can have serious consequences — like substance abuse and suicide. It also can happen at the same time as eating or anxiety disorders. By 15, girls are twice as likely to be depressed as boys. A combination of medication and therapy is usually the most effective treatment for teens.

It is common for teens to occasionally feel unhappy. However, when the unhappiness lasts for more than two weeks, and the teen experiences other symptoms of clinical depression, then he or she may be suffering from adolescent depression.

It is estimated that depression affects as many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents. If you believe your teenager is suffering from depression, you should seek help from a qualified health care professional.

[Sometime around 1984 I started seeing a psychiatrist. I saw one until 1998. All those years it was nice to have someone to talk to about things I couldn’t talk to anyone else about.

I was raised in the day of respect for your adults, you didn’t talk back, if you didn’t want spanked. So I learned early to internalize my feelings. I cried, when I was sad or mad. My mother was not, someone you could show your feelings around. It was just the way she was raised.

So I developed stomach issues at an early age. I still cry, if I get mad at someone about anything. It is not as bad as it use to be, except I would like to stop taking the pills, but if I don’t take them in a few days I am crying like an idiot over nothing. My mind runs all the time, so I take trazodone so I will be able to fall asleep and prozac to keep leveled out emotionally. ]

Antidepressants should help you feel like yourself again. Antidepressants actually change your brain chemistry, which may seem scary. But they can help make your mood more stable and even.

Here are the main types of antidepressants along with brand names:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were launched in the mid to late 1980s. This generation of antidepressants is now the most common class used for depression. Examples include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), [fluoxetine- Prozac, ]Sarafem), vortioxetine (Brintellix), and sertraline (Zoloft). Another SSRI, Viibryd, was approved in early 2011. Side effects are generally mild, but can be bothersome in some people. They include stomach upset, sexual problems, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, weight change, andheadaches.
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a newer type of antidepressant. This class includes venlafaxine (Effexor),  desvenlafaxine (Pristiq and Khedezla), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and, levomilnacipran (Fetzima). Side effects include upset stomach, insomnia, sexual problems, anxiety, dizziness, and fatigue.
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were some of the first medications used to treat depression. Examples are amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline(Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil). Side effects include stomach upset, dizziness, dry mouth, changes in blood pressure, changes in blood sugar levels, and nausea.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were among the earliest treatments for depression. The MAOIs block an enzyme, monoamine oxidase. Examples arephenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate) , isocarboxazid (Marplan), and transdermal selegiline (the EMSAM skin patch). Although MAOIs work well, they’re not prescribed very often because of the risk of dangerous reactions. They can cause serious interactions with other medications and certain foods. Foods that can negatively react with the MAOIs include aged cheese and aged meats.
• Other medications:
  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Aplenzin) is different than other antidepressants is thought to affect the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine. Side effects are usually mild, including upset stomach, headache, insomnia, and anxiety. Bupropion may be less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressants.
  • Mirtazapine (Remeron) is usually taken at bedtime. Side effects are usually mild and include sleepiness, weight gain, elevated triglycerides, and dizziness.
  • [Trazodone] (Desyrel) is usually taken with food to reduce chance for stomach upset. Other side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, and blurry vision.