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• October 3, 2009 1:45 p.m.

  Just a quick note for now. I too have a diagnosis of depression, border line personality disorder and PTSD. I am now 48 yo. and I am also an RN with a Human Services Degree. I have not been on any medications for the past 8 years. Prior to this I was in and out of the hospital for suicidal ideation, my children were nearly taken away from me. I had been on different meds throughout the course of therapy. I "jumped through the hoops" so to speak and became disinterested in medications, their side effects, feeling out of control and so on.... I have come to the realization that my body is telling me something when I become depressed. The research suggests that a multitude of other components that we lack in our diet may be the key factor. Please contact me for further information on how I have been doing this without medications....

  - No name given

• September 16, 2009 10:24 a.m.

  To Deb: I, too, was diagnosed and hospitalized with major depressive disorder, and I HIGHLY recommend dialectical behavior therapy in addition to medication. I was very fortunate in finding a wonderful DBT therapist and program as well as an excellent psychiatrist. (In my clinic, the therapist and psychiatrist work closely together in treating the client; I highly recommend this model as well.) None of it is quick or easy but, with hard work, commitment to your treatment, and the support of the many caring people who are there to help us, you CAN recover. Hang in there and never give up!

  - Janet

• September 14, 2009 11:17 a.m.

  I was just diagnosed and hospitalized with major depressive disordger has anyone tried DBT therapy along with meds?

  - deb

• August 29, 2009 7:34 p.m.

  I have been on numerous medications since I was diagnosised almost 20 years ago. I "pooped out" on many of the meds and SSRI's no longer work for me. I eventually was diagnosed with bipolar disease when I began having hypo-manic episodes. I now take a cocktail of six different medications, including an atypical anti-psychotic. I also have migraines and a neurological disorder. I have been stable for one year now and this has been the longest time that I've been on a drug program. I may "poop out" again, but I know that there are other drugs out there and I have learned to adapt. The worst part of this disease is the side effects of the medications. Most days I do not have any, but other days the meds cause gastro-intestinal problems. I also have been in psychotherapy for 19 years and have had courses in CBT from time to time. I am a believer that in order to obtain the best results, the two must go together. You can lead a relatively decent, productive life but you have to do a lot of hard work and find a psychitrist that you trust and is willing to work just as hard as you do. I have had to change my entire lifestyle but who wouldn't when the alternative is living in hell on earth.

  - Debra

• August 19, 2009 12:42 p.m.

  Does anyone know of a good psychiatrist in far northern Illinois? It seems to be difficult to find the good ones.

  - shar

• August 19, 2009 12:35 p.m.

  I agree w/akm. The pulling oneself up by the bootstraps attitude is ludicrous and one that too many of us have been dealing with for far too long. How sad that it appears to be such an inconvenience for people who have never experienced such debilitating depression or other mental illness. Where's the compassion? Where's the willingness of those who don't have to fight mental illness everyday to get involved in raising funds and pushing for more research?

  - jack

• August 19, 2009 12:24 p.m.

  JKC, you said you had to add another antidepressant, may I ask what all you're taking and if the new one is still helping?

  - donnie

• August 19, 2009 12:21 p.m.

  Hi, I have a question for Anne. What was your Mom taking before the Lamictal? Since she has been on that med has she experienced any side effects such as rashes? Thanks

  - jvb

• August 19, 2009 12:11 p.m.

  Please what is RTMS and how does it work? What kind of practitioner uses it and what kind of training/licensing is required. My life just never gets any better. I've tried everything; counseling/psychotherapy, chiropractic, exercise, 12-step/spiritual work, supplements, chinese medicine & highly sensitive person work over the last 15 years and am getting worse not better. I only wish our society would put as much money into depression research as they have for all the technical advances we now afford. If you don't have have your mind you don't have anything.

  - kmd

• August 18, 2009 9:50 a.m.

  Janice, Your blog frightened me! I of course have found positive stuff for ect. (my doctor made sure of that) I hadn't seen much specific negative stuff for modern day ect till I searched. I did get burns on my forehead!

  - akm

• August 16, 2009 6:46 p.m.

  Since Major Depressive Disorder runs in my family, we have all tried different things. Though I am only just considering it, I know that ECT therapy has had amazing results for my brother. He has had to have 2 courses of treatment (One, 6 sessions; One, 9 sessions) over 3 years. Before these treatments he was basically a non-functioning person, but a while after the treatments (not immediately but pretty soon thereafter.) he had his life back again. It was really like a miracle, if one believes in miracles, which I don't. People are invariably appalled when you mention the Horrorfying Word "Shock" but the truth is it can be very beneficial. I do not recommend it without careful thought and equally careful consideration with your doctor. My evidence is merely anecdotal. I saw it work.

  - Jean

• August 11, 2009 12:47 p.m.

  Also, ECT treatments were very successful for my fami ly member. And for many many others. If depression gets bad enough, the benefits might outweigh the risks. Some people get their life back with ECT. Regarding anti-seizure medications. These have been determined to be helpful in treating depression and bipolar illness. I gather this was just noticed along the way, when people who took the meds for seizures experienced improved mood. Its only relatively recently that they were approved by FDA specifically for depression and bp. I currently take an antiseizure medication, Lamictal, and it has been a lifesaver. I hope the antiseizure med is addressing both for you. In fact, my mother, who has suffered a lifetime of terrible depression, recently had emergency neurosurgery for an unidentified infection. After several years of dealing with ongoing depression and stroke like symptoms (aphasia), prominent neurologists and psychiatrists have endorsed lamictal as a logical treatment. She has been taking it for about 3 weeks, increasing dose gradually. By God, it seems to be improving. Time will tell. Her worst symptoms were feeling TERRIBLE depression (same as before surgery)and crying every morning...until late in the day at times. Lamictal is not the only effective one for bp and dep.

  - Anne

• August 11, 2009 12:27 p.m.

  Does the person who got TMS know of specific data and research to further support my decision to possibly do this. I am already in touch with UPENN, so I am looking for ADDITIONAL sources of success stories and/or updates on this as a great method of treatment. I believe my son, who has suffered terribly and been difficult to treat, is about to start this treatment. Could you please elaborate on your experience? THank you.

  - Anne

• August 9, 2009 4:15 p.m.

  i have had ECT treatments since 1992 till 2007. I did research on the computer and The stuff I found was horrafying. All ECT does is destroy your brain cells and they dont grow back. In 1980 I had a seizure in a parking lot. I hit my head and was out cold. I woke up in the hospital with a neurologist, psychologist & primary care doctor. the did an EEG and I now have to take seisure medication.

  - janice

• July 30, 2009 6:27 p.m.

  I don't think there is blame just possible solutions..and what works for others or not. I sure don't think the bootstraps work at least not for me. I have been in a funk again and guess I'll need to look into wheather ot not my medication needs to change. lh

  - lh

• July 30, 2009 10:15 a.m.

  Actually this blog seems to blame the sufferer if she doesn't get better. If she would only try harder etc. etc. How is that different from the old idea that people wiht depression are only weak and self indulgent and would feel better if they only got with the program and grabbed their bootstraps and pulled. That is not helpful, and doesn't feel good. How is that for assertive.

  - akm

• July 30, 2009 10:06 a.m.

  Assertiveness and letting go of negative thoughts are great tools. The problem with depression is that they don't always work. Sometimes they just aren't enough and the results can be drastic and sometimes fatal. That is why some of us sometimes need other intervention like meds and ECT. Counseling is a given and I think everybody can benefit from it. What if you think positively as much as you can, are as assertive as you can be, go to counselling, take meds and sometimes need drastic intervention like hospitalization or ECT. What if you still don't get better or only get partially well. This has been my entire life since I was about 14. I am now over 60. What else is there but labeling it dysthymia and going on doing the best you can even if it doesn't feel all that good. I wish there was more!

  - akm

• July 29, 2009 11:20 a.m.

  The whole dysthymia diagnosis is ...well I don't like it. the first time i went to a nurolegest as my regular doc.sent me she just looked art me checked my symptoms and said you have clasic depression and that I would need meds for the rest of my life. I fought it for a few years and then I started trying different ones and have been on welbutrin for some years. Over time I can see that I do much better when I take the meds and go to counsleing and maybe a support gr of some kind. I do know that learning some assertive skills helps. Sometimes I feel like a kid when I have been successful at takeing care of myself. I feel real happy. that is respecting others and myself. The big thing is life and people are not perfect and all is not a happy place all the time so I say to myself deal with it. in other words feel the neg. and then let it go. not so easy but doable. I don't usually do this sort of thing. the reason you will find in this post miss spelled words ect. I think humor and overcoming being passive is a big help and something I have to look at. thats it for now. lh

  - lh

• July 28, 2009 10:40 p.m.

  I have been diagnosed with dysthymia, and have been on Paxil for about 13 or 14 years. It seems to be an up and down thing. Some days are fine, and others seem very bleak and unforgiving. The economy and related issues don't help things, and job dissatisfaction is another negative factor. I don't know whether to seek additional help in the form of medication or ECT or other intervention. I am so much better than I was, but I still harbor thoughts I would rather not.

  - bcw

• July 28, 2009 6:09 p.m.

  Has anyone tried ECT. I recently completed 6 treatments. My doctor and the hospital staff said I was better but????? After I went home I was still terribly depressed until suddenly I woke up one morning feeling ok. I still take 2 depression meds and all is not great , but I think this is probably the best it gets for me. I guess it is called dysthymia. (sp)

  - akm

• July 28, 2009 5:45 p.m.

  I had to add another medication to my antidepressant. It took 3 tries before I found the right one. Within 1-2 days I could tell it was going to be great! Proper diet, exercise for endorphins and limiting my committments to reduce stress and fatigue are a must! I've learned it is OK to feel good and it is OK to take medications. I wish I had gotten the help I needed much sooner.

  - JKC

• July 28, 2009 3:14 p.m.

  I receive rtms (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) every six weeks, and it is extremely helpful. I can often feel the effects by the end of the treatment.

  - al