Looking forward to learning about other's experiences, especially severe depression.

[nasmit11]

Any tips for reducing depression & anxiety? Have tried almost all anti-depressants.

[XoxoFaith]

Have you tried pristiq?

[Amos1993 in reply to XoxoFaith]

I take pristiq and am having a breakthrough depression time. Have you ever had this. Thanks

[XoxoFaith in reply to Amos1993]

Yes I have been on pristiq for about 12 years and feel like it doesn’t work as it used to but it does help at least a bit with energy and negative thoughts for me but I still struggle with depression and anxiety

[nasmit11]

Am trying that now. 25 mg 1/day. Not helping. Dr may increase dosage. Have done that several times & nothing seems to help my severe depression.

[samack in reply to nasmit11]

Meds are at the basis most times to healing along with other therapies. I'd been looking for meds that work for 3 and a half years. Finally found a combo that works fairly well. I'm far from done coming out of a severe depression, but at least I can breathe easierHave you tried Lamictal or Abilify ? I take both, along with 2 antidepressants. Of course everyone is different.

[nasmit11 in reply to samack]

I take Lamictal & I think I have taken Abilify. What are the two other antidepressants you take?

[samack in reply to nasmit11]

lexapro and effexor, a SSRI and SNRI. And believe it or not, Adderall. It doesn't energize me unfortunately, but actually calms me down.

[nasmit11 in reply to samack]

I"ll ask my Psychiatrist about Lexapro. I've tried effexor. Thank you!

[samack in reply to nasmit11]

I tried Effexor and it stopped working for me. But we needed the 2 classes of meds to work. So in this instance I went back to Effexor, and then added lexapro.

[Sueislove in reply to nasmit11]

Hi you had mentioned you where on lamictal how has that been for you and any side effects? Reason why I am asking my therapist had suggested maybe in a couple weeks to try this one abilify was awesful for me and for no sleep so that one didn’t work for me

[nasmit11 in reply to Sueislove]

Been on it so long I really don't know if it's helping or if there are side effects. I take so much meds.

[Sueislove in reply to nasmit11]

Ok ❤️

[XoxoFaith in reply to nasmit11]

Pristiq worked for me at 100 mg

[Poodlefanforlife]

Getting fresh air, doing some sort of exercise or activity to keep your mind busy. Stay away from sugar, caffeine or other unhealthy foods. These are basic things to help in addition or without meds. It won’t likely cure you, but it will help.

Trying out new meds always messes with you mind and body too

[nasmit11 in reply to Poodlefanforlife]

Totally agree! I'm in bed a lot & can't get myself to go out, exercise, etc. I'm so depressed, I'm in bed all day almost everyday. I do run a couple of errands if I have to. I also take care of my 87 yr old mother. Have been doing that for 5 yrs. I live w/her & it's been difficult as she is declining. No pill or Dr can help me with my circumstances or environment. It's very stressful & depressing. I am not working as I have other issues as well. Thank u for responding!

[Nanii]

Nature. I don't know your surroundings or means of transportation, but if you can, get yourself as in-the-middle-of-nature as possible. The least touched by humans, the better. Wandering around in nature, looking at the wonders, breathing fresh air, connecting to my inner nature. This really helps and relieves me.

[River60]

Hello. I also tried many antidepressants. I was severely depressed and suicidal for a year. I had ECT and in less than a month the severe depression was gone and I was able to function. That's been five years ago and I have continued to take my medication. ECT was a miracle for me.

[designguy]

I've posted on this site before about this but if you haven't you might consider doing a psychopharmacological test to determine which meds are best suited for you genetically using your dna. it helps take a lot of the guess work and trial and error out of the process. My test was from Genesight and paid for by my insurance and it showed that none of the meds I had tried before it were good for me except a benzo for anxiety, I started on one it recommended (Pristiq) and it has worked well for me. The test also showed that I have a COMT gene mutation and needed additional supplementation with SAMe and B-12 which has helped.

The other thing I personally found that is very important is making sure your hormones, thyroid and adrenals are functioning properly, if not, they can cause or contribute to depression/anxiety. Over a year ago, I felt like I had hit a wall and I thought my psych meds weren't working but it turned out my testosterone was extremely low and I was on the wrong thyroid med. I started on shots for the testosterone and switched thyroid meds and started feeling better about 3 weeks later.