I am so depressed. What the hell is wrong with me?

[Blue_Roses]

I take Prozac for depression and it helps some, but I just feel so burned out. Burned out on motherhood. Burned out on my spouse. Burned out on this administration. Burned out on life. I could sleep for days. I manage to get up everyday, get the kids off to school, do chores around the house, but then I head back to bed for a few hours. What the hell is wrong with me?

I've never contemplated suicide and would not even think of it mainly for not wanting to leave my kids motherless, but I have to be honest--I wish I could just "check-out" for a little while. I just want to RUN AWAY. I've started back trying to walk in the evenings and it helps to get out and get those endorphins going, but the sadness and hopelessness creeps back in.
Once again, what the hell is wrong with me?

Are there any natural vitamins that I can take to help alleviate this feeling? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

:banghead:

[mrgorth]

1. Maybe the Prozac isn't good enough anymore

Seriously, what you're describing is not good and something will give, most likely your marriage.

[Blue_Roses]

4. I'm thinking you may be right

I don't know if the Prozac is working anymore. I also take Strattera for ADD and I know this isn't helping my ADD.

I think you're right--something will give and once again, you're right, my marriage is what is taking the biggest toll. I don't like to think of myself as one who has depression issues but then I guess I'm in denial.

Thanks for you support. I really appreciate it:)

[shrike]

5. Hi, Blue Roses

I have been on Prozac for years, and at one point had to adjust my dosage because it wasn't working anymore.

How long have you been on Strattera? I have ADHD myself and it didn't do a thing for me. Also, I seem to remember the combination of Prozac and Strattera was not too positive.

If you feel Strattera is not working for you, tell your doctor. You may need a stimulant, which Strattera is not. There are several available: has your doctor prescribed any yet? After I bailed on Strattera, mine prescribed Concerta for me: it's a slow-release stimulant that lasts about 12 hours. So far, so good.

[Blue_Roses]

6. Actually I was on Concerta

at one time and switched to Strattera over the summer. I have noticed the two--Prozac and Strattera--don't seem to mesh well together. It seems to make me more depressed. I didn't take the Prozac last night but did take the Strattera this morning and it has been somewhat better. I think you're right though, I need to get back on Concerta.

It's time for a trip back to the doctor.

thanks for you advice and support.:)

[hedgehog]

2. You said it yourself - you have depression.

There is nothing wrong with your will or your moral fiber or anything like that, but you are sick even if you aren't running a fever. Get back to your doctor and tell him or her that you need additional care. Most main stream literature recommends talk therapy combined with medication. It may take several trials of different medications or a combination of medications or different doses to find the right one. The fact that the Prozac helps some is a good sign.

You've taken the biggest step towards feeling better - you've recognized that something isn't right. Keep remembering that it's the illness, not you, and keep fighting. Good luck.

[Blue_Roses]

3. I'm feeling better today but I will

say that getting a good night's sleep helped. There has got to be a support group that deals with this in my town so I'm going to see what I can find.

I don't know if the Prozac is working or if I need something else, but I am also on Strattera for ADD and this may be making the difference. This town I live in is like Mayberry RFD and it drives me nuts with the ignorance that people have here with these disorders. I know that is alot of what I'm feeling...

Thanks for your response. I really appreciate it:)

[Tab]

7. We have to keep the medical advice threads to a minimum

but yes, you're describing classical depression. Maybe Prozac once worked, but it's not cutting it now. Talk to your doctor, work with him/her to look for something else. Understand most anti-deps take a few weeks to kick in, and the first one you try either might not work and/or have some side effect you don't care for. Or, if Prozac used to work, maybe your dosage needs should be reviewed. We can't do that here, so see your doc.

Also, understand that some major life events (or even a build-up of little events) can knock your brain chemistry off kilter, so if Prozac used to work but isn't now you need to talk to your doc and see about changing the dose or changing the meds. You've basically described plain old chronic depression, and there's no shame in taking meds to get around it. Once you get on the right set of meds (and the right levels) you'll be back to normal.

You could try natural vitamins like fish oil or something, but from what you're describing, they most likely wouldn't cut it. Get your brain chems back on track with the help of your doctor.

p.s.: no anti-deps are meant to be taken forever. They should be taken at the advice of the doctor, hopefully in conjunction with psychotherapy, and at a level to help you cope, and adjusted over time as your body chemistry adjusts, hopefully to be phased out. We can't do that for you here, but I think you'd be very happy if you have a good doctor that will work with you on this.

Take care,

- Tab

[shrike]

8. I agree that we can't dispense medical advice

But when you're feeling the way Blue Roses is, sometimes you need a push to get your butt to the doctor.

All your advice is very good, BTW.

[Blue_Roses]

9. thanks Tab and you make some great points

and while I am not literally asking what is wrong with me to the point of getting the correct diagnosis, I am looking to those who can understand that what I may be feeling.

Sometimes just talking about is all one needs. One thing is for sure that I have noticed is that communicating on a two dimensional web site where there is no show of emotion or body language, other than a "smilie" can make miscommunciation real easy.

[Deja Q]

10. I hear ya. I wish I'd been given something as simple as prozac...

I'm burnt out on life too. And nobody to share it with.

But I'm still here. You will persevere too.

[Lorien]

11. I'm going to recommend this again:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=276&topic_id=1649&mesg_id=1649

I had the same feelings for decades, and this has really helped me. It seems to have helped another DUer as well: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=276x2811

[RedOnce]

12. Hmmm, both Depression and ADD...interesting

"sadness and hopelessness"
"Burned out on life. I could sleep for days. I manage to get up everyday, get the kids off to school, do chores around the house, but then I head back to bed for a few hours. What the hell is wrong with me?"

I knew someone who fit this basic description. It was very difficult to watch her struggle with this. Things finally turned around for her after she saw a Psychopharmacologist and her meds were changed. In her case they took her off of anti-depressants and put her on mood stabilizers. It took 9 months to actually find the right combination. But, it was well worth the effort, she went from being depressed, isolated and sleeping long hours to attending school for a career change and making straight A's! And, she felt like socializing again. I hope you find a solution that works as well for you.

[varkam]

13. St. John's Wort

You asked about natural vitamins - St. John's Wort is apparently one of the most prescribed substances in Germany for depression - though the data on it is mixed according to www.pubmed.com (search terms st. john's wort and depression and efficacy). You might consider it, but definitely talk to your doc first, because it can interfere with any psychotropics you're on.

[MrMonk]

14. Increases your sensitivity to sunlight, too.