Depression

Generally speaking, because alcohol is a depressant, it is not advisable to drink alcohol of any kind when one is suffering from depression. With that being said, not everyone is...

Hospitalization is the highest level of treatment. It is reserved for the most severe forms of depression (as well as other mental disorders). One criterion used for determining the necessity...

Does that mean that it is experimental? “Off label” is the term used when a medication is used in a manner that is not FDA approved. Does this mean the...

“Mood stabilizer” has a variety of meanings attached to it. For the lay public, any medication that helps even one’s moods, including the antidepressant medications, is a mood stabilizer. For...

How do I know whether I should see a specialist? Should I see a psychopharmacologist? A general practitioner of medicine can often adequately treat depression. There are situations, however, when...

It is always important to inform any doctor you see of all medications you are taking, including any herbal or over-the-counter supplements. Although many medications can be taken concurrently, the...

My doctor recommends medication for my depression. Should I wait to see whether my depression will go away without treatment? Depression often occurs in cycles, and if an individual waits...

What can I do? Many antidepressants can have sexual side effects that range from decreased interest in sex to difficulty having an orgasm. Many individuals are too embarrassed to ask...

Some of the medications that have been prescribed for my daughter have had a very sedating effect. When the effects of a particular medication are too disruptive, she has worked...

I understand there are newer brain therapies approved for the treatment of depression other than ECT. What are they and should I consider them if I’m not getting better? There...

I thought that was no longer used. What is it and what does it do? Many myths exist surrounding the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is a procedure that...

One of the most difficult aspects of treatment is the long period of trial and error to find the right types of medications and the right doses to treat my...

My husband has found a regular exercise regimen to be an important contribution to feeling well. It helps him to deal with stress and to maintain his weight, which might...

“Natural” or alternative treatments describe any treatment that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a certain medical condition. Examples of alternative treatments include acupuncture,...

Anthony’s comment: Therapy is the first tool in treatment. Without self-aware-ness, any further attempts at treatment are going to be difficult if not futile. If a medical professional deems it...

Medication has provided my spouse with the capacity to function at his highest level. He has been able to work for over 20 years without having to take a medical...

Anne’s comment: One of the difficulties in experiencing weight gain caused by medication is the desire for the patient to stop taking the medication. In treating my adolescent daughter for...

A major concern for many patients who take these medications for years is the fear that they are addicted to the medication. Addiction is a complicated and controversial issue that...

Anthony’s comment: There are many side effects from medication. It is best to be informed of these in advance. When I took Lexapro, I felt that some of my senses...

How does my doctor choose a medicine? Medication choices include many medications within the following classes: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Serotonin norepinephrine...

Anthony’s comment: Psychotherapy is a broad area of treatment with different modalities available. My experience with psychotherapy is that is gives you the insight to allow yourself to make better...

Psychotherapy appears, on the surface, to be one of the most benign forms of medical therapies. There is no physical contact. No medications are prescribed. Only words are exchanged between...

Cognitive–behavioral therapy is based on two separate theoretical models, both cognitive and behavioral. Cognitive models are based on the premise that cognitions, or thoughts, determine emotions and behavior. Automatic thoughts...

Choosing a therapist can be an overwhelming task. One look in the yellow pages shows lists of names, and not everyone lists in the yellow pages. The many possible credentials...

Once you receive a consultation, the clinician will make recommendations as to the most appropriate treatment or therapeutic approach for your circumstances. He or she may be able to use...