Ask the Specialists-Ask the specialist-Am I suffering from depression?

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Am I suffering from depression?

Sep 30th - Dec 15th 2012

(1st October to 31st October)

Feel that you can't stop worrying, and are always anxious?. Or can't sleep and cry a lot? Or feel worthless and guilty, and have headaches that just don't go away?

You may be suffering from depression. This is a common disorder that affects adults, teens, and kids alike. Prolonged sadness and other symptoms of depression can signal a major depression, a serious medical conditions that needs professional care.

You can now Ask the Doctor all about depression, including its causes, prevention, and what you can do about it.

Hosted by:
Ms Evelyn Boon
Principal Psychologist
Department of Psychiatry
Singapore General Hospital

Posted by anggielow

I was diagnosed with depression but I stop because I feel that it dosen't help at all.The medications, talking, etc just don't make any difference. Sometimes just want to cry. Even when I'm watching TV, on the computer, in the shower, or even out doing errands, just suddenly feel like crying. Also have alot of problem making even simple decision without having the feeling of regret. Really just wish for everything to end. The psychologist did suggest admitting to IMH before but I'm not keen on taking anti-depressants again & I also really don't know what other things to do.

What other form of treatments are there? What kind of treatment / activities are there for impatients at IMH?

Answered by

Depression is a highly treatable illness and treatment is readily available in Singapore. Many patients have been treated successfully and they return to their normal lives.
Broadly speaking, the treatment options include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and in certain patients, electroconvulsive therapy.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are not addictive. They work by improving the serotonin transmission in the brain. Patients are advised to take antidepressants consistently for at least 2-4 weeks to see improvement. Once they have recovered and are longer depressed, it is advisable for patients to continue the antidepressant medication for at least 6 months to a year to consolidate the recovery and prevent a relapse. If there are any side effects arising from antidepressant medications, they are usually mild and transient. Please inform the doctor so that he/she can reduce the dosage or switch to another antidepressant medication to minimize the experience of side effects

Psychotherapy

A person may have difficult issues in his/her life which is contributing to depression. Psychotherapy involves working with a therapist in a structured and guided manner to deal with such issues. It is hoped that with psychotherapy, a person gains a better understanding of his/her own problems, a better understanding of himself/herself and gain skills to cope better with the difficulties in life.

Psychological treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal behavior therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy etc. These are all known to work for depression. In some places there are art therapy and other forms of complementary therapies as well.

Electroconvulsive therapy

In people who are intolerant of medications or not responding to psychotherapy and remain severely depressed, electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) may be an option. It involves passing an electric current through the brain for a few seconds. The whole procedure is carried out with the patient under light anesthetic with an anesthetist in attendance. It is a very safe and effective procedure for the treatment of depression.

answered by Dr. Chan Herng Nieng
Associate Consultant
Department of Psychiatry
Singapore General Hospital

	Posted by gohcy
hello, can i know what causes depression and how do u diagnose depression. There will be cases where some people feel depressed but look quite ok

Posted by turquoise

Had MDD for coming to 2nd yr soon. Sometimes I feel like stopping my antidepressants & worried about habit forming having to take sleeping pills for such long period. Tends to forget to take medicines.

I may look alright to others right now but deep down sometimes I know am not. I couldn't concentrate at work at all plus my migraine attacks worsen my concentration. Tends to surf networking sites but doesn't really helps at times, I feel very bored, couldn't sit still.

At times, I dont know why I cry for no reason. Whenever, am provoked, I feel very agitated & can scream out real loud & broke down. Am I normal? Sometimes, I feel myself crazy being like that & made my mom worried.

Sometimes, I feel as if there's 'someone' there but then there's no one around...is this additional symtom of another psychiatric illness?

I felt very lonely & anxious whenever I try to hang out at youth corner. Recent chain of events when my trust was being betrayed, I was so angry & hurt deep down. Art therapy was being stop abruptly too. Am so sadden by it.

Insomnia - usually couldnt fall asleep or wake up at night many times but recently, so sleepy even daytime that I wish I could just 'sleep forever'. Now that I tend to wake up very late during weekends, had my breakfast is like 11am or 12.30pm. After which, I could just binge!

Fell sick easily due to my many medical history which is like, why am I still here? I wanted to exercise but being pulled down by sickness, felt so weak.

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