Emotionally Lacking

[brandonlon]

Was wanting some advice if anyone knows. I have been depressed for a number of years and tried almost all the medications for it however they seem to have no huge effect on me or my mood. The meds do help bring my mood up a little so i am not crying alot however when it comes to my mood and affect it is so flat. I am very quiet and do not express emotion and tired alot. I could win the lottery and my response would simply be saying "great". I have a beautiful wife and great kids but my mood is so flat and unresponsive it is a burden, i never have that feeling of just being happy to be alive, dont smile much and when good things happen my response is flat. I am in shape, not overweight. Due to being tired alot if have tried things such as those energy shots, zip fizz and even had my Dr. prescribe something (cant remember name) that was suppose to wake the dead and none of this has any effect on me. Currently i am on Prozac (40 mg) and Welbutrin (20 mg) which i just started a month ago (this combination at least) and have had no results. I would love to bounce off the walls and smile and show emotion and have energy. Any ideas?

[MaisieC]

How old are you, if you don't mind my asking? And at what age did your depression first appear?

Have you ever been in therapy?

Take care.

[brandonlon]

I am 37 years old and i would say at least 10-12 years i have had depression, i have never been actually gone through the process of officially being diagnosed with it or anything. I have considered therapy however do not know what kind of therapy it would be, getting me to show or feel more emotion. I am told that i was quiet even as a child but i remember being more excited and happy as well compared to these last 10 years or so.

Thanks

[MaisieC]

How have you been on almost all medications for depression without ever being diagnosed properly? My suggestion would be to find a therapist and start from there. Does your health plan cover therapy? If so, you could talk to your primary care doctor and try to get a recommendation from them. Or ask friends. I know it isn't easy to talk about, but recommendations from trusted sources are the best way to find a good therapist (usually you won't end up seeing your friend's therapist, due to confidentiality concerns, but your friend's therapist will recommend a colleague they think is appropriate).

If you're going to continue going the medication route, you need to be evaluated by a real, qualified psychopharmacologist. This would be a medical doctor with a specialty in psychiatry. My personal opinion is that these are the only people who should be prescribing anti-depressant medications. I think these meds get way over-prescribed by doctors who don't really understand them.

Please take care and let us know how you're doing.