What is a good medication for severe major depression?

Tranxene - wonderful, no side effects for my family member at all. Have been taking that for 40 years plus. Effexor gave her headache and the depression symptoms did not improve at all.

Hormone replacement therapy was the best thing for me but since I have switched from injections to gel it's been less effective although the side effects are fewer. When my testosterone level reaches 800 both my OCD and depression disappear and I get the energy and sex drive of a 25 year old but I also get polythicemia, acne, and hair growth everywhere except my head where I lose it. It totally sucks that every drug seems to have an equal amount of good and bad or more bad.

A good Dr. Is the best advice. A Dr. With whom the doors of communication are open, on your side and theirs.
All of our brains float in a chemical bath inside of our heads. And each bath is different, depending on all of our individual lifestyles, or inherited factors.
What works for you, will probably not work for me.
Trial and error sucks.
But hopefully u find one that works well for you.
Last piece of advice: read those printouts from the pharmacy. If u don't understand any of it-bring it and ur questions to the Dr. (Your dr.'s nurse can probably address your concerns) but know what it is your going to be putting in your body!! It may save you a lot of trouble down the road.

Wellbutrin worked for me for about two years. My doctor wants to put me on effexor now. Hopefully that will work.
I liked Wellbutrin while it worked because it didn't have any side effects for me.

I have been taking lexapro kloplin and ativan for major depression. My husband left me had me put in jail to try to not pay almoney. He works for count i live i. I have post tramaic syndrom after four weeks in jail after this mock trial. Nightmares my meds have just stopped working any sugessions. I cant keep trying to live with these pro lems with good meds

Effexor, boost with ADDERALL

The best medication for severe depression is the medication that works best for YOU as an individual since all medications affect each person differently. What works best for me may not help you at all. There are many classes of antidepressants and dozens of different medications to choose from. There is also the option of add-ons like the anticonvulsants, lithium, or anti-psychotics such as Abilify or Rexulti.
Seek the advice of a physician qualified in diagnosis and prescribing psychotropic drugs ~ preferably a psychiatrist.

I have been released from prison about 2 years now and I got stabbed while I was down there. But I can't sleep period at night and doing the daytime I can't be around ppl at all. Unless it's family and I mean real close family. Can someone please help me understand what I'm going through.

Hi there ,have you tried changing medication?
as i have responded to other people for A&D! try Pristiq? it has worked for me
for the last 4yrs for an illness i didn't know i had , Try it and let me know?

I also had a good experience with effexor. Also celexa and wellbutrin during my early 20s. I came off effexor about 2 yrs ago without tapering off slowly i stopped suddenly and that was most deff not the proper way to discontinue a med in that catagory.

Hi, if you have not had genetic testing done yet I would highly recommend it as the results will give you a better idea of which meds will work best for you. After suffering with Major Depression for over 40 years I now understand why the SSRIs have not worked for me. My testing showed that they would not. Too bad they didn't have this testing years ago!! It did show that I would have a better response with Pristiq which is an SNRI. I tried it and it helped some but made me crave carbs!! Now I am taking Trintellix with Rexulti and I definitely see an improvement. Hope this info helps you!!

Sapphire

My dr. Said I could take up to 300 mg of effexor and add add abilify for the max benefit from the effexor

I have been on anti-depressants for over 25 years. Many years ago I was put on effexor 225 mg a day (75 mg. x 3) and at first it seemed to be helping but after a short time its effectiveness seemed to diminish. At this point it does not sem to have any effect at all. I was also put on wellbutrin XR 300mg, and seroquel 150mg. at the same time and also Busprar 60 mg, It is difficult to find an anti-depressant that lasts for a good long time. If there could only be a sure thing without going though trials of so many different medicines not knowing how its going to work out for you!

Have you been tested for hypothyroidism? It can cause depression.This can be treated with a synthetic version of a thyroid hormone (synthroid). Because it is a chemical the body normally produces, it's benefit/side effect ratio is very high, especially after you find the right dose. Also, you might want to investigate medical marijuana.