@miray67

I think that nearly all of us have dealt with or are dealing with the medication mystery. Before finding the antidepressant that was helpful to me I tried half a dozen others. Trying them means taking them for 6 weeks each, which is a really long, drawn out process. During the months of trial and error I was becoming increasingly depressed and suicidal. I'm just thankful to have found a medication that reduces my depression.

After ten years or so I was feeling like the antidepressant (Wellbutrin) was becoming less effective, so I met with the psychiatrist who manages my brain meds, and he got me started on a second medication that increases the effectiveness of the Wellbutrin. There are several medications that are used to enhance the effect of antidepressants. The one I'm taking is Mirtazapine.

The other piece of my treatment is weekly therapy. Parus mentioned CBT, cognitive behavior therapy, which is a very effective treatment for major depression.

I don't look to my primary care physician for help with my mental health meds, and I don't think he'd want that responsibility. I see a psychiatric nurse practitioner who's very good at his job and is a caring person.

We here at Mayo Connect only share the things that we've found helpful. We aren't medical professionals, so we don't tell each other what we should do or take. Are you being treated by a psychiatrist? If not, that's the person who could give you the answers you need. I'm 69, and on Medicare, so I don't have to get a referral from my doctor to see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or neurologist or whoever is best trained to treat me. I just call and make an appointment on my own.

I hope that you'll find the conversations here useful. We know what long term depression and anxiety are like. We understand what you're going through and we're here to offer our support.

Jim