Diagnosing and treating depression.

[Guest guest]

The first thing that should be done when diagnosing depression

is a full work up.

This includes all the major blood tests. These would include ( to name a few)

all the thyroid tests, a urinalysis, CBC, fasting blood sugar etc.

If you are male, a testosterone level, female estrogen, and possibly

other hormone tests.

I have bipolar disorder, and because I was almost always depressed

it took a long time to diagnose.

Once we found out the right diagnosis because anti-depressants make

me worse, but anti-seizure medications do, especially Lamictal.

Lamictal has been a miracle drug for me. That a a few other

anti-seizure medications plus counseling saved my life.

Anytime you start a new medication, please have someone in

your life observe for changes in your behavior. Keep a few

notes for yourself, but there are times when the depression

can spiral down so quickly that you don't even know what is

causing ideas of risky behavior, or thoughts of suicide.

I also strongly recommend counseling in addition to medication

regardless of which can of emotional problem.

Only talking to our loved ones, and friends isn't enough. We

risk wearing them out, plus it can be difficult for them to be

objective.

Enough said

Kaylene