Depression, how bad is too bad?

I'm a person that gets depressed easily I guess. It really doesn't take a reason for me to hit rock bottom. I have been crying my *** off for the last 3 days, and I don't really know why I'm in such deep pain. I was seein a psychiatrist about 4 months ago for it, but stopped because I felt that he couldn't help me. Let's be serious, they keep changing meds and nothing works...so I'm not going to be loosing my time and money over that. I'm really down, and my boyfriend doesn't seem to care much...or maybe he doesn't know what to do. I put a bright face around my kids, but it only lasts so long. I'm tired of all this really. I don't want this anymore.

I just needed to get it off my chest, no need to answer. You can give me thumbs down and report me for ranting. I just needed to let some of it go.

Some of the articles included in my blog may help. My blog containes both newsworthy and personal articles, and is dedicated to mental illness. Also included are many links. You may find me at:

http://cherished79.wordpress.com

Take care.

I was ill for 9 very long years with very black depression. Too many hospitals, too many meds, and too many ECT's all didn't help. I attempted suicide 4 times I wanted to die so much. Finally a pdoc came along and found the right combo of meds for me. I take Lithium/Lamictal which has been my saving grace. Moods are stable. I am very lucky. I am actually back to work again, even though the previous pdocs said I would never work again. You can leave a note on my blog if you wish; I will reply as I check in daily.

Keep strong....you are a survivor.

well first
you HAVE to keep seeing the psychiatrist
i see one and it works
i just get bad when i dont take my meds
maybe you should see a different one
and just take your history from the other one so they know
what works and what doesnt

if you need help let me know. my past has helped me get by

i think that an answer is very important here. if you are having crying spells or you are just simply bothered by being depressed does not matter. what does matter is you are miserable and there is help out there. how many medications did you try and how long did you take it? these are also big issues. it takes time for these types of medication to stabilize depression and most people stop taking them about the time they will start to work. it takes 1 week for some people to notice certain effects and it takes others 4 or 5 weeks. it took me 16 years to get on all the right medications. i now have normal feelings of any sort. they are no longer extreme. i was like you, go to see someone, then start and stop medications. the key is to talk to your doctor and tell him why you want to stop taking them and he generally can pinpoint the problem. could be dosage, a need for additional medication, a need for a different kind, etc...there is no exact science in mental health. a lot of it is honesty on your part with your caregiver. also, consistency with medication and/or therapy. release the awful burden that you carry with the awful negative emotions that you feel. there is help, just dont quit. all good things take time. i dont think your boyfriend is uncaring, i think he could be clueless as to what to do for you as sometimes it seems nothing helps. you must take care of yourself. see your psychiatrist and trust in what he feels is best for you.

See another psychiatrist, one who specializes in mood disorders. Bring a list of your past medications and responses. There are different classes of antidepressants besides the SSRIs. Also, some ppl end up doing find on mood stabilizers when they didn't on antidepressants. What I'm saying is that there are a lot of options. You just need a psychiatrist who really knows what s/he is doing.

PS - I'll second the Lithium/Lamictal Combo. I do that plus a couple others for bipolar. There are some other stabilizer options. Refractory depression is thought to reside somewhere on the bipolar spectrum. Doesn't mean it is bipolar disorder, just that it is a type of depression that responds to stabilizers instead of antidepressants.