Pain, Depression, and Reflux

Max Said:

Are there any new treatments/medications for depression?

We Answered:

rolling down a hill in bubble wrap is fun

Lance Said:

Unusual bursts of good feelings and possible new depression treatment : )?

We Answered:

I suppose anything is possible. In older days, all cures were herbal. But for me, I'll stick with my reliable anti-depressants. Besides, they're legal.

Neil Said:

Are there any alternativenew age treatments for depression/anxiety/confidence boosting?

We Answered:

The best treatment for anxiety and depression (the two often go hand in hand) is non pharmacological. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can be up to 70% effective in some instances. Homoeopathy is bunk and does not work, there is no evidence that it works.

Colleen Said:

The best depression treatment center in New Jersey?

We Answered:

Since I don't know your exact location, I can only give you links I am finding online.

1. This place is in New York and says they have one of the best inpatient clinics in the nation.

http://nyppsychiatry.com/abo_us.html

2. Here is a place I found that does extensive outpatient treatment. I don't know how helpful it may be, because you are saying he needs inpatient care.

http://www.revitalizingpsychiatry.com/In…

3. Here's another one...

http://www.riverviewmedicalcenter.com/in…

4. And one more...

http://www.princetonhcs.org/default.aspx…

I wish you luck in getting your cousin some help...

Wilma Said:

Refractory and treatment resistant depression and Bipolar disorder?

We Answered:

Depekote and Limictal for BP here. Stay clear of street drugs and alcohol. Exercise and get plenty of sleep. See a pyschiatrist regularly and stay off of addictive pharma meds (i.e. sleeping pills... like Ambien, and anti-anxiety... like Xanax).

Emma Said:

Any ideas for treatment resistant clinical depression?

We Answered:

Therapy would be the next step if you haven't done so already in addition to meds. However, assuming that you have been doing both and are not finding yourself able to use the therapy without further symptom relief, I would be certain to explore all the classes of meds with your psychiatrist first-SSRI's, tricyclics and MAOI's and certainly consult a psychiatrist if you have been trying meds only through your medical doctor as they often tend to prescribe meds in doses too low to achieve therapeutic efficacy.
If your symptoms are severe and still unresponsive to medication and therapy, I would suggest that you discuss ECT with your psychiatrist. It isn't a first line treatment, but is used in cases of intractable depression as well as other types of symptom constellations. Sometimes one course is all a person needs and I have seen some pretty remarkable results with ECT when nothing else has helped. Read about it through Wikipedia-it is very safe, the current is low and it is administered with muscle relaxants in order to diminish any discomfort. It's also available now on an out-patient basis. Don't be frightened by some people with agendas here who post erroneous and ridiculous information about ECT-it may be something you want to consider.