Chronic pain and depression.

Anti depressants for depression & chronic pain

• 21/F/AUS - depression & chronic pain i went to see my psychologist for the second time yesterday. i told her that after the first visit i felt worse then i did when i seen her. she sed that wasnt good. i knew that it wasnt going to make me feel better after the first visit but i thought i would have felt abit better knowing that i had spoken to a professional and could be on the way to getting better. but i felt so down and awful for about a week until i seen her again. she suggested that i may need to try some antidepressants as i also suffer for chronic back pain which is something i have to try and manage for the rest of my life. she said that there is some tablets i can take which will take affect after about 10days and will help both with the pain and with the depression i have. she also sed it would have to be something that i would have to take for at least 6mths or more and after 3mths if im feeling good i couldnt stop them because i would go back to the way i was. im only 21 and i want to perhaps start a family one day in the next few years would that interfer with the baby? what side affects is there? i have an appointment with my gp in 2weeks i couldnt get in any earlier. my psychologist says she wants me to keep coming back to see her. i know have lots of questions to ask my gp i just want to get an idea and whether this is what i need. my bf has been great, he sed that he will surpot me in any way i choose or go which means alot. any feedback would be great if u want me to add anything just say and i`ll add it on. xx

• Answer:

  55/M/AU - I address the subject of depression in section 2 of my website, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and suggest that you view page R first, then female depression, page V, and the rest of that section, as well as section 1. It's quite normal to feel worse after a session with a therapist, because you are asked to re-focus on painful issues with all the associated negative emotions which are inextricably linked in the memories of most people. I don't recommend antidepressants, particularly for young people, unless they are suicidal, or clinically depressed to the extent where they can't function, even at a basic level, such as eating, bathing, etc. The choice of treatments is yours to make, and I suggest that you try the alternative treatments shown, for at least 3 months, then review the situation. The antidepressants will still be there if you need them, but they come with risks, and side effects, such as sexual dysfunction, and variations in weight are common. At the very least, check them out first in http://www.drugs.com and http://www.rxlist.com as well as reading the fine print on the label and/or enclosure. Your current depression may predispose you to post natal depression, so view page Z.4 in section 2, and be on the lookout for signs in the days and weeks following the birth. Note: by pressing the "enter" key multiple times, you can create spaces, here at Y!A like this. Makes it easier for us to read. An afterthought: there are forums on back pain in places like http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com (for certain) & http://www.careplace.com Try asking some questions there, and here, in Science > Medicine. Have you attended a pain clinic? There are many treatments, such as professional hypnotherapy, acupuncture, and battery operated devices which you wear, which, by the use of small electrical currents through electrodes, interfere with pain messages to the brain