I just started taking effexor on Thursday for depression, anxiety, muscle pain, and migraines. Before I started taking it I would always wake up early in the morning (6 to 7 am) and not be able to fall asleep but now I also am waking up about 4 times throughout the night and having a hard time falling back asleep. My question is will this go away after the 1st couple weeks of taking this drug or will I continue having insomnia the whole time?
I have always avoided taking pills but my depression/anxiety got so bad I just lay on the couch and watch tv day from the physical pain it causes me.

Chosen Answer:

I had that too when I first started taking Effexor. After about 10 days my sleeping patterns were back to normal, and after a month the benefits of taking it far outweighed the first couple of weeks of insomnia. If you’re still sleeping badly in a couple of weeks you should see your doctor, as with any other side effects that haven’t gone away by then. God luck!
by: Rain Dogs
on: 20th February 09

I have really bad anger issues and social anxiety, and depression problems. I used to be on meds but I’m not anymore, and the symptoms are back. Im 20 and I cant be depending on my mom for rides. How can I take a bus or train without having a panic attack? People think I’m lazy because I only want rides, it angers me because that is not the case at all. Please help.

Chosen Answer:

Don’t look at anyone, and imagine you’re in your own little world, even thought that sounds crazy. Just ignore it and count to ten everytime you panic.
by:
on: 12th August 11

I notice that I have insomnia which is something that I have never dealt with before and it is making it hard for me to go to sleep. I have heard that Sleeping pills are bad because they make the body dependent on them later on but I feel like I have a hard time going to sleep.

Chosen Answer:

benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a great drug to help you sleep. It is sold over the counter (OTC) in most pharmacies. The best part is that it is non-habit forming, so your body will not get dependent on it.

Another drug to try is melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body. Taking it medicinally can help with insomnia. Do not take melatonin if you have high blood pressure (can raise BP), diabetes (can raise blood sugar), depression (can make symptoms worse), or a seizure disorder (can potentiate seizures)

One more option could be Valerian root extract. This has been shown to help treat insomnia. Do not drink alcohol with this drug, or other CNS depressants because they could increase each others effect in the body
by:
on: 24th October 11

The applications themselves are okay because proactive, but the waiting period is brutal. I’m having insomnia, anxiety dreams, fits of listless apathy, existential crises, flights of panic. It’s lovely. Anyone have some tips on how to deal?

Chosen Answer:

I think just being able to talk to someone about it will help. I’m waiting to hear about my college of music auditions and it is BRUTAL. I used to have nightmares almost every night, when I could get to sleep, but I started talking about it with my councilor and friends and it has really helped.

Good luck on getting in!
by:
on: 27th March 10

I have bad anxiety right now because im trying to ose weight and i also have OCD , how can I start breathing normally when my anxiety acts up?

Chosen Answer:

You have to do what is called diaphramic breathing. Your diaphram is just below your lungs. Thats where what should rise the most while you are breathing, not your chest. You should inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

Walking fast can normalize your breathing since you will concentrate less on it and since anxiety causes over breathing(co2 levels in the blood get too low) it will raise your co2 levels in your blood and make you feel more normal.

Just remember the anxiety is not going to hurt you.
by: hypnobunny
on: 8th August 09

I am having for the first time auditory alucinations. I suffer from Psychotic Depression but I am so afraid to get Schizophrenia. What is the difference between psychotic depression and schizophrenia???

Chosen Answer:

“silkyegg…” — Do your research…SCHIZOPHRENIA and MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER – ARE *NOT* THE SAME THING…IDIOT!

This is from a doctor. The question is asked about schizoaffective & not plain schizophrenia, but I think you you will get the differences:

this info is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions that apply directly to you or your care, ask your healthcare provider(s). This may be more than you were looking for, but here goes:

What is the difference between bipolar disorder with psychotic episodes and schizoaffective disorder?

This is somewhat of a confusing distinction…
• Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by depressive episodes with manic or mixed episodes. A person with bipolar disorder can have psychotic episodes during either a manic phase or depression phase. They key here is that the mood disorder is always present, the psychosis is not.
• In schizoaffective disorder, both symptoms of mood disorder and schizophrenia are present. The patient experiences mood swings and at least 2 psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking) simultaneously – but the psychosis is the dominant feature (the mood swings may come and go). Even if the mood episode(s) clear, psychosis is still present to some degree.

What are the different types of psychoses?
• Schizophrenia
o A person must meet 3 criteria to be schizophrenic:
 Display 2 or more of the following symptoms, each present for most of the time during a one-month period:
• Delusions (bizarre/illogical thoughts”)
• Hallucinations (ex: hearing voices)
• Disorganized speech
• Grossly disorganized behavior (ex: dressing for a snowstorm in 90 degree weather) or catatonic behavior
• Negative symptoms (decline in emotional response, decline of speech or motivation)
 The above symptoms must significantly impact the person’s ability to function (maintain relationships, work, go to school, etc.)
 There must be continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least six months. This six-month period must include at least one month of symptoms
• Shchizoaffective disorder – as described above
• Schizophreniform – related to schizophrenia, with two differences:
o The total duration of the illness is at least 1 month but less than 6 months
o Significantly impaired function is not required, though it may be present as well.
• Brief psychotic episode: A person may experience psychotic symptoms that are of sudden onset, short lived, and followed by return to baseline function. Not associated with another illness, medical condition or medication/drug
• Delusional Disorder: Person does not meet the criteria for schizophrenia (though may experience tactile/olfactory hallucinations), however, experiences delusions. Delusions are typically not bizarre (jealous delusions very common), person is usually highly-functioning.
• Shared psychotic episode: Rare! Psychotic symptoms are shared between 2 individuals such as siblings/spouses.
• Important to note that various medical conditions such as alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, lyme disease, electrolyte disturbances etc. can cause psychotic symptoms. As can many medications/drugs/alchohol.

Is it possible to be manic and depressed at the same time?
• Yes, this is referred to as a “mixed” state or episode, where symptoms of depression and mania occur simultaneously.

HOPE THIS HELPS!

EDIT: Please note that if you are ever diagnosed w/schizophrenia, do to your depression you will more than likely will receive the diagnosis of schioaffective instead — the affective simply means that you some type of mood disorder along w/schizophrenia -

EDIT: “matt” you did a good job at giving characteristics of schizophrenia, however, you obviously have no idea what psychosis is: “People experiencing psychosis may report hallucinations or delusional beliefs, and may exhibit personality changes and disorganized thinking. This may be accompanied by unusual or bizarre behavior, as well as difficulty with social interaction and impairment in carrying out the activities of daily living.” SCHIZOPHRENIA & PSYCHOSIS ARE SYNONOMUS” –”COOKIE” has written a well thought out/well organized question -I HARDLY THINK SHE IS “WHACKED”!!! That being said, from my experience w/depression I would have to agree you – depression is a battle that must eventually fought internally — MEDS & THERAPY, though can be a great comfort blanket for those waiting to realize this!
by: straight forward answers!
on: 31st July 09

How does a person get diagnosed with clinical depression?

Chosen Answer:

People change, go through phases, or find different things interesting/boring. You need to accept that and try to look at it as a learning experience. THere could be a chemical imbalance, but that’s not the cause, that’s the symptom. You should be able to fix the problem on your own.

First- get healthy- get off of any drugs, alcohol, caffeine that may be altering your brain physiology and try to get to an ideal weight (if you’re not already). Exercise and eat right- get all of your vitamins!

Second- Talk to people. Make sure that you’re not holding anything back, but that you are aware of your feelings and able to communicate them to people

Third- Make sure you’re breathing normally throughout the day and sleeping well at night. If either of these things gets out of whack, it could make you feel like you’re losing it or becomming depressed.

I would try all of these things before you go pay money to get the same advice or spend more money on pharmaceuticals that could do damage. If you’re the type that needs a cure in a pill, look into http://www.amelior4life.com – studies show it’s dramatically effective at curing depression and has minimal side effects.

Good luck- and remember- don’t worry about it- that may only make your condition worse! It’s not just you- changes are normal!

by: JF
on: 25th September 08

I have anxiety and i finally told my parents about it, and im going to go see a doctor about it. But i was wondering, how long (generally) does it take to cure anxiety while seeing a specialist?
I have anxiety about getting a job. I cant apply for a job, go to an interview or even start a job without having panic attacks. If i know i have an interview coming up, from the day of the call till the day of the interview i will cry and have panic attacks everyday worrying about it. It has developed mostly in the past year or so.

Chosen Answer:

Nobody here can give you an answer. There are too many variables starting with the cause of your anxiety. Are you anxious because you know next year you have to go away to college and you fear the change? Or are you anxious because you were sexually abused when you were 6 and don’t feel safe in your surroundings? I have a good friend in her 40s that deals with this and it has improved greatly after 10+ years of therapy, but she still needs anti anxiety meds to get her through the day.
by:
on: 2nd May 11

I have depression, and I find that as much as I want to exercise and lose weight, I am having a difficult time getting motivated due to my depression. Exercise does help me feel better and help with my depression, but does anyone have any tips on getting motivated in the beginning and continuing an exercise routine even when feeling discouraged?

Chosen Answer:

It’s a bit of a double whammy isn’t it; you exercise and you’ll feel better, but if you are depressed you aren’t motivated to do anything!

Well, the best suggestion is to push yourself right out the door. You do have the choice and simply force yourself to put on your shoes and go. That’s what I do, the worse I feel, the more I know I have to push myself. Also, enlist a friend or relative to help you, someone to be your walking buddy.
by: MadforMAC
on: 11th July 07

Wanted to see if anyone could explain what the main differences are between being a little down and having severe depression? Also, when you see a Doctor is there a specific test that is done to diagnose depression?

Thank you I appreciate it!

Chosen Answer:

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is one of the most frequently used personality tests in mental health. The test is used by trained professionals to assist in identifying personality structure and psychopathology.

it’s a huge book, takes a long time to get through it.

winter blues can be remedied fairly easy. get some bright light in the morning, take a good brisk walk, get the heart pumping. good to go. depression, not so much. these steps are certainly a positive step, but they have a hard fight against a major depressive episode. you can get the bright morning light, you can get on a treadmill and wear yourself out, and you may not notice any change at all.
by: Golden
on: 23rd February 10