Multiple symptoms

Hi Sherron,

While I can't say for sure, it sounds like you have a lot of symptoms of depression - feeling tired, wanting to isolate, the lack of joy, lots of sadness and tears, the guilt, and the irritability - all of these are symptoms of depression.

You do not need to see a psychiatrist for therapy - in fact, I would recommend a psychologist or clinical social worker for that instead. I don't know for sure, but I doubt your insurance would cover someone who does therapy online. I personally would not recommend online therapy, because there are subtle nuances of therapy that make face to face sessions much better and more effective.

I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

You're very welcome. As for your question regarding treating depression without antidepressants. In a nutshell, yes, but it depends on several factors.

Prozac seemed to help you in the past. But, you stopped taking it and in time, your depression returned. When you were diagnosed with depression and ADD 10 years ago, was medication the only treatment? Or did you have therapy as well?

My professional opinion is that most disorders should not be treated with medication alone. I'm a firm believer that the appropriate type of psychotherapy be part of the treatment process, with medication as an adjunct treatment only if needed - especially for depression and anxiety.

In many cases of depression and anxiety (and other disorders as well) medication isn't always necessary. It depends on the severity of symptoms. Many people, if they are willing to do the work, can learn to manage their symptoms and often reduct them significantly with appropriate psychotherapy.

Medication treats the symptoms, but doesn't address the underlying issue. Most people who battle depression and anxiety have deeply ingrained irrational thought patterns and beliefs that play a significant role in their disorder. Medication will not change those. That's why symptoms often return when medication is discontinued.

Without knowing a lot more about you, your symptoms, and your history, I certainly cannot say whether or not psychotherapy alone will help you. Part of it also depends on your willingness to do the work. Psychotherapy is much more than just talking to someone about your feelings. Without actually taking action and actively working on changing patterns of thoughts and behaviors it is rarely effective.

If you have the resources, I suggest you find a good therapist to work with. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the best types of therapy for depression and anxiety, so if you can find someone who practices CBT (and has a lot of experience as well) that would be a good option. You can call a few therapists and ask them what type of therapy they practice. There are other types of therapy that also work, but CBT is one of the best for depression.

If you like to read, a book that has been around for years but still one of the best is "Feeling Good - the New Mood Therapy" by Dr. David Burns. His book is based on the priniciples of cognitive behavioral therapy and is very helpful for people battling depression who are willing to do the work to bring about change in their lives. I highly recommend it. But, just like therapy, you actually have to apply the priniciples for change to occur.

I hope this helps and I wish you the best!