Posted by MA on March 21, 2001, at 21:44:16
In reply to How do I know if my anti-depressant is working ?, posted by Dubya on March 20, 2001, at 19:06:55
Good question...There was many a time when I was not sure myself. The way I judge it now is by questioning how focused am I on observing life rather than participating in it.
When I'm depressed I feel like life is just happening to me. Also my depression makes me very self conscious to the point of not being able to think or function very effectively. Those are my signs that something is still not right, that I need to still let my doctor know. Don't ever settle for feeling just OK. In the beginning that might feel better than nothing, but you can probably feel better with ongoing treatment especially if your doctor is really an expert.
You have to look at what are the signs of "your" depression and whether or not there has been a reduction in those symptoms. If the signs are not sleeping, not eating, then you have to look at those issues improving. If the problem is more social or with your thought process, you have to evaluate if these are improving on medication.
It is very difficult to do especially if the depression is still in effect. I always kept a journal during my drug trials to help me remember day to day what I was feeling. Trust me, you can not remember these things when you are depressed.
Write them down and then tell your doctor if you feel things are getting better. The only way you will know it is when you finally feel in "sync" with things around you, i.e., comfortable in your own skin...
poster:MA
thread:57013
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57113.html