[thalia 9994]

I have depression for three years. I take lot of medicine none work and I have memory loss, change personality unable to focus or work. I go to a doctor and he checked me and say that 99.9 I don't have brain tumor, but ask for ct brain scan. I'm worried how to know if I have brain tumor?

Please answer ?

[Wondergirl]

Why would you think you have a brain tumor?

[thalia 9994]

I read about frontal lobe brain cancer and it have the same symptoms depression that I have and because depression medicine doesn't work for 3 years.

[joypulv]

Millions of people have depression with no brain tumors, and millions have less than 'good' success with medications. It's actually fairly common to respond to one for an amount of time, and then it wears off. You really need talk therapy, individual or group or both, for best results.

I am one of those who really responded very little to any of about 15 different drugs, if at all. I did respond to group therapy the most. I also have my own 'home' techniques, like lots of sunlight and being up just before dawn. You may have your own things that help.

Depression is extremely rarely organic (one might be after giving birth, and another might be from a nutritional deficiency). Most of it is situational, meaning it arose out of your circumstances. It isn't even so much a 'condition' in any kind of medical term as it is a group of emotions and lack thereof. There's an old expression 'depression is anger turned inward,' which is much too simplified, but there's some basis in it. You are full of emotions - hurt and anger mostly - that are being stifled.

[thalia 9994]

Thanks, I think this make me somehow feeling better

[talaniman]

Your doctor just ordered the scans to be sure and verify what his other test showed him, so relax. What else is, or has gone on in your life?

[thalia 9994]

Actually there is no logical reason nth happened . Although I used to be very active person and never been depressed at all and I loved my life so much

[Fr_Chuck]

As noted, the CT scans will show if you have any at all. But is very doubtful, many many people suffer from depression, many of which suffer thought it. Often changes in diet, exercise, and changes in life stye almost may be needed along with medication.

[thalia 9994]

Thanks Fr- Chuck

[Jake2008]

What kind of Doctor are you seeing? Is it a Psychiatrist? Have you ever had a complete assessment? Have you ever needed to be hospitalized due to your depression? Are there any other problems, such as addiction?

You say you've tried with the medication for three years now. What or why, caused the diagnosis of depression- was there a major event in your life? Illness or disability?

To me, if you and your prescribing/treating doctor have tried different medications and treatment, over three years, and you say nothing has worked. What do you expect the medications to do, and what has your Doctor told you to expect.

Has your doctor suggested some sort of counseling, group or otherwise, to help you get back on your feet again? Have you tried that, and/or would you try counseling or therapy?

If your situation after three years has not changed, and you have had good psychiatric care, the scan seems to be grasping at straws for me.

Can you identify or help explain how you arrived at such a place in your life.

It would be helpful to know how old you are as well.

Thank you.

[joypulv]

Get your thyroid checked, and hormone levels if you are female.
Ask about tapering off all meds for at least a month. Many side effects of drugs are quite pronounced, and you might benefit from knowing what about you is depression and what is side effects.
I had depression when pre-menstrual, getting worse as I neared my period, and I knew it but not as much as when I hit menopause, which for me was a huge relief.

Meanwhile, as we all advised, get some talk therapy!

[thalia 9994]

yes he is a psychiatrist I didn't needed to be hospitalized no there is no any type of addiction in all my life

No major event has happened I suddenly become so depressed with memory loss and change in personality - I tried counseling it doesn't work I'm 22 years old

I made Hormone test everything was fine and I tried talk therapy from the beginning it didn't workk

[joypulv]

What about expectations of marriage and children? 22 can be a big 'crossroad' in life, when you aren't sure what direction your life is taking.

Early 20s is a time that some more serious mental illnesses often start, such as schizophrenia (which doesn't mean you have to see or hear things, or go totally crazy). I don't say this to be alarmist or negative, but for something to consider. A young person with no trauma, no difficult childhood or recent problems, should not suddenly become very depressed and suffer memory loss. I wish you could think of some connection to your life, your family, your school or job or relationships, that could have triggered a simple depression.

[thalia 9994]

Thanks joy I think that marriage is not what I need now I have my family they support me but the problem is that I need to know why this could happen suddenly without any logical reason - this does not make any sense specially that before this happened everybody noticed how hopeful I am and how much ambitious person I am

[talaniman]

May I suggest an honest self evaluation of your own life?

Maybe your perception of yourself doesn't meet the expectations of others. It's a reality we all face when we are young looking for directions we are happy with. Is it possible you seek a direction contrary to what your parent want or expect?

[thalia 9994]

Sure talaniman and thank you - but actually the problem is not that I want direction that my parent refused . The problem that I don't want to go at any direction and I feel that nth I do could make me happy

[talaniman]

So what's been going on in your life the last 3 years? Write it down event by event, and then examine it. Also maybe an idea of what you want and expect for yourself, and have you discussed your medications with your doctor? What is your daily routine and how do you apply yourself to it? What's your social life about and do you have friends and activities you look forward to? Do you have a good relationship of trust with your psychiatrist?

There are many things that go into an honest self evaluation. Have you ever done this before? What's the memory loss about? When did it happen and the circumstances around it?

[thalia 9994]

I have friends but for the last 3 years I ignore going anywhere and I stay at home most of the time because every time I go out I feel worse than before so I decided not to go And the memory loss start with depression .means 3 years ago thanks again tala

I have discussed the medication with my doctor but every time he try new medicine

E

[talaniman]

Do you work, or attend school? Tell me about your parents and your relationship with them, how do they treat one another? Siblings?

[joypulv]

'I need to know why this could happen suddenly without any logical reason '

Logical reasons fall into 2 categories: situation of your life (long past or just recent), and organic. That includes such things as schizophrenia, which can be just withdrawal from friends, school, jobs, going out, etc. Or it can be the early stages of more serious signs.

You just aren't giving us any clues about your life at all. You are 22 and just hanging out at home? That sounds depressing to me, but you like it? Are your friends going off to school, jobs, or marriage?