38 Yr Old With Depression And Insomnia

[kotty]

I am writing this on behalf of my friend who is having problems (and doesn't want to address them).

He has been unhappy at work for a long period (>10years) and at points became very stressed + anxious because of it.

Approx 1 years ago he began having sleeping issues and was taking frequent time off work due to tiredness (was getting about 4-5hrs a night sleep in bits)

He went to see his doctor about 7 months ago who gave him anxiety pills + sleeping pills below.

- zopiclone 7.5mg a day

- amitriptilene 20mg a day

- escitalopram 20mg a day

He has noticed improvement in the anxiety, the sleep is still hit-and-miss as he is getting about 5hrs a night sleep (in bits). He is still not back at work fully (goes in <50% of the time) and when at home doesn't do much as is "down". Nightmares are very common in his sleep routine.

I think the core reason for the problems is the stress related work issue, which may be improved if he changes jobs one day.

He seems to be waiting until "he gets better" which doesn't seem to be happening. He has accupuncture once a week or so which he thinks helps a bit.

Im concerned about the long term effect of the drugs and the reliance/side effects of coming off zopiclone, which I have read about.

Has anyone any suggestions on things that he could do to:-

- address the sleeping/anxiety related issue

- come off the drugs (would appreciate also peoples views on the cocktail he is taking a day)

and start leading a normal life again.

I read about Cognitive Behavioural Techniques - are these any good, if so can someone recommend a book?

Any suggestions for helping are welcome

Thankyou

[Fairy]

Hi,

It might be better if your friend speaks to his G.P. regarding medications and therapies as these tend to be specific to the sufferer.

Amazon website has reviews if you are looking for books on CBT.

Fairy xxx

[Marchmadness]

Hi -

Depression can take away from a persons quality of life. Your friend needs to speak

with his doctors, they may be able to change the amount or type of meds he is on

now. Taking the medications is not an exact science, each person reacts to them

differently. I would think that he needs to deal with what is causing the depression

and work on those issues.

Marchmadness

[steven]

I will have 2 come back 2 this at a later stage its just im off 2 bed soon coz im trying 2 get intto a routine of going 2 bed a bit earlier!

But I feel his insomnia may well be contributing 2 his depression.

If hes not getting out n about + not receiving much light, it may be an idea 2 try some bio lites which you can get from www.kindredspirit.co.uk they basically are a full spectrum light bulb which they reckon is the closest thing 2 natural daylight!

Ive got some of these bulbs there brillo!!! But don’t look at em directly coz there VERY bright!

I use mine 2 try n correct my insomnia.

But they are also a very effective treatment for depression! its called phototherapy (light therapy)

There are many alternative therapies he can try without becoming dependant on medications ect, i will get back 2 this soonish on 2 sugest some good worthwhile ones which i know quite a bit about ect

Im sorry but I have 2 go now! but I will be back!!! :)

[kotty]

I will have 2 come back 2 this at a later stage its just im off 2 bed soon coz im trying 2 get intto a routine of going 2 bed a bit earlier!

But I feel his insomnia may well be contributing 2 his depression.

If hes not getting out n about + not receiving much light, it may be an idea 2 try some bio lites which you can get from www.kindredspirit.co.uk they basically are a full spectrum light bulb which they reckon is the closest thing 2 natural daylight!

Ive got some of these bulbs there brillo!!! But don’t look at em directly coz there VERY bright!

I use mine 2 try n correct my insomnia.

But they are also a very effective treatment for depression! its called phototherapy (light therapy)

There are many alternative therapies he can try without becoming dependant on medications ect, i will get back 2 this soonish on 2 sugest some good worthwhile ones which i know quite a bit about ect

Im sorry but I have 2 go now! but I will be back!!!

Thanks,

His Doctor said he can continue the use of the pills "until he feels better" which seems like a bit of a cop out to me as isnt Zopiclone meant to be a short term treatment.

I understand each case is individual, my questions are more about alternative treatments that people think work and peoples view on the long term use of the drugs.

Rgds

[steven]

Hi im sorry im still not able 2 offer any real constrctive alternative help at the moment.

There seems 2 me 2 be quite a few people posting posts, needing help with depression on this forum, i sometimes feel so sad + stressed ect that im not able 2 help + heal everyone and help take away there sadness!!!

Yes I think it is a bit of a cop out 2 say "just keep taking the pills till your better!" unfortunatly his dr is probably so streesed ect its all he can sugest!

It may be an idea 2 try "st johns wort" ? its suposed 2 be just as effective as the most effective normal anti depressants, its perscribed by drs in germany with very good results.

Also councilling? Im a great great believer in talking things over with other people, there are some truly wonderfull and helpfull people out there who share such kindness with others + show such compassion ect

Im pretty sure theres effective help for each indivisual with deppresion its just a case of finding the right help!

I will try n get back 2 this soon! ,but i can only give a few of the many general sugestions and remedies for deppresion as each person is an idivisual + needs different needs + solutions tailered 2 the person in question!ect!

[AlextheDJ]

As an insomniac I have been on zopiclone, and in my eyes it's bad news. It doesn't address the problem, just knocks you out and leaves you with a hangover the next morning. Not to mention the horrible metallic taste. I went to see a sleep specialist at middlesbrough hospital and was put on an actiwatch (stylish watchy thing that tells when your sleeping) I was put on melatonin which is a very benign drug - I don't even notice any effects except being able to sleep normally. GP's can be reluctant to perscribe it as its not fully licenced, but its avaliable over the counter in the USA and is legal to purchace on the net. 3mg does me, hope this helps...

[Tray]

i have taken all these drugs before.

amitriptalyne is a sedative as well, but you have to be careful you dont take too much, can give you heart palps, which will affect your sleep.

citalapram is good for anxiety, i found it was good for my ocd traits

zopiclone... well it worked for a few days, but like said, leaves you feeling hung-over the day after. the other thing i noticed was that, with my nightmares, they made them last longer, cause i couldnt fight myself awake to stop them?

but everyone reacts diff to meds. it can take a while to find one that suits, so it might be worth talking to the GP about trying diff one's.

i dont really think it matters about the time you take them, as long as you come off the tabs safely, and not just stop them, it should be ok. i was prescribed zopiclone long term as well, eventually they just became ineffective.

i have terrible sleep patterns, very interupted sleep. i have tried relaxation, yoga, alternative therapies etc. i have just resigned myself to being a bad sleeper, and trying to take a nap in the day for an hour when i really need to.

depression and insomnia go hand in hand i think, they feed of each other. talking to someone about how they feel might help in the long run, but might make the sleep worse in the short term, whilst working throu things.

[mavis]

Hi Kotty,

I think the replies you have here are pretty good and can I just say what a good friend they have in you - very caring.

Definately agree with depression/anxiety and sleep being linked.

I would like to see your friend seeing and speaking to someone, alternative therapies there are all sorts even just getting them out into the daylight and doing things (which can be hard), I see a pyschologist once every 2 weeks for talking things through and have a combo of reflexology reiki and head, neck andf shoulder massage. It is not easy as it costs, but i forgo a lot of things to do this. Helps make a better me.

I really would recommend them to see and speak to a psychologist if yoiu could, they can help understand what is going on and a good way forward, you can self refer or get the gp to refer. If you self refer I dont know if you are in the Uk but if you are I recommend that you go through the BPS, British Psychologist Society - here is a link to their site http://www.bps.org.uk/bps/e-services/find-...index$.cfm - They are all registered chartered pyschologist.

I really think this would be a good way, I hope this is not the case for your friend but with me i was scared what was going to happen to me if I saw a psychologist. There seems to be a stigma with any mental health issues - that really shouldnt be there. If we break a leg we get it fixed, so why cant we fix the mental health - we can it is just as and if not anything more important.

I hope this helps and wish you both luck and love.

mavis xx

[steven]

Hi ive STILL not really got any thing 2 constructive 2 add at the moment, its just ive got quite a few problems + hassels ect goin on at the moment!

I will post the name of a newish product for treating depression onto this site the nest time i log on its suposed 2 be brill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[InnerPeace]

Hi, from a complimentary therapy perspective I've known sleeping with a piece of amethyst under the pillow or beside the bed to be very effective. Amethyst is known to be good for insomnia as well as depression.

Flower remedies can be helpful too and seeing a homeopath is another good option.

[steven]

SAMe ( S-adenosyl – L – methionine ) is a natural substance made from the amino acid methionine.

It helps the body produce serotonin ( feel good hormone) so by suplementing SAMe ie taking extra amounts it helps u produce even more serotonin which may well be in short surply in people with depression.!

There is VERY strong + CONVINCING evidence via numeoeus studies that SAMe is a very effective remedidey for depression BUT WITHOUT the normal side effects normally accosiated with many of the anti deppessants available on the NHS!

(SAMe may not actually be licenced by the NHS as a treatment for depression as I don’t think its been tested for long enough )

But SAMe is a very effective remedy for depression IT DOES WORK!!!

Of course im not a DR well not in the normal sence! ( I missed out on my PHD coz I was unable 2 make it 2 the summer school ) So I cant really prescribe nor recomomend this remedy, all I can do its give u the info + so the option + u make ur own choices!!!

Of course just like all things, everything has an interaction + effect on another! So there may be some other effects, desired or undesired!!!

SAMe can cause anxiety, insomnia, and stomach upset, also it may interact with other anti depressants ie Anafranil 2 trigger agitation, tremors, rapid heartbeat, + other symptoms of serotonin syndrome ( elevated serotonin levels in the brain)

Obviously its best 2 google SAMe 2 read up on it urself 2 see if it’s the right kinda remidey for u, but DON’T take with any other anti depressants!

SAMe is available from ur chemist or health food store.

But as ive aready said SAMe does work on eleviating depression!

Also 5-HTP ( 5 hydroxytryptophan ) also increases serotonin + so 5-HTP is also know 2 be a VERY EFFECTIVE remedy 4 deppresion!

Again tho google it 2 read up ect 2 see if its the right remedy for u!

Side effects can be nausea, diarrhea, + breathin problems and again, may trigger serotonin syndrom so be carfull!

I have read also on one web site that 5-HTP MAY damage heart valves so I was instantly + permantly put off the remedy!

But according 2 every other documentation ive read its completely safe!

Make ur choice!!!

Hope this extra bit of info helps!

And yep as inner peace says chyristals are very good for helping 2 clear out unwanted negative energies ect ! and homeopathy is a brillaint healing therapy which IS available on the NHS!

[Frodge]

It's worth trying 5htp and eating a diet rich in triptophan can help aid sleep and are natural and good for you.with or without meds.