Depressed mum

Postby Annie33 » Fri May 14, 2004 11:41 am

Dear Someone,
I would like any advice regarding my mum, who has been suffering from a severe depression for 2 years now.
There were a series of events leading up to her breakdown... moving hose, having her handbag snatched, death of a good friend, falling down a manhole and tearing ligaments. However, she seemed to cope with these at the time... with hindsight, I can see that the accumalative effect has lead to this episode.
My mother is in contact with specialist services... she is on an absolute concoction of medication (I believe that the side effects are now causing some of the problems she is encountering, but have been told this is not true) She has been on more than 8 different types of antidepressant, as well as a low dose of diaepam, sleepers and anti psychotics - she recently started sseing people that weren`t there as well as experiencing auditory hallucinations.
She has had a course of ECT (6 sessions) and had CBT from 2 councillors, niether of whom seemed to help.
My mum is 67 years old, and is not `insightful`; she just wants to find a pill to make her better... while she has been waiting for this `pill`, she has lost all confidence, has extreme tremors which stop her from going out except when she has to and spends much of the day in bed/ watching tv or reading when she is up.
It is heartbreaking to see; she bears the depression in a way that is an example to me; she is still loving, and believes she will get better. However, I am now at a loss what to suggest and have little faith in the mental health team that are taking care of her. (some of the team are brilliant- they come and take her out etc.. my mum gets on with them, but the prescribing regime is incomprehensible to me, she is on apx 8 different
medications)
I am the only child and live in london, miles away from her. She is divorced, and has one brother here, who is great and visits her daily/ takes her to appointments.
Any advice would be appreciated, I am worried that the toxiciti of the medications she is on together with her poor diet / lack of excersise will soon result in more physical problems.
Annie33
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#1

Postby Roger Elliott » Fri May 14, 2004 12:39 pm

Hi Annie33

This sounds like an absolute nightmare for your Mum. If you are in any doubt about the potential side effects of medication, check out this area of our depression site: Side effects. I think you would find the video particularly interesting.

You and your mum would also probably benefit greatly from reading through the Depression Learning Path

Let us know what you think once you have watched the video.

Best of luck

Roger
Roger Elliott
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