Ever heard of a 4-year depressive episode?
 

My husband has been struggling with depression for at least 5 years. It took 3 years to get a diagnosis (bi-polar, mostly depressive.) No psychiatric drugs have helped--he is totally incapacitated. He can't work, can't do much of anything. His disease is resistant to everything. After going through all psychiatric drugs, we were referrred to a university hospital for ECT treatments (elctro-convulsive therapy.) He has now gone through 11 treatments and there is a little progress. I don't know where else to turn...what's after ECT if it doesn't work?

:( Depression isn't an easy beast to tame. Hubby not doing too well, huh? It's hard on everyone around too. You get a hug too. :hug:

I'm sure your hubby don't want to be depressed. If he really could, he would fix it. I'm sure you've ran the gambit of what's within your reach. I don't know what would be after ECT. That's hard to go through.

It's good that you found this forum. There are lots of good people here that will offer their advice. It will help just knowing you're not alone. We understand. :grouphug:

I hoped over to get the link to our depression forum for you and see you're posted there. I hope you and hubby find peace soon.

(Broken Wings)

Hi Christine and welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear about the problems your husband has been having. I'm glad you found us, as you'll find the members here to be helpful and very friendly. As Brokenfriend noted, you've found some other forums, so please make yourself at home.

http://dl9.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...w54pzxonzr.png

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/r...me_butrfly.gif

Hi Christine, and welcome to NeuroTalk! Glad you found us.

I'm sorry that you and your husband are going through so much with his depression. Here are links to some forums that may give you some help and answers.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum85.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum38.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum37.html

Hi,
I just responded to your post in the depression forum.

Psychiatrists can treat the manic part of bipolar much easier than they can treat the depressive part. Actually, they pretty much stink at it.

Can he get outside and walk? Walking does amazing things to our brains. Maybe try walking with him two miles a day 4 days a week.

Yoga or other eastern-type programs work for some of us.

How about talk therapy?
I'm guessing that he has been doing this.
Some therapists can help the patient cope with his condition -- help him make the most of it.

M.

welcome to neurotalk ... there are lots of friendly and supportive people here... i see you have been given a good starting point so jump right in and start posting ... should you need help, don't hesitate to ask someone ... we are here to help

It is hard to believe that such things still happen, but a therapist I know had a patient who had severe depression for years, tried many medications and had severeal bouts of ECT which also did not stop it. They then found that he had a thyroid hormone problem. I do not know how this could possibly be missed with today's advanced medical care but it was.

Episodes people write about last a decade or more, and I have read so many stories from people saying that something simple changed the scene to help make them better. Things like addressing sleep issues, changing diet, taking supplements or increasing some hormone or other. That may be on top of cognitive behavior therapies, and medication.

Bi Polar
 

I suffered from depression for as long as I can remember. I had been put on about 20 different meds over the past 18 yrs, and nothing really helped me either. I got diagnosed with epilepsy in this past year--I was given anti-seizure medicine and I feel the best I have felt in years, but not perfect. I am sooo very sorry that you have to endure all this. It is by far the worst kind of suffering a human being can have. You just feel dead inside, and you loose any ability to enjoy life. I know that this is very hard on you too. My husband stood by me thru all of the downs and I am grateful, because it wasn't easy for him either. I don't know anything about ECT, but I would make sure your husband has been tested for ANY other cause to his depression so you can rule everything out. My heart goes out to you and your husband, and I wish you all the best! hutch:)