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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by michaelb on August 12, 2002, at 11:31:54
I need some answers bad. For several years I have had depression but never recognized or did anything about it. I would have suicidal thoughts almost everyday. I was having a problem at home and wanted my wife and I see a counsoler but she would have nothing to do with it and said it's my problem deal with it. The problem was her lack of emostions and affection to me. So in January I met someone on line and left and moved her in with me only to find I never could get into the relationship because I loved my wife. After the first week of being away from home I tried to kill myself and was hospitolized. After being released I went back to the girlfriend and tried to make thing work with her but couldn't because of my feelings for my wife. I tried to leave again but was always afraid of being rejected (my wife was always writing me to come back). I finally left the girlfriend and went back to my wife. While back in the house my wife keep asking me questions and thinks I was in love with the other woman because I just jumped into another relationship and sex so fast. I'm out of the house again while my wife tries to deal with her emotions.
My questions are:
1) Could the depression cause me to act so irrationally? I have never done anything like this before and I look back now and say how could I have done this? Is it caused from the depression?
2) I somehow have forgotten everything (99%) of what happen while I was with the girlfriend.
Can't even remember what she looked like. (I guess I really don't want to remember either). How could this happen?I'm on Wellbutrin now, it help a little but still very depressed.
Posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 14:27:00
In reply to Depression and memory loss, posted by michaelb on August 12, 2002, at 11:31:54
Yes depression can definately make you more impulsive and because depression produces a feeling of loneliness and lack of self worth on its own, its really easy to use relationships to try and cover all the lonely spots.
At times when all you feel is empty doing something impulsive can bring a temporary excitement that for a short while can hide that loss of feeling. Its quite common for people who are depressed to suddenly start shoplifting, or engage in risky behavior just to feel something other than dread or lonliness.I would definately recommend that you try and find another Dr. or Psychiatrist though, because the actions you described can also be attributed to other "issues."
I'm glad the wellbutrin seems to be helping, and I hope the prescriber knows you well. You might be one of the lucky few who has their first Anti-depressant work for them, but many of us have had to try several.
A Dr. who is very familiar with your symptoms may spot subtleties in your behavior that might require additional or different treatment. If you don't mind my asking, how long have you been on the wellbutrin?I hope that helped a little
Gabbi
Posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 14:37:52
In reply to Depression and memory loss, posted by michaelb on August 12, 2002, at 11:31:54
I forgot that you'd also asked if depression can cause you to forget things. It and the stress definately can, but I don't think very often causes the severity of memory loss you mentioned.
Medication can cause that type of amnesia though, especially benzodiazepines.
It sounds like something that you really need to discuss with an empathetic Dr.
Depression has so many symptoms, and they are very individual.
Other illnesses can often cause depressive symptoms so having that investigated
is extremely important.
Gabbi
Posted by michaelb on August 12, 2002, at 15:31:57
In reply to Re: Depression and memory loss » michaelb, posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 14:27:00
I started on zoloft for about 2 1/2 months but the sexual side effect was to much to handle. So they put me on wellbutrin. I've been on it for about 3 months. Last week my theripist put me on Effexor XR but that was bad new, to many side effect.
Posted by Gabbi on August 13, 2002, at 17:12:53
In reply to Re: Depression and memory loss, posted by michaelb on August 12, 2002, at 15:31:57
The reason I'd asked about the Wellbutrin was because anti-depressants take a while to be fully effective, but 3 months is long enough to know. And if it seems to working thats great. I was concerned because you had mentioned feeling depressed for a long time but didn't recognize that it was depression.
Sometimes its difficult for people who've been through that to know what feeling Good actually is. As long as you trust your therapist though, and can open up to them, then it looks like you're on the right track.Good-Luck
GAbbi
Posted by Bookgurl99 on August 13, 2002, at 22:50:47
In reply to Re: Depression and memory loss, posted by michaelb on August 12, 2002, at 15:31:57
Michael --
sometimes Zoloft can cause memory problems for some people? were you on the zoloft at the time?
AND, other than the memory loss, did you have any other symptoms? sometimes impulsivity, hyperactivity, paired with memory loss can be a sign of bipolar depression -- you could have had a 'mixed state' of depression with hypomania.
AND, have you had any physical symptoms or any tests done to rule out if this could be a physical problem? I'd think about anything that can impair your thinking, blood sugar issues (diabetes), allergies (to foods or your environment), or neurological disorders. not to freak you out, but just to be sure.
bookgurl99
Posted by michaelb on August 14, 2002, at 9:46:50
In reply to Re: Depression and memory loss » michaelb, posted by Bookgurl99 on August 13, 2002, at 22:50:47
Bookgurl,
I was on Zoloft at the time I'm now on Wellbutrin.
Symptoms were, couldn't sleep, always pacing and wringing my hands. Lost ambition to do anything even my passion of golf.
I haven't had any physical testing done. I was in the hospitol the other day for chest pains but they think that it and my other physical problem are from stress and the depression. No allergies or diabetes.
thanks.
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