120 pound weight gain leads to depression

August 16, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My diagnosis is clinical depression and schizo-affective disorder. I have been taking clozapine since 1990 and Mirapex, levothyroxine, omeprazole, Cymbalta and bupropion for about six years. I am severely overweight now – 270 pounds. I used to be no more than 150.

I have been unable to work steadily, except as a retail shop clerk. I’ve had a college degree since 1981. My family (brothers, nieces, nephew and cousins) are all very successful. My parents are 88 and 90 years old and have been helping financially. When they are gone I don’t know what I’ll do.

Do you have any advice for me?
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Diagnosing bipolar disorder

March 31, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: What are your feelings about bipolar disorder? It is being diagnosed all too frequently these days. In some cases it appears to be just an excuse for bad behavior.

What are the criteria for a legitimate diagnosis? I know there is the manic phase and the depressed phase but it doesn’t explain some of the behavior of some people I’ve known who supposedly suffer from it.

DEAR READER: Initially, I must say it is sometimes impossible to even attempt to explain or understand the behavior of some of the people around us, whether they suffer from bipolar disorder or not. I guess that is a puzzling fact over which we will never have control.
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Stress causes multiple health concerns

September 21, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been reading about the benefits of meditation and dietary changes, and I now realize that stress (sometimes intense) is a major contributor to my current condition. I need guidance in dealing with my overall well-being.

I am a 56-year-old woman, 5 feet 5 inches and 175 pounds. Most of my excess weight is belly fat, and I am beginning to experience discomfort in this area. My eating habits are not particularly good, but I do avoid sweets, an abundance of carbs and excessive portions.

Exercise has been limited by fortitude, energy and perseverance. I swim and want to do more than I currently am. I was a heavy smoker but quit 11 years ago. A heart attack six years ago has me taking ongoing medication. I also take drugs for depression, anxiety, migraines, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and back pain caused by scoliosis and sciatica.
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Long-term drug effects unknown

November 14, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 23-year-old son was diagnosed with bipolar illness about a year ago. He is taking Depakote and Abilify and seems to be doing rather well. Are there long-term side effects from these medications, and what causes this mental illness, anyway?

DEAR READER: Side effects of Abilify include a possibility of tardive dyskinesia (TD), involuntary, repetitive movements of the limbs, trunk and facial muscles. Abilify has been around for fewer than 10 years, so long-term effects are essentially unknown. But the product has so far been shown to have a much lower risk of TD when compared with older antipsychotic drugs.

Your son may also experience weight gain, which can likely be controlled through diet and exercise.
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Depression linked to medication

October 29, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m 20 years old and have been on birth control from the time I was 13. I’ve been depressed all my life. I think the medication causes my depression to worsen. I also have polycystic ovary syndrome. I tried metformin instead of birth control. It made me sick but less depressed. Can you tell me of a birth-control medication that will not cause depression?

DEAR READER: Medications can definitely cause feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement. All are feelings commonly associated with depression.
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Medical woes plague young reader

September 8, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Since childhood, I have been suffering with tonsillitis, chronic colds and allergies — both seasonal and medication-induced. At the age of 24, I was diagnosed with discoid lupus; at the age of 30, with fibromyalgia, pleurisy, kidney stones/infection, vertigo, depression and anxiety.

My ANA test for three years has come back normal, but I continue to get lesions, my hair falls out, and I get sick easily. I have been to two rheumatologists. Both say I do not have SLE, but my family doctor feels I do. What do you think?
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Is there a test for depression?

April 4, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am wondering if there is a test for depression. I’m always lethargic and drained, even though I get regular sleep and eat well. I was told by someone that there are two reasons for being tired — too little rest and depression. I get enough sleep but have been incredibly sad for years.

DEAR READER: Your brief inquiry could require far-reaching answers, since there is no single known cause for depression, which can be mild or so severe it heavily affects a person’s ability to function from one day to the next. It is my guess that you have never spoken with a physician about your concerns. If this is the case, you join the vast majority of people who never seek medical treatment.
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Daily Column

December 5, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 70-year-old female and for the last few years, I cry at every emotion that hits me, anger, sadness, happiness, frustration. I am not depressed, I’m happy with my life. Therefore, I don’t understand why this happens.

Please don’t suggest anti-depressants. Been there, done that. While they helped me a bit, I couldn’t tolerate the side effects. Besides, I am not depressed, so I don’t want to go on them. Do you have any idea why this happens?

DEAR READER:
Because you are 70, I would not lean toward menopause being the cause of your emotional swings.

Has something changed in your day-to-day living such as personal illness, a family member being ill, increased financial difficulties, losing a beloved pet or other stress? If this is the case, counseling might be in order. [Read more...]

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Divorce likely won’t help fatigue

January 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: You recently responded to a letter from a wife who was concerned her 72-year-old husband was sleeping excessively.

Bless his heart! He’s working 40 hours a week, and comes home to a nag who can’t understand why he’s tired. If taking naps is ruining a 50-year marriage, let her go! He may just perk up when her negativity walks out the door.

DEAR READER: I disagree with you. Sleepiness can be a symptom of depression, anemia, and a host of medical conditions that should be addressed. Perhaps the husband needs a sleep study to determine if his sleep pattern is disrupted several times a night. In my opinion, he should also have an exam by his primary care physician. If everything is normal, he may need counseling, but I don’t believe that breaking up a marriage is going to solve his wife’s anger and bring everything back to normal.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Sleep Wake Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, 4 ¼” X 9 ½” letter-sized stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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