Q. Ever since I retired a few years ago, I have been suffering from low-level depression. I work hard to keep it hidden from friends and family, but it’s getting worse.
There are so many things I want to do but every morning I have to force myself to get out of bed and then force myself not to lie back down.
Some friends who take antidepressants say they help. I tried Wellbutrin for a while but I don’t think it made a lot of difference. My physician said I would know if it was helping. Would you suggest something I might ask my physician to try?
A. Depression is a serious condition; it can also increase your risk of suffering heart disease, weight gain or dementia. Rather than trying to hide it, please ask your doctor for an effective strategy to combat depression.
Many people tell us that some generic forms of bupropion (Wellbutrin) are ineffective. A different generic formulation might help. No single antidepressant works for everyone.
If Wellbutrin did not help, you may have to try others to discover one that improves your mood. We are sending you our Guide to Dealing with Depression, in which we discuss the pros and cons of a variety of antidepressant medications and a number of non-drug approaches that can be helpful.Exercise, fish oil, talk therapy and exposure to bright light may also be helpful strategies.
